The world’s oldest man, Tomoji Tanabe, celebrated his 112^th birthday on Tuesday, 18^th September 2007, in Miyazaki, Japan, saying that he  wanted to live for ever. 

“Don’t fight old age, just embrace it and age healthily as you go through life”, says Dr Andrew Weil (Author of Healthy Ageing). There are certain things that become better with age – whiskey, wine, cheese, trees, violins, antiques. You can maximize happiness, no matter how old you are.  Acceptance of the ageing process really means learning the principles of life style – eating right, sleeping right, moving right, reducing stress, maintaining good relations and playfulness, keeping the mind active, using the best of natural and preventive methods in everyday life. There are several changes which happen to the skin, muscles, joints, handgrip, cartilage and the height of a person who starts ageing. The following helps your body to cope with the changes:

MENTAL ACUITY B Vitamins and physical activity cut the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. 

VISION  Vitamin C, E and beta carotene with zinc may help cut degeneration in those at high risk of eye diseases. 

BONES Peak bone mass occurs at the age of 35. Walking, jogging and weight training can preserve bones. 

MUSCLES Weight training exercises may help slow age related muscle loss. 

STOMACH Eat fibre. Women should eat 25g daily and men 35g. 

BLOOD Vitamin B-12 fortified foods prevent anaemia, heart and nerve problems after 50. 

HEART At least 30 minutes of brisk physical activity daily should be there. Eat more fibre rich foods such as oat-meal to help reduce blood cholesterol. Limit sodium to keep blood pressure under check. Skip transfats. 

SKIN Quit smoking. It causes premature wrinkles and ageing. Limit sun exposure and use sun creams. 

JOINTS Try to strengthen those quadriceps to prevent Osteoarthritis, especially in the knees. To relieve pain and symptoms, apply heat to joints. There is a range of motion exercises that are good for joints. But don’t forget to warm up beginning of a work out. Following are some of  

Do’s and DON’TS to live long: Don’t oversleep: More than eight hours sleep is not healthy.

Be optimistic: It decreases the risk of early death by 50%.

Lose weight: Obesity is linked with diabetes and heart diseases.

Get a pet: Pet reduce the levels of the stress hormone “cortisol”.

Be rich: Higher incomes make it easy to engage in healthy behaviours.

Quit smoking: It has been linked to most common causes of death in the elderly.

Chill out: The anger-prone are six times more likely to have heart attacks by the age of 55.

Pop anti-oxidants: Cinnamon to blueberries- they ward off cell damage and delay ageing.

Exercise a lot: Maintaining weight will give you energy to ward off stress. 

LONGEVITY AND MOOD The Big Five personality traits that help people to live and thrive: 

• Extroverted character
• Agreeable manner
• Conscientiousness
• Emotional stability
• Openness to experience

 Our goal should be to work towards Compression of Morbidity. 

To conclude let us have an AGE TEST. Assume that the average life expectancy is 70 years. 

Attitude: Are you an optimist? Do you approach life with goof humour? Are you able to let go of stressful things? If no, subtract 5 years - 70 – 5 = 65 

Genes: Do you have at least some family members who had lived past the age of 90? Exceptional longevity runs strongly in families. If yes, add 10 years - +10 = 75 Exercise: Do you set aside at least half an hour, three days a week, to exercise? Muscle-building exercises are particularly important. If no, subtract five years - -5 = 70 Interests: Do you do things that challenge your brain, regularly? It is important to take on activities that are novel and complex. If yes, add 5 years - +5 = 75 

Nutrition:  Do you have a diet which keeps you lean? If no, then subtract 7 years - -7+75 = 68

Smoking:  Do you smoke? If yes, subtract 5 years - -5+68 = 63 years will be the life expectancy. 

Let us age healthily, happily and graciously.

Reference: India Today     

The day dawned, another day in my retired life. I opened the balcony door and looked outside. The nature was still sleepy. The sky was filled with moderately black clouds. I dressed up to move out for my usual morning walk.

Suddenly, it started to drizzle. Soon, it turned into a heavy downpour. I was thrilled. I stepped out to the balcony. The cool raindrops caressed my face. The tree branches swayed, the leaves dancing to the tune of the falling rain. Clouds were busy moving and some of them deposited themselves at the horizon. The sun hid behind the clouds feeling happy for an unexpected holiday the clouds brought along.

