I usually approach TV shows that become faves in the same fashion: First, I’m a little late to the game, discovering a show in its third, maybe fourth season (fifth season with Lost). This turns out to be perfectly meant to be, because as I proceed to go into obsession mode, I can enjoy uninterrupted viewing, thanks to sites like Hulu and services like Netflix and Blockbuster-via-mail. No commercials (ok, maybe one or two if I’m Hulu-ing), and no waiting a week for answers to JJ Abrams cliffhangers due to scheduled programming.

Obsession mode with Lost (courtesy of Hulu) was intense, as I had five seasons to get through before the sixth and final season started the following month. At an average 22 episodes per season…you do the math. My approach: if I wasn’t working, eating or sleeping, I was obsessing. Sometimes sleeping took a hit – I recall one weekend when I watched back-to-back episodes starting on a Friday continuing well into Saturday morning, took an exhaustion nap, then picked right back up through Sunday. Eating, fortunately, is something I could do simultaneously.

The whole thing was triggered by my friend Rich’s comment, “I can’t believe you haven’t seen Lost. It combines three things you love: science, the supernatural, and Hawaii. You have to watch it – you’re gonna love it.” Thus began my love for JJ Abrams shows, which brings me to my most recent obsession: Fringe.

I can write about it now because my Fringe obsession is currently on vacation. Yes, I was Fringe obsessed up until about a week ago. And I will be Fringe obsessed once again come Season 4 on January 13th, though in a very controlled, more paced, may-even-DVR-it way.

So, most importantly than how obsessed I am is WHY, why do I love this show so much? Same reason I loved Lost: science and the supernatural (if Fringe were set on a remote beach, you’d never hear from me again). It’s a sci-spi show, and that’s the holy grail of media for me, but even more so than Lost, Fringe dives deep into high concept science and the ultimate idea for me: an alternate universe with a slightly different version of each of us in it, and infinite potential to answer the questions of who we are and why we’re here.

Fringe follows troubled but special FBI agent Olivia Dunham and her Fringe Division team – mad scientist Dr. Walter Bishop, his IQ-of-190-but-you’d-never-know-it-cause-he’s-so-the-opposite-of-bookish-plus-he’s-hot son Peter Bishop, and the lovely assistant agent Astrid Farnsworth.

(Walter is the one in brown. You can guess the rest.)

Here’s why I love this show, specifically:

∞ The show starts with you thinking that it’s going to be just another Law and Order SVU, but in between the catch-the-culprit plot points, you get exposed to electromagnetism, quantum entanglement, bilocation, teleportation, psychokinesis, multi-verses and more sci-spi stuff I find fascinating.
∞ Walter, “the Einstein of our generation”, will feel, smell, taste and otherwise “examine” anything to solve a case.
∞ The show reveals the unraveling of a bigger plan beyond cops and killers, beyond our world even, and our very existence as a race is at stake.
∞ The idea that an act of love could destroy the world – and a sacrifice may save it – is intriguing.
∞ Walter makes custard in beakers and Bunsen burners and is concocting, among cures for never-before-seen infectious diseases, parasites and viruses, the formula for the perfect strawberry shake.
∞ We get the feeling – and evidence – that the human brain is capable of much more than we could ever imagine.
∞ Peter and Olivia are in love – and will cross time and space to prove it. I’ve always thought love is the single human energy that is the key variable for evolution and elevation, and a sci-spi show with a solid love plot is just good sense (and good science).
∞ Walter can’t ever remember Astrid’s name and refers to her as, among other things, “asterisk”.
∞ Walter tampered with the very fabric of the universe, and we learn a lot from his mess.
∞ Walternate (Walter’s other-dimensional self) is smarter, richer and meaner than Real Walter, while Fauxlivia (what Walter calls Olivia’s other-dimensional self) is happier, cooler, and stronger than Real Olivia, all of which makes you wonder how your own other selves would be.
∞ Walter, Walter, Walter. And Peter. And not just ‘cause he’s cute and brilliant. More because, even though he is the single key to save the existence of multiple universes, he’s not an egomaniac but a noble, kind, and sweet regular guy. And a little sarcastic (it’s like Luke Skywalker and Han Solo in ONE. Lord have mercy.)

The show creators took care of even the slightest detail  – the intro credits change depending on the universe you’re about to observe, for example, and check out the promo pic up on top: Olivia’s hair is arranged in a nautilus. There are also serial killers and seriously disturbing biochemically-challenged shape-shifting beings, as well and fungi that emotionally connect with young minds, so don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’m not an advocate of any media related to death, fear and unnecessary drama unless it has a message/lesson, but that’s just it – this show is not sci-fi porn, not weirdness for the sake of shock. It’s science-meets-spirituality, conspiracy, saving the world, the potential for very probable parallel realities not much different than our own, and the idea that love can conquer all. Or can it?

