In my quest to outlive my children's inheritance, I have spent years studying all the "studies" on what is good for you, and what isn't. And I must say, the only thing I learned is that all those studies are worthless. One says eggs will kill you. Another says eggs are a "superfood". One says tomatoes will prevent cancer. Another says tomatoes can cause serious gastric troubles. Butter is bad. Butter is good. Meat is essential. A vegetarian diet is healthier. In short, each study is put out by someone with an agenda.
So, where to turn? That's as easy as understanding who and what we are. Look to nature, because we are, after all creatures of nature. Frankly, we are nothing more than cavemen with SUV's and Blackberries. So, if we know what was a natural, healthful diet for our erstwhile ancestors, we'll have a good idea of what is good for us today.
In nature, man is an omnivore - both a plant-eater and meat-eater. The proof lies in our physiology. We have molars, for grinding (like herbivor/vegetarians), and canine teeth for ripping and tearing flesh. So, nature dictates that our optimum health relies upon both meats and plants as food sources. Our physiology also requires complex amino acids, many of which are very difficult to get from a strictly vegetarian diet.
Now, science indicates that early Man was a forager - he had few, if any, tools and weapons. But what he did have was some intellect. As such, it is likely that his diet consisted mainly of fruits, vegetables, roots, berries, seeds (whole grains) and nuts, with smaller, periodic portions of fish and red meats (as they were more difficult to come by, and usually had to be shared among the entire family unit).
Most of these foods contain their own fats, but those fats are good, dietary fats, and not the chemical poisons that are found on supermarket shelves. And early foods were free of pesticides, growth hormones and antibiotics.
This leaves us with an ideal, natural diet that, when coupled with ordinary, moderate exercise, would keep us out of the clutches of the drug companies. My diet consists of organic, natural foods, fresh or frozen (nothing in a can), including (for meats) natural beef, chicken, pork, turkey and wild, cold-water fish, and (for plants) whole grains, fruits, veggies, berries, and nuts.
It is also recommended that our diet is balanced - "forage foods" such as plants, nuts, berries etc. should constitute about 80-85% of our diet. Meats should be in small portions, perhaps 2-3 times per week, with fish at least 1-2 times per week.
Finally, we should eat the way our ancestors ate - small meals throughout the day, rather than three big meals a day. Why? The "three squares a day" routine raises Hell with our blood sugar levels, which can - and often does - result in obesity and diabetes. Our sugar is either peaking, or petering out. And "fasting" for several hours between meals causes you to eat too much when you finally do get to stuff your gullet. But if you "graze" throughout the day, as early foragers were forced to, your blood suger levels are going to remain relatively stable, resulting in better health. Also, your body can only use just so much fuel at any given time. Large meals mean some of that food is going into storage, folks! Spreading hips, waist and thighs are the result, especially as we grow older and exercise less.
Well, it works for my family!
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Immigration
Like millions of other folks around the country, I have been following all the hullaballu about illegal immigration, and what to do about it. The recent bill before the Senate only serves to prove that our elected officials have no clue. Here's how I see it...
America is our home. Now, people can be in your home as residents, visitors, workers doing a job or, in some cases, as burglars or trespassers. All people in your home should be accorded the treatment normally bestowed upon any person in that class. Residents (legals) may come and go as they please, as long as they follow the rules of the house (the laws). Visitors may be invited, and stay only until they either choose to leave, or are asked to leave. While in your home, he must follow the house rules (adhere to the laws, if they fly a flag, it should be the Stars & Stripes, and they should attempt to speak the language) Workers should be allowed to do their job, then leave. And trespassers (univited guests) should be sent packing, or even arrested.
Therefore, as I see it, the answer to the immigration situation is no different from how you would treat a person coming into your home. Each should be treated according to their purpose for being in your home. If an illegal immigrant breaks the law, or does not contribute to the community and nation, they should either be deported or arrested and jailed. If they come here to work, they should leave when the job is done - and their presence does not entitle them to raiding the fridge or watching the television (no entitlements).
