“I come from a family where gravy
is considered a beverage.”
– Erma Bombeck
With Thanksgiving drawing near many of us have food on our minds as we make plans for our upcoming holiday feast. Of course, many of us have food on our minds no matter the holiday, but Thanksgiving gives us a little something extra to drool over in anticipation. How can we make this Thanksgiving extra special and create lasting memories as we choose what’s going on the table for this special day? One thing’s for certain and a vast majority of us have this ‘thing’ in common – our choices are leading us on a straight path to heart disease, the number one killer in our society.
When Dr. Dean Ornish’s best-selling book, ‘Reversing Heart Disease’ came out in 1995, I made it required reading in the college yoga classes I taught. I now lead book discussions on his latest book with co-author/wife, Anne Ornish, ‘Undo It!” As Dean and Anne direct readers to: “Eat Well. Move More. Stress Less. Love More,” I am reminded of a similar yogic path I embarked on years ago and have since dedicated my long life to teaching. However, you don’t have to be a yogi to follow Dean and Anne. You just need to be someone who wants better health, a better life, and a better world. They convince us that all of these high ideals are indeed possible to achieve. Their reversing heart disease program has been scientifically proven to work and is now financed and covered by Medicare too. The only glitch is you have to reach the age to receive Medicare and then be diagnosed with some form of heart disease upon entering this Oz-like land of elderhood. I vote we get this book into the hands of the majority of us who have not yet been diagnosed with heart disease regardless of age. In fact the sooner the better!
It’s possible still to change course, it really is. Consider making your life even more than a 5-course meal plan. Especially if enjoying a long healthy life tops this year’s menu.
So please do have fun planning the menu. Let’s make a toast together – “Long live life!”
As our Thanksgiving blessings abound.
