ALWAYS BE YOUNG AT HEART

How many times have you heard the following statements about television personalities, athletes, celebrities, pop stars and even people you know:

“He/She is told old to be wearing that.”

“He/She should not be behaving like that – it isn’t age appropriate.”

“Why do old people think they can do that?”

“Eww, old people shouldn’t be having sex.”

“If you reach the age of retirement, you should stop working to let the younger generation become employed.”

“Old people are too fragile to engage in that kind of physical activity.”

I hope that I am never faced with any of the above.  I have been guilty of saying “what you are wearing is too young for you” to my husband Jason and I cringe when I think about it.  If you feel great about wearing something and it makes you feel good, what does it matter what others think?  Should you not be empowered to wear clothing that makes you feel comfortable, sexy, confident and make you feel good?  Whenever we judge others in what they wear, say or do – says much about yourself.  You are saying these things because they make YOU feel uncomfortable.  You may also be saying these things because society frowns against what isn’t considered to be ‘normal’.  But what is normal?  I would rather be thought of as original and eccentric than conform to what everyone else deems ‘normal’.

Many people feel that once you reach a certain age that you should act a certain way.  True ageism (as well as sexism) rears its ugly head in Hollywood and the music industry, especially as it relates to sexuality/gender.  Money (and sex) is what motivates Hollywood and the music business.  Who wants to hire an actress over 50 in a leading role (unless you are master of your craft such as;  Meryl Streep) when you can hire sexy actresses that will sell movie tickets?  Today – it’s Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lawrence, Kirsten Stewart, Emma Watson, Amy Adams and Jennifer Anniston.  Actor’s don’t have this issue – Robert DeNiro, Robin Williams, George Clooney, Anthony Hopkins, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, and Morgan Freeman are all still headlining movies.

Ageism/Sexism seems to be much worse in music – especially if you are a women.  Case in point – Madonna.  She looks radiant and is in great shape but because she is over 50, many people believe that she shouldn’t be doing what she is doing or wear the clothing that she wears.  Do you hear people saying this about Mick Jagger, Iggy Pop, Jon Bon Jovi, Bono, Paul McCartney or Prince?  There is a double standard when it comes to being sexual for a female and a male.  When Madonna (or any other female pop star) grinds on stage with a younger male – she is a slut, a whore and a tramp but when a guy does the same thing, he’s a stud and cool.

I am glad that my thoughts on this issue have grown to be more opened to peoples individuality.  I am glad that there are people out there that don’t care what others think about in terms of their fashion sense and being young at heart.  Ultimately – if we are happy and enjoying doing what we are doing, the judgements of others should never deter us from staying happy.

Here is a great documentary on the subject of ageism – it is profound, inspiring, touching and motivating!  ENJOY!

IMPORTANT FACTS ON WHY I BECAME A VEGETARIAN and ANIMAL/ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST

I can’t remember how many times I have been asked why and when I became a vegetarian.  My answer has not changed and my reasons vary from the drastic environmental implications caused by cattle/meat farms, the unethical treatment of animals and the diseases that one can acquire from eating meat.

I have decided to share some facts about why a vegetarian lifestyle is a much healthier choice for anyone – and please don’t let people convince you that these are not facts – an educated vegetarian is a healthy vegetarian when you have the facts!

• meat has no fiber but is laden with fat and cholesterol, which is why the late Dr. Benjamin Spock, in the final edition of his book Baby & Child Care, recommended against feeding children any kind of meat.
• on the American Heart Association (AHA) diet, which includes meat, patients’ arteries continue to clog, while Dr. Dean Ornish’s vegan diet unclogs arteries.
• as a nation, we’re getting fatter, and the Atkins diet has only made matters worse because it only works in the short term.  Only 2% of pure vegetarians are obese, which is about one-ninth the figure for meat-eating Americans.
• a USDA study found that 98% of “broiler chicken” carcasses had detectable levels of E. coli, indicating fecal contamination.
• there are more than 50 million cases of meat-related food borne illness every year in the United States, thousands of which lead to death.  Animals accumulate dangerous chemicals in their flesh and fat (which meat-eaters consume), including dioxins, antibiotics, pesticides, herbicides, and even the most toxic form of arsenic.
• a full 80% of U.S. agriculture land is used to raise chickens, pigs, and other farmed animals.  If the massive quantities of grain, soy, and corn now fed to factory-farmed animals were freed up, there would be plenty of food for the world’s starving people.
• a totally vegetarian diet requires 300 gallons of water per day, while a meat-eating diet requires more than 4,000 gallons of water per day.  Time magazine reports, “Around the world, as more water is diverted to raising [cattle], pigs, and chickens, instead of producing crops for direct consumption, millions of wells are going to dry.”

These are just a few facts concerning a vegetarian diet vs a meat eating diet.  If you took some time and looked a little deeper you will be amazed at the countless benefits to becoming a vegetarian and/or vegan.  Some people ask “well, what do you eat…lettuce and leaves” (and if I did, it would be better than sticking contaminated flesh into my body).  My answer is that there are so many meat substitutes out there that have the same consistency and tastes so much better.  I eat veggie burgers, make lasagne, stir fry’s, meatless turkey, BLT sandwiches without the B (I have a tofu substitute that is heavenly), chill, filling salads and soups…..and then there is the dairy-free desserts – you would never believe it.

I used to miss meat and BBQ season – those days are long gone.  Every time I smell a barbecue – I am a little sickened because all I can think about is that that smell is actually burning flesh (sorry guys/girls – it really is).  I don’t miss chicken wings, steaks, sausages etc….those things are constant reminders of how unhealthy I felt after eating them.

If there are any meat eaters reading this post – please don’t look at me with judgement.  I know how you feel, I was a meat eater!  I also know that you can feel much better both physically and mentally by choosing to eat meat less or remove it from your diet completely.