We just got back from a three day visit to Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Now I know you have already heard quite enough about those two locations, but I just had to share with you our experience in seeing the play "Ragtime" at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake. As one of the persons sitting next to us commented at the intermission, one word suffices to describe the production, "Superb". And he was right.
For those of you not familiar with the play, it is a musical set in the early part of the 20th century. It chronicles the interactions of three very different families in New Rochelle, New York, the Lower East Side of New York City and Harlem. There is the upper middle class family with the usual pretensions at the outset of the play. Next, is an immigrant family from Latvia that literally just got off the boat. Last, is a black family that is trying to make it into the middle class. Based upon the book by E.L. Doctorow, the music by Stephen Flaherty is haunting. The singing, particularly that of the lead character, Coalhouse Walker (played by Thom Allison), is outstanding. The play lasts almost three hours but as my wife says, "It seems like 15 minutes."
"Ragtime" will be playing all summer at the Festival Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake. If you love drama and music, this play is for you.
For more information about this and the other plays and for tickets, contact the Festival at www.shawfest.com or at 1-800-511-SHAW.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Every Breath You Take
Sting sang about "every breath youI take." In my last post, I quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson on clearing the mind of all the "absurdities" of yesterday in order to face the "serenity" of today. You are probably asking your self, "Just how do I go about doing that?" The answer is really quite simple and it is something we do unconsciosly every day. The difference is we never think to pay attention to it. The way to clear the mind is to finally pay attention and use it as an opportunity to improve not only our state of mind but also our physical well-being. What is it? You have probably guessed it by now: breathing. Not just any breathing, of course.
Dr. Andrew Weil, the anti-aging guru, has a CD set called Breathing: The Master Key to Self-Healing, which describes a number of breathing techniques and leads you through them. One of the simplest is to inhale for a count of four, hold the breath for a count of seven and exhale to a count of eight.Doing this three times with your tongue behind your upper front teeth is designed to reduce anxiety. I have tried it and it really does work.
Another widely popular breathing technique is mindfulness or meditation as it used to be called. Basically, it involves sitting in a chair quietly with your eyes closed and monitoring your breathing. You should not try to breath any specific way but you should just concentrate on breathing, paying attention to to exhalation and inhalation. When other thoughts come to mind, just let them float away since they are not real. It takes a while, but you will get used to it. Start with a minute or so and work your way up for as long as you can. The important thing is not to get discouraged. Keep at it. You will be surprised how quickly your mind will clear. A good book describing several more techniques is Mark Williams' Mindfulness: An Eight Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World. It is available on Amazon for the Kindle and well worth the price.
If you really get into breathing techniques, you might want to pick up The Art of Breathing by Nancy Zi. It describes breathing techniques for almost every occasion. Let me know if you like it.
Just remember to breathe easy!
Dr. Andrew Weil, the anti-aging guru, has a CD set called Breathing: The Master Key to Self-Healing, which describes a number of breathing techniques and leads you through them. One of the simplest is to inhale for a count of four, hold the breath for a count of seven and exhale to a count of eight.Doing this three times with your tongue behind your upper front teeth is designed to reduce anxiety. I have tried it and it really does work.
Another widely popular breathing technique is mindfulness or meditation as it used to be called. Basically, it involves sitting in a chair quietly with your eyes closed and monitoring your breathing. You should not try to breath any specific way but you should just concentrate on breathing, paying attention to to exhalation and inhalation. When other thoughts come to mind, just let them float away since they are not real. It takes a while, but you will get used to it. Start with a minute or so and work your way up for as long as you can. The important thing is not to get discouraged. Keep at it. You will be surprised how quickly your mind will clear. A good book describing several more techniques is Mark Williams' Mindfulness: An Eight Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World. It is available on Amazon for the Kindle and well worth the price.
If you really get into breathing techniques, you might want to pick up The Art of Breathing by Nancy Zi. It describes breathing techniques for almost every occasion. Let me know if you like it.
Just remember to breathe easy!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Clearing the Mind for Boomers
Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Easter In New York City
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Coffee: Just What the Doctor Ordered
Last time I wrote about the many potential health benefits of high intensity interval training or HIIT. In as little as two ten minute sessions of cycling a week, the same results can be achieved as with multiple longer, less intense sessions. Today, I want to report on two other shortcuts to healthier living that you might want to consider.
First, Prevention Magazine recently reported on a British study that showed that cutting back on carbohydrates such as pasta, breads, etc, just twice a week had as much effect on weight loss as full-time dieters. Definitely worth looking into and trying if, like me, you hate counting calories.
Another recent study has appeared to confirm what we thought all along--coffee is good for you! In a recent study by the University of Madrid and Harvard University, dramatic reductions in mortality were found among coffee drinkers. According to the study, womenn who drank two to three cups of java had as much as an 18% reduction in death from all causes. The reduction for women who drank four or five cups was even more dramatic---up to a 26% reduction. The reduction for men was smaller but still not insignificant. So. drink up!
First, Prevention Magazine recently reported on a British study that showed that cutting back on carbohydrates such as pasta, breads, etc, just twice a week had as much effect on weight loss as full-time dieters. Definitely worth looking into and trying if, like me, you hate counting calories.
