Things I Do Differently

The things I mention here are all second nature to me, It’s just the way that I live and have lived for years. In fact, I had to think hard about what might be different since it’s all so normal to me. Here it is and I hope it’s no too long-winded!

• I don’t use teabags. I use organic full leaf green tea and brew one cup at a time as needed in my mini glass teapot. The same goes for black tea – organic, full leaf tea brewed one cup at a time.
• I never drink any very hot beverage. Into my biggest mug, I pour my hot brewed tea and add enough cold water to cool it down to luke-warm. It just feels like very hot beverages are not kind to the throat or tongue, and long term, they are also a risk factor for esophageal cancer.
• No ice cold drinks either. Room temperature only.
• The only beverages I drink at all are tea and water – nothing else. I have no desire for anything else.
• I eat very little fruit, maybe a bite or two a day. (but I do eat LOTS of vegetables! 🥦 🥕🫑 🍅 🧅)
• I never eat sweets on an empty stomach. It’s always better to include some fat and protein with sweets to slow down the sugar spike (like an apple with a few walnuts) (or a cookie with a glass of milk).
• We have no aspirin, tylenol, antacids, cold medication, allergy pills, none of that in our house. If we have any discomfort, we focus on finding the cause, not masking the symptom. If I have pain, I use ice or heat. I sometimes consider getting anti-anxiety medication when I look in my lighted, magnified, makeup mirror, but I finally decided to stop looking so hard. 😳
• Skin gets thinner and drier as we age, so I keep water and lip balm everywhere: in the kitchen, bathroom, at my desk, by the sofa, in my purse, and in my car.
• I don’t take multi-vitamins. I feel my diet gives me all the nutrients I need.
• I peel peppers before eating or cooking. The skins seem hard to digest.
• Finger nails also get weaker as we age. They can crack or peel so I use a glass nail file. It’s a lot kinder to the nails than an emery board.
• Manicures – pedicures – facials – massages? Not for me. I can’t seem to sit still long enough!
• I eat something every 3-4 hours.
• It’s my belief that in many cases, you can decide not to be sick. I have had occasions when I feel a cold coming on and I simply decide that, “this is not going to happen!” I make chicken soup, rest for the day, and start making a To Do list for tomorrow. That’s as far as it’s ever gotten. No cold or flu in over 50 years.
• I trust what my body tells me. Some things are obvious: When I’m thirsty, it’s telling my I’m dehydrated and should drink some water. When I eat too much, it punishes me by making me lethargic and uncomfortable, to each me a lesson. Listen to your body. It will let you know what you need, and don’t need. Craving an orange? You might need some vitamin C. Craving a steak? You might need some heme iron. Craving something salty? You might be dehydrated – salt is an essential electrolyte. And you body will readily let you know what you don’t need. A perfect example is a hangover. 🤢

I hope these things are helpful without being too preachy… 🙂