Hello January (1/7)
Hello, January! Behold! A new day and a new year beckons. Yet another list of forgotten but resurrected resolutions are again in vogue.
Category: January
Happy Bench Monday
January 21st is National Hugging Day… An unknown author said: A hug is two hearts wrapped in arms.
January 21st is National Hugging Day.
Happy Bench Monday today and Hug Day tomorrow!
A hug is two hearts wrapped in arms.
Unknown Author
Your brain says cheese
Dairy products, such as yogurt and low-fat Camembert cheese, may prevent Alzheimer’s disease due to calcium, vitamin B12, probiotic and other neuroprotective agents.
January 20th is National Cheese Lover’s Day. To all Steve Urkels, come celebrate your favorite dairy – from asiago and Monterey jack to Velveeta and Zufi.
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Alright. You might find this confusing… Some say cheese is bad and contributes to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Some say it’s good as it may reduce the risk of cognitive decline and prevent AD. Here’s what I found…
Gouda news
There are old reports that say the bigger or fatter the body, the smaller the brain 🧠 gets. If cheese and yogurt were also reported to help lower the risk of obesity, then that means it will also aid in preventing cognitive decline. (1)
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Studies have shown that dairy products, such as yogurt and low-fat cheese 🧀 , may indeed prevent Alzheimer’s disease. This is due to some brain-power components of dairy 🐄 , such as calcium, vitamin B12 and probiotics to name a few (as the others are quite complicated for you to even care about. lol). (1)
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An evaluation of 1,183 participants shows that men 👱♂️ who had higher protein intake seemed to have lower stress while low-fat yogurt consumption resulted to good memory recall. Women who consumed low-fat cheese, on the other hand, was reported with decreased cognitive impairment. To summarize, low-fat yogurt and cheese contributed to good brain 🧠 health. (1)
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More research, however, has to be done to understand how all cheese components really work within our brain and body. (1)
Camembert cheese neuroprotection
Camembert cheese has oleamide and dehydroergosterol – two anti-inflammatory compounds found to induce microglia that leads to the protection of neurons in your central nervous system. (1)
Microglia is a collection of cells that are key to overall brain 🧠 maintenance. As primary immune cells of the central nervous system, microglia identify threatening foreign bodies and destroy them. (2)
References:
(1) Ano, Y. & Nakayama, H. (2018, June 30). Preventive Effects of Dairy Products on Dementia and the Underlying Mechanisms. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6073537/.
(2) Microglia. (2018, December 7). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microglia.
National Hat Day: Hetherington’s unusual design
January 15th is National Hat Day. Its history is possibly attributed to John Hetherington’s first appearance wearing a top hat in 1797.
I am a bit weirded out by the story of this hat incident . . . much like how those onlookers reacted to the bizarre headgear. There is no direct explanation about how the 15th of January was proclaimed the national day of hats, but this one comes close and might as well be its origin… Enter the Age of Enlightenment…
History of National Hat Day
On January 15, 1797, John Hetherington first appeared in public wearing his unusual hat he described as his own silk hat creation – which was actually just a top hat of today. The Strand haberdasher believed his tall headdress will create a “sensation” but caused a commotion instead.
According to Hatter’s Gazette: “It was with no little trepidation that about eleven o’clock in the forenoon, Mr. Hetherington emerged from his shop in the Strand. His family advised against it, but he was determined, and forth he sallied.”
Wow! Talk about deep English of yore… How about if you post your next Instagram #selfie or Facebook #status with this tagline – “With no trepidation in the forenoon, I emerged and sallied.” #thebest
Mad as a hatter
As reported, the unusual sight of Hetherington’s hat not just invited curious bystanders to follow him around but also spawned a “howling mob”. Weirded 18th-century folks reacted to that tall and lustre-shiny oddball titfer they described as “calculated to frighten timid people”. “Several women fainted…, children screamed, dogs yelped” and a young boy ended up having his right arm broken (as crowds can be dangerous, you know).
Like I said, I’m already weirded out by their reaction. I wonder how they’d react if they see the Coneheads. Well, I bet even you will be scared to see a crowned alien in the flesh.
Furthermore, “those on the outskirts of the crowd did not know the nature of the trouble, if there was any, but they helped to swell the din.”
