Good Content This Week

Let's Dive In

Author

James Alvarez
December 03, 2023

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” - James Baldwin

Sebastian Junger eloquently and decisively makes the point that the “riches” of modern civilization have led to a loss of community, purpose and increased feelings of isolation. As he puts it, “modern society seems to emphasize extrinsic values over intrinsic ones, and as a result, mental health issues refuse to decline with growing wealth.”

Increased rates of suicide, depression, PTSD and severe mood disorders abound with no signs of slowing down. Throughout the book he draws from studies, interviews and text to make the case that what we need is a renewed send of purpose and community.

Life expectancy decreased 2.4 years during COVID, and has only rebounded 1.1 years since. Why? The continued prevalence of chronic illnesses (like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke), as well as increased rates of suicide, overdoses, and alcohol use. Combined they are responsible for 60 percent of all U.S. deaths (nearly 2 million Americans).

A 2012 study from The Journal of Affective Disorders concluded: “The economic and marketing forces of modern society have engineered an environment… that maximize[s] consumption at the long-term cost of well-being.”

Despite the years of mounding evidence, the Agriculture and Health and Human Services department only announced last month their intent to investigate for the first time the link between chronic disease and ultra processed foods. Their findings will influence The National School Lunch Program, who’s menu currently includes Dominos pizza and Lunchables.

Something Short To Read: Rebel With A Cause

A good article in Time about the founder of Uniqlo, Tadashi Yanai, and his message to his home country of Japan. I loved this quote about how to handle failed business ventures: “…the underlying philosophy is to fail rather than fade.” The quote is reminiscent of one we used at work, “fail fast.”

Something To Listen To:

Mike Ketchmark is the Missouri lawyer who won a class action lawsuit against three of the largest real estate firms in the country, awarding $1.8 billion in damages to half a million home sellers. In this episode Sam Dogen (the Financial Samurai) and Mike Ketchmark discuss details of the case, how the collusion worked and how real estate in the future might be impacted by the ruling. This is an easy listen.

Workout this Week: One Minute Plank Complex

This is a fun and quick core complex that can be a superset (described below), added to a workout, or broken into individual movements. Wake up with it, use it on your lunch break or after a long day.

Superset: Perform each exercise back to back without stopping. After completing all 6 exercises either repeat it or take a break and do it again.

Enjoy!

Cook this Week:

Birchermüsli bowl (with blueberries, raspberries, sliced apple, walnuts, cocoa nibs, chia seeds and honey)

Start with the muesli (needs to be prepared overnight). This modified recipe is actually from the hotel we stayed at this past fall in Meiringen, Switzerland. The muesli at breakfast was so good we asked for the recipe.

2 cups rolled oat (we used Bob’s Red Mill Organic Rolled Oats),

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup ground hazelnuts (we hand chopped them)

3 tablespoons sugar

2 cups soy milk

1 cup orange juice

Mix everything and leave it overnight.

Assemble your bowl: Add the muesli (enough to cover the bottom of the bowl). Add a handful of blueberries, a handful of raspberries. Add half a sliced apple. Add a thumbs length worth of walnuts, a pinch of chia seeds, a pinch of cocoa nibs, and drizzle with honey.

Buon Appetito!