REFRIED BEANS CAN HELP YOU SLEEP

Are you suffering from pandemic stress and fatigue? Seven months of social isolation due to Covid 19, combined with worries about the 2020 election is bad enough. But many are exhausted with juggling home schooling and trying to work at home. That’s if you’re lucky enough to have a job—which many don’t. No wonder It’s difficult to get enough uninterrupted sleep But did you know that certain foods like refried beans can help you sleep?

I’d forgotten about tryptophan until last night, when we picked up some Mexican food. That’s one good thing about the pandemic. Since we don’t care to take a chance eating in restaurants, we’re trying out a lot of carry out from new places. Gotta add some variety to our life, right? The day before had been stressful, with little things going wrong,. Then, there was the disturbing vice presidential debate with Harris smirking and grimacing, and Pence’s red eye, and a fly crawling on his head. Not conducive to a good night’s sleep.

We stumbled around in a fog the next day, and used what little energy we could muster to pick up some tacos and refried beans. I was afraid the spicy food might keep us awake, However, both of us slept like logs, and woke up feeling rested.

Refried Beans are a good source of the amino acid tryptophan, which can help you sleeep. — Refried beans can help you sleep because they are a good source of the amino acid, tryptophan

Black and pinto beans in Mexican dishes can help with insomnia. Why? because they contain an amino acid called tryptophan which gets converted into the hormone melatonin, which makes you sleepy.

Several other foods are a good source of tryptophan. Ever wonder why you’re so sleepy after a big Thanksgiving feast? It could be due to that big serving of roasted turkey.

Some people try to get their tryptophan the easy way—by taking pills. Not a good idea. Side affects may include nausea, loss of appetite, dizziness, headache, dry mouth and drowsiness. Other potential side effects of this supplement include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, indigestion and gas.

Anyway, It’s a lot more fun eating Mexican food than taking pills And–best of all–refried beans can help you sleep.

May 29, 2020May 29, 2020

BLACK MASKS LOOK SCARY & UNCLEAN

The little black dress is still the epitome of fashion in sophisticated circles. Is that why black masks have become popular during this pandemic? Mike Pence and Joe Biden both wear them. Black seems to be the “in” color for politicians’ masks in Washington DC. But I think they’re making a mistake. Black masks actually look scary and unclean.

Black cloth masks look scary & unclean. You can't tell if they've been washed, and they seem sinister. — Black masks look scary and unclean. But politicians seem to prefer them.

Scary? You bet. There’s something ominous and frightening about black masks. They remind me of Muslim Women who are forced to wear hijabs and cover their faces. The most common monastic color is black. It symbolizes repentance and simplicity. By wearing black, monks and nuns are trying to suppress the calls of the flesh. Sounds a little dreary and sexless, to me.

Black has also been a sign of mourning ever since the middle ages. Over the centuries, its been associated with death, evil, and violence. Maybe that’s why it’s the popular color for masks during the covid-19 crisis. But it’s also sinister and pessimistic. Why not a brightly colored or flowered mask, to suggest optimism, and perhaps a light at the end of the tunnel?

On the other hand color psychologist say that a preference for the color black indicates prestige and power; someone who wears black takes themselves seriously. I suppose they think black masks are simply more dignified.

There’s a reason why hospital employees and health care workers wear light colored scrubs and masks. It’s because they look clean. If a black cloth mask is soiled, you can’t tell by looking. If doesn’t really matter if a mask is dirty, because it still keeps the wearer’s infectious coughs and sneezes from spreading through the air. On the other hand, it could infect the owner, or anyone in his household. A child who picks up a dirty mask to play with could be at risk for catching a disease.

Maybe men prefer black because they think it looks more masculine. But to me, black masks look scary and unsanitary.

October 18, 2019October 18, 2019

BUTTIGIEG VS. PENCE 2020?

Last week, this may have sounded crazy. Mayor Pete’s chances of winning the presidential nomination were very slim. But this latest debate might have been a deal breaker. Buttigieg came across as the only candidate who seemed authentic. He challenged Elizabeth Warren’s pie- in- the-sky promises as to the real cost of Medicare for all. He calmly spoke with the voice of experience on the US withdrawal from Syria. Now, there’s a real possibility that Trump will be impeached. Therefore, it’s not a pipe dream to imagine a presidential election with two Hoosiers on the ballet . Buttigieg vs Pence 2020? It could happen.

There's a possiblity that two Hoosier will be on the ballot in 2020 — Two Hoosiers could be on the ballot during the 2020 election

Of course, I’m not at all biased (: However, I believe our country would be well served if we had a POTUS who brings some good old Hoosier Values to the table.

What are HOOSIER VALUES? The very phrase brings to mind a dull, penny pinching, religious fanatic who’s never traveled more than 100 miles from his home town. I’ve surfed the internet and found that there are no clearly defined Hoosier Values. Different sources say the following character traits define an Indiana native: Patriotic, Honest, Responsible, Faithful, Humble. Others claim that the typical Hoosier has a strong work ethic, family values and a sense of community.

Wow! That’s a lot of good stuff. Does that mean that no one in my state is cruel, vulgar, promiscuous, dishonest or rude? Hardly.

When I think of Hoosier Values, I envision someone who doesn’t brag, or make false promises, and behaves with dignity in public. In other words, someone with just plain old common sense.

Buttigieg vs Pence in the 2020 presidential election would be a win-win situation for Indiana. . No matter which party prevailed at the polls, we could rest assured that Hoosier Values are well represented in Washington DC.