Okay, you must remember: It’s not good to swell the din, else…
The result: “John Hetherington, haberdasher, of the Strand, was arraigned before the Lord Mayor yesterday on a charge of breach of the peace and inciting to riot and was required to give bonds in the amount of £500.”
Wow.
How about you check out Sia’s 2016 Cheap Thrills lyric video (below) if you haven’t yet…
Hatmaker John claimed he did not violate any law further saying that he was “merely exercising a right to appear in a headdress of his own design – a right not denied to any Englishman.”
You go, grampa mad-hatter!
I also wonder how much Mayor will charge the real Mad Hatter Tarrant Hightopp. Hmm…
Times on January 16, 1797 commented, “In these days of enlightenment, it must be considered an advance in dress reform, and one which is bound, sooner or later, to stamp its character upon the entire community. The new hat is destined to work a revolution in headgear, and we think the officers of the Crown erred in placing the defendant under arrest.”
Wow! Talk about deep English of yore… How about if you post your next Instagram #selfie or Facebook #status with this tagline – “With no trepidation in the forenoon, I emerged and sallied.” #thebest
I Call Her Mnimi, AboutMnimi.com
Reference:
(1) Thornton, Richard. The First Silk Hat in London. The Literary Era: A Monthly Repository of Literary and Miscellaneous Information, 6. Philadelphia, PA: Porter & Coates. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?id=BzLZAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA167&lpg=PA167&dq=january+15+1797+hatter’s+gazette&source=bl&ots=wtcUQigBxK&sig=nt7tI2w0OEp5o26BnFO6-O0jJQw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwirguGa6-ffAhWN-lQKHUbdD-QQ6AEwAnoECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q=january%2015%201797%20hatter’s%20gazette&f=false.
Alfred Agache quote: saying thank you
Alfred Agache said: Saying thank you is more than good manners; it is good spirituality.
Saying thank you is more than good manners; it is good spirituality.
Alfred Agache
International thank you day
January 11th is world thank you day… Thank you, a beautiful two-word phrase that we should always remember to say. If you are one of those who find it difficult to utter these simple words, at least now is the perfect time to say it.
January 11th is International Thank You Day.
Memory recall: a good reminder
Someone once reminded me the importance of saying thank you. He told me that his mother taught him that. I just now realize that this beautiful two-word phrase – Thank You – is associated to this person. (I happen to have a word-name association list and so he’s now officially there. #ohwell 😒
Of course, I know how to say thank you since childhood. But getting a reminder once in a while is good, too, as we unmindfully forget to say it sometimes. So, this is also your reminder. #yourewelcome 😆
If you are one of those who find it difficult to utter these two simple words, at least now is the perfect time to say it. It’s official – the 11th of January – World #ThankYou Day. 🙏
If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.
Meister Eckhart quote
Thank you, next, next… Thank you. 🎶😆
Opening the New Year chapter
Officially starting the new year with an Edith Lovejoy Pierce quote, your opportunity book has blank pages for you to fill in. Yes, opportunities are there waiting for you to take. Anything you may have done wrongly in the past is a lesson. Today and going forward, you will get better!
Happy New Year 🎊, friends!!! I just can’t wait for the end of this write-up to say that.
I am also “officially” starting my year 2020 today with a quote by Edith Lovejoy Pierce below. It’s for you, too . . . as that is just perfect for day one of “our” 365 journey (together?). 😁
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.
Edith Lovejoy Pierce quote | I Call Her Mnimi | AboutMnimi.com
The blank pages represent all the opportunities that you are yet to take – to start over and make things a whole lot better – this year. You may have done some stupid things in the past and that’s alright. It is done and gone. It’s your lesson and hopefully, you learned. Today and going forward, you’ll make up for those . . . and you will get better!
For the obsessive-compulsive, like me, I mark today, January 1st, 2020, as that day. 👊 Haha.
I Call Her Mnimi | http://www.AboutMnimi.com
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Speaking of the new year, I would have loved to start it by going to the 2020 Tournament of Roses Parade but I let myself stuck on this blog instead, which I love, too!
Tournament of Roses Parade
For those of you who don’t know what 🌹Rose Parade is, it’s the annual parade of marching bands, equestrians and fabulous floats covered with fresh roses and other flowers 💐. It is a tradition during New Year’s Day in Southern California (unless it falls on a Sunday, then it will be moved on January 2nd).
