Eristeo's Favorite Things

Okay, so we didn't do so good at doing our blog regularly this week....ooops!   Well, we will work harder, hopefully, to do a better job.

As promised, here are Eristeo's favorite things:

1. Riding my Bicycle - As a “Slow-Poke” I like the speed of gliding up and down hills and it’s a great fun way to exercise. Here are some benefits of riding around the block:

Cycling is one of the easiest ways to exercise - You can ride a bicycle almost anywhere, at any time of the year, and without spending a fortune. Many people put off doing certain sports because of the high level of skill that seems to be required, or perhaps because they can’t commit to a team sport due to time pressures. Most of us know how to cycle and once you have learned you don’t forget. All you need is a bike, a half an hour here or there when it suits, and a bit of confidence.

Cycling builds strength and muscle tone - Contrary to normal perceptions, cycling is not a fitness activity that solely involves the legs. Cycling builds strength in a holistic manner since every single part of the body is involved in cycling.

Cycling increases muscle tone - Cycling improves general muscle function gradually, with little risk of over exercise or strain. Regular cycling strengthens leg muscles and is great for the mobility of hip and knee joints. You will gradually begin to see an improvement in the muscle tone of your legs, thighs, rear end, and hips.

Cycling builds stamina - Cycling is a good way to build stamina. It is very effective in doing so,
because people enjoy cycling and they wouldn’t really notice that they have gone farther the last time they went cycling.

Cycling improves cardio-vascular fitness - Cycling makes the heart pound in a steady manner and helps improve cardio-vascular fitness.  Studies have shown that cycling to work will increase cardiovascular fitness by 3-7%. Cycling uses the largest muscle groups the legs, raising heart rate to benefit stamina and fitness.

Cycling eats up calories - Cycling is a good way to lose those unwanted pounds. Steady cycling burns approximately 300 calories per hour. If you cycle for 30 minutes every day you would burn 11 pounds of fat in a year. Since it helps build muscle, cycling will also boost your metabolic rate long after you’ve finished your ride.

Cycling improves heart health - According to the British Medical Association, cycling just 20 miles a week can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by 50%. A major study of 10,000 civil servants suggested that those who cycled 20 miles over the period of a week were half as likely to suffer heart disease as their non-cycling colleagues.

Cycling improves coordination - Cycling is an activity that involves the whole body. Therefore, arm-to-leg, feet-to-hands and body-to-eye coordination are improved.

Cycling reduces stress - Any regular exercise can reduce stress and depression and improve well being and self esteem.  Cycling outdoors is also a good way to be one with nature and to feel the breath of the earth. It takes one’s mind out of everyday-life stress and rejuvenates his soul.

2.       Apples – I love them and they are a simple snack that's quick and easy to eat. 
Here are some benefits of eating them:

Bone Protection - French researchers found that a flavanoid called phloridzin that is found only in apples may protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis and may also increase bone density. Boron, another ingredient in apples, also strengthens bones.

Asthma Help - One recent study shows that children with asthma who drank apple juice on a daily basis suffered from less wheezing than children who drank apple juice only once per month. Another study showed that children born to women who eat a lot of apples during pregnancy have lower rates of asthma than children whose mothers ate few apples.

Alzheimer's Prevention - A study on mice at Cornell University found that the quercetin in apples may protect brain cells from the kind of free radical damage that may lead to Alzheimer's disease.

Lower Cholesterol - The pectin in apples lowers LDL ("bad") cholesterol. People who eat two apples per day may lower their cholesterol by as much as 16 percent.

Lung Cancer Prevention - According to a study of 10,000 people, those who ate the most apples had a 50 percent lower risk of developing lung cancer. Researchers believe this is due to the high levels of the flavonoids quercetin and naringin in apples.

Breast Cancer Prevention - A Cornell University study found that rats who ate one apple per day reduced their risk of breast cancer by 17 percent. Rats fed three apples per day reduced their risk by 39 percent and those fed six apples per day reduced their risk by 44 percent.

Colon Cancer Prevention One study found that rats fed an extract from apple skins had a 43 percent lower risk of colon cancer. Other research shows that the pectin in apples reduces the risk of colon cancer and helps maintain a healthy digestive tract.

Liver Cancer Prevention - Research found that rats fed an extract from apple skins had a 57 percent lower risk of liver cancer.

Diabetes Management - The pectin in apples supplies galacturonic acid to the body which lowers the body's need for insulin and may help in the management of diabetes.

Weight Loss - A Brazilian study found that women who ate three apples or pears per day lost more weight while dieting than women who did not eat fruit while dieting.

3.       Playing the Guitar – Ok, I might not be very good at it but it’s a great way for my brain to be creative and still be able to relax.  I currently listen to YouTube and play along to create a “Karaoke” style of fun.  Here are some benefits of playing the guitar:

Better intellectual capacity - One of the most obvious benefits of instrumental music for students is that you can get a better mark in music class, but did you know that making music can help you in your other subjects as well? Many studies have shown that students who play music have generally higher test and IQ scores than students who aren’t musical. If you’re past your school years, countless other studies have proven that practicing musicians of any age are more alert, which can lead to better memory retention.

Discipline and patience - Patience and discipline are virtues that so many of us lack in today’s world. Music, however, is known for its ability to lengthen attention span for its player. The discipline required to master guitar is also helpful in your everyday life when coping with tedium or difficult tasks...

Relieves stress - Had a bad day? Pick up your guitar! Creating music can soothe the mind, calm tempers and even lower blood pressure.

Sense of achievement - Nothing can beat the feeling you get once you conquer a difficult passage in a piece you’ve been working on. Hard work pays off in music, and you’ll often feel a sense of accomplishment if you dedicate yourself to the study of guitar.

Communicate your emotions - Ever been told to find a better outlet for your emotions than a punching bag? Playing guitar can be the answer to your problems. If you’ve been heartbroken, play something sad and slow. If you just got a new job and you’re over the moon, play something loud and joyful.

Emanate your personal style - Not all music is classical and two hundred years old, written by some dead European guy. Other genres of music are out there for all types of instruments. Ever heard a guitar play Metall? Try it out! You might like how it feels under your fingers and how it sounds in your head.

Teamwork - One of the most rewarding things about being able to play guitar is being able to play with other musicians like you. Not only do you get to show off your amazing musical skills, but you can combine your talents and make music that you could never dream of playing on your own. In order for your group to find their groove, you’ll need to work together on sound, tempo and style; in expanding your musical horizons together, you’ll grow as a musician and as a person.

Physical workout - Music isn’t just for the mind and soul-it’s good for the body, too! By playing guitar you are strengthening your arms, your fingers and hands, and even your legs (playing guitar burns approximately 90 kCals an hour).

Bragging Rights - Say you’re at a party, and a handsome man/beautiful woman/cute guy/hot girl asks you what you do. Once you play guitar, you can truthfully say, “I’m a musician”. Let’s face it: how many people do you know that would look down on you if you told them that? Music is in, and it always will be, so cherish the fact that you’re a part of the never-ending trend.

Fun! - That’s right, fun. Music is fun, and everyone accepts this. Listening to music is fun, so your friends will appreciate the fact that you’ve got a great way to entertain them. Playing music, though, is the most fun you can have. There’s no denying it. When you really let yourself become one with the music, there’s nothing in the world that can stand in your way. Music is the key to life, and it will always be one of the most worthwhile hobbies/careers ever invented. So go ahead! strum those strings and make some music!