The melody of the rain, mixed with the noises of the surroundings, infused a new vigour in me. I looked at the moving clouds. While moving, the clouds drew some figures on the white canvas of the sky. A bald head emerged with raised hands. The downpour became heavier and I became again a child, the grandson of my grandfather. 

The monsoon had returned.

Life starts at 65 and I love it……..

 Recently I had got my cholesterol checked and I thought of getting  more information regarding the same and  I collected the following  from the net which I hope will be useful to many of the readers.This article gives information how to raise HDL (good) cholesterol.

The information given in this page is entirely for general guidance only. It is not given as medical advice. You are requested to consult your doctor for all matters.

Even if your total cholesterol is within prescribed limits, a low level of HDL less than 35mg/dL is considered as a risk factor. The risk of heart disease is elevated. It is observed that even small increases in HDL cholesterol could reduce the risk of heart attacks. For every 1 mg/dL increase in HDL cholesterol, there is a 2 – 4% reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease. 

The HDL cholesterol level can be raised by simple life style modifications. Regular aerobic exercise within your target heart rate and weight loss will help in raising the HDL cholesterol level. Do aerobic exercise (brisk walking, jogging, etc.). 

Take Foods that raise HDL cholesterol levels: 

a)  Eat half a raw onion a day. It raises HDL (good) cholesterol an average of 25% in most people.

b)  Eat at least two servings of foods high in soluble fibre like whole grains, oats and oat bran, brown rice, citrus fruits, apple grapes etc. and legumes and lentils. The soluble fibre raises HDL levels and helps in lowering total cholesterol.

c)   Use cooking oils which are high in monosaturated fats such as canola or olive oils.

d)  Increase your consumption of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, cold-pressed flaxseed oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, dark green vegetables, etc.

e)  Eat at least two servings of soy (phytoestrogens) products. Tofu, tempeh, and TVP (texturized vegetable protein) may help raise HDL levels. Include at least two servings each day. 

 Avoid 

1.  Trans fatty acids i.e. hydrogenated oil or vegetable shortening (Dalda, Rath, and Vanaspati in India). Choose a liquid or semisoft variety of margarine in your diet Trans fatty acids are found in and many fast foods and French fries, baked goods such as cookies, crackers and cakes. Remember, the softer the spread, the less trans fat it contains.

2.  Refined carbohydrates like sugar and refined flour. These have shown to raise blood cholesterol and triglycerides.

3.  Avoid food sources of cholesterol such as egg yolk, liver, kidney, brains, etc.

4.  Avoid high fat dairy products such as regular milk, cheese and cream.

5.  Reduce alcohol intake. However, alcohol (wine or beer) in moderation may raise HDL levels. However, if your do not drink, don’t start to raise HDL, it is not a medicine.

The LDL HDL cholesterol ratio is more important than individual levels of HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. However, recent heart Foundation recommendation is that irrespective of the ratio, one should try to reduce the LDL cholesterol.

Total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio (Total / HDL) is found by dividing total cholesterol by HDL cholesterol. The total cholesterol is the sum of HDL, LDL, and the VLDL (1/5 of Triglycerides). The safe total/HDL ratio is less than 4. The LDL/HDL ratio is more important ratio than total cholesterol/HDL because LDL is a measure of bad cholesterol and HDL is a measure of good cholesterol. LDL/HDL is therefore an accurate measure of heart disease. The risk levels of different values of LDL/HDL ratios are: 

Low Risk:     3.3 - 4.4

Average Risk:   4.4 - 7.1

Moderate Risk: 7.1 - 11.0

High Risk:     11.0

Let us control our life style for a long life. 

Cheers!!!

 The pathos in Andy Williams’ voice is mindboggling. Killing me softly with her song….there is a soothing in her soft killing, with her song, one would love to be killed till the end……the stranger still evades…..where is the horizon?….as elusive as her……

I heard she had a style,
And so I came to see her,
To listen for a while . . .

Killing me softly, with her song . . .

Cheers!!! 

Dubai…when I think of that beautiful place, my throat gets choked, because I spent thirty two years of my life in that tiny part of the world. My children grew up there, my ambitions, too. Arab Hospitality is traditionally famous. I had the chance of remaining among their culture for half of my life time, loving, enjoying and respecting it.

For the last thirty two years in Dubai, I used to mingle with my Muslim friends in every corner of life with love and affection. During the Holy Month of Ramadan, I had attended many Iftars. During Eid, my family and myself used to meet my friends and  wish them and enjoy the festivities with full enthusiasm and happiness.