We already have laws on the books that allow us to control the immigration situation, so the proclivity of congress to pass MORE laws seems rather inane - if they won't use the laws they already have, why pass more that will also be ignored?
We have a great and wonderful nation. If we want it to prosper and remain strong, we need to be wiser in how we run it, and smarter in who we put in Congress and the Presidency. Right now, I look, and I am not impressed with the choices of either party. We need to get past looking down party lines and seek out people who have intellect, wisdom and strength of conviction, and elect those people regardless of party affiliation. John Kennedy, Theodore Roosevelt and Ronnie Reagan were such people. I am looking for others in our current time, and to date, have only found one that I feel good about. And maybe, just maybe, Newt will run. Meanwhile, I will look for others.
America is our home. Now, people can be in your home as residents, visitors, workers doing a job or, in some cases, as burglars or trespassers. All people in your home should be accorded the treatment normally bestowed upon any person in that class. Residents (legals) may come and go as they please, as long as they follow the rules of the house (the laws). Visitors may be invited, and stay only until they either choose to leave, or are asked to leave. While in your home, he must follow the house rules (adhere to the laws, if they fly a flag, it should be the Stars & Stripes, and they should attempt to speak the language) Workers should be allowed to do their job, then leave. And trespassers (univited guests) should be sent packing, or even arrested.
Therefore, as I see it, the answer to the immigration situation is no different from how you would treat a person coming into your home. Each should be treated according to their purpose for being in your home. If an illegal immigrant breaks the law, or does not contribute to the community and nation, they should either be deported or arrested and jailed. If they come here to work, they should leave when the job is done - and their presence does not entitle them to raiding the fridge or watching the television (no entitlements).
We already have laws on the books that allow us to control the immigration situation, so the proclivity of congress to pass MORE laws seems rather inane - if they won't use the laws they already have, why pass more that will also be ignored?
We have a great and wonderful nation. If we want it to prosper and remain strong, we need to be wiser in how we run it, and smarter in who we put in Congress and the Presidency. Right now, I look, and I am not impressed with the choices of either party. We need to get past looking down party lines and seek out people who have intellect, wisdom and strength of conviction, and elect those people regardless of party affiliation. John Kennedy, Theodore Roosevelt and Ronnie Reagan were such people. I am looking for others in our current time, and to date, have only found one that I feel good about. And maybe, just maybe, Newt will run. Meanwhile, I will look for others.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Planting Time
It is that time of year - I have to get out and get my little veggie garden started. The good news: I have learned how to get the same harvest with a garden 1/3 the size. And the harvest lasts an extra 5-6 weeks. Now, anything that results in less time working the garden is something this old man can appreciate.
The secret? Wide rows. Instead of planting all crops in single rows, I now scatter seed in a wide row (about 16" wide). Once the seeds sprout, I thin just a little. The objective is to have enough plants growing close enough together to have their tops form a canopy that keeps the soil cool and moist, and prevents weed growth. In this fashion, I get three times as many veggies in the same space as single-row planting.
As a side note, I make my wide rows as raised beds because they are easier to maintain, easier to fertilize, and promote stronger root growth. And I leave 30" between rows, because my rototiller is 30" wide.
More important, I can begin harvesting earlier, picking the first to gain in size, which allows more room for the smaller ones to grow. These early, young vegetables are usually much sweeter and tastier. As each week passes, I just keep picking the biggest. This extends the harvest by up to 6 weeks, because of the sheer number of plants, and because this thinning process results in some plants maturing at different times.
Most crops can be planted in wide rows, but a few should stay in single rows, such as corn, potatoes, tomatoes, squash and cucumbers.
The secret? Wide rows. Instead of planting all crops in single rows, I now scatter seed in a wide row (about 16" wide). Once the seeds sprout, I thin just a little. The objective is to have enough plants growing close enough together to have their tops form a canopy that keeps the soil cool and moist, and prevents weed growth. In this fashion, I get three times as many veggies in the same space as single-row planting.
As a side note, I make my wide rows as raised beds because they are easier to maintain, easier to fertilize, and promote stronger root growth. And I leave 30" between rows, because my rototiller is 30" wide.
