Achieving Work-Life Balance in the 21st Century: Lessons from a Small Mexican Village

I'm back! I've spent the past two weeks traveling in central Mexico with my fiancé and his parents. Though we visited two large cities for a few days (Guadalajara and Zacatecas), we spent the majority of our time in my fiancé's hometown, El Remolino, a small rural village about three hours from Guadalajara.

It was amazing to see the differences in culture, lifestyle, and work-life balance between my life here in Oakland and life in these small Mexican towns. El Remolino is largely an agricultural village, so many people own land that they farm on or raise animals on. During the day, the streets are empty (most men are working the fields while the women stay home to attend to childcare and/or household duties). Every day there is a two-hour period where all businesses close (even banks!) so that the employees can take a break and have a long lunch. Many businesses are also closed on Thursday afternoons.

There was one central plaza where people would congregate in the evenings to socialize with one another and to enjoy the cooler night air. People would also sit outside of their homes together at night and greet friends and neighbors as they walked by. All in all, life moved much more slowly there and it seemed as if people simply had more time to focus on non-work related things in their lives, especially cultivating relationships with people and playing an active role in their communities. Everyone seemed to really cherish the strong bonds they had with friends and family (this seemed to come above everything else, even their work); they made an effort to spend several hours a day socializing with each other.

I contrasted this way of life with my own in the U.S., and it made me realize how little socializing I do on a daily basis compared to them. Yes, I interact with my coworkers all day, but I think this type of socializing is inherently different than the interactions that happen outside of the job sphere, when we are not brought together simply because of our jobs. I feel that I spend so much time working every day that I have very little energy left for socializing when I get home in the evenings and perhaps I don't place as much value on my relationships with others as they do in these small towns (though I would like to think this isn't true!). I also have chosen to live in a place that is far from most of my family, which I feel is a pretty rare thing in many of these towns where several generations of family members live side-by-side (or, at most, a five-minute walk from each other).

I'm not sure if people in El Remolino worked less every day and had more time for socializing or if they just placed more of a priority on sustaining healthy, happy relationships with others on a daily basis. Either way, it certainly made me rethink my own priorities in life and, even though I have never been one to place work/career above other things in my life, this trip certainly made me realize that I have not been immune to the cultural mindset in the U.S. that encourages us to strive for "personal growth" and "independence", even if it comes at the expense of less community engagement and less of a focus on sustaining relationships with people I care about.

Food Cures From the Garden

I picked up a wonderful book at the library the other day called Rx from the Garden: 101 Food Cures You can Easily Grow Now written by Kathleen Barnes. Though the only gardening space I have right now is on my small deck (using containers), I still want to get an idea of what I would try to grow if I had a yard. I also would like to learn more about which foods can be used to treat--or at least alleviate the symptoms of--certain common health issues. The first half of the book outlines the different foods and herbs you can use to treat ailments such as arthritis, high/low blood sugar, headaches, stress, depression, hair problems, eyesight deterioration, and more. The second half of the book provides instructions on how to grow the corresponding vegetables and herbs in your own garden.

Garlic and onions are two of the most prominent players in this book, which is no surprise since they are so loaded with many health-giving nutrients. Garlic is a powerful antibiotic and both garlic and onions have been shown to stop or slow the growth of a variety different cancerous cells.

I was also glad to see chili peppers listed as valuable vegetables in treating a variety of health problems because I love cooking with them! Chili peppers contain capsaicin, "...a powerful painkiller that is relatively unique in the plant world because it provides quick relief. In many ways, it works like aspirin without the potentially harmful side effects and it temporarily blocks a compound called 'substance P' that transmits pain signals along the nerves to the brain" (p. 24). Some of the ailments it is supposed to help with include: osteoarthritis, back pain, bronchitis, and colds/flu.

I recommend this book for anyone who would like to learn more about how certain foods can serve as medicine. Why not first resort to natural cures before loading ourselves up with the potentially harmful toxins and side effects found in most conventional Western medicine?