I take this opportunity to thank everyone in Dubai, the Rulers and the people. I wish everyone in this world, from the bottom of my heart,

 RAMADAN MUBARAK 

 Let us breathe the Sweetness of Nature

 The Rainforests are of two types, Tropical and Temperate. These are located near the equator. The temperature at these areas stays above 80 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. In about 85 countries the Tropical Rainforests are concentrated. The damp and dense forests grow in Africa, Latin and South America and South East Asia. 50% of these Forests are within the borders of Brazil, Indonesia and Zaire. These Forests provide habitat for plant and animal species. The three layers of a Tropical Rainforest provide habitat for mammals, birds, snakes, etc. The canopy of the Forests grows normally to a height of above 200 feet, thus providing a shield for the sunrays, which get reflected, and a cool atmosphere is maintained inside the forest.Temperate Rainforests are found in Canada, United States, New Zealand, Chile, Scotland and Ireland. Temperate Rainforests are fewer and the soil more nutrient than the Tropical ones.

  Importance

How important are the Rainforests? They are very very important. The plants in the Rainforests breathe carbon dioxide and release oxygen thus giving us fresh and clean air. The environment becomes full of breathable air and this helps us in fighting pollution. The plants, some of very rare species, may some day provide us with the cures for the worst and fatal diseases for which, till now, mankind has not found any cure. Even after knowing this fact that the Rainforests are a perennial resource of all kinds of wealth, the Forests are destroyed systematically and unscrupulously, which is quite alarming. This results in the erosion of all fertile and nutrient soil and the land ultimately becomes a desert. Environmental and climatic changes occur globally leading to untold miseries to the humanity. The inhabitants do farming by cutting down the trees. Ranchers cut the forests for pastures for their cattle. The trees are cut and used for building houses, for pulp for paper industries and making furniture. By these acts the area of Tropical rainforests has drastically reduced from 20% to a mere 6%.

 How can we prevent this?

We should boycott, globally, of any kind of products which come out to the markets by the destruction of the Rainforests, avoid buying furniture made out of Ebony, Mahogany, Teakwood and Rosewood, etc. which are cut from the Forests. We should try to acquire Rainforests; the costs will be definitely cheap. Let us protect the Forests from poachers, burners and illegal woodcutters. We have to educate the local population to protect the Forests and compel them to refrain from cultivating, logging and hunting and make available to them alternative opportunities for their occupation. 

Take an oath now to protect the Rainforests, the Environment and the Humanity and live a natural life. Let us allow Nature to preserve her gifts

Don’t allow them to disappear

Protect the Endangered Species

 Rainforests are like gold mines. The animals are the keepers of these mines. Let us preserve and protect them. 

Cheers!!!……

When I was adolescent, I had my fascinations. When I became a young man, they grew into enormous proportions. Some are lucky to turn their fascination into love, some are not. They cherish it to the ultimate end. Nat King Cole had to say:

It was fascination
I know
And it might have ended
Right then, at the start
Just a passing glance
Just a brief romance
And I might have gone
On my way empty hearted

It was fascination
I know
Seeing you alone
With the moonlight above
Then I touch your hand
And next moment
I kiss you
Fascination turned to love 

Fascination is a bliss to be enjoyed eternally………

It’s impossible, tell the sun to leave the sky, it’s just impossible
It’s impossible, ask a baby not to cry, it’s just impossible
Can I hold you closer to me and not feel you goin’ through me?
Split the second that I never think of you? Oh, how impossible

Impossible, immmmmm-impossible

It is impossible to forget Perry Como, for he gave a real dimension to music of love. Tranquility engulfed the arena whereever he sang. His music runs through our mind and makes it float along with the notes and into a meditation……..

For all the lovers of this world, this is a booster doze for romance. Love is a many splendoured thing. Andy Williams glorifies this thus:…………..

Speak softly, love and hold me warm against your heart
I feel your words, the tender trembling moments start
We’re in a world, our very own
Sharing a love that only few have ever known

Wine-colored days warmed by the sun
Deep velvet nights when we are one

Speak softly, love so no one hears us but the sky
The vows of love we make will live until we die
My life is yours and all becau-au-se
You came into my world with love so softly love

Wine-colored days warmed by the sun
Deep velvet nights when we are one

Speak softly, love so no one hears us but the sky
The vows of love we make will live until we die
My life is yours and all becau-au-se
You came into my world with love so softly love

This song, a masterpiece of unparalleled excellence has immersed many hearts into fathoms of deep emotions. Let me share this with you…….

