Tuesday, April 09, 2013

H is for . . . Health

Image Courtesy: Raj Manchekar
Hi, darlings,
I'm delighted to see the enthusiasm with which you view our lessons. Today we come to H for Horse.

There was a time, when my grandparents were young, when the average hardworking person out there would take pride in the fact that he or she was as strong as a horse. Health, which is my H word for the day, was truly their wealth. They treated the body as a temple, and they took care not to abuse it or take it for granted.

How far we've regressed from the good example our elders set for us!

As your mother, I keep singing the Health song. I try hard to ensure that you eat healthy, drink plenty of water, play hard, outdoors as well as indoors, get your share of exercise and sleep well. If it weren't for my hawk-like surveillance, you, La Niña, would think nothing of getting your just desserts, all the time. Your idea of having a fun time today is drinking colas, eating pastries and junk food, with more chemicals than food particles in them.

The seeds for eating healthy have to be set when you are still young so that when you grow older, you will not depart from it. So that you reap the benefits throughout your life.

Eat healthy, but don't overeat. And don't tell yourself that vegetables are for the animals that can't kill their food or buy it in the supermarket. 

Food isn't just meant to be unwanted lumber that will fill the storage space in your middle. It's meant to be fuel, that will give you the strength to get out of bed every morning and live well and achieve your goals. How far do you think the car would get on a diet of cola?

The body is a machine that was designed to function like clockwork. And it did work like clockwork, until we got the body's needs and our wants mixed up.


Treat your body well. It is your home for the duration of your lifespan. Do not defile it with excesses or with substance abuse. You'll never find any brand new, unused spare parts for it.

Health is the pleasant weather that let's you get out there and have a good time. Too many people lose their hold on health, and then spend all their savings and their energy chasing after doctors, hoping there is some bottle somewhere that, when uncorked, will restore their vigour and bloom.

My wish for you is that you may always remember that if you look after your body, it will return the favour and stand by you.

Now doesn't that make sound horse sense?

We meet again tomorrow. I will be waiting. 


PS. Do show up on time. We can't keep I waiting. 

51 comments:

  1. How true! And because its ours, we abuse out body ad take it for granted in every way. It's NEVER too late to pay heed to oneself.

    Here's to health!
    Meera

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    1. Hi Meera, you're right and the sooner we start taking care of our health, the better.

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  2. Good advice. If I had to choose, I'd rather be healthy than rich.

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    1. Well chosen, Bob. If only we would all remember to choose so sensibly.

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  3. from eating any and everything and not worrying about anything... I have come to a stage where I am conscious and even plan my eating out splurge ! :P

    I guess age does that to all of us !

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    1. :) Sad as that sounds, it is so true. Even I have become very conscious of what I eat now.

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  4. I'll take health, too. I've come to value it more with each year I am given.

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    1. Carol, when I see people of my parents' generation who are still enjoying a good life, I can see the attention they must have paid to their health.

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  5. Great advice. "There are no spare parts" really hits home.

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  6. I always talk to my kids about moderation. I know they are kids and should be able to enjoy candy once in a while, but having the whole bag is definitely not a good idea! :D

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    1. Yes, Roshni and it is up to us moms to play the part of a spoilsport in their own interest.

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  7. Promise to be there on time. Me wouldn't want to wait either. You simplistic approach combined with engaging story telling skills have me captivated. No horsing around, this. :)

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  8. I'll probably lose those last then pounds now - Thanks for the inspiration.

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  9. Words to live by. I still teach my kids their body is a temple. In this day and age many people talk about health, but not as many live healthy lives. Take care!
    Kids Math Teacher

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  10. Good, sound advice and something we all need.

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  11. Absolutely great advise. Health is a very important sub set of our universe :)

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  12. Great advice!! Health is truly wealth :)

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  13. Great post.

    You are absolutely right about the importance of taking care of our bodies!

    Lyre at Lyre's Musings

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  14. Perfect Cynthia :)
    U sound like moM :)
    Seriously as a kid I never knew what is a cola or maggi or chips or pizza
    The generation X kids only hog on them
    Good u r guiding them in a different way :)

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  15. Excellent advice. Health is way too important to be neglected.

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  16. Well said, Cynthia. Looking afterone's own health and well being should be everyone's number 1 priority.

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  17. Such a lovely post and I love your endings particularly :) Even I look forward to your lovely posts :)

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  18. lovely message to honour our bodies thank you! Sound horse sense indeed!
    Susan Scott's Soul Stuff

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  19. Unfortunately, all the advertising of drugs here in America teaches our children that any problem can be fixed with a pill.

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  20. No wonder they say "Strong as a horse". Another gem, Cynthia!

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  21. I was raised on a farm and am convinced my good health then was as much from hard outside work as from healthy eating. I just don't move enough anymore.

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  22. This advice seems more relevant for this generation, Cynthia!

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  23. This is very good advice. I'd take health over riches. It's very difficult to have a happy life if you are in poor health, no matter how much money you have.

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  24. Very true...till a few years back, my kids were reluctant to eat out or even try anything. But, they do now. I do keep a tab on their habits, but will not curb it else it will turn to craving.

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  25. I have been unwell for the past few months and know the importance of health, it is the most important thing.

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  26. Vinita, thank you very much. ‘I’ would be honoured to meet you again tomorrow.

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  27. Thank you for visiting my blog, Lucy. I like the idea of likening the body to a temple. Unfortunately, most people only realize the sanctity of the temple when their health begins to fail them.

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  28. That’s right, Shilpa. Health is the greatest treasure that we squander away.

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  29. Amy, I keep trying to get my kids to eat healthy. I haven’t succeeded yet, but I am not giving up.

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  30. Today’s kids have so much unhealthy food to tempt them, Afshan. Parents really have their hands full with teaching them to enjoy healthy food.

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  31. That’s true, Speedingturtlegetsfit. Unfortunately, we get our priorities all wrong.

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  32. Denise, it is in the interest of the advertising and pharmaceutical industries to encourage the belief that a pill can fix any problem. If we were healthy, we wouldn’t need them.

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  33. You must have had some wonderful adventures and a great life on the farm. Fortunately, Patricia, it’s never too late to start doing something good for yourself.

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  34. That’s true, Kristen. Even if one had pots of money, one would only end up funding the doctor’s vacation bills.

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  35. Ah, Janu, that is the job that we mothers have to do, force them to eat good stuff. It makes us unpopular sometimes but it is worth it.

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  36. Very true, Sulekkha. I wish people would realize this valuable lesson.

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  37. Self-indulgence has replaced self-care to the detriment of health and society.

    www.passporttobrilliance.com
    www.creativecaravanclub.com

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