Dija Know… Joe’s Restaurant Newsletter -97 January 2014

Numerologically 2014 is deemed a “7” year

 
Last year at this time we looked at 2013 through the eyes of Chinese astrology.  It was the year of the Snake. This year “fun with numbers” (numerology) tells us that 2014 is a Number 7.   (2+0+1+4= 7).  Now, what does that imply?   In a general sense, the Number 7 is a seeker, the thinker, the searcher of truth, the one who questions everything. So 2014 will be a year of deep introspection, and transformation for the betterment.

Globally, this will be a year of make-or-break decisions for many countries. The world will focus within to realize deeper truths resulting in new courses of action. But the process of change can be uncomfortable. Extremists in trying to prove their superiority may use violence and social activism to spread their opinions. On an individual level 2014 will help us see new opportunities to realize more of our potential by looking deeply inward.  We may want to reconsider and  reinvent ourselves through new courses of action.  This year will also bring a better understanding of the universal laws of abundance.  Have a wonderful 2014!

 

DiJa Know – We are excited to announce the filming of an Emmy nominated food show segment here at Joe’s on THUR Jan 30 starting around 11:30.  Joe’s has been chosen as one of America’s restaurants that exemplifies local healthy food.  Come on by, be a part of it or just watch!
DiJa Know – there are some restaurants that serve a good portion of high quality protein and then there are restaurants that load the plate with processed carbs.  Hmmm

 

Each year more of our local NM farmers are investing in greenhouse equipment. And we are the beneficiaries!  Joe’s is buying more local veggies this winter than ever before.  Picked yesterday and often organic or better than industrial organic. Yum! So eat your veggies!
Carbon Economy SeriesJoel Salatin (we call him the rock star of sustainable farming) will teach a one day workshop called Ballet in The Pasture at ABQ Embassy Suites January 31 9am-5 pm. He will be keynote speaker at Clean Economy Conference Feb 1.  “Our conference is kick ass…” says coordinator Igenia Boccalandro. Building Resilience through learning Sustainable Practices.  Beekeeping, aquaponics, seed saving, zero waste, creating an agricultural production center, water harvesting, permaculture design, local food production with local experts from pueblos, the community, published authors. Call 505-819-3828 for details.

Memory Part 5 – Continuing this series on natural therapies for neurodegenerative conditions such as memory decline, dementia, unexplained depression, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS (see last 5 newsletters, if you are interested.)  I think it’s timely here to consider not only therapeutic measures to offset and treat these heart-breaking disorders, but also to consider certain proactive measures one can take.  Here are some not-so-well-known triggers for dementia and Alzheimer’s we can be alerted to:

1.  Celiac disease.  This is not just another food fad. Gluten sensitivity is proving to be far more common than we ever imagined.  The “staff of life” in many cases is our “Achilles heel”.  (I love to mix my metaphors!)  As people try a gluten free diet they find many conditions clear up.  Mayo clinic researchers have found a clear connection between celiac disease and dementia.  If you suspect this as a causative factor, ask your Doc for the blood test for gluten allergy.  Or just go GF for 2-6 weeks and see what happens!

2. Medications.  John Shemo MD says, “..frequently we discover that what looks like dementia …is actually confusion or forgetfulness caused not by aging but by some other agent such as drug interaction.” And the elderly, with slowed metabolism, are more vulnerable to side effects from medications.  From http://worstpills.org here is a partial list of medications that can provoke dementia: Levsin, Detrol, Seconal, Xanax, Valium, cough suppressants, digitalis, Nardil, Elavil, Sinequan, Tofranil, etc. If this information seems relevant, see if your Doc will work with you to wean you off any non-essential meds.  Mental sharpness may well be restored!

3. The 3rd trigger and perhaps the trickiest to control is high blood pressure.  Besides being dangerous for the heart it can increase the risk of vascular dementia by 6 times.  In addition to blood pressure meds, some strategies that are effective for lowering BP are vigorous exercise, attention to diet and stress management through meditation.

4.  Sleep apnea.  There is a spreading awareness of the importance of good sound sleep for total health including brain health.  20 million Americans have sleep apnea and 2/3 of those are overweight.  If you are over 50, snore and are overweight, you probably have sleep apnea.  In disturbed sleep, the brain suffers loss of function because it is deprived of oxygen.  Sleep clinics and treatment, often including a CPAP, are widely available now.
5.  Gastric bypass surgery.  This is a double-edged sword.  A radical treatment for the morbidly obese, it has shown positive results in the reduction of risk for Alzheimer’s. That’s the good news.  But certain nutrient deficiencies often develop:  B6, B12, iron, E – the very nutrients that help prevent Alzheimer’s.  Post gastric by-pass, your supplement regimen must be carefully managed.