Every year, in Pasadena, California, this flower-filled event follows a theme. Today is about The Melody of Life and I can only imagine flowery musical floats. We’ll check out the actuals later on…
If you have already executed your first-of-the-year plan today, good for you! For the Rose Parade fans who have settled on your best viewing spots, high five!✋🏽 But for those of you who were not able to purchase tickets, you can see the after-parade showcase for a fraction of the cost.💵
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Also, if you are like me who is always on the look-out for some local events, below is a list for January, February and March that you can put on your calendars in advance. Cheers! 🥂
7 healthy ways to start your new year right
Starting your morning right may set the tone of your day. From putting your bed in order to prepping yourself up, it’s like you already put your day in order, too. Here are five more ways to a daily feel-good vibe…
A happy new year vibe starts by getting into a good morning habit. Below are merely reminders to make your 2019 a whole lot better.
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Today, December 31st, is the last day of the year. Goodbye, 2018 👋. I would say, “What a journey! I hope it’s been wonderful for you.”
Tonight, New Year’s Eve, be prepared for the beginning of a new dawn as it unfolds into a new day. You will be writing your personal journey books 📚 once again…
- How should you start a chapter?
- How about if we write together?
Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.
Brad Paisley
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So, let me tell you my plan and maybe you can join me… I will begin the upcoming day with an inspiring thought 💭 and do my best to keep it going. I will creatively write my first page – 1 of 365 – in such a way that moves and relates to someone. It would be nice to touch many and one of them could be . . . you 👈🏼. So for you (or us), I will fill these pages with awesome ideas so no worries would ever come into our senses. Sounds good? I would also love to hear your thoughts.
“I will creatively write my first page – 1 of 365 – in such a way that moves and relates to someone. It would be nice to touch many and one of them could be . . . you.”
lancelonie quote
In doing the above, it would be great to have a nice routine in the morning. Don’t you think 🤔 starting our day bright and early will create a good vibe? If you think so, then let’s remember these:
7 ways to start your day right
- Wake up early. This means going to bed early the night before just so you get enough sleep 😴 and get fully energized the next morning. This also means there will never be a morning rush moment. Getting up early allows you to move calmly or leisurely at home and on your way to whatever destination.
- Make your bed. Because you beat the alarm clock ⏰, you may still have time to tidy up your bed before heading out the door. It sure feels good to leave your bedroom seeing all sheets and pillows in order . . . like you have already put your day in order, too.
- Dress up and groom. Now, there is definitely enough time to make yourself look neat and polished. Putting yourself together well, even if there is no meeting nor special event, adds up to the feel-good vibe. You not only dress to impress others; but most importantly, yourself. So, ready for another selfie? 😍
- Eat breakfast. Your breakfast should not be just cereal as it may be sugary. Opt for fresh fruits 🍎🍌 , lean meat and whole grains. This important meal of the day should not be skipped as studies show a good breakfast links to good health. Good health equals good life!
- Drink water. You have slept for hours and it is about time to hydrate when you wake up. That just makes sense. Drink it warm to flush out build-up toxins. Better yet, squeeze in lemon 🍋 as sourness, in lieu of caffein, sure wakes up the senses.
- Read something positive. Reading words of wisdom, positive quotes or anything that may spark ⚡️ inspiration first thing in the morning is healthy. This may also set the tone for your entire day. Check out Aristotle’s quote below…
- Smile. Even if you are just smiling at yourself in the mirror or a selfie camera, good. This is a positive attitude that reflects outwardly and infects anyone in your path. How about updating your social media profiles with new pearly-white portraits? 😁
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
Aristotle
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I hope the above ideas 💡 are not those would-be-neglected-soon new year’s resolution. These are rather simple suggestions that will definitely improve the quality of your life this coming year.
Of course, after new year’s eve, you may be recovering from the stroke-of-midnight celebration. If still sleepy 💤, that is totally fine. You still have the day after January 1st and the next and then the next . . . to finally commit to your daily habit.
If you can beat drowsiness because you are so compelled to start your new year’s day as planned, great! But definitely not to the expense of risk-driving please. Stay at home or on bed because it is an official holiday anyway. If you really need to go places 🚙 in the morning, get Lyft, Uber or a friend.
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So, reiterating…
Today is the last day of the year. Tonight is New Year’s Eve. Tomorrow is New Year’s Day – the start of something better.
Have a blast! Have a Happy New Year, friend!!! 🎉
I call her Mnimi 