Fringe’s fourth season will premiere January 13th at 9 p.m on Fox, and I’ll be watching.

Multidimensionally yours,

Marylternate

(Images courtesy of Fox.)

The Star Wars franchise is one of the greatest feats of sci-spi artistic manifestation, not the least of which is due to the amazing spiritual lessons found in one of my top five favorite movies of all time: Empire Strikes Back. I geek out at the genius of this script and the magic in the original SW trilogy (stop-motion included) and while I appreciate the creativity and innovation in the production and did play with my little cousin’s Millennium Falcon when I was 10, it’s always been about the incredible truths uttered in adorable backward spell-like statements by master Yoda for me (heightened in grandeur by an amazing musical score, of course).

Here are the timeless and profound life lessons found in my favorite ESB scene (apparently, I posted one of these quotes exactly a year ago today  in my Facebook status…yes, I’m a repeat queen – how can you not be when something is that good?):

⊛ Things are only different in your mind

⊛ You must unlearn what you have learned

⊛ Do or do not. There is no “try”

⊛ Size does not matter (yet another reason guys love this movie)

⊛ The Force is a powerful ally. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. You must feel the Force around you, between you and everything, everywhere

⊛ We are luminous beings, not crude matter

⊛ The reason you fail is that you don’t believe in what you’re doing (or what you’re capable of doing)

Brilliant – one of the greatest fictional masters of all time in a scene that puts it all in perspective. Now dare yourself to put it to practice.

The Universe doesn’t allow for voids. This is a law that you can observe everywhere if you’re really aware and paying attention. A friend of mine reminded me of this yesterday. He said that he was clearing up and created a great big space in his home, and then, the next day, a nice black leather sofa, which is in great condition and he got for free, was filling the space. He said he had created that space “unaware of what was going to be there. As they say, you have to get rid of something old to create space for something new to come in its place.”

So true. The Universe doesn’t allow voids – it seeks to create everywhere. Much like water, its energy flows into spaces that we open for it to fill. Its energy is all around us – like the air we breathe, there is always something filling a space, even when we can’t see it. Sometimes it’s a persistent idea or thought that invades your mind and takes over. Other times it’s an object that you attracted to your personal space, as was the case with my friend. And others yet, it’s a person filling a place in your life, such as a boy or girlfriend.

The key thing to remember is this: If we desire something new in our lives, we must create the space for it – ideas, things, and even people. We must trust that the Universe, as the Source of creation, seeks opportunities to create in this world. Allow it the chance to do so through and for you, by making the space for it to pour its love into your life. It will not let you down, and may surprise you in the most wonderful of ways.

Photo of pink sofa from Snoopy’s126 Flickr

Anti-fungus: Lavender oil could be the next thing to combat Athlete’s foot, says a study. According to research published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, the essential oil shows a potent anti-fungal effect against strains of fungi responsible for common skin and nail infections. The oil was tested against a range of pathogenic fungi and was found to kill a range of skin-pathogenic strains known as dermatophytes – which cause Athlete’s foot, ringworm and hair and nail infections – as well as various species of Candida. Lavender plants are already used widely in the food and perfume industries, and previous studies indicate they also have sedative, antispasmodic, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Nerves: New research shows men and women who regularly eat berries may have a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. According to research that will be presented at the next meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, men may also further lower their risk by regularly eating apples, oranges and other sources rich in flavonoids. The study findings suggest that it’s a specific group of flavonoids called anthocyanins, mainly found in berries, that have the neuroprotective effects. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Longevity: Dietary fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may be associated with a reduced risk of death, says a new study. Findings that will be published in the JAMA journal Archives of Internal Medicine, show that fiber (the edible parts of plants that resist digestion) reduces the risk of cardiovascular, infectious and respiratory diseases by 24%-56% in men and 34%-59% in women who ate high amounts, ranging from about 29 grams for men to around 25 grams for women. Fiber is already known to assist with bowel movements, reduce blood cholesterol levels, improve blood glucose levels, lower blood pressure, promote weight loss and reduce inflammation, as well as bind to potential cancer-causing agents to help the body rid of them.

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Vitamin C is the popular kid of the micronutrient world - it’s so important that everyone knows it and worries about having enough of it, and with good reason. It an antioxidant, which means that it helps against aging and shields DNA from free radical damage (it also protects sperm from free radical damage so men who plan on having children should make sure they have their daily dose). Vitamin C is needed by the body for the growth and repair of tissues, as well as for collagen, the main component in skin (keeps it young and supple), tendons, cartilage, organs and even bones.