6.  Insulin management – this is a whole subject in itself. But briefly, there is such an intimate connection between diabetes and brain function that many are now referring to Alzheimer’s as the “diabetes of the brain” or “type 3 diabetes.”  Insulin management is paramount to good overall health.  It has become a huge problem today with all the toxic assaults on us – toxic air and water, and especially food that has been genetically modified, de-natured, fractionated, synthesized, in general messed-with, beyond all reason.  If sugar levels are a problem, professional management, exercise and dietary changes are imperative.

Conclusion: I’m finding there are many elegant natural remedies and preventatives for the deterioration of brain function. But as you add anything new and powerful to your supplement regimen, if you are under a MD’s care, you are wise to review it with him/her.

Sheila’s caveat – when I speak of Magic Bullets and natural remedies, I am emphatic that the rock solid foundation for any health regimen is full spectrum, high quality, food-based nutrition.  One then adds specific supplements and nutraceuticals.  But you cannot expect permanent results without a stellar food base. Also remember not every therapy works the same for everyone.

*My thanks once again to a local hero, Dr.M. Kampfer, for his assistance in gathering research info.
Why is locally grown food so very important to Joe’s?  Why do we keep hammering on this “buy local” theme?  There are many factors that are out of our hands when it comes to our food supply.  Most of what ends up on the American dinner table derives from a shockingly few giant agribusinesses.  Their influence reaches from designing the (GMO) seeds to planting, harvesting, processing and shipping. We as consumers cannot with confidence hand over the entire stewardship of our food to these few multinationals. Our passion here at Joe’s is for a local sustainable food supply – food produced by growers who are accountable for what they grow.  KYG – Know Your Grower.  We are able to look our local farmer in the eye and ask him about his growing practices or even visit his operation. This gives us the confidence that we are eating food that is healthy, wholesome, non-genetically engineered, often better than organic, humanely treated and minimally processed.  It is grown with a smaller energy-use footprint and transported short distances. We cannot divorce human health, the economy, ecology, personal (perhaps spiritual) satisfaction or honorable work from food.  Food is fundamental.  What we eat, where it comes from, the stewardship of food animals, the nurturing and building of soils – all these factors affect us at a cellular and visceral level … whether we slow down enough to be aware of it or not. We are fortunate in Santa Fe to have a dedicated farm base producing a wonderful array of goods.  Here at Joe’s we do our best to offer this bounty to you, keeping dollars in the community.  In the interest of transparency, in 2008 Joe’s spent $30,000 on local foods.  In 2009 that increased to $60,000.  And for 2012 we exceeded $100,000. During the growing season as much as 95% of our produce is locally sourced.

Land, economy, health – inseparable.

*Here are some of the farmers/ranchers we have developed long-standing partnerships with – Monte Vista Organics (Dave and Loretta), Camino de Paz Farm & School (Greg & Patty), Shepherd’s Lamb (Antonio and Molly), La Mont’s Buffalo (Monte and Lana), Green Tractor Farms (Tom and Mary), Synergia Ranch (Mark), La Montanita Co-Op, Matt Romero Farms.

Joe’s own French chocolate truffles.  Do you know anyone who wouldn’t love a package of “melt in your mouth” truffles?  $1.99 @  or 6 for the price of 5  — $9.95

Tired of still paying for BB’s (big banks) bailouts? Tired of lining the pockets of the uber-rich Wall Street bankers? DiJa know…  in 2011 a congressional audit of the Federal Reserve found that the Fed gave 26 trillion dollars from American taxpayers to bail out the “too big to fail” banks with a hefty portion of it going to obscene CEO bonuses.  Can you imagine — had this staggering figure been re-directed to the people of the US, how different the picture could have looked today?  Manufacturing starts, job creation, skills training, roads and bridges repair, national parks, education, etc. Every time we use a credit card, part of that 3%-5% fee contributes to the BB’s.  Now let’s be real – in today’s world you cannot function without a cc, but there are still (legal) alternatives that can save money and reduce our dependency on and subsidies to the BB’s.  We have a couple of suggestions: (1.) Are you on Joe’s Check List?  If you are a “regular” and wish to pay by check, please ask your waiter to get you on the list.  (2.) Joe’s “frequent diner” or gift card – purchase a $100 gift card with cash or check, get a $10 card free!

Giggles:  We are all mature until somebody
brings out the bubble-wrap.

Joe’s
2801 Rodeo Rd (at Zia Rd) Santa Fe, NM   87507
505-471-3800       www.JoesDining.com
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