.SOMETIMES RAW.

It is almost five o’clock, it’s Wednesday, and I am feeling good. Finally, I made it halfway through the week. I had a somewhat productive day at work, and I am looking forward getting home. I am finally on the train and just want to come down when an approximately fifteen-year-old teenager not far away from me starts calling his friend “digger” while yelling in his phone that there is no tomorrow. I was just about to tell him that it is a cell phone and not a megaphone when his conversation continued. It went like this:

Strange Person (SP): “What’s up, digger!???? Yoooooo, duuuuuude, what’s up. HAVEN’T HEARD FROM YOU IN A LOOOOONG TIME, MAN!”

Me (thinking while breathing in deeply): What the hell is a “digger”?! I would never call another person “digger”. But as you can tell by now, I am a little different than most people.

SP: Bro, I totally nailed that school project…..Sorry, T-Bone and I were just talking about jobs and careers after we are done with this shit school. He wants to be a lawyer. Did I mention I want to be a judge? Yeah, I can totally like put people to jail, dude. Like Judge Barbara Salesch. Do you even know how much a fucking judge makes? A fuckload. I am going to be super rich! This is why I will start spending money now. Hence my dinner plan to go out and get some Schnitzel! LET’S GET SOME SCHNITZEL! Bro, did I tell you how many women I am going to score this weekend? Yo, digger…… you listening?

Me: (thinking and breathing even deeper): What are they talking about? I hope my son will never say “digger”!!! What does he mean by “how many women I am going to score”? Maybe it is better not to know. Who is or what is a T-Bone? I think he would make a great Judge.

SP: Bro, how many chicks do you think I will bang this weekend? Digger, zero? That’s not fair, dude. Fuck you! Anyone who thinks lower than zero failed and should get the f-off the train. Ha-ha, just kidding!

What the fuck, bro?! What the fuck are you talking about, digger? What the FUCKARE YOU FUCKING TALKING ABOUT, BRO?!? OH, MAN! [laughs]…Sorry for laughing so hard. You just reminded me of one of our inside jokes from school. So fucking hilarious. These teachers suck. They all seem pretty uptight compared to our crazy asses. Alright, this was a good chat. Catch you later, digger… Peace!

Me [crying on the inside]: Thank god that’s over. What just happened? Is this the way teenagers talk to each other these days? I consider myself funny. I love to laugh! I love to make other people laugh. I could not help but wonder who these two people are. Will he become a Judge? A politician? Will he sentence people by calling them digger before the handcuffs click?

Since when did language change that much? When I was that age we never spoke to each other like that. Does this make me sound old? Sort of, I think but this is fine with me. We just had different values but life seemed a lot better. Last thought and back to my first question: what is a “digger”?

Well, there are many meanings. I don’t think those two meant “a person, animal, or large machine that digs earth. Or a member of a group of radical dissenters formed in England in 1649 as an offshoot of the Levellers, believing in a form of agrarian communism in which common land would be made available to the poor”. Believe it or not, the word “digger” is not from the USA but from Germany and derives from the German word “Dicker”, most likely from the Hip-Hop Scene in Hamburg in the 90s. Since “ck” is pronounced “g” in the Hamburg region the word “Digger” had been somehow created. It also has nothing to do with a derogatory term of a heavier person.

The other day, my son, who is in second grade, came home with his friend who he called “digger”. Now, all I want is a Schnitzel and some wine. Does anyone want to hug me? I dreamt of this conversation already several times. I am an applied linguist. I will see myself out.

With this being said, I wish you all a Happy New Year! Thank you for reading my stuff. I will see you all in 2022. And please, nobody claims 2022 as “their year”. We are all going to walk in real slowly. Be good. Be quiet. Be cautious and respectful. Don’t touch anything.

Many of my friends told me when they found out that I am pregnant that they cannot picture me as a mother and gave my son a survival expectancy of approximately three months. “You might just forget him in a museum, bookstore, or at a public reading,” they joked (or didn’t they!?) I did not feel offended because I know my life before birth too well. There was a lot of fun, adventures and spontaneous activities. But guess what, you people who thought they know me so well: He is still alive, healthy, intelligent, and handsome. Ha! I guess I did something right. And I did it basically mostly alone. But ideally, there is mom and dad present most of the time. Or dad and dad. Or mom and mom. Everything is possible these days.

In my opinion, the secret to a good parenting partnership is for parents to play to their strengths. For instance, I am organised, diligent, loving, and caring (and sometimes angry). I am great at staying on top of all the responsibilities that come with raising a child. I schedule his activities, order his sports and outdoors equipment, keep notch with his teachers, and make sure he has clothes that fit. And while I am doing those things, my partner keeps my son entertained with watching Jules Vernes movies. Or David Attenborough documentaries on blue whales and their mating rituals. Did you know that the penis of a blue whale is 2,8m long and he ejaculates 1800 liters of sperm? Well, to impregnate a female whale he only needs 200 liters of sperm. Well, what happens to the remaining 1600 liters? I swallowed a lot of ocean water when I was a child. Okay, I think I got off on a tangent here. But seriously, who researches this kind of stuff? You think your job sucks? Well, go on an adventure with Sir David Attenborough to see the blue whales.

