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Something You Can Do About The Newton Tragedy.
We’re all reeling from the Newton massacre. For most of us the weekend was a haze, a series of events reduced to trivial status by the unbearable loss suffered in the Newton community and in our nation. And while many debate what must be done to address the issues around this tragedy, something crossed my Facebook account today that I feel blessed to share with you.
Amid the posts on Facebook about the massacre- tearful sympathies, compassion, and more- an idea stood out. Coincidentally, it came from my friend Jessica Amick whose family is already devoted to making sure that a dozen or more kids get a college scholarship every year. Jessica’s sister, a teacher in Indiana, had reacted differently to the tragedy. Her grief and compassion blended to craft this amazing idea to honor the fallen and to simultaneously make our broken world a better place. We need that now.
Jolie Lindley created this simple list which asks that we each pledge to perform one act of kindness on behalf of those we lost. For each name, there is a blank space to fill with your gesture. Think about it, an emptiness replaced with kindness.
And I know how powerful this kindness community is in prayer and faith, in love and in service to their fellow man. I need only show this list and story to you and the results will speak for themselves. I would simply ask that when you finish your list that you put it in an envelope and send it to the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut. (address below.) Let’s let the living know that we will never forget their loss and that some good has come from this.
PLEASE SHARE THIS ON YOUR FACEBOOK WALL OR USE THE EMAILER AT THE BOTTOM TO SPREAD THE WORD.Here is Ms. Lindley’s pledge for all of us.
In order to honor and remember the 26 victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School and keep their memories alive, I pledge to perform 26 acts of kindness this week, one in the name of each victim. May my actions shine light into the darkness.
1. _______________________________
In memory of Rachel Davino, 29
2._______________________________
In memory of Dawn Hochsprung, 47
3. ______________________________
In memory of Anne Marie Murphy, 52
4._______________________________
In memory of Lauren Rousseau, 30
5._______________________________
In memory of Mary Sherlach, 56
6.________________________________
In memory of Victoria Soto, 27
7.________________________________
In memory of Charlotte Bacon, 6
8.________________________________
In memory of Daniel Barden, 7
9.________________________________
In memory of Olivia Engel, 6
10. ______________________________
In memory of Josephine Gay, 7
11._______________________________
In memory of Ana Marquez-Greene, 6
12. _______________________________
In memory of Dylan Hockley, 6
13. _____________________________
In memory of Madeline Hsu, 6
14. ______________________________
In memory of Catherine Hubbard, 6
15._______________________________
In memory of Chase Kowalski, 7
16. ______________________________
In memory of Jesse Lewis, 6
17.______________________________
In memory of James Mattioli, 6
18.______________________________
In memory of Grace McDonnell, 7
19._______________________________
In memory of Emilie Parker, 6
20._______________________________
In memory of Jack Pinto, 6
21._______________________________
In memory of Noah Pozner, 6
22.________________________________
In memory of Caroline Previdi, 6
23. _______________________________
In memory of Jessica Rekos, 6
24.________________________________
In memory of Avielle Richman, 6
25. ________________________________
In memory of Benjamin Wheeler, 6
26. _________________________________
In memory of Allison Wyatt, 6
Please send to:
Sandy Hook Elementary
12 Dickenson Drive
Sandy Hook, CT 06482. -
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6 Feel-Good Foods That Naturally Boost Your Mood
Editor’s Note:
Over the past few years we’ve identified that in addition to making the world a kinder, better place that our readership of Kindhearts like you also want to live longer and healthier lives. As such, we’ve gone on a recruiting mission to find great new writers who can give us ideas so that we can all “Live well. Be kind.”
Today is our first of many great ideas for living better. Enjoy!
6 Feel-Good Foods That Naturally Boost Your Mood
When we’re feeling down, we often turn to our friends for solace or look for an activity that can distract us from our worries. Our first instinct isn’t usually to turn to food — unless it’s to dig into a pint of ice cream for comfort— but eating the right diet can actually boost your mood and your happiness overall. Whether you’re stressed out and anxious or you just don’t have the energy or motivation to get through the day, picking the right foods can help keep you feeling relaxed and upbeat.
It might sound farfetched that food can so greatly affect your mood, but research shows that certain types of diets can have a significant effect on your happiness levels. One study from the Journal of Psychosomatic Research found that people who ate a typical Mediterranean diet filled with whole and unprocessed foods such as fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes, and olive oil were much happier than those who ate a standard Western diet that included a lot of fast food, dessert, and soda.
Eating healthy foods can provide you with the nutrients your body needs to help fight off depression and keep your stress levels at bay. If you need a little boost in your mood, try eating one of these six feel-good foods that will have you smiling in no-time.
1. Dark Chocolate
As if you need another excuse to eat the sweet treat: dark chocolate has been found to fight off anxiety and depression. One study from the Journal of Proteome Research found that daily consumption of chocolate led to lower levels of stress hormones. Cocoa also contains antioxidants called polyphenols which can help fight against depression and other mental disorders.
Make sure you opt for chocolate with 70 percent cocoa or higher, and avoid kinds with added sugar, which can actually have the reverse effect.