Daily intake of vitamin C significantly reduces risk of dying of cancer and heart disease. It’s also critical for immunity and reduces the length and severity of colds and viruses. Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin, which means that our bodies don’t store it and whatever is not used is flushed out through urine. Because of this, we have to make sure we’re getting plenty of it daily (don’t worry, toxicity is rare) and we can do that easily: Nature is so wise that it made sure that all fruits and vegetables contained some amount of this precious vitamin.

Among its many functions, vitamin C also helps in the processing of other compounds. For example, non-heme iron – the kind found in plants – needs vitamin C to help it be efficiently absorbed by the body. Vitamin C also regenerates another antioxidant: vitamin E.

According to the National Institutes of Health, symptoms of vitamin C deficiency include dry and splitting hair, gingivitis, bleeding gums, rough/dry/scaly skin, decreased wound-healing rate, easy bruising, nosebleeds, weakened tooth enamel, swollen and painful joints, anemia, decreased ability to fight infection and possible weight gain from slowed metabolism.

Sources: You probably think oranges are the best source, but there is actually more vitamin C in a red bell pepper than in your OJ. Other good sources include citrus fruits like lemons, limes and grapefruits, as well as strawberries (all the berries are pretty good sources), kiwi, cantaloupe, broccoli, green peppers, cabbage, and leafy greens.

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You’ve probably heard the word “enzymes” in healthy lifestyle circles. What are these guys and why do you need to make sure you have them?

Simply put, when it comes to nutrition, enzymes are the workers that make digestion happen. Enzymes are proteins secreted by cells – they act as catalysts to induce chemical changes in other substances without undergoing change themselves. With food, this change is the breaking down into a form that your body can absorb.

If you don’t have enough enzymes as well as different types of them – there are about 24 enzymes in our bodies, including amylase (digests carbs), protease (digests proteins) and lipase (digests fats) – your system will not be nourished, no matter how much food you eat. My favorite analogy for eating when you’re enzyme deficient is “working overtime and still not being able to pay the bills.”

The good news is that all living things contain enzymes – both plants and animals come equipped with their own “workers.” The bad news is that, as we age, we have a lower enzyme count.

Fortunately, food comes with its own enzymes that help digest it. We tend to think that stomach acid is what digests food, but this is not the case – hydrochloric acid in the stomach only activates the enzymes that are actually responsible for breaking down the food. Because studies show that our own body enzymes decrease as we grow older, it’s crucial to make sure we eat food that has its own enzymes intact.

Food enzymes only remain intact if:

❉ The food is raw
❉ The food is dehydrated or “cooked” under 118 degrees
❉ The food is not canned
❉ The food is unprocessed

This means that only whole, unprocessed, raw or practically uncooked food still has its own enzymes. The more cooked food you eat, the less food enzymes you get, and the less actual nutrients you’re getting from the food because it is not being properly digested. This actually makes you crave more food to supply the missing nutrients, which then makes you gain weight.

Among other factors, obesity is largely related to enzyme deficiency, as fats accumulate in the body because there is not enough of the enzyme lipase to digest it.

To get enough enzymes, be sure to eat mostly raw, uncooked, unprocessed fruits and vegetables as well as soaked nuts and seeds (soaking activates the enzymes) – eating nuts without soaking makes them really heavy to digest because of their large fat and protein content.

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Unfortunately, The List is typically a very mental thing. Career, personality, hair, body, food – all the usual suspects are there. But when it comes to love,  all of these activities, vocation, and looks won’t count as much as something else: feelings.

I’ve asked successful married couples how they knew they’d found The One, and I always hear the same thing: “It felt right.” Not one of them ever says, “had the right job,” or “loved football.”

With this in mind, let’s make a new list, BASED ON HOW SOMEONE MAKES YOU FEEL.

The can include such things as:

❉ I feel safe and at ease with him.
❉ She brightens my day.
❉ He’s super cozy.
❉ She makes me want to be a better man.
❉ I’m all smiley when he’s around.
❉ She makes me feel like I can do anything.
❉ He brings out the best in me.
❉ She makes me feel like I can be myself.
❉ His voice calms me down.

Things you don’t want to feel:

❉ He confuses me.
❉ I don’t know what she wants.
❉ He’s kinda scary
❉ She’s kinda crazy
❉ It’s like I’m addicted to him/her

If you can’t really pinpoint what you feel (this takes practice, and a fearless amount of honesty with yourself) observe your actions and body language:

❉ I’m normally not a jealous guy but somehow she brings it out in me.
❉ I’m usually way more in control of my emotions.
❉ Arms crossed (shutting down, protecting yourself)
❉ Hunched back (feeling less than your best)
❉ Leaning back and away (distancing, when you really should be desiring closeness)
❉ Biting nails, shaking leg, obsessing over something random (nervousness/anxiety)

It’s about how you feel when you’re with this person. Girls: what’s in his wallet doesn’t matter if he makes you feel like crap. Guys: what’s in her bra doesn’t matter if she doesn’t even really like who you are. When it comes to love, your checklist should sound more along the lines of and Elton John song: “how wonderful life is, now you’re in the world.”