What I wanted to say before the whale thing popped in my head is that a loving partner also cooks for the child(ren), takes care of and listens to them. This is what partners do. Another thing that is crucial is to have sexual intercourse with your partner because you love her/him and you want this relationship to work. Again, to be in a healthy relationship, sex is normal. And not only once a month. You don’t have any of these things then maybe you should consider therapy, counselling, partner therapy or something in this department.

In a partnership, everybody is good at their own things. It is really hard to keep track of all those different activities, but in the end we have it both figured out. I don’t have a crazy spreadsheet with everything planned. No need for this. My mind, and his mind, do not work that way. Nobody needs to reinvent some wheel of parenting. There are not set rules that are carved in stone. Whenever you are with a partner who does it all and tells you all the time that you do it wrong (parenting, sex, cleaning, shopping, cooking….. whatever) eventually, you stop doing it altogether. Being with a partner like this does not even make sense.

A lot of this goes back to how we were raised. My parents placed a lot of value on conscientiousness and discouraged me from roughhousing (act in a violent manner). They made sure I stayed on top of my schoolwork, and took care of some household work. They preached responsibility. And I am good at all this. At least that I guess.

Guys, I am tired in the evening. Many hours at work mentally and physically drain me. By the time I leave work, run errands I need to run, and pick up my son from the after school activities I planned for him, I am exhausted. If your partner is not exhausted, then this is when a he/she should help to take a load off by prepping dinner, getting the groceries (or do it together), makes dinner (or together which is fun), set the table, and serves the food. This is so much easier.

After we watched a movie together or read a book my son, eight -years-old, gets himself ready to go to bed. Of course, supervision is needed, but nothing crazy. I don’t want to brag, as there is no black or white in parenting. I am just good at making forts, watching things, sledding, reading, playing video games, and running/bicycling around the woods. There are times we find the house a mess and then we clean it together and dust and vacuum our little hearts out. You know how all this works? We split up the responsibilities and that is what we are doing because we both live in this household. He sees when the dishwasher needs do be filled with dirty dishes or when things need to be cleaned.

Today, my son hurt himself playing outside. I doesn’t happen very often (knock on wood), but when it does, I am not the usual mom who helps with his “boo-boos”. The maternal instinct somewhat kicks in, and I will slowly walk towards him (but don’t run from whatever I am doing) to take care of him. Again, I am not a helicopter mom who does all this even if it means skipping the book club I have been so excited for because I read the book and have spent time to discuss it with my friends for the past months. That’s how deviated I am but I love him to death. Believe me.

My partner is like this, too. This is why we are a great team. And when the day is done for the little one (8p.m.), it is our time to play. And this is important and healthy. Remember that.

Inflammation is something we all hear about. But what is it, what causes it, and what are some of the best anti-inflammatory foods? I will cover it all in today’s post. Feel free to add your experiences, ideas, and insights in the comment section below.

Inflammation has become quite a buzz word in recent years. I know that in my experiences with my health in the past, inflammation was something I really wanted to reduce, and maybe you can relate.

When we hear the word ‘inflammation’ we often associate it with something bad. And it can be! But not all the time.

What is inflammation?

Very generally speaking, inflammation is the body’s immune response to an irritant. This irritant could be things like a foreign object such as a splinter in your finger, or invaders like germs or viruses. Inflammation can be seen and felt as soreness, redness, and swelling. Even exercise can cause inflammation in the body, especially if we overdo it.

But not all inflammation is bad. In fact, a healthy inflammatory response is crucial for helping us overcome illness and heal wounds.

That being said, there is such thing as too much inflammation. Chronic or systemic inflammation is associated with cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, metabolic diseases including obesity and metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and autoimmune conditions. Conditions ending in “-itis” denotes inflammation, such as arthritis, dermatitis, or gastritis.

So while some inflammation can be a good thing (and is simply part of life) too much can be problematic.

What causes inflammation?

Inflammation can be caused by things like a cut or wound, virus, or even exercise. But there are also food and lifestyle factors known to promote inflammation. These include:

• excessive alcohol intake
• trans fats from ultra-processed foods
• excessive intake of refined carbohydrates
• high intake of red meat
• stress
• sedentary lifestyles

Which foods can reduce inflammation?