2. Berries
Berries such as raspberries and strawberries contain a natural ingredient that closely resembles valproic acid, a chemical used in prescription mood-stabilizing drugs. One study from the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine also found that daily consumption of goji berry juice increased people’s general feelings of wellbeing
3. Turkey
Turkey contains two important nutrients that help play a role in your mood: selenium and tryptophan. Research from the journal Biological Psychiatry found that subjects who received selenium supplements experienced a decrease in anxiety and elevated mood. Additionally, tryptophan is an amino acid that is responsible for synthesizing serotonin, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. Increasing your intake of tryptophan results in higher levels of serotonin, which can not only improve your mood, but even your behavior.
4. Nuts
If you’re a fan of snacking throughout the day, start chowing down on some nuts. Like turkey, nuts can also help boost your serotonin levels, and it only takes one ounce of nuts such as walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts to improve your happiness.
5. Fish
Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines contain omega-3 fatty acids, an important mood-boosting nutrient. Research shows that increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids can help relieve symptoms of depression. One study from the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry even found that omega-3 fatty acids are just as effective at improving mood as an antidepressant.
6. Leafy Greens
Greens such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and other lettuce contain folic acid, an important B vitamin that plays a role in mood regulation, including the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Research from the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry shows that increasing your intake of folate can help reduce depressive symptoms.
When in doubt, you’re always best sticking to whole, unprocessed foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals, but the above foods especially can help keep you calm and positive overall.
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14 Jul 2016
6 Feel-Good Foods That Naturally Boost Your Mood
Editor’s Note:
Over the past few years we’ve identified that in addition to making the world a kinder, better place that our readership of Kindhearts like you also want to live longer and healthier lives. As such, we’ve gone on a recruiting mission to find great new writers who can give us ideas so that we can all “Live well. Be kind.”
Today is our first of many great ideas for living better. Enjoy!
6 Feel-Good Foods That Naturally Boost Your Mood
When we’re feeling down, we often turn to our friends for solace or look for an activity that can distract us from our worries. Our first instinct isn’t usually to turn to food — unless it’s to dig into a pint of ice cream for comfort— but eating the right diet can actually boost your mood and your happiness overall. Whether you’re stressed out and anxious or you just don’t have the energy or motivation to get through the day, picking the right foods can help keep you feeling relaxed and upbeat.
It might sound farfetched that food can so greatly affect your mood, but research shows that certain types of diets can have a significant effect on your happiness levels. One study from the Journal of Psychosomatic Research found that people who ate a typical Mediterranean diet filled with whole and unprocessed foods such as fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes, and olive oil were much happier than those who ate a standard Western diet that included a lot of fast food, dessert, and soda.
Eating healthy foods can provide you with the nutrients your body needs to help fight off depression and keep your stress levels at bay. If you need a little boost in your mood, try eating one of these six feel-good foods that will have you smiling in no-time.
1. Dark Chocolate
As if you need another excuse to eat the sweet treat: dark chocolate has been found to fight off anxiety and depression. One study from the Journal of Proteome Research found that daily consumption of chocolate led to lower levels of stress hormones. Cocoa also contains antioxidants called polyphenols which can help fight against depression and other mental disorders.
Make sure you opt for chocolate with 70 percent cocoa or higher, and avoid kinds with added sugar, which can actually have the reverse effect.
2. Berries
Berries such as raspberries and strawberries contain a natural ingredient that closely resembles valproic acid, a chemical used in prescription mood-stabilizing drugs. One study from the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine also found that daily consumption of goji berry juice increased people’s general feelings of wellbeing
3. Turkey
Turkey contains two important nutrients that help play a role in your mood: selenium and tryptophan. Research from the journal Biological Psychiatry found that subjects who received selenium supplements experienced a decrease in anxiety and elevated mood. Additionally, tryptophan is an amino acid that is responsible for synthesizing serotonin, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. Increasing your intake of tryptophan results in higher levels of serotonin, which can not only improve your mood, but even your behavior.
4. Nuts
If you’re a fan of snacking throughout the day, start chowing down on some nuts. Like turkey, nuts can also help boost your serotonin levels, and it only takes one ounce of nuts such as walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts to improve your happiness.
5. Fish
Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines contain omega-3 fatty acids, an important mood-boosting nutrient. Research shows that increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids can help relieve symptoms of depression. One study from the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry even found that omega-3 fatty acids are just as effective at improving mood as an antidepressant.
6. Leafy Greens
Greens such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and other lettuce contain folic acid, an important B vitamin that plays a role in mood regulation, including the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Research from the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry shows that increasing your intake of folate can help reduce depressive symptoms.
When in doubt, you’re always best sticking to whole, unprocessed foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals, but the above foods especially can help keep you calm and positive overall.
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28 May 2015
“I’m Going to be The Best Dad”
Get ready to watch the most adorable video of 2015!
This wife loves to give her husband little pep talks and make him repeat all the beautiful things she says about him!
As if that wasn’t heart-warming enough, this certain pep talk has a surprise and hilarious ending!
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