gotohealth's Blog

THANKFULNESS

Nov

28

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Nothing like: "A beautiful day in our neighborhood!" What a gorgeous THANKSGIVING HERE IN THE NORTHWEST!

LONGER TELOMERES = BETTER HEALTH

Nov

19

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Telomeres are those things at the end of our chromosomes. They protect the Chromosomes when they duplicate and longer Telomeres mean a longer and better life. They are like the plastic at the end of our shoelaces that keep the shoelaces usable. Science says there are ways we can keep the Telomeres from shortening by our lifestyle choices.

Krissie has Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and 8 years ago she was told she had six months to live. Her problem is shortness of breath and she was hardly able to walk across the room at one time. She still can’t maintain a full time job, but with medication she is able to do some part time work.

We had a discussion this last weekend about drugs and side effects. Krissie is not afraid of death, but one of the goals she decided was important for the rest of her life was to avoid dementia. I told her about Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn who got a Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 for her Telomere research and how she has chosen to be on the Shaklee Corporation board because of Shaklee’s solid science behind their products.

One of the scientific studies show that an 80-year-old like me, who has been consistent with Shaklee supplements for the last 20 years, has Telomere length equal to the average person in the control group that is 40-years-old. Shaklee has supplements focussing on avoiding Alzheimers and dementia - MindWorks and Vivix - that particularly protect cells as they duplicate!

FOOD IS MEDICINE, MEDICINE IS FOOD

Nov

18

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This morning Dr. Elroy Vodjan was on a morning show because he was part of the medical research team that developed a blood test that can detect early Alzheimers.

He explains that only 1% of Altzheimers is genetic. Early detection and our lifestyle relating to diet, exercise, sleep and getting rid of toxins make the greatest differences.

Raw fruits and vegetables are starters. We haven't had bread and sugar desserts in our house because Sam researched ways of avoiding Diabetes and that's why he got me involved with sharing Shaklee products for financial health as well as physical health.

Research shows that Alzheimers develops from some of the same elements that produce Diabetes. Clearly, a healthy mind until we die is what Sam wanted most. HE ACCOMPLISHED THAT. Other parts of of our family and friends join me in acknowledging that one of the tools available to us for avoiding Alzheimers is medicine in the form of FOOD.

SHAKLEE supplements is FOOD. The philosophy and research behind the supplements include low heat production for preserving the live enzymes. Solid scientific research proving those of us 80-years-old, who have consumed adequate amounts of Shaklee supplements, have Telomeres that are equal to the average American 40-year-old. I'll blog about Telomeres tomorrow.

BIPARTISANSHIP

Nov

15

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At the November meeting of FJCUSA (Forum for Japanese in USA), Professor Hellmann spoke about the issues between Japan and South Korea. He is representative of the U of W Jackson School of International Studies. He also received an award from the Japanese government for his research and knowledge about Asian politics and public sentiments.

Hellmann is strong in his knowledge of Asian politics and I was anxious to gain insight to Asian issues currently in the news. Unfortunately, his personal politics and President Trump hatred colored his whole presentation with an ending of hopelessness.

With his liberal bias, Hellmann gives government leaders too much power. There were a number of conservative Japanese immigrants in the audience who value the personal and individual power that is a choice in the USA. One question from the audience during the question and answer part of the meeting was: “Isn’t it part of the strategy to help these countries with power to govern themselves?”

My hope in attending the meeting was to gain more perspective that we as individuals could pass on to our contacts. For instance, I entertained a visitor from Japan earlier this week and he has an acquaintance that might have a connection to Japanese diplomats. There a lot one “can” do. I disagree the meeting needed to end with a hopeless sentiment.

What makes America a great country is that there are at least two sides to most ideas with individual power? I’m not a fan of extremism nor polarizing commentary. But both sides have rights.

FLEXIBILITY WITH A STRONG FOUNDATION

Nov

9

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In graduate school, my thesis was about the difference between men and women. The key was that Women have a larger Corpus Collosum that is the bridge between the right and left brain activity. Therefore, men can be more focussed. Perhaps that is why they are the better bread winners. Women on the other hand use both sides of their brain more and may be more flexible. Thus, women may be better at multi-tasking and running a household with different and changing levels of communication.

At age 80, its still important to keep learning so I can handle the different scenarios in my life like Inu the dog.

EATING LIKE ROYALTY

Nov

2

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It's November and the season is just about over for the Matsutake hunting season here in the Pacific Northwest. The most delicious way to fix Matsutake is to slice them and saute them in butter with a little salt and pepper. My mouth is watering as I think of how a few bites taste as a royal appetizer!

MICHI NORTH MASTER PIANIST IN CONCERT

Oct

21

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Let me share the story why Michi Hirata North, pianist at age 88, is performing this “Beiju” (88th birthday celebration) event and honoring Hidemaro Konoye with her Town Hall concert on this 2019 November 10th. There are three main reasons.

The first is that Mr. Tanaka, temporarily in New York, saw Sam Goto’s cartoons of Michi for her last concert at Meany in the North Am Post four-years-ago. Tanaka-san emailed me and said he had been looking for Michi and would I send her contact information to him. Subsequently, he returned to Japan and shared the CD with his friend Mr. Tawara - whose work was diplomatic relationships with Russia, but his hobby is of collecting a vast amount of memorabilia of historical musical professionals in Japan.

Mr Tahara wrote Michi saying, “I saw you perform as a teenager in the late 1940s. I’ve been looking for you for 65 years.” Michi is one of the only ones still living from the WWII era of well known musicians. Mr. Tawara has close relationship with Kingstudio.asia. They immediately produced CDs for distribution from Michi’s concert. The studio executives are excited about getting an even better recording for posterity. Tanaka-san called Michi in September to say he is coming for the concert, from Japan.

