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Nutritious eating need not involve counting calories, carbohydrates, or points, according to food and nutrition editor Paul Kita.

dulezidar/Thinkstock

After talking with experts and studying various diets, Mr. Kita said he found an approach that works for him.

The key is eating “real food,” such as chicken, tomatoes, eggs, and avocados; avoiding processed foods; and not demonizing anything. Approaching food this way for 10 years has allowed Mr. Kita to keep his weight at 155 pounds – give or take 5, – he wrote in Men’s Health.

“I eat cookies. I eat carbs. I even drink coffee supposedly loaded with mycotoxins,” Mr. Kita wrote. “I [eat] fruits and vegetables with every meal and cut back on booze and desserts. I have two clementines or a banana or a split broiled tomato for breakfast. I eat a big salad of mixed greens or a side of coleslaw or a ripe, juicy pear for lunch.”

He said dinner might include sautéed spinach or a carrot salad and roasted sweet potatoes. “And then I either choose to have a beer with or after dinner or a simple dessert. If I’m not craving something sweet, I’ll have a cup of tea.”

He said he tries for about 30 grams of protein at each meal.

“Here’s my main takeaway ... if the plan you have for what you feed yourself causes you more stress and adds more work to your already-busy life, you’re not eating well. The best diet ... doesn’t have celebrity endorsements. The best diet is one that is based on the inclusion of healthful foods – not the exclusion of food groups.”

Students seek to prevent suicides

The beauty of mountains can be breathtaking for someone passing through. For residents, living in the shadow of the giants, however, can be isolating, especially for small mountain communities. Grand Junction, Colo., is located in a valley ringed by tall mountains, desert mesas, and red-rock cliffs. For local residents, and especially teenagers, it can feel like the end of the world.

“I know we can’t really fix this because it’s nature,” 17-year-old Victoria Mendoza said in an NPR interview. “I feel like the people in our valley feel like there’s only life inside of Grand Junction.”

Ms. Mendoza has fought depression, as have other members of her family and others in the community. Seven student suicides occurred in the 2016-2017 school year. “It felt like there was this cloud around our whole valley,” Ms. Mendoza said. “It got to a point where we were just waiting for the next one.”

Rural settings can foster the loneliness that, for some, is only cured by self-inflicted death. Of the top 10 U.S. states with the highest rates of suicide, 8 are located in the rural mountain West. The view of mental illness as a sign of personal weakness remains prevalent, and having ready access to guns is not helpful.

In Grand Junction, students have seized the reins of a suicide prevention in which they act as peer mentors to younger students that either seek help or appear to be floundering. The approach, called the Sources of Strength suicide program, exemplifies a broader shift in public health thinking that is taking place. In Grand Junction, the strategy is to zero in on the mental health and well-being of everyone. That encourages a sense of community, even in a setting of physical isolation.

 

 

Cannabidiol and substance-free living

With cannabis use becoming more part of the norm and with its legalization, the idea of altering the way we see the world is, for some, moving from a no-go option to a practice that can help ease the strains of life. For those who struggle with PTSD or other anxieties, cannabis can be a way to alleviate paranoia, anxiety, and mood swings without the use of prescription drugs.

Of course, there will be many who will overenthusiastically embrace the chance to legally alter themselves, such as what occurs with alcohol. Sobriety means different things to different people. Some alcoholics happily live with an occasional drink. They consider themselves on a path of sobriety. Others must go cold turkey forever. This is a different sobriety. Each can be effective and can bring happiness.

“Does using cannabidiol count as a strike against recovery or a substance-free lifestyle? This can lead into particularly tricky terrain as many people turn to cannabis products as a solution for all manner of ailments – from mental health to addiction. As we reckon with cannabis legalization as a country, perhaps what we really should be asking ourselves is how we’re going to redefine the traditional meaning of sobriety,” Amanda Scriver wrote in the Walrus.

“As cannabidiol gains popularity, we must give people the capacity to examine, evaluate, and possibly amend their own health, wellness, or recovery journey in a way that feels right for them. Yes, we need better medical understanding of cannabis and its related products, and yes, we also need training in the harm-reduction model. But we also need compassion and the courage to rethink old definitions,” Ms. Scriver wrote.