 "One of the biggest tragedies of human civilization is the precedent of chemical therapy over nutrition. It's a substitution of artificial therapy over nature, of poisons over food, in which we are feeding people poisons trying to correct the reactions of starvation."  
 -Dr. Royal Lee, January 12, 1951

The Spread of Diabetes and Obesity

Diabetes is on the rise, even among adolescents. According to a study published in the journal Pediatrics and outlined in the New York Times, "Two-thirds of American adolescents ages 12 to 19 are of normal weight, 16 percent are overweight, and another 18 percent are obese" (to read the full NYT article, go here: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/21/diabetes-on-the-rise-among-teenagers/?ref=health). That means 1 out of 3 American adolescents is now overweight or obese. Also, according to this specific study, nearly 1 in 4 adolescents now has Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

These astounding statistics are difficult to tackle because we know there are a number of different factors that are likely to be the cause of rising rates of diabetes and obesity among young people. A sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition, and the increasing use of technology (leading to inactivity) are thought to be the main culprits in this epidemic. As the article explains, the increase in diabetes could also be due to higher numbers of minority adolescents, who are at a higher risk of developing diabetes. For instance, Mexican-Americans are two to four times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than non-Hispanic white Americans of the same weight (http://www.public.asu.edu/~squiroga/azhar.HTM).

Still, regardless of the reasons for these increases, the fact that rates of diabetes and obesity are rising so dramatically in this age group is a scary finding that ought not to be dismissed. School cafeterias need to do a better job with the kinds of meals they serve to young people. We need to push for healthier alternatives that include more fresh fruit and vegetables, the consumption of water rather sugary drinks, and a reduction in the amount of frozen and/or highly processed foods that are available to students. Parents also need to take a stricter stance when it comes to healthy living and teach their children how to make healthier choices in relation to eating and exercise:

• Encourage involvement in extracurriculars and limit time spent in front of the television and computer. Children do not need technology to be entertained, so teach your child how to play by themselves and how to be entertained with regular toys instead of screens. Many public schools are resorting to cutting time out of recess or P.E. classes (or getting rid of them all-together), so it is absolutely crucial for parents to keep their children active after school and on the weekends.
• If your child doesn't have access to quality food at school, take the time each day to prepare healthy homemade lunches for them. Once they are old enough, teach them how to make their own healthy portable meals to bring to school. Even doing this just a few times a week can make a noticeable impact on overall health. At the vegetarian preschool where I work, I get to see all of the awesome healthy food that the director prepares for the kids (there is a salad every day and lots of beans, rice, tofu, tempeh, etc.--the kids love it!). I can only hope that these kids will have access to such healthy foods for the rest of their school years.

The fight against the spread of diabetes and obesity requires a joint effort from parents, schools, legislative bodies, and the community at large. We can all play a role in creating healthier environments for our children to develop in, so let's start now.

"It seems that some consideration should be given to the cause of our mounting physical disabilities, but instead of going to the root of our troubles--wrong habits of eating and drinking--we rush to the medicine shelf and smother our uncomfortable and distressed symptoms under an avalanche of pills, potions and palliatives." -Brother Roloff
 

Apple & Berry Compote

Lately, I have found myself craving apples, even though they aren't in season. In particular, I have been longing for sweet applesauce served as a warm, comforting after-dinner dessert. My mom sometimes makes a delicious apple compote, but I could not quite recall how she made it, so I scoured the web until I found this great recipe, which I adjusted slightly.

Apple & Berry Compote

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1/6 cup sugar
• 1/2 vanilla bean (optional but recommended!)
• 1 tablespoon brandy
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2-3 apples, peeled, cored, and cubed
• ¼ cup of blueberries or other kind of berry

Directions

In a large saucepan, combine the water, sugar, vanilla bean and seeds, brandy, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg and bring to a boil. Boil gently until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.

Add the apples and berries and return to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very tender and the mixture thickens, about 20 minutes.

Remove from the heat and take out the vanilla pod. Enjoy!

On Faith and Science

The following excerpt is from a novel called I Married You for Happiness by Lily Tuck:

            She is not religious. She does not believe in an afterlife, in the transmigration of souls, in reincarnation, in any of it.

            But he does. “I don’t believe in reincarnation and that other stuff and I don’t go to church but I do believe in God,” he tells her.

            Where were they then? Walking hand in hand along the quays at night, they stop a moment to look across at Notre-Dame.

“Mathematicians don’t necessarily rule out the idea of God,” he answers. “And, for some, the idea of God may be more abstract than the conventional God of Christianity.”

            At her feet, the river runs black and fast, and she shivers a little inside her leather bomber jacket.

“Like Pascal,” he continues, “I believe it is safer to believe that God exists than to believe He does not exist. Heads God exists and I win and go to heaven,” he motions with his arm as if tossing a coin up in the air. “Tails God does not exist and I lose nothing.”