The second reason for this concert is Michi reconnecting with the granddaughter of Hidemaro Konoye and the Konoye Foundation of Music. Hidemaro was the younger brother of Fumimaro Konoe (don’t know the reason for different spelling of last name). Michi was in their home on December 17, 1945, when Fujimaro committed honorable suicide as the pre-war Prime Minister of Japan who got Japan into the war with the United States.

Hidemaro was Michi’s father’s best friend. They studied in Germany together in the 1920s. Konoye is known for founding the New Symphony Orchestra of Tokyo (the present day NHK Symphony Orchestra). At the end of WWII in Germany, Konoye as one of the guest conductors of the Berlin Symphony Orchestra was isolated by the US government as the US/Japan war was still raging. He was repatriated through New York and chose to return to Michi’s home in Japan.

Michi was 13-years-old when Konoye was staying in their home in Tokyo and now she says: “Up to his visit to our home in 1945, I was obediently practicing, but Konoye inspired me to become more excited about music and performing. I traveled all over Japan with him and his orchestra from ages 14 to 18.” Michi is honoring Konoye with his orchestral composition for Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1.

The third and most remarkable part of the event is that Michi is turning 88-years-old this December 2019. Imagine, playing two 40-minute concertos, all on one November 10th Sunday afternoon and we get to be there??

HISTORY KEEPER'S WORKSHOP

Oct

15

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Pleased to follow-up the delightful and well organized History Keeper’s Workshop last Saturday in Kent, WA. As I think about my weekly blog, I am thinking of “incident - point - benefit”.

Watching an NHK TV program this morning about Seattle's international make-up and beauty, it is inspiring me. They are showing the workers throw fish at Pike Market. They are showing the trees in downtown Pioneer Square area as well as the glass blowing shop down there. They interviewed this family from Iran dancing in Westlake Mall. The Recreational Tree Climbing company is showing how kids can enjoy Volunteer Park. It’s a series of short stories and helps me get excited about living here.

It occurs to me the same thing happens when I do research and write stories about my family. I found my father’s aunt was an opera singer in famous Hibiya Hall in Tokyo. I found out my Grandpa was one of the 100 Dairy farmers in Orillia, right there by Ikea, that once supplied half of Seattle’s milk supply around 1915 - 1920. My mother was born around the south end of South Center Mall. Most of us will be buried in the Kent Hillcrest Cemetary. It helps our grandchildren be more excited about being part of the family.

LIVING A LIFE OF BEAUTY

Oct

8

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My ancestors came from Japan for economic and individual freedom. The NHK-WORLD TV documentary, I’m watching, is about this family in Japan. The family is passing on the art of designing and weaving Obi (Japanese kimono sash) to the next generation.

The programming of NHK regularly features artists who keep original and historical ways. For instance with cooking, it includes growing and acquiring ingredients, bringing out best of flavors, making it exciting to the eyes and adding a modern twist.

I find myself appreciating my Japanese heritage values of attention to nature, integrity and responsibility. This beauty, comes from centuries of a homogeneous existence and attention to culture during 1600AD to 1800AD without wars.

There is beauty in BUILDING AND CREATING and DIVERSITY. A definition of diversity that I like is: “the ability to challenge each other’s beliefs while keeping our dignity and respect for each other”.

Living a life of beauty, incorporating diverse beliefs, is a challenge that I love! Beauty can be incorporated into each step of the process of living our daily lives. I have no desire to live in Japan. How can I pass these splendid elements of heritage on to future generations here in Seattle?

The most important way to live a life of beauty is to use the POWER OF STORY TELLING!!

CREATING GENERATION WEALTH FOR MY NEW LIFE

Oct

1

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This morning I had a toasted piece of Dave’s Killer Bread with lots of butter. I love bread, but we rarely had any in our house these past 40 years to avoid Diabetes. The packaging and the fact that it was thin-sliced caught my eye at New Season’s Market a couple months ago. The label verified the fact that it was full of healthy ingredients and I loved the taste when I had a piece.

Everyone around me seemed to know the story behind the bread but me. I decided to google the story on YouTube. Wow, was I inspired!

The words I wrote on my notebook are, “GENERATIONAL WEALTH CREATION; wealth of spirit, health, assets and hope!” It fit all the areas that I’m passionate about.

There are three areas on which I plan to focus, now that I need to restart a new life. First, I don’t have to move out of the house in which I’ve hated being in alone for the last 21 months. I love having friends and relatives over for lunch/dinners.

Second, we are writing, publishing and distributing a book of SAMURAI SHIGERU The art & wisdom of Sam Goto. The proceeds will go to the Japanese Cultural and Community Center for it’s contributions to the city of Seattle. The passing on heritage values of INTEGRITY and cultural disciplines relate to all ethnic communities but it was Sam and my obsession.

The Japanese had a period of peace, from 1600 to 1800AD, which gave the people of Japan a place with cultural arts where they could put their energy instead of for wars. Therefore, the Japanese cultural values were developed to almost become a science of responsibility. Those of us with Japanese heritage here in the US are an example of overcoming the hardships of incarceration during WWII and of now being the highest per capita income group with the US census here in Washington State.

My third area is the Counseling and Nutrition business I’ve had for the last 43 years featuring the Shaklee products for good health. Shaklee helped fulfill Sam’s dream to be healthy and he was still climbing stairs until shortly before his death at age 85.

Dave Dahl’s story inspires me to continue to build and create the legacy and stories that I weave and write for those who choose to benefit, but I particularly have my great grandchildren in mind.