July 19, 2004

Today's Tune (On/Off)

"If I Could Turn Back
the Hands of Time "

From the Inside Out...
No Regrets

Yes You Can!...
Spot Foods that
Only Seem Healthy

Far Horizons...
The Blue Mosque

Links That Shine...
E-Nature Local Guides

Fascinating Facts...
Not Full Yet!

Laughing It Off...
Granny's Surfin'

Untangling the Web...
What a Site!
&
Computer Ease

Look at That!...
Fashion Goes to the Dogs

Just for You...
The Cat's Meow

Joyful Lifestyles...
Being the Perfect
Houseguest

BE the World
You Want to See!

Learning to live our life with no regrets often stems from some painful experience that we couldn't take back. When we realize we could have acted differently, this important Awareness is then a gift that can guide our future behavior towards inner peace.

~ Chelle ~

From the Inside Out
NO REGRETS

Not many people have heard of Bill Havens. But Bill became an unlikely hero of sorts — at least among those who knew him best. Here is his story:

At the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, the sport of canoe racing was added to the list of international competitions. The favorite team in the four-man canoe race was the United States team. One member of that team was a young man by the name of Bill Havens.

As the time for the Olympics neared, it became clear that Bill's wife would give birth to their first child about the time that the US team would be competing in the Paris games. In 1924 there were no jet airliners from Paris to the United States, only slow ocean-going ships.

And so Bill found himself in a dilemma. Should he go to Paris and risk not being at his wife's side when their baby was born? Or should he withdraw from the team and remain with his family? Bill's wife insisted that he go to Paris. After all, competing in the Olympics was the culmination of a life-long dream. But Bill felt conflicted and, after much soul-searching, decided to withdraw from the competition and remain home where he could support his wife when the child arrived. He considered being at her side his highest priority — even higher than going to Paris to fulfill his dream.

As it turned out, the United States four-man canoe team won the gold medal in Paris. And Bill's wife was late in giving birth to their child. She was so late, in fact, that Bill could have competed in the event and returned home in time to be with her when she gave birth. People said, "What a shame." But Bill said he had no regrets. For the rest of his life, he believed he had made the better decision.

Bill Havens knew what was most important to him. Not everybody figures that out. And he acted on what he believed was best. Not everybody has the strength of character to say no to something he or she truly wants in order to say yes to something that truly matters. But for Bill, it was the only way to peace; the only way to no regrets.

There is an interesting sequel to the story of Bill Havens... The child eventually born to Bill and his wife was a boy, whom they named Frank. Twenty-eight years later, in 1952, Bill received a cablegram from Frank. It was sent from Helsinki, Finland, where the 1952 Olympics were being held. The cablegram read: "Dad, I won. I'm bringing home the gold medal you lost while waiting for me to be born."

Frank Havens (see photo) had just won the gold medal for the United States in the canoe-racing event, a medal his father had dreamed of winning but never did. Like I said — no regrets.

One of the most common complaints I hear from families is that they are not close. They may be close in proximity, but still not feel close as a family. They may live next door or in the same house, but not feel close emotionally.

Closeness is not about latitude; it's about attitude. We feel close when we feel understood, when we feel loved and when we simply enjoy being together. We may live far apart and still feel close, or we may share a home yet feel distant.

Closeness is a family trait that grows over time. It is planted by love, watered by honest sharing and fed by true listening. It grows slowly and sometimes takes years to mature; but its roots grow deep. It can weather most any storm and sustain a family through the most difficult of times.

I received a letter from a reader in Hawaii. She pointed out that the CEO of one of the island's largest banks was considering a run for governor. Since he is well-liked, he seemed to have a good chance of winning.

But, before filing papers, he changed his mind, stating that he wanted to spend more time with his family. Not that elected officials cannot be family-oriented, but he felt he needed more time at home than the job allowed.

Ronald A. Young, in the Honolulu Advertiser, said this about the candidate's decision: "No matter what you accomplish in the business world or the social world, if you fail 'ohana' [family], then you have not accomplished much. Failure or success does not lie in the material wealth you provide them. It is measured by what of yourself you give to them."

He made a decision to give the best of himself to "ohana." He chose family closeness first, despite pressure to put more time elsewhere. It's likely a decision he'll never regret.

Thomas Kinkade eloquently said, "When we learn to say a deep, passionate yes to the things that really matter... then peace begins to settle onto our lives like golden sunlight sifting to a forest floor.