            “It’s a bet,” she says, frowning. “Your belief is based on the wrong reasons and not on genuine faith.”

            “Not at all,” he answers. “My belief is based on the fact that reason is useless for determining whether there is a God. Otherwise, the bet would be off.”

            Then, leaning down, he kisses her.

This was one of my favorite passages in the book. I think using reason to “prove” or “disprove” any kind of spiritual belief is mostly pointless and counter-productive. Spirituality is not meant to be something than can be proven through science. We must allow people the freedom to explore spirituality, intuition, metaphysics, and abstract concepts, without fearing ridicule and rejection from the scientific community.

Allow your intuition and your emotions to guide your faith and to enrich your understanding of the transcendental realm of life. Understand that not all things can be proven; not all things can be seen; and not all things can be understood by everyone. Your spiritual beliefs are a culmination of all of your past experiences, fears, hopes, and dreams, and it is foolish to assume that others will necessarily experience spirituality exactly the same way you do (or even experience it at all). Thus, let’s not waste our precious time debating the existence of God and whether we can prove God. Let’s remember that rational thinking is not all there is and that it is not the only lens through which to view our existence.

“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense." -Buddha

The Importance of Leisure

Relax. Take a deep breath.

We tend to live in an accelerated state of being. Our lives are way too hurried, hectic, and over-scheduled. Oftentimes, we pack so much into a single day that we forget to enjoy the simple things in life: a good book, an unhurried home-cooked meal shared with a loved one, a lazy carefree afternoon with good friends. I have met people who become stressed out when they have "too much free time" or do not have their lives scheduled down to the very minute. These people become so accustomed to being constantly on-the-go that they often do not even realize that such a fast-paced lifestyle can have dire consequences on their mental and physical health. Here's a great resource with more information about the physical and emotional effects of stress--which is often the byproduct of an overly busy lifestyle--on the body: http://www.stress.org/topic-effects.htm

Don't forget to give yourself time every day to relax, meditate, read, or just sit and think. If you can, use this time to do whatever it is you love but never seem to have the time to do.

Start now:
http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/
and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRAvTGYt0P8

"Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some."
- Robert Fulgham

Allowing Nature to Support and Heal You

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” –Einstein

Nature is my religion. That is what I often tell people. Anytime I am out in nature, whether it be hiking through a forest, walking along the beach, or laying on the grass looking up at the sky, I am always immediately overcome with feelings of calm, peace, and acceptance.

I have gone on a hike every weekend for the past month and half or so. Usually it is in one of the many parks and nature preserves nearby, but still far enough that I am removed from urban life for a while. I find that these weekly outings are incredibly beneficial for my wellbeing. Not only do they provide me with beautiful scenery, fresh air, and quietness, but I am also in the company of good friends, which make these trips all the more pleasant and rejuvenating.

Though I enjoy experiencing the wonders of nature with others, it is also important to experience nature by yourself sometimes. The universal connection we share with all living beings and the grandeur and beauty of life are often best absorbed when you are completely alone in a natural setting (of course, we are hardly ever “alone” in nature since we are surrounded by so much life). I strongly encourage you to take a walk in nature by yourself every once in a while, even for just a few minutes. It is impossible not to feel revitalized when doing so. Journeys into nature help to quiet the mind. If you allow them to, these outings will bestow you with a sense of serenity that is rarely achieved elsewhere, especially in our hectic urban lives.

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” –Emerson

How often, when walking around outside, do we actually use our sense of touch to physically feel our natural world? If you can, try to experience nature in the most “natural” way possible. This does not necessarily mean stripping off your clothes and running around naked (though you are certainly welcome to try that, too!) but giving yourself the opportunity to experience the outdoors the way nature intended us to. Take off your shoes and walk barefoot for a while. Lose the hat and sunglasses and allow the sun’s rays to penetrate your skin for a few minutes. You may suddenly feel very vulnerable, but these sensations will make you realize how disconnected with are from nature a lot of the time. Allow yourself to touch the various textures of the outdoors (bark, stones, grass, dirt, leaves, etc.). Lay on the ground and feel the reassuring support of the strong earth beneath you. 

We have a lot to learn from nature. Let mother earth support you and guide you through times of hardship, pain, and suffering. If only we would let it, nature would provide us with all we really need to live happy, peaceful, and healthy lives.

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles." -Anne Frank