More important, I can begin harvesting earlier, picking the first to gain in size, which allows more room for the smaller ones to grow. These early, young vegetables are usually much sweeter and tastier. As each week passes, I just keep picking the biggest. This extends the harvest by up to 6 weeks, because of the sheer number of plants, and because this thinning process results in some plants maturing at different times.
Most crops can be planted in wide rows, but a few should stay in single rows, such as corn, potatoes, tomatoes, squash and cucumbers.
Is Good Food More Expensive?
Many people have noticed that good, healthful food that is truly organic and natural is more expensive than processed foods, which, in turn, are more expensive than "junk" foods. And, while it is true that good foods do tend to be about 15% more expensive, a reality check shows that these good foods are actually no more expensive in the long run? Why?
When a person eats good, nutritious fresh food, that person tends to be much healthier than the person who eats processed foods. This translates, on average, to health care savings of about $2000 per year. In other words, those who spend $2000 per year more to eat healthy foods would normally save $2000 per year on health care costs. Therefore, it would seem that eating well costs about the same as eating poorly.
There is another benefit, of course - healthier people tend to live longer (^.^)
When a person eats good, nutritious fresh food, that person tends to be much healthier than the person who eats processed foods. This translates, on average, to health care savings of about $2000 per year. In other words, those who spend $2000 per year more to eat healthy foods would normally save $2000 per year on health care costs. Therefore, it would seem that eating well costs about the same as eating poorly.
There is another benefit, of course - healthier people tend to live longer (^.^)
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Tax Implications of Moving
When you move to a different state, you should note that both states may be able to tax your estate when you die. There have been cases where an estate has been taxed by as many as four states, leaving nothing behind for heirs to fight over.
Each state has its own rules as to what constitutes legal residency, and the courts tend to side with them inspite of the simple fact that a person can only have one permanent domicile. Domicile and residency are not the same thing.
So, what this boils down to is this: if you move to another state, make a complete and clean break from your "old" state. Move bank accounts. Hire new accountants, attorneys etc. in your new state. Leave nothing in the old state that could be construed as ties that might be determined as residency. This includes any rental properties, investments, business holdings, and even charities that you donate to.
The more you do to prove that you no longer have any ties to a state, the weaker becomes their claim on you when it comes to taxation.
And, no, just because you are married does not mean you must both be residents of the same state for tax purposes. But if you choose dual state citizenship, understand that you could be jeopardizing a big chunk of your estate when you die.
Each state has its own rules as to what constitutes legal residency, and the courts tend to side with them inspite of the simple fact that a person can only have one permanent domicile. Domicile and residency are not the same thing.
So, what this boils down to is this: if you move to another state, make a complete and clean break from your "old" state. Move bank accounts. Hire new accountants, attorneys etc. in your new state. Leave nothing in the old state that could be construed as ties that might be determined as residency. This includes any rental properties, investments, business holdings, and even charities that you donate to.
The more you do to prove that you no longer have any ties to a state, the weaker becomes their claim on you when it comes to taxation.
And, no, just because you are married does not mean you must both be residents of the same state for tax purposes. But if you choose dual state citizenship, understand that you could be jeopardizing a big chunk of your estate when you die.
IRS Property Auctions
As we all know, the IRS has a history of taking property - personal and real - from taxpayers who do not pony up as they are supposed to. But the IRS is not allowed under law to keep confiscated property, so it periodically auctions off all that great stuff.
Examples of items include real estate, business equipment, automobiles, boats, coin collections - even patents. One recent item was, of all things, an amusement park!
Auctions must be attended in person, and be prepared to pay. Dates, times and locations of auctions, along with pictures of the items being auctioned, can be found at www.treas.gov/auctions/irs
Examples of items include real estate, business equipment, automobiles, boats, coin collections - even patents. One recent item was, of all things, an amusement park!
Auctions must be attended in person, and be prepared to pay. Dates, times and locations of auctions, along with pictures of the items being auctioned, can be found at www.treas.gov/auctions/irs
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