~By Steve Goodier © 2002 and 2003 Life Support System
from his book: A LIFE THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Yes You Can!
SPOT FOODS THAT ONLY SEEM HEALTHY

If you're trying to lose those love handles, you've probably been avoiding cheesecake and fries. Although this is definitely a good start, there are many other foods out there that may seem "safe" when, in fact, they are actually very high in calories or fat. Don't be fooled; the following 11 foods are actually not as good for you as you may have thought:

1. Frozen yogurt
In this case, you really have to read the label. While some brands are relatively low-calorie, others have even more calories than light ice cream. Thanks to a ton of added sugar, some premium brands pack up to 185 calories per half-cup. The right choice: Make sure that no matter what kind of low-fat frozen dessert you choose, it has no more than 120 calories per half-cup.
2. Fat-free snacks
Most of these seemingly healthy snacks have almost no fiber and are easy to eat in huge quantities because they're not satisfying (and have extra salt and sugar for 'taste' appeal). Many even have more calories per serving than the regular version in order to compensate for the lack of tasty fat. The result? You could end up consuming a lot more calories than if you just ate a reasonable portion of the high-fat food you were craving in the first place. The right choice: Simply choose a healthier snack such as veggies and fat-free dip or buy fat-free snacks in small quantities in order to avoid stuffing your face.
3. Popcorn
At the movies, you should definitely skip the popcorn. The smallest child-size bag, without the extra butter, packs up to 300 calories and 20 grams of fat. The microwave kind can be even worse; many brands have almost 400 calories and 26 fat grams per bag. The right choice: Air-pop it or choose a reduced-fat microwave version. If you wish, season with garlic chili powder, or sprinkle on some Tabasco sauce to add flavor.
4. Olive oil
With less than two grams of saturated fat per tablespoon, olive oil is healthier than most vegetable oils and it may even reduce your risk of heart disease. However, keep in mind that it's still oil; one tablespoon contains 120 calories and 14 grams of fat, so go easy if you don't want to sabotage your diet. The right choice: Use only a small amount for cooking or try olive oil cooking spray. A one-second spray has only seven calories and less than one gram of fat
5. Frozen diet meals
They may be convenient, nutritious and low in fat and calories, but most are full of sodium, which can raise both your blood pressure and risk of heart attack. Plus, the minuscule portions are not satisfying enough for most men, which can lead to overeating later. The right choice: Don't eat more than one prepared food that contains more than 600 milligrams of sodium per day. And look for the word "healthy" on labels; it can't be used if the food has more than 480 milligrams of sodium per serving.
6. Protein bars
These were designed for hard-core athletes, so drop that bar if you're not one of them. Although they're not bad for you, they can contain up to 300 calories and more protein than you need in an entire day. Now is that really necessary? The right choice: Before you work out, have a piece of whole-wheat toast with a tablespoon of peanut butter (180 calories) or a fat-free yogurt and half a banana (220 calories).
7. Fast-food grilled chicken
Although grilled is definitely better than fried, most fast-food grilled chicken sandwiches are full of fat due to all the cheese and creamy toppings they're smothered in. For example, Burger King's BK Broiler chicken sandwich contains 530 calories and 26 fat grams. The right choice: Ask them to hold the sauce or simply opt for a healthier restaurant. A good choice is Subway's six-inch chicken sub, which has only 332 calories and six grams of fat.
8. Granola
Granola may seem "natural" and healthy, but that doesn't mean it won't make you fat. Most granola bars contain tons of hydrogenated oil, which means that two-thirds of a cup adds up to about 380 calories and 20 grams of fat. The right choice: The good thing about granola is that it's a great source of fiber, with more than eight grams per serving. Fortunately, there are many other sources of fiber to choose from, such as a satisfying bowl of instant oatmeal (Tip: Stick to the individual packets, which are a good serving size). Or you can try low-fat granola with fruit and skim milk, which will save you around 17 grams of fat and 170 calories per serving.
9. Tuna salad sandwich
The tuna itself is very healthy; besides the fact that it is low in calories and fat, it is a great source of protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids. The problem with this fishy favorite is all the mayo that usually goes into it. Get this: A typical tuna sandwich at a restaurant contains up to a whopping 720 calories and 43 grams of fat. The right choice: Try to avoid it altogether when eating out because the Mayo is often already mixed in, which makes it difficult to ask for less. At home, use fat-free Mayo and whole-wheat bread to save up to 180 calories and 18 grams of fat.
10. Muffins
Although they may seem healthy, most muffins are nothing but cake in disguise. And I'm not just talking about those double-chocolate monsters; even bran muffins will bust your diet with up to 600 calories and 25 grams of fat. Plus, since most don't even have that much bran, they're not the great source of fiber you thought they were. As for fat-free muffins, be aware that many of them contain tons of sugar to compensate for the lack of fat, which can be just as bad for your waistline. The right choice: If you really can't resist, choose a muffin with less than five grams of fat and six grams of sugar, as well as about five grams of fiber. Or try a bowl of bran cereal with fat-free fruit-flavored yogurt, which will save you up to 400 calories and 24 grams of fat.
11. Salad
You're probably wondering how fattening lettuce could possibly be. While it's true that most vegetables contain few calories, the culprit in most salads is the dressing. In fact, if your salad is drowned in creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing, you could be getting as many calories as you would with a huge plate of fries. Believe it or not, the most popular salad in the US, Chicken Caesar, is also the most fattening. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a typical chicken Caesar salad contains an unbelievable 660 calories and 46 grams of fat. The right choice: Use fat-free dressing at home. When eating out, ask for dressing on the side and use the "fork method." Dip your fork into the dressing, shake the fork, then spear the salad; you'll save up to 20 grams of fat.