On a rainy day we moved out of our home town of Thrissur to visit Palani and Madurai. The national highway nr 47 had lost all its worthiness as it was full of potholes. The driver maneuvered the car swerving it left and right adding to our discomfort. The scenic excellence on both sides of the road gave some solace to this ordeal. We passed Nemmara where my ancestral house is situated. I reminisced our previous journey to that place when I had chance of visiting my father’s house. Rain was incessant and the view to our right was breathtaking. The Anamala ranges played hide and seek with the monsoon clouds. The sight of the silver streaks of waterfalls from the mountains and the cool breeze lifted our spirits and we forgot the bumps of the car with the unkind road.

We crossed the Kerala border and the car entered Tamilnadu. The road was comparatively better. The intensity of the rain reduced as we moved along. Tamilnadu had always a special place in our hearts and we enjoyed every sight on both sides of the road. The horizon of Pollachi, the next town, was yonder and it gave a mixed picture of clouds and blue sky.

Pollachi is a small town with narrow roads. It had all the looks of an erstwhile colonial town of the British Raj. It was humming with business activities for which it is famous for. The car sped on smoother roads. Coconut palm groves were visible on both sides of the roads, contrary to our expectations. We could see windmill generators on both sides of the road at the outskirts of Udumalaipet, a small town, which has improved a lot since our last visit in 1987. The wheels of the windmills were turning systematically as the wind blew from the other direction. It was an awesome sight, many wheels turning at the same time.

The wheels of the car turned and turned as we reached Palani at about 12-30 P.M. The town looked very ancient.

The atmosphere was very religious with songs, flowers and pilgrims all around. We booked our rooms in the New Tirupur Lodge, near the temple. We refreshed ourselves with a bath and walked to the temple after buying flowers and other pooja materials. On all my previous visits, I had climbed the steps to reach the worshipping place. But this time, we chose the trolley to go up. The trolley moved up at a snail’s pace and soon we reached the temple premises. It took about forty five minutes for the pooja.

 The chanting of “Hara Haro Hara” and the aroma of the burning lamps and the incense drew me back to the yesteryears. It was the day of the marriage of my mother’s sister at this altar of MURUGA. Clad in beautiful sari and with jasmine flowers on her hair and vibhuti and sandal paste on her forehead, she was looking lovely. A tear drop rolled out of my eyes as she was with Lord Muruga in eternal bliss and God Realization. I looked around among the senior devotees for a bald headed face, perhaps my late grandfather might have stood there watching us offering our prayers and showering his affection.

The day broke the next morning at Palani. Moderate rain showers were falling and we were excited. A delicious breakfast at the restaurant of New Tirupur Lodge boosted our spirits. An artist was drawing the figure of peacock on the windscreen of our car. It was a good piece of art. We looked at the looming hilltop where Lord Muruga is blessing all. The car drove away on the Palani – Madurai road.

Picturesque surroundings continued all along the road to Madurai. One worth mentioning sight was a field of sunflowers. We stopped the car and took a photograph of the same. The yellow flowers were dancing in the breeze and it was a feast to our eyes.

 As we advanced towards Madurai, the weather warmed up. The city looked crowded and we arranged our rooms in a lodge adjacent to the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple.

At about 4-00P.M, we parked our car near the temple compound and proceeded to the temple. The sight of the mammoth Gopurams on all the sides is breathtaking.

We entered the temple premises. The ancient architecture of the temple clearly explained how farsighted the ancient kings were. The sculptures on the Gopurams are par excellence. Devotional songs echoed from all sides. We prayed at the altar of MEENAKSHI Amman and proceeded to look around. The carvings in stone of different figures are immaculate and took us back to those days of the benevolent and art loving kings. The 1000 pillar Mandapam (the aayiram kaal mandapam) is an awe-inspiring place. It is definitely impossible to reproduce another mandapam like that in the modern days. We moved around many other architectural marvels, carved out of stone.

A middle aged man was singing a Carnatic keerthan, which I could not recognize. I thought if Sasi, my youngest brother, would have been with us, he would have easily found out the raga and explained it to us. He is a good musician, the follower of our mother. The thoughts of our mother flashed a glow on our faces and it was apparent that she was following us wherever we went, her Godly presence protecting us perpetually.

The sky became overcast, but it did not rain in Madurai. Instead we felt we had been in a shower, a shower of blessings from above, in that sacred place.

  Cheers!!!…………….