Life’s a Bitch

Posted on August 15, 2017August 16, 2017 by Marion Driessen

Really, Life?

You’re kidding, right?

Is this some kind of sick, screwed up joke?

Why can’t you pick on somebody else? Someone mean, someone evil. Why do you threaten a man who has worked hard all of his life, from dawn ‘till dusk? Someone who is finally done serving the community and crossed the threshold into retirement only a month ago? A man who has been nothing but gentle, kind, helpful and dedicated. A man who is an expert in his field of work. An inspiration and mentor to me.

At least end the terrible pain and grant him some happiness with his loved ones. His wife, children and grandchildren. That’s the least you can do.

Please, Life, Goddess, God, Energy –by whatever name you wish to present yourself– please show mercy and perform a miracle.

Life, I do love you. But today, today I hate you.

Health, Inspiration, Photo

Don’t get rid of your stress, get better at it!

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Marion Driessen

Stress. It makes your heart pound, your breathing quicken and your forehead sweat. But while stress has been made into a public health enemy, new research suggests that stress may only be bad for you if you believe that to be the case.

Psychologist Kelly McGonigal urges us to see stress as a positive, and introduces us to an unsung mechanism for stress reduction: reaching out to others.

The next time your heart is pounding from stress, you’re going to think to yourself: This is my body, helping me rise to this challenge.

Stress makes you social. It releases oxytocin, motivating to seek and give support, and strengthening your heart.

I wanted to share this eye-opening TED-talk with you:

I’m going to give this a try. How about you?

Health, Six Word Saturday

Virtual Oxigen

Posted on October 12, 2013October 12, 2013 by Marion Driessen

My Saturday in Six Words

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SENDING OXYGEN TO THOSE IN NEED

image: Yale Scientific Magazine

A month ago, I came down with a viral respiratory infection and I got up again after a week. A couple of days later it came back to strike me down even harder. Several body parts decided to join in, so everything above my waist was painful. I have been occupying couch and bed for a week, while my books and 13th Street were occupying my mind.

Today I finally feel my levels of energy and oxygen rising a bit for the first time in over two weeks, the relentless coughing abating. I can slowly breathe deeper again, even dared to pick up the vacuum cleaner and wave it around downstairs. And that feels like such a blessing.

This feast of extreme and relentless coughing, gasping for air – especially at night – and sniveling happens to me twice a year, during the changing of the seasons. Asthma. Could allergies have something to do with it? It must be, for they adore me. They love me so much that they can’t leave me alone. But on October 24th I’m seeing a bio-resonance therapist who might be able to help. I have no idea what bio-resonance is or does, but will find out in less than two weeks.

So on this fine and sunny Saturday I want to send out virtual oxygen to all who battle a lung disease, to those who have a severe cold, to asthma and bronchitis patients, to anyone in need of a simple breath. Hang in there. I feel for you.

Have a healthy Saturday.

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Health, Six Word Saturday

Yes, I confess: I’m an addict!

Posted on March 23, 2013August 14, 2017 by Marion Driessen

My Saturday in six words:

~ BLENDER BROKEN. IN SMOOTHIE WITHDRAWAL SHOCK. ~

My morning ritual for the last six months involved bananas, pears, apples, kiwis, pineapple, grapes, strawberries, spinach, celery, Chinese cabbage, chicory, green salad, parsley, mint, water and linseed. Smooth and creamy fruit- and vegetable-drinks for breakfast. No more hypoglycemia downers, a calm belly and yes, even gradual weight loss. Plus it is healthy as ~~hell~~ heaven!

This morning the blender knifes were merrily making their rounds, when suddenly a weird sound screeched through my kitchen. I dived towards the blender and turned it off. Probably a piece of apple got stuck. Turning the blades was easy. Come on, sweet thing, do your job. More screeching and a bit of smoke…

My poor blender is no more. And my smoothie no smoothie. A sad mix of water and tiny bits of something was floating in the glass container. Tea and bread were the alternative.

Tomorrow I will go hunting for a new blender. Because I’m in smoothie withdrawal shock and don’t like that. Because I’m a smoothie-addict ever since I started last year. I even take them with me to work.

Have you ever made fruit-veggie (green) smoothies? Did/do you like them?

Have a smooth weekend, all of you.

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More Saturday-news @ Cate’s Show My Face.

Health, Personal, Photo, Six Word Saturday

Drat, Winter

Posted on February 2, 2013February 12, 2013 by Marion Driessen

My Saturday in six words:

Bleary eyes. Red Nose. Drat, Winter!

Want to play along? All that’s necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words.

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Health, Technology

SIT ON IT? No more, Fonzie!

Posted on January 27, 2013February 2, 2013 by Marion Driessen

In the morning we sit at our breakfast table. We drive to work and sit in a car, bus or train. Then we sit eight hours a day at our desk. Drive home and sit at the dinner table. In the evening the couch is our seat. In short: we sit out a large part of our lives… which is bad for our health. We have to move more and sit less.

What? Sit on it? No more, Fonz! We have to start moving again, like our ancestors did. And I have found a solution, even two:

Take a look at the Treadmill Desk:

And the We Bike Desk:

Isn’t this something?

Here’s the Treadmill Desk in action:

Can you see yourself ~~sitting~~ walking and biking at your desk? The construction doesn’t seem to be that hard to assemble. No more dieting or expensive fitness subscriptions, no. We work, we move. With the We Bike, we even produce energy.

More information at Treadmill Desk and We Bike.

Health, Personal, Six Word Saturday

6WS: JackHammer Time

Posted on May 12, 2012May 12, 2012 by Marion Driessen

Six Word Saturday:

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Migraine rules. Little white pill overrules!

Though the left side of my skull is trying to take over my weekend, I won’t let it. Usually I wait far too long before I finally give in and look for a temporary solution in medicine. But my family does not need a zombie-mother. They need a smile. And so do I.

So together, we – the little white pill and I – will overrule this migraine and get out into the fresh air.

Do you have tips to get rid of and – better – avoid migraines? I’d love to hear them.

Happy Painless Weekend!

PS. If you want to see the pictures I’ve made of our walk, then click on Groen, Groener, Groenst. Don’t let the Dutch discourage you. It simple means: Green, Greener, Greenest 😉

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Want to play along? All that’s necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words.

<< Click the button for more Six Word Saturday at Cate’s.

Health

Are You A Coffee Or A Tea Person?

Posted on March 9, 2011August 14, 2017 by Marion Driessen

It is early morning. Too early. Darkness still stalks the house and your eyelids are unwilling to cooperate. You stumble down the stairs, turn on a tiny light and walks towards the kitchen. Which action will you take next? Turn on the coffee machine or put the kettle on for tea?

My choice would be (herbal) tea. Green tea with a touch of lemon in the morning, liquorice tea in the afternoon and mint tea at night. With all possible melanges in between, except black tea with an artificial fruit flavor.

I have hypoglycemia and coffee makes me feel sick. Decaf cappuccino is quite OK though, with lots of milk and cream… but then again, that is no real coffee right? 😉 But I prefer sipping clear golden liquid, steaming in a glass.

If you want to know more about tea, I advise you to visit Art of Tea, a wonderful website dedicated to tea. I could tell you about it myself, but these nice people have already done it for us.