Hugh Hefner is the envy of anybody aging. Hugh is 80 something.

I like that “something part.” I learned that from an elderly patient of mine. When I asked her age she said “I am 80 something.” with a big grin, ”It’s not necessary to count the second digit.” LOL!

By the way, I am 40 something. I feel better saying my age that way especially since I’m only able to say that for a few more weeks.

I’m told I look good for my age. I’m lean, fit, and active. All my parts are still working well; just like Hugh. I’ll casually neglect to comment about my hair. LOL!

So how do some people maintain their youthful exuberance? God is ultimately in control of what happens to each of us, but he also gifted us with the ability to make choices.

Having been a holistic family doctor for over 25 years, working face to face with thousands of senior citizens, I have a few observations and suggestions about youthfulness.

1)Check Your Posture. It is an often overlooked component of beauty, health and youthfulness. Look closely at those who catch your eye and you’ll notice those people have good posture.   From a side view you’ll notice that their head lies directly above their torso, and that an imaginary straight line can be drawn from their ear to their shoulder, to their hip, and then to their ankle. From a front or back view you’ll notice levelness of their ears, shoulders, and hips. It all has a lot to do with spinal balance.

Be sure and get the free report I offer on the right side of this web site called: How to Check Yourself and Your Family for Spinal Structural misalignment. Learn how to sit, lay and stand properly.

Good posture is important for health because of the structure/function relationship. I’m referring to the alignment of your bones and joints. I bet you haven’t heard about how structural balance has an effect on your health. This structure/function relationship is what I call “The missing link” in health care. This is true particularly of spinal alignment.

Stress and trauma cause the vertebrae to misalign and this in turn irritates or impinges the delicate spinal nerves and spinal chord (this is called subluxation). The nervous system controls and coordinates all body systems including immunity. Chiropractors specialize in locating and correcting subluxations. Find a chiropractor and get checked regularly. How often? Once per week optimally and once per month minimally. Yes, this is the best way to improve your posture and your health.

2) Think Young. Our minds are a lot like computers. Garbage in equals garbage out. If you keep exposing yourself to frequent negative media for example, you’ll think, talk, and act negative. In case you have not noticed, most of the information in the media is negative. So I suggest limiting your exposure. Listen to the news or read the newspaper once a day maximum. And be very selective with other things that influence your mind like television shows, magazines, books, the internet, and even some people.  Seek out uplifting, educational, inspiring, and positive input.

3) Eat Young Food. Reminds me of the adage “You are what you eat.” So eat fresher produce and preferably organically or home grown. The vitamin and mineral content is superior not to mention the taste. Aim to eat a big salad every day. Another free report I offer is the recipe for The Healing Salad. Fantastic! Fresh vegetables contain high levels of anti-oxidants, compounds known to nullify a common destroyer of youth – free radicals.

4) Love more. Yes expressing love is a key component of youthfulness. This is much more than just sex. It’s about love for your spouse, children, neighbors, and even your enemies. Actions speak louder than words here. Sharing your God given talents to help your fellow man, besides being a higher calling for all of us, works wonders to strengthen your immunity, cardio-vascular system, and mental capacities.

So, if you envy Hugh Hefner and want to maintain a youthful exuberance, the above lifestyle choices can help you do that.

Oh yeah, one more thing: behave yourself!

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Hugh Hefner Envy: 4 Tips for a Youthful Exuberance.

Livestock: Friends and Food? Is it possible?

Yes but it’s not easy.

When my wife and I first moved to our farm about 16 years ago, we were advised that if we obtained any livestock that we intend to eat, then we should not allow them to become pets.

“Uu -huh” I said in my characteristic covertly defiant agreement. I think that means I lied.

Since then we’ve enjoyed having numerous animals around here that we’ve enjoyed both as near pets and as food.  No, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that we’ve hugged and petted these animals as we do with our cats and dog, but they have been cherished as a part of the family. Sounds a bit gruesome I know, but I’d feel guilty if we didn’t show them at least some appreciation as we raised them.

Our farm is blessed with a really nice chicken coop, so the first animals we obtained were chickens. They were given to me as a gift from a former neighbor. They are Aracauna breed, and I’m told they originated in South America. Known for laying eggs of multiple colors (teal, brown, tan and white) they are also cherished as dual-purpose chickens good for both egg production and roasting.I love the fresh eggs we collect and eat most mornings – I can really taste and see the difference! They are a wonderful benefit to health.

We were given one rooster who we were told is called Garth. We love the way Garth cockadoodles  frequently.

I hope the neighbors do too! LOL.

Then another neighbor started telling us about how his kids raise piglets every spring. Before I knew it, there were squeals coming from our lower barn, both from my kids and the cute pink piglets!

We are amazed how fast they mature, growing from 40 pound cutey-pies to 200 pound hogs in a matter of weeks. And the pork meat is delicious; much tastier and leaner than what I’ve had from the grocery store.

I built them a very strong pen with heavy metal fencing so they could have plenty of fresh air and sunshine. “They’ll never get out of there.” I said. Ha! One day we arrived home to find the big boy and girl standing in the driveway. I still can’t figure out how they escaped because there was nothing amiss about their fence or gate. So what did I do? Well one of the tricks of raising livestock is to always shake the food dish before feeding. So I opened up their gate, stepped in, shook the food dish to make it’s distinctive sound, and in they ran! Hey mothers, try that and see if it works on your kids. LOL!

Then one day I saw a young turkey for sale at a local farmer’s market. “I’ll take it” I gleefully said, picturing my family drooling at Thanksgiving as they eyed the roasted fresh home-grown bird. We named him Gobble and enjoyed watching him grow. Well, as Thanksgiving approached the kids stated asking “Dad, we won’t eat Gobble will we?” Luckily turkeys freeze well. LOL!

Then, somewhere along the line I decided to tackle one of my greatest fears – bees! Ever since I was 6 years old I’ve panicked whenever I hear something buzzing. This terror began on the day I saw and heard my sister screaming after she stepped on a honey bee with a bear foot. Even the sound of a fly put me in a panic. So a friend gave me some bee raising equipment and before I knew it, and after much anxiety, I was raising bees. Their kind of difficult to hug, but make for a very interesting hobby! Amazingly, one can obtain 20 pounds of honey from even one good hive. I’ve really enjoyed giving my fresh, organic honey away as gifts, not to mention using it as a sweetener.Have you ever tried honey in coffee? Fantastic!

So, we’ve enjoyed these animals both as near pets and food. I’m delighted to be eating this freshly harvested, organically grown food. Animals are truly a gift from God. As the author of the book Whole Health Healing: The Budget Friendly Natural Wellness Bible for All Ages, this kind of healthy, holistic lifestyle is right up my alley.

What’s next? I’m considering cattle, maybe goats, or even emu. I’ll keep you posted.

If you like what I write you can click on the orange RSS icon up near the top right-hand corner of this site to get all my future postings for free. And be sure to get the free reports I offer on the right side of this web site.

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Lastly, be sure to check out my other blog sites: http://www.wholehealthhealing.com, and one specifically for doctors http://www.reclaimthejoy.com

Livestock: Friends and Food