Bees, neurons, elections. PBS's Nova Science Now has a fascinating show on "What are animals thinking?" http://video.pbs.org/video/2299746925/

The portion on bees deciding to move to a new hive makes the point that the neurons in our brains work in something of a similar manner. 
http://video.pbs.org/video/2300846183

A combination of positive allurements and negatives about the other choice.

The positives among bees are, in a waggle dance -- a signaling in a ritualized way of turning -- express "New yellow hive! New yellow hive! New yellow hive!" by means of 3 turns or waggles, say. Bee-proponents of the other would have 2 waggles that signal "Blue hive! Blue hive!"

But the yellow supporters add a negative. A yellow-stumping bee will also physically push a bluie, a movement scientists interpret as communicating: "Stop promoting a blue hive!"

You can see that combo reflected in our just completed national presidential campaign. "Obama! Obama! Obama!" vs. "Romney! Romney!" and... "Obama good, Romney bad...Obama good, Romney bad...Obama good, Romney bad."

Good thing that physical shoving hasn't been taken up by the superpacs or there'd be a lot more bruises and dislocated shoulders among the politicos.

The interesting insight for our stroll in the Glucose Garden -- the place where we try to determine the healthiest eating for people with or near diabetes and all of its suffering -- is the parallel that Nova Science Now draws to the neurons in our brains trying to decide between a piece of cake and broccoli.

If my tastebuds ruled the world, it's no contest.

Cake hands down.

But I'm very fond of my remaining 9.5 toes.

And practically speaking, it is important to have had a balanced meal or mini-meal -- vegetables, protein, fruit, no processed food, no quickly metabolizing carbohydrates like white bread, rice, or pasta, and certainly no sweets -- not long before considering this choice.

Don't try this on an empty stomach.

So some neurons in our human brains, faced with a choice of cake or broccoli, engage in a bee-like waggle dance, says NSN. Some signal: "Cake! Cake! Cake!" while the broccolyites are going "Broccoli, broccoli." 

When the cakers add a negative command like "Stop pushing broccoli" to their appeal, oh, big trouble. How can the innocent broccoli neurons withstand "Cake and stop talking about broccoli! "Cake and stop talking about broccoli! "Cake and stop talking about broccoli!"

The negative signalling is called cross inhibition.

You gotta get up early to resist harmful food.  And even better to take a run or at least a nice walk.

And...let's dress up the broccoli. Steam it, mince some shallot and whisk it in olive oil and fresh lemon juice...dress.

The brain and the gut are intimately connected.

We thank you, Lord, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

Gonna be good sleepin' tonight. First time back to tai chi today. I was able to stand all through the class.

Jeff (Jeff Robbins, our teacher) had everyone practice the proper form of the first 3 movements.

Then the longer-time students did all 26 movements while the newbies, including me, practiced the first 3 movements over and over. 

It was a very good way to start back for me.

Having done no tai chi for 6 months, I guess I thought that I would focus on one person, generally Jeff, and follow his moves.

I thought the movements would come back via the body's memory.

But Jeff had us be conscious of coordinating hands, arms, fingers, wrist, feet and try to improve on that coordination, all the while staying relaxed so that the chi could flow.

"Chi" means life force or energy.

I was really glad to see my buds! Great class, terrific teacher.

That was a good workout.

First exercise in 6 months.  Tired.

Good night.

Photo: Tai chi class at the Jewish Community Center of Rockville, Md., Nov 5, 2012. Jerry, Warren, Bev, Bob, Marilyn, Sam, Barbara, Ann, Teacher Jeff, Frank, Mara, Art, Jeremy, Mary Alice

Bye-bye, daylight savings time. 1st day of Eastern Standard Time.

Saw Marti, my physical therapy neighbor, this morning.

We talked about autumn being about 15 minutes long, and the cold weather here already.

Caught her up about foot progress. Are you doing your exercises? she asked.

PTs are like truth-telling angels. Can you lie to one of them? No. No, I said. She laughed.

But I am walking out the creakiness in my gooder left leg. Today, 10 blocks. I have to stop mid-way of the 5 blocks and rest.

But I am getting better. I will do my left leg extensions and flexions.

I am eating better -- in a more balanced way -- and feeling better. Losing some weight.

And tomorrow I begin tai chi class again!

An interesting stroll in the Glucose Garden at a birthday celebration.

It was with my friends Claudia and Julia, at Lebanese Taverna.

A very balanced and delicious meal of salmon, roasted vegetables, and bulgar, with a little whole wheat bread to start and spiced oil.

Dessert? I usually don't, and didn't want any. But I wanted them to feel free to have some if they wanted some.

They ordered bread pudding. It comes beautifully presented, with a side scoop of ice cream.

Instead of keeping my sweetaholic gaze averted, I allowed myself to look at it totally, admire is, smell and savor the sweet odor.

One of the desserts had a lit candle, and the waiters and waitresses joined Julia and Claudia in the birthday song.

My 70th, after all!

They were also wonderful friends.  They wanted only what was best for me. No pressure one way or the other.

No: "No, don't eat that, it's not good for you." No: "C'mon, have some..."

In the past, I would have dampened down my sensory reaction to the dessert.

 

And, on getting home, I would have said good night, walked back to the parking lot, gotten in my car, driven to Safeway or Giant, bought a half gallon of ice cream (today's 3/8th gallon).

And eaten it.

I'm Connie, and I'm a sweet- and fatoholic.

The exposure to the alluring stimulus would have trapped my appetite and the more I fought, the harder would be its hooks in me.

What was crucial this time was having had a wonderfully satisfying meal balanced among vegetables, protein, and good carbs.

Totally freeing friends were another factor.

Am I going to be able to repeat this terrific sense of control over food?

Remains to be seen.

But it was a fine lesson about the need to eat in a balanced way. 

Getting the numbers helps -- a lot. 

Yesterday I craved something sweet. Had a cup of Special K. Blood glucose an hour later: 181.

Blood glucose this morning on waking: 95.

Took a lovely walk this morning.

Walked to Le Pain Quotidian for a mushroom omelet. Read the NYTimes.

 

Walked back along the Crescent Trail.

It was about 50^o. 

Did about 10 blocks. Not bad. Saw more neighbors and yakked a bit.

November is the month of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Day, gratitutde, thankfulness.

I am so grateful for the abundant blessings in my life.

Pressed down, shaken together, overflowing.

Thank You, loving God.

 

 

Photos: Marti in summer 2010; Claudia, Julia, and me at the Landon Azalea Festival, April 2011; Crescent Trail Nov. 4, 2012.