Stuff I have learned today

Why the instinct to clutch a wounded part of the body helps relieve discomfort. "When you get input form many different signals. the brain increases the coherence of its body map, which reduces acute pain." More sensory input reduces pain.

What you say about others reveals a lot about you. A study revealed that college students who are more inclined to view their peers positively-as being trustworthy, nice and emotionally stable- reported greater life satisfaction, less depression, and better grades and test scores. On the other hand, those with negative opinions of others were more apt to be disagreeable, antisocial and narcissistic.

The careless generation. Nearly 75 percent of college students today rate themselves as less empathic than the average college student did 30 years ago. Probably because of the increases in social isolation and, surprise, because people read less fiction. The number of stories preschoolers read predicts their ability to understand the emotion of others; adults who read less are also less empathic.

Source: Scientific American Mind 2/11

Radiohead - Exit Music (for a film) live Pinkpop 2001 (high quality)

The Smashing Pumpkins - Shame

Radiohead - Lotus Flower

Sex at Dawn

Soooooooo Good

JES - Awaken

Strategic Snacking

...to keep hunger at bay

• 5 strawberries + 1 cup low-fat yogurt
• Raw baby carrots + 1 oz hummus
• 1 oz dates + 1 oz almonds
• 1 apple + 1 tbsp peanuts butter + 1 cup 1% milk
• 2 oz trail mix + 1 cup low-fat chocolate milk
• Celery Sticks + cream cheese
• Whole-wheat tortilla + 2 slices turkey breast + 1 slice swiss cheese
• 1 pear + 1 stick of low-fat string cheese
• 1 cup berries + 1 oz hard cheese

Foods To Make Muscles Pop

Again from MH's 2010 Nutrition Guide

• Almonds (and other nuts): builds muscle, fights cravings, burns flab. Toss a handful on salads.
• Beans (and other legumes): builds muscle, burns fat. Handful on salads. Rinse first.
• Spinach (and other green vegetables): exploding with vital nutrients. Salad or in sandwich.
• Dairy: strengthens bones, fires up weight loss.
• Oatmeal: increases energy, boosts stamina, reduces cholesterol, maintains blood-sugar levels.
• Eggs: build muscle, burn fat.
• Turkey: builds muscle, strengthens immune system.
• Peanut Butter: builds muscle, burns fat.
• Olive Oil: lowers cholesterol, boosts immune system
• Whole Grains: fight cancer, promote weight loss, fight heart disease, lower blood pressure.
• Whey: builds muscle, burns fat
• Raspberries: fight cancer, help promote weight loss, fight heart disease.

The Ultimate Salad

The Ultimate Salad... saw this on Men's Health 2010 Nutrition Guide. Picture is unrelated... other than being a salad.

• Broccoli (three spears) • Spinach (one cup)• Red Kidney Beans (1/4 cup)• Yellow Bell Peppers (four strips)• Swiss Cheese (four cubes)• Carrots (1/4 cup)• Extra-virgin Olive Oil and Vinegar (one tablespoon)• Almonds (tablespoon)• Cherry Tomatoes (4) • Sunflower Seeds (one tablespoon)• Chunk Light Tuna (3-ounce serving)• Red-Leaf Lettuce (four leaves)

Nutritional Info: Calories: 618 • Protein: 41 grams • Carbohydrates: 35 grams (14 grams fiber) • Fat: 37 grams (6 grams saturated) • Sodium: 178 milligrams

 

Progress Pics

It's been a while since last update. So I thought I would make up with several new (well, 2-week-old) ones.