Masculinity tied to mental health

As a celebrity, Lenard Larry McKelvey, aka Charlamagne Tha God, makes his living being brash and bold. On his radio show, The Breakfast Club, he asks questions some do not want asked. But, like many, he is also anxious about the world. As a father, he worries about his daughters. As a black man, he worries about police brutality.

But unlike many, he has a forum and an audience. And he is using his forum to speak out about his fears and anxieties in the hope that it helps others deal with their demons. A recent example is his book, “Shook One: Anxiety Playing Tricks On Me” (Touchstone, 2018).

He is a strong advocate of therapy. “I go to therapy just to push those negative thoughts out of my mind. None of us can escape thinking negatively. Negative thoughts are going to pop up in your head. You’re going to have self-doubt sometimes; you’re going to be insecure sometimes. You’re going to worry about your kids; you’re going to worry about your wife, but it’s about pushing that %@C# out and not holding onto it. When you hold onto it, that’s when it grows,” he explained in an interview with the Boston Globe.

He espoused the freedom that comes from self-acceptance. “My whole life, people have said to me, ‘You can’t be soft.’ I don’t care about that anymore. I don’t care about how people perceive me when it comes to masculinity. You know what’s masculine? Masculine is taking care of your mind, your body, and your soul. We spend so much time on our body. We want that six-pack. But what about your mental health? What about your mental well-being? I go to the gym three, four times a week. Why can’t I put that same effort and same energy into getting mentally strong?”

 

 

Can extremists’ mindsets change?

The recent massacre at the Pittsburgh synagogue was yet another vile example of hatred and bigotry. But, in the United States and elsewhere, the shooter was one of many. Why?

According to an NPR piece, there are several possible explanations. Those brimming with racist hated might have little opportunity to get off that track. “We haven’t wanted to acknowledge that we have a problem with violent right-wing extremism in this kind of domestic terrorism,” said sociologist Pete Simi, PhD, of Chapman University in Orange, Calif. Dr. Simi has studied violent white nationalists and other hate groups for decades.


“White supremacy is really a problem throughout the United States,” Dr. Simi said. “It doesn’t know any geographic boundaries. It’s not isolated to either urban or rural or suburban – it cuts across all.”

There is little knowledge of how to deal with home-grown hatred. Banning immigrants perceived as being a threat is one attempt to deal with foreign-born terrorism, but that doesn’t work for citizens. For them, rehabilitation is possible, according to Dr. Simi, but it comes with a big price tag of revamped social, education, housing, and employment programs. Governments are loathe to take on those costs, in part because it is an admission that society is broken.

“A big, big problem that we face as a society is abdicating our responsibility in terms of providing this kind of social support and social safety net for individuals that suffer from mental health, as well as drug problems,” Dr. Simi said in the interview.

Small-scale local efforts, such as the Chicago-based Life After Hate, are working for change. How to scale up such efforts is a vexing problem.

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Nutritious eating need not involve counting calories, carbohydrates, or points, according to food and nutrition editor Paul Kita.

dulezidar/Thinkstock

After talking with experts and studying various diets, Mr. Kita said he found an approach that works for him.

The key is eating “real food,” such as chicken, tomatoes, eggs, and avocados; avoiding processed foods; and not demonizing anything. Approaching food this way for 10 years has allowed Mr. Kita to keep his weight at 155 pounds – give or take 5, – he wrote in Men’s Health.

“I eat cookies. I eat carbs. I even drink coffee supposedly loaded with mycotoxins,” Mr. Kita wrote. “I [eat] fruits and vegetables with every meal and cut back on booze and desserts. I have two clementines or a banana or a split broiled tomato for breakfast. I eat a big salad of mixed greens or a side of coleslaw or a ripe, juicy pear for lunch.”

He said dinner might include sautéed spinach or a carrot salad and roasted sweet potatoes. “And then I either choose to have a beer with or after dinner or a simple dessert. If I’m not craving something sweet, I’ll have a cup of tea.”

He said he tries for about 30 grams of protein at each meal.

“Here’s my main takeaway ... if the plan you have for what you feed yourself causes you more stress and adds more work to your already-busy life, you’re not eating well. The best diet ... doesn’t have celebrity endorsements. The best diet is one that is based on the inclusion of healthful foods – not the exclusion of food groups.”

