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THE NOURISH LETTER
JUNE 2018 Meet the Men Behind Your Meals
www.OctoberKitchen.com | 860-533-0588 | 309 Green Rd., Manchester, CT 06042
We Need to Allow Ourselves Time to Recover Why do we refuse to give ourselves time to heal? work when we are not emotionally up for the task, our work can suffer and extend the amount of time it takes to heal. HEALING TOO FAST?
I’m not talking about physical injuries or ailments. Sure, we all have that friend who will try to go to work even when they are sick with the flu, but most of the time, when we suffer from something that can be seen or measured, we’re willing to take it easy until our bodies recover. So why do we fail to give ourselves that luxury when our pain is invisible? In the last year, I’ve been guilty of pushing myself too hard to heal faster. Losing my dad and my dog hit me harder than I realized. I made myself go back to work, but I was still in that shadow of grief and all the negative emotions began to spill over into my life. When I finally forgave myself for my mistakes and took a step back, I discovered what real recovery feels like. Work is important. Our jobs empower us to support ourselves and our families,
Both physical and emotional recovery rely heavily on our state of mind. In 2005, Archives of General Psychiatry published a study that found couples who were loving toward one another recovered from injuries faster than couples who were hostile. This matches the research conducted by Janice Kiecolt- Glaser, Ph.D., a professor of psychiatry at Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dr. Kiecolt-Glaser determined that the stress hormone cortisol slowed the healing process by 60 percent in couples who did not get along. As you might expect, dealing with stress also slows your ability to heal from emotional wounds, like the loss of a loved one. I recently read an article from the integrative health care organization HaLé that really stuck with me: “There is true wisdom in saying, ‘I need support.’ Emotional energy is a factor in our health and our
“In the last year, I’ve been guilty of pushing myself too hard
Shady says hello.
Guthrie is getting so big!
to heal faster.”
healing process and feeling safe to release emotional energy can help in so many ways. Having someone just be present and supportive by your side can be exactly what you need.”
provide much-needed services to others and help grow the economy. And for many people, their work is intertwined with their identity. I know mine is. But if we force ourselves to
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860-533-0588
I WISH YOU ENOUGH
Powerful Advice From Bob Perks
Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?
“That’s a wish that has been handed down from other generations,” he replied. “My parents used to say it to everyone. When we said ‘I wish you enough’ we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.”
This is a question Bob Perks addresses in his book, “I Wish You Enough: Embracing Life’s Most Valuable Moments One Wish at a Time.” A series of anecdotes celebrating life’s most important moments, Perks shares a story about a trip to the airport, where he watched a man and his adult daughter share a tearful goodbye. As they hugged, the father said, “I love you. I wish you enough.” The daughter replied, “Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough too, Daddy.” They kissed and the daughter went to catch her flight. Though the father was on the verge of tears, when he saw Perks, the man asked, “Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?” The father went on to explain that his daughter lived very far away and due to his own health problems, he knew the next time she flew out would be for his funeral. Perks then asked what the father meant when he told his daughter, “I wish you enough.”
After a moment, the man smiled and recited the old blessing from memory.
“I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final goodbye.” Life is full of ups and downs, but it doesn’t take a lot to be happy. All we need in life is enough and to find that “enough,” we just need to be willing to embrace the beautiful moments life has to offer.
I wish you enough.
