by Mary Claybon | Aug 18, 2011 | Health and Wellness |
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My friend Susan bought me a hummingbird feeder for my kitchen dinette window and today I saw my first hummingbird come to check it out. What a thrill! I don't know what my husband and I were talking about, but whatever it was, in that moment I forgot it and jumped for joy. I was so excited to see that little bird at my window. Now they know they can come and visit anytime.
Did you know that hummingbirds are the smallest bird. They can flap their wings 30-90 times per second. Can you imagine their metabolism? It is the highest metabolism of all animals. Their pulse rate (heart beat) averages 1200 beats/minute. I am a nurse and I would have to be a wonder nurse to count that pulse. The neat thing is that they are able to lower their heart rate to 50-180 beats per minute at night, at rest, or when they don't have enough food. Compared to humans-the average heart rate is around 70. A good resting heart rate is 50 (very healthy heart of a conditioned individual) and 180 would be the maximum heart rate for a 40 year old.
They eat nectar from flowers or sugar water from feeders. They can visit more than 100 flowers a day. Their diet is sugar, water and salt.
I used to work in the dialysis unit at Christ Hospital. This is where people with kidney failure would come for an "artificial kidney" treatment. It was interesting to me that hummingbirds can actually slow their kidney filtration rate when they are near dehydration so that when there is a lack of water for the kidneys they do not go into failure. Wow! what an animal!
They are also the only group of birds that can fly backwards and their flying patterns have been studied by aerodynamic experts.
My father, John Mack, was an artist, and one of his paintings hangs in my foyer. It is a hummingbird. Thank you Dad.
For more information on Hummingbirds, there is a great website hummingbirds.net.
I hope you enjoy some hummingbirds this summer.
Mary
by Mary Claybon | Jun 20, 2011 | Health and Wellness |
4 Reasons to Eat Watermelon – Dr. Weil’s Weekend Tip.
I love watermelon, if it’s ripe and good. Watermelon is full of vitamins, gives us added fluid in our diet, is low in calories, and rich in antioxidants.
The way I pick a watermelon is to pick it up and pat it firmly with a cupped hand. The sound tells you it is ripe and ready to eat. If you hit it and there is not much of a sound, it is probably not ready to eat. I am not sure how much watermelon actually ripens once it is picked from the plant.
Once you pick a good one, enjoy! Watermelon has some great health benefits, not to mention it is so refreshing and good in the summer.
by Mary Claybon | Jun 16, 2011 | Health and Wellness |
Not for men only-this is for men and the women who love them. Diet is important to health and there is more and more evidence that diet can contribute to the health or unhealth of the prostate in men.
Prostate Health and Diet – Dr. Weil’s Daily Tip.
Thanks Dr. Weil and thanks to all of you who read this.
Mary
by Mary Claybon | Jun 12, 2011 | Health and Wellness |
What Is Watsu? – Dr. Weil's Weekend Tip.
Anything to relieve stress and tension these days is a plus. I have not experienced Watsu in its true form but I love to stretch in the bath tub.
Water is a natural relaxant both outside and in.
Be sure you are drinking water as much as possible too!
Hope you enjoyed your weekend.
Mary
by Mary Claybon | Jan 23, 2011 | Health and Wellness |
This was a great article about multivitamins. I would remind my readers that your doctor and health care providers need to know as much about your supplements as they do about your other prescriptions and over the counter medications.
Enjoy this and let me know what you think.
Myths about vitamins and the health benefits for women.
by Mary Claybon | Dec 12, 2010 | Health and Wellness |
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A mother bird has to take care of herself to take care of her babies. Love this photo from a Bed and Breakfast where my husband and I stayed while taking a break.
I just got off the phone with a friend who shared her recent trip to New York City. She went by herself, leaving her 7 year old with her reluctant husband and had the time of her life. She walked the streets of Manhattan, spending 5 hours in the original Macy’s. She talked to people, enjoyed the holiday decorations, and thoroughly enjoyed the city. She visited Soho, the East sides and Chinatown. I love walking and as I listened to her story I felt the joy of this walking experience. She spent hours, being in another world, away from home enjoying the moment. The weather was cold, but she had a warm coat, great boots and the heat of her own body from walking and going in and out of shops.
It sounded like so much fun! Sound selfish? This person works part time with her husband on a family business, is raising her sister’s daughter and may be gaining custody of her sister’s other children. Selfish? Or was she taking care of herself to replenish her energy to give to others.
Many people were upset with the author of Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert for her “selfish” journey to far away places in order to get in touch with her own soul. Should she have stayed with her husband, lived the life that appeared happy by most standards, and grounded her in a life not fully satisfying, but certainly stable? Or do we sometimes need to take a journey where we have time to get in touch with our inner person, our true selves, and the inner direction to live a life that is not just satisfying, but honest and full of the joy of living and the energy to truly love others. We then can share lessons and journeys they might not have the luxury or freedom to take.
When Robert Ringer wrote his book, Looking Out for Number One his message was not to take care of your own needs regardless of the needs of those around you, but rather to be aware that by taking care of your needs you will be able to be a more whole person to those around you.
My friend returned from her trip energized and ready to “get back to her real world” with a renewed spirit. Her husband, who had been a little bit anxious about her timing for going away, stated that he had a new appreciation for how she balances her day-to-day life.
We are not helpful to anyone if we are stressed, burned out, or stepping over our feet to take care of people. Most of us appreciate a gift when given with joy and from an open and healthy heart.
