University Heights volunteer Pat Johnston honored

Thanks for everything, Pat! At the request of Todd Gloria, the City Council proclaimed yesterday “Pat Johnston Day” in honor of her activism in University Heights. Todd was excited to surprise Pat with the acknowledgement at Tuesday morning’s Council meeting.

The neighborhood leader and activist served for more than 14 years as editor of the University Heights News; was an original member of the UH Recreation Center and a founding member of the UH Historical Society. She also helped with many successful projects, including the recent completion of the Birney Elementary School Joint Use Field.

Wheelchair users in San Diego have been treated to a wonderful program of dance classes, each Wednesday from 11am-2pm, since May 25th. The last class will be July 6th. The lessons are held at the Recital Hall (2130 Pan American Way) in Balboa Park. If you have a chance to drop by, you’ll be in for a special experience of watching the participants and their partners dance to the beautiful rhythms of the Cha Cha, Rumba and Waltz.

Students & Volunteer Partners: As mentioned, previously, wheelchair dancing has been around for years around the world, but has only recently been discovered in the United States. It is growing in popularity all across the country. Beverly Weurding, a wheelchair user, founded the program, here, in San Diego. The program is led by professional Certified Ballroom Instructor, William Valencia.

William & Beverly: The students just completed their 5th session and how they have developed in the art of dancing is overwhelming. From the first session, being shy and awed by the prospect of being able to dance in their wheelchairs, they have blossomed. You should see the bright smiles, as they go through routines, “dancing on their wheels.”

This session was covered by PBS. The camera crew worked vigorously to capture all angles. We will know more about the airing on PBS, later. This should prove to be a wonderful documentary on the rewarding program of Wheelchair Dancing. This program is co-sponsored by the City of San Diego Park & Recreation Department Senior Citizen Services, Sharp Grossmont Foundation, and The Craig H. Nielsen Foundation. Many thanks go to these caring organizations. Remember, volunteers are the backbone of keeping these programs going.

If interested in volunteering, call Senior Citizen Services (619) 236-6905. If interested in information on wheelchair dancing, call Beverly Weurding at (858) 573-1571 or visit their website at www.wheelchairdancers.org.

Dr. Janice Stanger

Some weeks back, Dolores St Louis was invited to a Southern California Writers’ Conference. She attends eagerly, wanting to share writing experiences with her peers. Chatting with several of the attendees, she met Janice Stanger, Ph.D. in Human Development and Aging from UCSF, a leading health sciences campus and the author of a recently published book “Perfect Formula Diet.”

“Perfect Formula Diet” is a tremendously well researched book, perfect for creating awareness of a healthy lifestyle for seniors. Dr. Stanger spent fourteen years critically analyzing her findings. (see notes below)

Health at Every Age: Six Ways Whole Foods Keep You Thriving

Can healthy foods also be delicious & fun? “Yes” when you base your diet on flavorful whole foods. Here’s your shopping list: • Vegetables • Fruits • Beans • Potatoes • Whole grains • Nuts and seeds • Herbs and spices

Regardless of your age, an eating plan based on these life span enhancers can boost your health, keep you trim, and even help reverse chronic illness. Here are six reasons why. • Protective phytochemicals • Perfectly packaged nutrition • Inflammatory balance • Durable, fracture-resistant bones • Ditch toxic chemicals from your body • Optimize the functioning of your genes

Phytochemicals. Plants (and only plants) are brimming with health-boosting, nutritionally active compounds called phytochemicals. Highly processed plant foods, such as white rice, white flour, sugar, and oils in a jar, contain only traces of their original phytochemical content.

The range of phytochemicals can encourage detoxification, neutralize the free radicals that damage and age your cells, balance your immune system, protect brain functioning, reduce blood pressure, and attack bacteria and viruses.

Optimal overall nutrition. Just as whole plant foods deliver the phytochemicals your body is designed for, these foods are the ideal source of the other nutrients that boost lifespan. All plants need protein, fats, complex carbohydrates, and minerals to survive. For example, 30% of the dry weight of a typical plant cell is protein. Plant and animal proteins are made from the same amino acid building blocks. Only plants and bacteria can make essential amino acids – no animal can accomplish this vital feat. Animal protein is just recycled plant protein. The bottom line is that whole plant foods are dense with nutrients for supporting a long and active life. Eat a variety of these delicious choices throughout the day.

Inflammatory balance. You need to maintain a balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory forces in your body. Inflammation, a process largely based on immune system activity, is your body’s response to threats. Factors triggering inflammation include bacteria, toxic chemicals, injury, and free radicals.

While the inflammatory response is protective, ongoing inflammation contributes to virtually all chronic illness. Scientists have identified many conditions that become more common with age as closely related to ongoing inflammation. Here is a partial list. • High blood pressure • Heart attack • Stroke • Type 2 diabetes • Depression • Macular degeneration • Arthritis • Osteoporosis • Cancer

As you age, your body tends to go into a pro-inflammatory mode. In fact, there is an entire model of getting older called inflamm-aging. Whole foods work with your immune system to fight threats, and then resolve inflammation once its protective job is done. Animal foods and processed foods, on the other hand, can provoke your immune system and foster ongoing inflammation and its many health consequences.

Durable, fracture-resistant bones. Hip fractures are a bane of advancing age. Countries with higher intakes of dairy products have higher bone fracture rates. Your bones are made of protein structured in a honeycomb or cubby hole fashion, with calcium and many other minerals stored in the gaps in your bone. The supporting protein structure determines how resilient and strong your bones are. Bone retains its strength best when you are in a balanced inflammatory state. Whole plant foods foster this welcome outcome.

Ditch toxic chemicals. More than 85,000 industrial chemicals are used in the U.S. Researchers are not sure of how these chemicals affect longevity, but many end up inside your body.

Among the most dangerous are persistent organic pollutants (POPs), manufactured for use as pesticides, herbicides, building materials, flame retardants, and more. Certainly problems associated with aging, such as Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and immune system malfunction can all be triggered by POPs.

These chemicals dissolve and are stored in fat, so they become far more concentrated higher on the food chain. Animal foods are likely the source of 89% to 99% of the POPs in your body. Studies of supermarket food find that fish, especially, are heavily contaminated. Again, whole plant foods are your answer to keeping these dangerous and inflammatory chemicals at the lowest level possible in your body.

Optimize the functioning of your genes. Your genetic code allows for a wide variety of ways in which it is expressed. The antioxidants in whole foods also protect your genes. A study of 30 men on a whole foods eating plan found this diet, combined with exercise and stress management, increased the activity of protein complexes that guarded genes from damage. While more research is necessary, such positive changes are believed to increase healthy life span.

Now you understand why whole plant foods will extend your healthy years. Breaking old habits can be a challenge, but with commitment you will accomplish the change you want. Whole foods are delicious, satisfying, and gorgeous, so see how good you feel. Want to know more about Dr. Janice Stanger and her work in nutrition and health? Pull up http://perfectformuladiet.com