Land of Oz Workshops Blog: Returning to the Land of Love: Finding Hope, Love,...

Land of Oz Workshops Blog: Returning to the Land of Love: Finding Hope, Love,...: "In the charming film, Don Juan de Marco, Johnny Depp told Marlon Brando that there are only four questions of value to ask: What is sacred? ..."

Returning to the Land of Love: Finding Hope, Love, and Courage on Your Yellow Brick Road

In the charming film, Don Juan de Marco, Johnny Depp told Marlon Brando that there are only four questions of value to ask: What is sacred? Of what is the Spirit made? What is worth living for? What is worth dying for? He then said that the answer to each question is the same....love!

Nothing in life is more important than love. To love another is one of the greatest experiences in life and to be loved in return with equal passion is a miracle to be cherished. Love is essential to life. Love is life. Love shines as the subject of poets, the music of composers, and the lyrics of song writers. Once we are touched by the magic of love we are never quite the same. Once we taste the nectar of love we are not satisfied with anything less. Love transforms the ordinary and simple things we do together into extraordinary experiences.

Love has many dimentions: mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. These dimensions represent the ways we talk to each other; the ways we express our feelings; the ways we touch and caress; and the ways we meditate, pray, and walk to God together. All four play essential parts in the passion and grandeur of love's continual expression and evolution.

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Maximizing Your Brain Power

By John Tamiazzo, Land of Oz Workshops Blog In L. Frank Baum's enchanting story, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Scarecrow wanted a brain. The fact is, the brain is a very complex organism and it is imperative to know how to properly feed it, take care of it, and nurture it so it does exactly what it was designed to do. There are many ways to feed the brain. We feed the brain by what we eat, what we think, the beliefs and values we hold, the attitudes we possess, and the emotions we express. We feed the brain by the way we react to life events. Positively altering brain chemistry through exercise and continuing to learn new things feeds the brain. Andrew Weil, M.D. once said that ‘Fast food is one of the most unhealthful dietary developments in human history.” Richard Wurtman, research psychiatrist at MIT said, “The ability of a meals composition to affect the production of brain chemicals distinguishes the brain from all other organs.” Is it possible that the food we eat dramatically affects our brain chemistry and, thus, the healthy functioning of the brain? Let’s take a look at the inner workings of the brain and how the food we eat each and every day can play a major role in maximizing brainpower. The brain is 50-60 percent fat and, thus, is the favorite breeding ground for free radicals. Free radicals are hazardous chemicals that corrupt your brain cells genetic DNA and erode the neurons normal functioning. Free radicals are generated when you breathe or burn calories during normal metabolism. So, they are a natural part of living. But, they are also generated when you breathe in cigarette smoke and polluted air. Free radicals are carried into cells through food, notably fatty food. Under certain circumstances, free radicals are good in that they help to destroy invading bacteria and viruses. But, once they get out of control, they can wreak havoc on your brain cells. A high-fat diet and sugary foods are enemies of the brain. The human brain was never designed to process the amount of sugar we feed it. It is estimated that each person in the US consumes nearly 150 pounds of sugar a year! In addition, we consume foods rich in saturated fats, transfats, and prepared with hydrogenated oils. If you look closely at most of the food stocked in supermarkets across America and you take the time to read what is in the food and how much fat and suger it contains, you might be surprised at how unhealthy the food is. A can of soda typically contains 10 teaspoons of sugar regardless if it is regular or diet. Antioxidants are chemicals that neutralize free radicals and keep them under control. Antioxidants act as the body’s ever-vigilant army that searches out and destroys free radicals and attempts to repair the damage they have caused. It is important that antioxidants predominate over free radicals to enhance the brain’s circuitry and repair the cells when necessary. Antioxidants are best produced by eating foods that are antioxidant rich. Creating a strong presence of antioxidants is one of the most important things you can do for the continuing health of your brain.  The deep color in fruits and vegetables indicate their antioxidant richness. Antioxidant foods include: raisins, prunes, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, garlic, kale, plums, broccoli, beets, avocado, oranges, red grapes, red pepper, grapefruit, kidney beans, pinto beans, eggplant, banana, apples, tomatoes, especially cooked tomato as in paste or sauce. Antioxidant rich nuts include pecans, walnuts, peanuts, and sunflower seeds. Barley, oats, oatmeal, and millet are excellent sources. Spices include cinnamon, cloves, and oregano. Antioxidant beverages include apple, grapefruit, orange, tomato, green tea, red wine, and dark beer. Alcoholic beverages need to be consumed in moderation. Dark chocolate, thank God, is a rich antioxidant and when consumed in moderation it is an excellent brain food. Consider eating dark chocolate that is at least 70% cacao. And also consider eating dark chocolate as your primary desert. Forget about fat laden-artery clogging-gas producing-cholesterol-rich deserts like cakes, pies, ice cream, cookies, etc. In extreme moderation they are fine. Dark chocolate is your best bet and your miracle brain will love you for it!