~By Sabrina Rogers, Nutrition Consultant, DietFitness.MSN.com

Istanbul, Turkey

You might say that Istanbul’s Blue Mosque was created in the spirit of competition. In 1606 Ottoman ruler Sultan Ahmet, who was throned at the age of 14, wanted to build an Islamic structure as extraordinary as the St. Sophia Church. Ahmet’s architect did not disappoint the young sultan, for this blue-tiled masterpiece was as stunning as its Christiandom rival. Since the Blue Mosque was such an important imperial mosque, it has six minarets instead of the usual four. This caused quite a stir because it rivaled the mosque in Mecca. Sultan Ahmet attempted to atone for this by donating a minaret to Mecca; nevertheless, he was widely criticized for his arrogance.
GLOBAL ARCHIVES:

Thought-Provoking Words for You Visit Our New Daily Inspirational Quotes and Categories "TELL ME AGAIN" Meaningful quotes, poems and other wisdom to create clarity in your day...

Do You Find Value in Inspiration Line?

Fascinating Facts
NOT FULL YET!

Why do we always have room for dessert? FIND OUT HERE:

Laughing It Off
SURFIN' GRANNY

Granny used to make us cherry pies
and call us on the phone;
She would talk to us for hours,
now she leaves us all alone.

We miss her homemade biscuits
and I'll make this little bet —
If you want to contact Grandma,
you'll have to surf the net.

She used to be scared of a wee little mouse
Would scream if one got into her house;
Now she hugs one night and day
And would rather cuddle it than bake.

She served her time with diapers and dishes,
Now she can do whatever she wishes;
And if that means staying up half the night
To point arrows at icons — that's really all right.

It's all so confusing, it makes her head ache,
A byte was something you'd take from a cake;
But, she's learning more about it now
Her four year old grandchild showed her how.

She could explore the world from her chair
Though mostly, she plays solitaire;
But, that's okay she doesn't care
About the weather in Zaire.

She's on her e-mail network with all
the e-friends she can get,
So if you want to talk to Grandma,
you'll have to surf the net.

You won't believe the nuts she's met'
Though what she'd really like to know
Is where are those other grannies
who like to quilt and sew?

Granny's never surfed at Malibu
or caught a wave at Waikiki.
She's never seen a surf board;
'hang ten' don't mean a thing, you see.

She's never met a beach bum,
to her Moon Doggie is just a pup;
But when she heads to her computer,
you know the 'surf is up'.

Grandma's getting older and
her eyes are getting dim;
Her random access memory is
half of what it's been.

When St. Peter comes to call,
she'll say "I can't go quite yet";
He'll have to wait on Grandma,
'cause Granny's still surfin' the net.

~Contributed by Madeleine in Coral Gables, Florida
HUMOR ARCHIVES: ..
.

Untangling the Web

WHAT A SITE!

"Talking History"
Searchable archive of a weekly broadcast/Internet radio program that focuses on all aspects of history: how we recall it, how we preserve it, how we interpret it, how we transform it into myth, and how we pass it on. The radio show is aimed at a non-professional audience, and is dedicated to bridging the gap between the history profession and a history-hungry public. Listen on RealPlayer or MP3.
www.TalkingHistory.org

COMPUTER-EASE

Copy All
Here's a neat little trick: Hold down the Control Key and Left-click. If you are reading an email in Outlook Express it selects all the text so you can copy it. If you are surfing the web with Internet Explorer doing this will select the paragraph your cursor is in. Try it in Word and it select the sentence you're in. In a folder you can use this combination to select multiple files individually. Pretty neat, huh. Try it in other programs and see what it does. ~WorldStart.com
DAILY COMPUTER UPDATES:

Photo: REUTERS/Michaela Rehle

Dogs in the German state of Bavaria...
can now blend in with the local Alpine scenery wearing the same traditional attire worn by their owners — lederhosen. Dogwear designer Hildegard Bergbauer dresses three-year-old dog "Zoroline" in traditional Bavarian leather trousers in Hailing, near the Bavarian town of Straubing. Bergbauer designs traditional Bavarian dirndl and leather trousers known as Lederhosen and combined her profession with her love of animals in a new traditional collection for dogs. She also makes Tyrolean mountain hats and rainwear for canines and says the leather outfits are best suited for dachshunds and other small dogs but also looked good on poodles, spaniels and boxers. "There are lederhosen for the males and Dirndls for the females. The idea has gone down really well; people think it's a lot of fun." ~Reuters

Just for YOU ...
SPECIAL TREATS