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If you read our Irrational Self-Talk article, you may have asked yourself: “Do I do that?” Maybe the answer was a straight out, “yes! That’s me!” But maybe you weren’t sure. To help you uncover this bad habit, here are five examples of irrational thoughts that you may or may not have heard before – in your head:

It’s bad, wrong or selfish to think of yourself. Nobody knows your needs or wants better than you – and you’re responsible for fulfilling them. Remember in-flight instructions: put the oxygen mask on yourself first, then on someone else.

My worth as a person depends on how much I achieve and produce. The real value of a human being is on his capacity to experience being fully alive, and feeling everything that it means to be human.

If I don’t please people, they will reject or abandon me. This is the result of low self-esteem. The best way to avoid rejection is by being and showing your true self – people can either take it or leave it – but if you don’t fully show yourself now and slowly do later, you run the risk of people rejecting you in the long run – once you’re already emotionally invested.

Good relationships are based on mutual sacrifice and a focus on giving. This leads you to think that it is better to give than to receive, and moves you to be hesitant in asking for what you want and need – a sure recipe for dissatisfaction, which will lead to frustration, possibly anger, and probably bitterness and withdrawal from your very confused partner.

My past determines my present. This is a very limiting belief that doesn’t allow you to move forward. The truth is, if you choose to, you can change your present at any given moment. You create your future with the choices you make today – and that future will be your present tomorrow.

Source: The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook.

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Exercise: Want more efficient muscles? Eat your spinach, says a new study. According to research published in Cell Metabolism, nitrate, a compound found in vegetables and especially in green leaves, helps healthy people consume less oxygen while exercising. This happens because the nitrate in vegetables mixes with friendly bacteria in the mouth and forms nitric oxide, which in turn helps the cardiovascular system by opening up our blood vessels to lower blood pressure. The study says that, in addition to this benefit, the nitrates make mitochondria – the powerhouses of the cell -  more efficient. Interestingly, the researchers say that since the benefits of nitrates depend on friendly bacteria in the mouth, mouthwashes are not good if you want this system to work because they kill good and bad bacteria.

Green: Forget your company’s profitability – a new study published in Interdisciplinary Environmental Review suggests that employees are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs if they are working for a company that is perceived to be environmentally conscious. Research tested to see what made employees happier – working for a green company or working for a company with solid financial performance. While common sense may indicate financial value would win, the results were clear: Environmentally green trumps monetarily green when it comes to feeling good about where you work.

Memory: Forget weight loss – exercise for your brain. According to a study conducted on older adults, consistent but moderate amounts of aerobic exercise increase the size of the brain’s hippocampus, leading to an improvement in spatial memory. For the study, 120 sedentary older people increased their brain capacity by walking for 40 minutes a day, three days per week, for one year. This debunks the previous notions that the brain atrophies as we get older or that it takes an intense amount of exercise to keep us mentally healthy.  This study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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January is gone and now you’ve arrived at a familiar checkpoint: Did your diet work? If it did and you lost the weight you wanted to as your resolution, will you stick to it and keep the weight off? Forget all of those thoughts once and for all. Diets don’t work. Lifestyle changes do.

Sure, losing weight is part of health. But it is not the goal of true health – it’s a side effect of it. Proper weight is achieved when you eat the right things for your body to digest, absorb, and excrete, as well as move your skeleton, muscles, and lymphatic system, and also exercise your mind with good thoughts and positive feelings. Weight loss is achieved as a consequence of a healthy mind, body, and soul and the practices that support your well-being in general.

Why is this focus important? Because if you’ve got your sights set on the wrong goal, you’re going to head in the wrong direction. Set your sights on health, and the weight will go too. Set your sights on weight, and some of the weight might go, but it may also return, because the right mindset isn’t there to support the new lifestyle change that it takes to get rid of excess weight – and keep it off.

This time, instead of losing a little weight the first month of the year as a resolution, make a change FOR GOOD. Make a commitment to your health, and forget the yo-yo situation called diet. You don’t need a diet – you probably need a detox, and a brand new way to eat, think, and thrive. This takes patience but it doesn’t take forever. My little sister melted pounds away the minute she got in the kitchen and started cooking instead of dining out, following a simple system founded on organic, whole, plant-based foods. All you need is commitment, an open mind, and a courageous heart ready to make the transition to a healthy lifestyle.

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