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Year Three, Day 318: Serendipity!

Today is a better day than yesterday. And I started out at the dentist!

I just had a small cavity in one of my back molars.  But I do get anxious before going into the dentist.  I am not worried so much about pain.  I can do pain. It's that high pitched whirring sound the instruments make.

Shudder.

So I came prepared today.  I stopped at Starbucks for a relaxing cup of oatmeal and green tea.  Then I brushed and flossed and calmly walked over to the dental clinic.

I greeted them all quite cheerfully, but informed them that I was highly sensitive to the sound of the instruments, so would they mind if I put in my headphones and listened to the radio?

They said that was fine. And if I was uncomfortable, I should raise my left hand.

It went pretty well. But now that it is over, I am quite happy. 

I have often said that my definition of happiness is relief.  I am relieved.

I do not have any work planned today. Other than piano practice, and a trip to the gym.  So after the dentist, I walked up to the nearby library.  I was ecstatic about the thought of spending an unhurried morning looking at books and blogging on one of their computers. I brought my Glass Castle book and DVD to return.  I finished the book yesterday.  Absolutely loved it!

The movie did not grab me as much. I fell asleep about half way through.

It might have been the glass of Merlot I had before bed. 

Perhaps that is why I feel so relaxed today. I do believe it helped my sleep!

I was browsing books before I sat down at the computer, and one practically leapt out at me from the shelves.  Well, it didn't actually leap. But the cover is bright orange and the title is Happy Foods: Over 100 Mood-Boosting Recipes by Karen Wang Diggs.

I sat down and opened it to a random page and this is what I read:

"One of the most important neurotransmitters for governing mood, serotonin, is found mainly in the gut. Actually, ninety to ninety-five percent of it! No wonder there is a profound connection between what we eat and how we feel.
Why Gluten is Bad for Your Gut and Your brain
Gluten is the elastic-like protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and cross contaminated oats.  Because gluten is hard to digest, many people have a difficult time breaking down this protein in their gut, and the undigested gluten particles cause fermentation (aka putrefaction) in the intestine, leading to that uncomfortable bloated feeling. Overtime, those undigested particles can cause damage to the lining of your intestine, leading to an unfortunate condition called leaky gut.
When leaky gut occurs, absorption of nutrients is compromised. In turn, this diminishes the precursors necessary to make neurotransmitters and other important nourishment for the brain. The resulting malnutrition may cause negative mental symptoms {Bold added by me!} to arise."

~Happy Foods: Over 100 Mood-Boosting Recipes, Karen Wang Diggs. (introduction, p 29)


Wow. I love serendipity!

I am checking this book out. And patting myself on the back for sensing this connection between my diet and my mood.  Good stuff!

I am hopeful now.  Got my tooth filled.  I had a feeling toxins were leaking from my cavity.  Back on track with the diet.  And now I am off to the gym for a bit of weight training and hot tub sitting.

Then I will go out for pho and read my book.

I have a feeling today is going to be a good day!
Happy Tuesday!
Talk to you tomorrow.

Love,

Zita

P.S. Here is today's hooping video. Day 272!









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