Students seek to prevent suicides

The beauty of mountains can be breathtaking for someone passing through. For residents, living in the shadow of the giants, however, can be isolating, especially for small mountain communities. Grand Junction, Colo., is located in a valley ringed by tall mountains, desert mesas, and red-rock cliffs. For local residents, and especially teenagers, it can feel like the end of the world.

“I know we can’t really fix this because it’s nature,” 17-year-old Victoria Mendoza said in an NPR interview. “I feel like the people in our valley feel like there’s only life inside of Grand Junction.”

Ms. Mendoza has fought depression, as have other members of her family and others in the community. Seven student suicides occurred in the 2016-2017 school year. “It felt like there was this cloud around our whole valley,” Ms. Mendoza said. “It got to a point where we were just waiting for the next one.”

Rural settings can foster the loneliness that, for some, is only cured by self-inflicted death. Of the top 10 U.S. states with the highest rates of suicide, 8 are located in the rural mountain West. The view of mental illness as a sign of personal weakness remains prevalent, and having ready access to guns is not helpful.

In Grand Junction, students have seized the reins of a suicide prevention in which they act as peer mentors to younger students that either seek help or appear to be floundering. The approach, called the Sources of Strength suicide program, exemplifies a broader shift in public health thinking that is taking place. In Grand Junction, the strategy is to zero in on the mental health and well-being of everyone. That encourages a sense of community, even in a setting of physical isolation.

 

 

Cannabidiol and substance-free living

With cannabis use becoming more part of the norm and with its legalization, the idea of altering the way we see the world is, for some, moving from a no-go option to a practice that can help ease the strains of life. For those who struggle with PTSD or other anxieties, cannabis can be a way to alleviate paranoia, anxiety, and mood swings without the use of prescription drugs.

Of course, there will be many who will overenthusiastically embrace the chance to legally alter themselves, such as what occurs with alcohol. Sobriety means different things to different people. Some alcoholics happily live with an occasional drink. They consider themselves on a path of sobriety. Others must go cold turkey forever. This is a different sobriety. Each can be effective and can bring happiness.

“Does using cannabidiol count as a strike against recovery or a substance-free lifestyle? This can lead into particularly tricky terrain as many people turn to cannabis products as a solution for all manner of ailments – from mental health to addiction. As we reckon with cannabis legalization as a country, perhaps what we really should be asking ourselves is how we’re going to redefine the traditional meaning of sobriety,” Amanda Scriver wrote in the Walrus.

“As cannabidiol gains popularity, we must give people the capacity to examine, evaluate, and possibly amend their own health, wellness, or recovery journey in a way that feels right for them. Yes, we need better medical understanding of cannabis and its related products, and yes, we also need training in the harm-reduction model. But we also need compassion and the courage to rethink old definitions,” Ms. Scriver wrote.

Masculinity tied to mental health

As a celebrity, Lenard Larry McKelvey, aka Charlamagne Tha God, makes his living being brash and bold. On his radio show, The Breakfast Club, he asks questions some do not want asked. But, like many, he is also anxious about the world. As a father, he worries about his daughters. As a black man, he worries about police brutality.

But unlike many, he has a forum and an audience. And he is using his forum to speak out about his fears and anxieties in the hope that it helps others deal with their demons. A recent example is his book, “Shook One: Anxiety Playing Tricks On Me” (Touchstone, 2018).

He is a strong advocate of therapy. “I go to therapy just to push those negative thoughts out of my mind. None of us can escape thinking negatively. Negative thoughts are going to pop up in your head. You’re going to have self-doubt sometimes; you’re going to be insecure sometimes. You’re going to worry about your kids; you’re going to worry about your wife, but it’s about pushing that %@C# out and not holding onto it. When you hold onto it, that’s when it grows,” he explained in an interview with the Boston Globe.

He espoused the freedom that comes from self-acceptance. “My whole life, people have said to me, ‘You can’t be soft.’ I don’t care about that anymore. I don’t care about how people perceive me when it comes to masculinity. You know what’s masculine? Masculine is taking care of your mind, your body, and your soul. We spend so much time on our body. We want that six-pack. But what about your mental health? What about your mental well-being? I go to the gym three, four times a week. Why can’t I put that same effort and same energy into getting mentally strong?”