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L I S T E N T O Y O U R G U T How Gut Bacteria Can Improve Aging
as they are for your waistline. Instead, add plenty of vegetables and fiber-rich foods, like beans, broccoli and artichokes to your diet. You also need
Bacteria get a bad rap. Sure, bacteria can cause meat to rot and spread infectious diseases like strep throat and E. coli, but certain types of bacteria are necessary to keep your body healthy. This is especially true of the bacteria in your gut. Gut health is a topic more people are starting to think about. Inside your gastrointestinal tract is an entire ecosystem full of bacteria, fungi and a few viruses. This sounds like a gross mess, but maintaining a healthy gut will support your immune system, turn the food you eat into energy, filter out foreign toxins and help your brain produce serotonin, the so-called “happy” hormone. Good gut health is very important in seniors. Researchers at the Lawson Health Research Institute of Western University in Ontario, Canada, in collaboration with the Tianyi Health Science Institute in Zhenjiang, China, found that older adults who were in good health have the same bacteria in their guts as healthy 30-somethings. If you want to feel great well into your golden years, make your gut a priority. How Can I Improve the Health of My Gut? The best way to maintain a healthy gut is to be mindful of the food you’re eating. Junk foods and alcohol are as bad for your gut
to make probiotics a priority. Plain Greek yogurt is great for your gut, and you can add some fresh fruit
for flavor and vitamins. Kombucha, a type of fermented tea, is also a good choice. Just be sure you are drinking enough water too. In addition to your diet, the state of your gut can also be influenced by lifestyle habits. Do what you can to get enough sleep and learn how to best manage stress. Certain antibiotics can also wipe out the healthy bacteria in your gut. If you get a prescription for antibiotics, be sure to ask your doctor how you can take care of your gut health while taking the medication. Maintaining your gut health can be a real balancing act, but once you get the hang of it, your body and your gut will thank you. TESTIMONIALS At October Kitchen, our mission is to provide delicious, nourishing meals. In doing so, we hope to help our clients lead healthy and independent lives. Nothing fills our hearts more than knowing we’ve succeeded in our goal when we hear such kind words from our clients. “Love the meals — tuna casserole, chicken pot pie, turkey divan, all delicious. I had gastric bypass surgery and need small meals. These are nutritious, and one serving is two for me. Perfect to pop in the microwave. Great job!” –Sharon G. “I’m not sure how we lived without October Kitchen before this! Highly recommend, even if it is just to have a few quality frozen meals in the freezer. They provide complete nutritional information so you know what you are getting. They also provide delivery — but I like going in to see what extras they have I might enjoy.” –Sharon P. “My husband and I received gift certificates for October Kitchen when we had our baby, and we’ve continued to order. Nutritious, wholesome and delicious meals delivered to our door are a lifesaver! I’d recommend October Kitchen to anyone, young or old. Every meal has been fantastic.” –Jayne C.
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I know that many people who read my newsletter dedicate themselves to helping other people recover and improve their health and I encourage them to be mindful of their own health. We all go through rough patches in life where personal issues make facing our responsibilities a struggle. There is no shame in stepping back, seeking support and taking time to get yourself into a healthy state of mind. Reach out to friends and family. Take a break and spend time on hobbies you enjoy that aren’t related to work. Let yourself experience the pain of loss or worry without pretending to be okay. And then give that pain the time it needs to pass. No one wants to feel heartbreak or anger or loneliness. When we experience emotional distress, it can be tempting to push it away and focus on other things because you just want to feel okay again. But nothing lasts forever and if you allow yourself the right amount of time to heal emotionally, you’ll get the best results in the long run.
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309 Green Rd. Manchester, CT 06042 INSIDE
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You Don’t Need to Push Yourself to Heal
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Enough to Be Happy
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Join the Alliance
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Ignoring Your Gut Feeling?
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Hear From Our Clients
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Ringo to the Rescue!
A Nose for Trouble Ringo the Tabby Saves His Family Ray and Carol Steiner found Ringo, a red tabby Manx, living in a shed when he was 10 days old. Despite already having three cats, the couple decided to open their hearts to the friendly feline — a decision that would one day save their lives.
over to get a better look, she was nearly overwhelmed by the smell of natural gas. The gas company discovered an old steel coupler had broken open, leaking dangerous levels of gas into the Steiners’ house. A single spark outdoors could have set off an explosion that would have consumed six other houses, potentially killing 22 people. Ray and Carol’s doctor told them that even if they avoided an explosion, they would have died from methane poisoning if they’d been exposed much longer. The gas meter did not register the leak, but Ringo did. Once they aired out their home, the Steiners’ health improved immensely. Because of his dedication to his family, Ringo became the 11th cat in history to be awarded the American Humane Association’s national William O. Stillman Award for bravery.
Years after adopting Ringo, Ray and Carol began to oversleep and experience high blood pressure, dizziness and headaches. The couple attributed these troubling symptoms to their recent health problems — Ray had just undergone heart surgery and Carol was recovering from a car accident with her leg in a cast. But Ringo realized something was amiss. One blistering day in August, the usually mellow cat caused a ruckus. He meowed loudly and banged his body against the front door. Carol let him dart outside, but the moment she closed the door, Ringo began to aggressively meow again. This was unusual behavior and Carol realized Ringo wanted her to follow him. The red tabby brought Carol around to the side of the house, where large bushes hid the air conditioner and gas and water meters. Ringo started to dig in the jagged lava-rock landscaping, cutting his paws on the sharp stones. When Carol leaned
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