Drop Dead Healthy

I've been trying to read more non-fiction recently. It's my New Year's resolution that I'm starting kinda late. I've been in a rut lately and I thought the best kind of non-fiction book would be one about self improvement. So, I picked up Drop Dead Healthy by A.J. Jacobs.

Although Jacobs gets called 'the king of shtick lit' I enjoyed his book immensely. I got the sense that he too thinks our culture's obsession with exercising and dieting is a little warped. Not to mention our relationships with daily toxins and plastics among the many other things that are bad for us. But for the sake of his belly and a book contract he gave it a try and sets out to be the healthiest man he can be. Over the course of 2 years he examines almost every body part in his quest to reach health nirvana. He doesn't just join a gym he tries Cavemen workouts. Which as a women I can't see myself doing. I guess I'd be too busy getting dragged around by my hair.

Jacobs advocates a plant based diet. He tries juicing and a raw diet. He tries to quit sugar which studies have show is as addictive as heroin. He gets so desperate he asks his wife to write out a cheque to the American Nazi Organization telling her to send it if he cheats. He talks a lot about things I already know but don't actually do myself. I admit, I don't sleep enough, or eat a plant based diet, or take the stairs. But it's highly entertaining to read about a man who lives his life by the health obsessed rules.

I did learn some neat tricks like using a smaller plate with a small fork or chewing my food more per bite. I'm willing to admit that the way I approach my food is unhealthy. And I'm finding myself adopting Jacobs' chewdaism when I'm eating alone. I'm also intrigued by the idea of a treadmill desk and wonder if my employer would be supportive of such an idea. The book also touches upon how dependent we humans are on our brains. I'm convinced my brain is a muscle and if it grows flabby from disuse it does't matter how many sit ups I can do.

"WHO defines health as a state of emotional, mental, and physical well-being." (168)

For my next non-fiction book I'm going cerebral and reading The Brain That Changes Itself by Norman Doidge. I'd love any recommendations to help me in my next non-fiction choice. Perhaps something on emotional health?

Caine's Arcade

This video has been making the rounds and I'm sure a lot of you have already seen it but for those of you who haven't please watch.

Caine's Arcade is a wonderful story about a 9 year old boy and his imagination. Bored at his dad's work Caine created an arcade out of cardboard. He didn't get a lot of attention until Nirvan Mullick created a Facebook invite and got as many people as possible to make Caine's day. Nirvan also produced this short film about the whole experience. Donations have been flooding in for Caine's college education. Imagine what he will build.

What inspired me most about this story is the kindness that Nirvan showed towards Caine and his family. Sure, Nirvan is getting a lot of attention from his film and Caine's Dad is probably seeing an increase in business at his shop. But what counts more than anything is the support and belief that these people had in Caine. The look on that boy's face when he and his Dad pull up to their shop is priceless. And it was amazing to me that Nirvan was the only customer who showed any interest in this boy's creation.

It's amazing to think of all the people and creations we pass by in our daily routine and take for granted. It doesn't take much to slow down and appreciate the world around you. It only takes a little more to recognize greatness and give it the push it needs to become something bigger.

Caine inspires me to think bigger and let my imagination bloom. Nirvan inspires me to see the greatness in others and use the tools I have (such as Facebook) to share that greatness with others.

What inspires you?