 

 

Can extremists’ mindsets change?

The recent massacre at the Pittsburgh synagogue was yet another vile example of hatred and bigotry. But, in the United States and elsewhere, the shooter was one of many. Why?

According to an NPR piece, there are several possible explanations. Those brimming with racist hated might have little opportunity to get off that track. “We haven’t wanted to acknowledge that we have a problem with violent right-wing extremism in this kind of domestic terrorism,” said sociologist Pete Simi, PhD, of Chapman University in Orange, Calif. Dr. Simi has studied violent white nationalists and other hate groups for decades.


“White supremacy is really a problem throughout the United States,” Dr. Simi said. “It doesn’t know any geographic boundaries. It’s not isolated to either urban or rural or suburban – it cuts across all.”

There is little knowledge of how to deal with home-grown hatred. Banning immigrants perceived as being a threat is one attempt to deal with foreign-born terrorism, but that doesn’t work for citizens. For them, rehabilitation is possible, according to Dr. Simi, but it comes with a big price tag of revamped social, education, housing, and employment programs. Governments are loathe to take on those costs, in part because it is an admission that society is broken.

“A big, big problem that we face as a society is abdicating our responsibility in terms of providing this kind of social support and social safety net for individuals that suffer from mental health, as well as drug problems,” Dr. Simi said in the interview.

Small-scale local efforts, such as the Chicago-based Life After Hate, are working for change. How to scale up such efforts is a vexing problem.

Nutritious eating need not involve counting calories, carbohydrates, or points, according to food and nutrition editor Paul Kita.

dulezidar/Thinkstock

After talking with experts and studying various diets, Mr. Kita said he found an approach that works for him.

The key is eating “real food,” such as chicken, tomatoes, eggs, and avocados; avoiding processed foods; and not demonizing anything. Approaching food this way for 10 years has allowed Mr. Kita to keep his weight at 155 pounds – give or take 5, – he wrote in Men’s Health.

“I eat cookies. I eat carbs. I even drink coffee supposedly loaded with mycotoxins,” Mr. Kita wrote. “I [eat] fruits and vegetables with every meal and cut back on booze and desserts. I have two clementines or a banana or a split broiled tomato for breakfast. I eat a big salad of mixed greens or a side of coleslaw or a ripe, juicy pear for lunch.”

He said dinner might include sautéed spinach or a carrot salad and roasted sweet potatoes. “And then I either choose to have a beer with or after dinner or a simple dessert. If I’m not craving something sweet, I’ll have a cup of tea.”

He said he tries for about 30 grams of protein at each meal.

“Here’s my main takeaway ... if the plan you have for what you feed yourself causes you more stress and adds more work to your already-busy life, you’re not eating well. The best diet ... doesn’t have celebrity endorsements. The best diet is one that is based on the inclusion of healthful foods – not the exclusion of food groups.”

Students seek to prevent suicides

The beauty of mountains can be breathtaking for someone passing through. For residents, living in the shadow of the giants, however, can be isolating, especially for small mountain communities. Grand Junction, Colo., is located in a valley ringed by tall mountains, desert mesas, and red-rock cliffs. For local residents, and especially teenagers, it can feel like the end of the world.

“I know we can’t really fix this because it’s nature,” 17-year-old Victoria Mendoza said in an NPR interview. “I feel like the people in our valley feel like there’s only life inside of Grand Junction.”

Ms. Mendoza has fought depression, as have other members of her family and others in the community. Seven student suicides occurred in the 2016-2017 school year. “It felt like there was this cloud around our whole valley,” Ms. Mendoza said. “It got to a point where we were just waiting for the next one.”

Rural settings can foster the loneliness that, for some, is only cured by self-inflicted death. Of the top 10 U.S. states with the highest rates of suicide, 8 are located in the rural mountain West. The view of mental illness as a sign of personal weakness remains prevalent, and having ready access to guns is not helpful.

In Grand Junction, students have seized the reins of a suicide prevention in which they act as peer mentors to younger students that either seek help or appear to be floundering. The approach, called the Sources of Strength suicide program, exemplifies a broader shift in public health thinking that is taking place. In Grand Junction, the strategy is to zero in on the mental health and well-being of everyone. That encourages a sense of community, even in a setting of physical isolation.