Another recent study has appeared to confirm what we thought all along--coffee is good for you! In a recent study by the University of Madrid and Harvard University, dramatic reductions in mortality were found among coffee drinkers. According to the study, womenn who drank two to three cups of java had as much as an 18% reduction in death from all causes. The reduction for women who drank four or five cups was even more dramatic---up to a 26% reduction. The reduction for men was smaller but still not insignificant. So. drink up!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
High Intensity Interval Training for Better Health
Each month we will rotate the focus of our posts. In May we will stress health and fitness issues. Here is a preview of the type of post you can expect
It seems like every time I turn around, I see an article on the advantages of interval training, particularly cycling. You know what that is. You go flat out for a given time period, usually a minute or so, then cut back to a relaxed cadence. You've seen those guys at the track, running sprints and then stopping or just slowing to a jog or a trot. What I didn't know was those types of actions can be good for us ordinary exercisers. The New York Times recently reported that as little as a series of one minute intervals of cycling at 90 percent of the person's maximum heart rate followed by a minute of relaxed training repeated just 10 times each could have a significant impact on their fitness. And more, it actually lowered the risk of Type 2 diabetes by regulating the blood sugar. "How 1-Miinute Inervals Can Improve Your Health", February 15, 2012. IIt seems like it is a valuable means of shortening your workouts and reducing the chance of becoming diabetic.
That's not all. The Norwegian University of Science and Technology in January 2010 also reported on a study that showed that persons with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD improved their oxygen intake up to 20% after several weeks of one legged high intensity cycling sessions. "Cycling to better health, one leg at a time", press release, NTNU, January 20, 2010. Cycling one legged apparently causes the lungs to work harder. I tried to do this just to see how hard it would be and found it impossible to even turn the pedals with only one leg at a time. If you have better luck, let me know.
It seems like every time I turn around, I see an article on the advantages of interval training, particularly cycling. You know what that is. You go flat out for a given time period, usually a minute or so, then cut back to a relaxed cadence. You've seen those guys at the track, running sprints and then stopping or just slowing to a jog or a trot. What I didn't know was those types of actions can be good for us ordinary exercisers. The New York Times recently reported that as little as a series of one minute intervals of cycling at 90 percent of the person's maximum heart rate followed by a minute of relaxed training repeated just 10 times each could have a significant impact on their fitness. And more, it actually lowered the risk of Type 2 diabetes by regulating the blood sugar. "How 1-Miinute Inervals Can Improve Your Health", February 15, 2012. IIt seems like it is a valuable means of shortening your workouts and reducing the chance of becoming diabetic.
That's not all. The Norwegian University of Science and Technology in January 2010 also reported on a study that showed that persons with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD improved their oxygen intake up to 20% after several weeks of one legged high intensity cycling sessions. "Cycling to better health, one leg at a time", press release, NTNU, January 20, 2010. Cycling one legged apparently causes the lungs to work harder. I tried to do this just to see how hard it would be and found it impossible to even turn the pedals with only one leg at a time. If you have better luck, let me know.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Niagara-on-the Lake: A Hidden Jewel
Located about a 20 minute drive from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada is a hidden jewel, Niagara-on-the-Lake. A scenic drive along the Niagara Parkway past Queenston Heights and stately homes overlooking the river, it is well worth a side trip if you plan on visiting Niagara Falls. I recommend that you go when the Shaw Festival is open. From April to October, each year, the professional actors of the festival present a number of fine shows, some of which are George Bernard Shaw's (his statute is in the center of town) plays but other playwrights such as Noel Coward are also represented This year they are presenting Ragtime, Come Back Little Sheba and nine other plays in the various theaters in town. For more information, see www.Shawfest.com.
Along the road into town you will pass a number of large wineries. We recommend the Reif winery. In our view they have the best Chardonnay.You should also buy a bottle of icewine made from frozen grapes each winter. It is a sweet ending to any meal. In the summer you will find numerous fruit stands where you can buy cherries and other fruits in season. Also along the way into town you will pass the Whirlpool golf courrse (a fairly flat course with a restaurant) and the well-known Floral Clock. In addition, there is a Butterfly Garden and on the very edge of town, Fort George, which is well worth seeing.
The town is a Victorian mixture of new and old. In the center of town is a clock tower. The main street has both modern shops (we particularly like the Irish shop) and old hotels such as the Prince of Wales. You have got to stop there for afternoon tea. Although expensive, it is well worth the price. Dinner there is also recommended. If you have the chance you should also stay there or in one of the nearby Bed and Breakfasts. Right outside the hotel are several horse drawn carriages ready to take you around town. A walk down to the lake front is a must. Be prepared though for the wind off the lake. It can make even a spring day very cold so bring along your woolies.
For a weekend or a week, Niagara-on-the Lake is the place to be for fine acting, food and wine. Have a great time there.
Along the road into town you will pass a number of large wineries. We recommend the Reif winery. In our view they have the best Chardonnay.You should also buy a bottle of icewine made from frozen grapes each winter. It is a sweet ending to any meal. In the summer you will find numerous fruit stands where you can buy cherries and other fruits in season. Also along the way into town you will pass the Whirlpool golf courrse (a fairly flat course with a restaurant) and the well-known Floral Clock. In addition, there is a Butterfly Garden and on the very edge of town, Fort George, which is well worth seeing.
The town is a Victorian mixture of new and old. In the center of town is a clock tower. The main street has both modern shops (we particularly like the Irish shop) and old hotels such as the Prince of Wales. You have got to stop there for afternoon tea. Although expensive, it is well worth the price. Dinner there is also recommended. If you have the chance you should also stay there or in one of the nearby Bed and Breakfasts. Right outside the hotel are several horse drawn carriages ready to take you around town. A walk down to the lake front is a must. Be prepared though for the wind off the lake. It can make even a spring day very cold so bring along your woolies.
For a weekend or a week, Niagara-on-the Lake is the place to be for fine acting, food and wine. Have a great time there.
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