Grab Bag “Not So Happy” Meal:

Research conducted at University College London indicates a diet of fatty and processed foods is linked to …..

Well, you can pretty much fill in the blank with any health problem and you’d be right, but this time it’s DEPRESSION. A 58% higher risk of depression, to be exact, for those consuming heavy amounts of processed foods. And that means nearly anything from a package. Score a double bogey for fried foods (chips, crispy, yummy ANYTHING, tempura,etc.), processed meats (you know those fabulous Costco hot dogs?) and high-fat dairy products (yes, your Haagen Daz Dulce de Leche ice cream, regular milk [as opposed to 1%], regular cottage cheese, most softer, yummy cheeses, etc.).

Consuming fish, fresh fruits and vegetables showed the inverse effect, with the assumption being the antioxidant levels in those goodies have a protective effect on the brain. Researchers also credit the broad source of nutrients in the “whole food” diet, rather than singling out one vitamin or ingredient as the hero.

And we’re not just whistlin’ Dixie here. This study, published November 2nd, 2009, in the British Journal of Psychiatry, should provide more than just interesting reading. In the words of one researcher:

… improving people’s diet should be considered as a potential target for preventing depressive disorders.

Thanks to my wonderful sis, Tally D., for sending this along.

Grab Bag “Joe’s Mo’Joe” Moment:

Who is THAT nut job? OK… yes…. I am a holy-roller…. Pilates holy-roller, that is, and I can’t say enough about this total body fitness method. Whether your 18 or 80, Pilates will strengthen and lengthen you like no other. I used to be a 5’2″ weakling 🙂 It seems to be contagious. My daughter has embraced the Mo’Jo of Pilates and is an outstanding instructor in San Francisco.

Through the years I have delved deeply into many methods: 5 years of yoga,  a year of mixed martial arts, eons of aerobics, 5 years of weight lifting, even 1 season of  track and field training with a former Olympian. In all my experience, there is NOTHING as strengthening and transformative as a regular (more than once a week) Pilates schedule. That’s not to say I don’t do anything else… I spice up my physicality with fun things all the time. But Pilates is my bread and butter, and I pray it might be yours, too. If you could experience the changes I have felt and seen, you’d be a holy-roller, too.

Joseph Pilates said, “In 10 sessions you’ll FEEL a difference. In 20 sessions you’ll SEE a difference. And in 30 sessions you’ll have a whole new body.”

I have thrown together a Pilates page for the Grab Bag site that has videos I have chosen to make up a quick, basic mat routine. You can use this routine to get acquainted with Pilates, and to have a quick routine to follow whenever you want to feel GREAT 🙂

Truly, the miracle of Pilates comes to you with consistency and good quality instruction. This page is isn’t really meant to be that, but to hopefully entice you to seek more.

Click on the Pilates Workout tab at the top of this page, or click THIS LINK.

Grab Bag Awesome Nature Moment II:

Grab Bag Brain Game:

This one will have you sharpening your visual skills to find the small polygon sections of the photos that are out of alignment. Four different puzzles to choose from:

POLYGONE

Grab Bag Creepy Fascination:

Here’s an oddly fascinating app for the iPhone:

Grab Bag Funny Stuff:

???

What is THAT hold called?

Got a Troublesome Neighbor?

I guess the economy is growing…

Just a LITTLE bitter…

Fun on the CD racks…