 

 

Cannabidiol and substance-free living

With cannabis use becoming more part of the norm and with its legalization, the idea of altering the way we see the world is, for some, moving from a no-go option to a practice that can help ease the strains of life. For those who struggle with PTSD or other anxieties, cannabis can be a way to alleviate paranoia, anxiety, and mood swings without the use of prescription drugs.

Of course, there will be many who will overenthusiastically embrace the chance to legally alter themselves, such as what occurs with alcohol. Sobriety means different things to different people. Some alcoholics happily live with an occasional drink. They consider themselves on a path of sobriety. Others must go cold turkey forever. This is a different sobriety. Each can be effective and can bring happiness.

“Does using cannabidiol count as a strike against recovery or a substance-free lifestyle? This can lead into particularly tricky terrain as many people turn to cannabis products as a solution for all manner of ailments – from mental health to addiction. As we reckon with cannabis legalization as a country, perhaps what we really should be asking ourselves is how we’re going to redefine the traditional meaning of sobriety,” Amanda Scriver wrote in the Walrus.

“As cannabidiol gains popularity, we must give people the capacity to examine, evaluate, and possibly amend their own health, wellness, or recovery journey in a way that feels right for them. Yes, we need better medical understanding of cannabis and its related products, and yes, we also need training in the harm-reduction model. But we also need compassion and the courage to rethink old definitions,” Ms. Scriver wrote.

Masculinity tied to mental health

As a celebrity, Lenard Larry McKelvey, aka Charlamagne Tha God, makes his living being brash and bold. On his radio show, The Breakfast Club, he asks questions some do not want asked. But, like many, he is also anxious about the world. As a father, he worries about his daughters. As a black man, he worries about police brutality.

But unlike many, he has a forum and an audience. And he is using his forum to speak out about his fears and anxieties in the hope that it helps others deal with their demons. A recent example is his book, “Shook One: Anxiety Playing Tricks On Me” (Touchstone, 2018).

He is a strong advocate of therapy. “I go to therapy just to push those negative thoughts out of my mind. None of us can escape thinking negatively. Negative thoughts are going to pop up in your head. You’re going to have self-doubt sometimes; you’re going to be insecure sometimes. You’re going to worry about your kids; you’re going to worry about your wife, but it’s about pushing that %@C# out and not holding onto it. When you hold onto it, that’s when it grows,” he explained in an interview with the Boston Globe.

He espoused the freedom that comes from self-acceptance. “My whole life, people have said to me, ‘You can’t be soft.’ I don’t care about that anymore. I don’t care about how people perceive me when it comes to masculinity. You know what’s masculine? Masculine is taking care of your mind, your body, and your soul. We spend so much time on our body. We want that six-pack. But what about your mental health? What about your mental well-being? I go to the gym three, four times a week. Why can’t I put that same effort and same energy into getting mentally strong?”

 

 

Can extremists’ mindsets change?

The recent massacre at the Pittsburgh synagogue was yet another vile example of hatred and bigotry. But, in the United States and elsewhere, the shooter was one of many. Why?

According to an NPR piece, there are several possible explanations. Those brimming with racist hated might have little opportunity to get off that track. “We haven’t wanted to acknowledge that we have a problem with violent right-wing extremism in this kind of domestic terrorism,” said sociologist Pete Simi, PhD, of Chapman University in Orange, Calif. Dr. Simi has studied violent white nationalists and other hate groups for decades.


“White supremacy is really a problem throughout the United States,” Dr. Simi said. “It doesn’t know any geographic boundaries. It’s not isolated to either urban or rural or suburban – it cuts across all.”

There is little knowledge of how to deal with home-grown hatred. Banning immigrants perceived as being a threat is one attempt to deal with foreign-born terrorism, but that doesn’t work for citizens. For them, rehabilitation is possible, according to Dr. Simi, but it comes with a big price tag of revamped social, education, housing, and employment programs. Governments are loathe to take on those costs, in part because it is an admission that society is broken.

“A big, big problem that we face as a society is abdicating our responsibility in terms of providing this kind of social support and social safety net for individuals that suffer from mental health, as well as drug problems,” Dr. Simi said in the interview.

Small-scale local efforts, such as the Chicago-based Life After Hate, are working for change. How to scale up such efforts is a vexing problem.

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