A simple rule of thumb for combating inflammation in the body is to eat more whole foods like fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and healthy fats. You know, the stuff we already know are best for us to eat! No surprises here. These foods contain a variety of antioxidants and nutrients like minerals and essential fatty acids. The Mediterranean Diet is known for being quite anti-inflammatory because it’s based on so many fresh, whole foods. I will most likely write an article about this diet and its specifics very soon.

Let’s explore 12 anti-inflammatory foods that are wonderful for our body. These are foods that I personally eat most often! I’ll also be sharing ways that you can incorporate these foods into your diet. Remember though that while these are great to eat more of, there’s no need to stress about them or become obsessive  about eating anti-inflammatory foods at all times.

1. Berries

I love berries! Berries like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries all contain potent antioxidants called anthocyanins that give them their rich ruby red and blue colours. These compounds have anti-inflammatory effects that may reduce your risk of disease.

Ways I Use Berries:

• frozen in smoothies
• frozen in cereal
• a fresh handful as a snack

2. Broccoli & Other Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage and cauliflower are rich in an antioxidant compound known as sulforaphane that fights inflammation by reducing your levels of inflammatory cytokines (small proteins our cells release that mediate inflammation and have an effect on the communications between cells).

For even more sulforaphane, try broccoli sprouts! You don’t know how to sprout your own broccoli? Stay tuned for the next upcoming health articles on sprouting. Broccoli sprouts specifically are small but mighty powerhouses that contains an even richer source of sulforaphane than regular broccoli.

3. Leafy Greens

Dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collards contain plenty of fibre, minerals like calcium and magnesium, B vitamins and antioxidants that support our cells. Minerals like magnesium are a wonderful way to help to protect against inflammation and it’s great to get a good supply of this nutrient in your diet daily.

4. Whole Grains

Studies show whole grains may help reduce systemic inflammation. The key here is whole grains. Refined ‘white’ grain products have the germ and bran removed, whereas whole grains have them intact and contain much more fibre and nutrients. Think whole grain brown rice, oats, buckwheat, quinoa, millet, whole wheat. Look for words like whole grain on package labels.

Whole grains are also wonderfully beneficial for our microbiome, supplying prebiotic fibres that help support gut health.

5. Seeds

Seeds are small but mighty. Specifically, flax, hemp, and chia seeds offer a fantastic source of anti-inflammatory omega-3-fatty acids. Omega-3s have been shown to benefit heart health, cholesterol levels, and inflammation of the joints and skin. I love adding seeds to just about everything! Toss them in a smoothie, sprinkle on toast, or mix into a salad.

6. Fatty Fish

Speaking of omega-3s, fatty fish are another great source. Think salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, and anchovies. If you’re worried about mercury, opt for smaller fish rather than large ocean predator fish. Safer fish include salmon (farmed or wild), trout, tilapia arctic char, Atlantic mackerel, herring, sardines, anchovies, sole, flounder, halibut, haddock, Pollock, cod, and canned light tuna. Big fish like tend to have higher amount of mercury.

Fish oil supplements can be a great option also. I like the brand Nutrasea. Go for an algae based omega-3 supplement if you want a plant-based option.

I love baking salmon in the oven with some salt, pepper, lemon and garlic. I also have a few sauces and glazes I love using.

Fish oil supplements can be a great option also. I like the brand PURE.

7. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil contains an antioxidant called oleocanthal that has anti-inflammatory effects. In one study on the Mediterranean diet, several inflammatory markers decreased in those who consumed 3 tbsp olive oil daily. The key here isn’t just any olive oil, but extra virgin. Look for ones packaged in dark glass bottles to help protect their delicate properties. Also, Linseed oil is a great oil but be aware that it should never be heated. Just drizzle over your salad. Yum!

Extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil are the primary oils I use in my kitchen for cooking and whipping up salad dressings. Enjoy uncooked in vinaigrettes or drizzled over soups and pastas, or use for sautéing — just don’t let the heat get too high or the oil to start smoking or burning.

8. Avocado

I love Avocados. The are rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, fibre, potassium and B vitamins, avocados also contain unique compounds that have been shown to help reduce inflammation in the body. I love them in Guacamole, just plain with a bit of salt or sliced up on a slice of bread with salt and pepper.

9. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are high in vitamin C and lycopene, two antioxidants with impressive anti-inflammatory properties. Lycopene may be particularly beneficial for reducing pro-inflammatory compounds related to several types of cancer. And heads up — lycopene is increased when tomatoes are cooked, so enjoy your tomato sauce!

10. Ginger

Ginger is such a wonderful plant. Not only does it add an incredibly unique, zesty flavour to a variety of recipes, it contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, most notably gingerol, a main bioactive compound that’s responsible for its medicinal properties.

Ginger is also great for digestion by enhancing gut motility and easing nausea or an upset stomach. Add freshly grated ginger with lemon to hot water for a warming drink, or enjoy ginger tea!

11. Green Tea

Green tea is my favourite tea! You can enjoy it from a teabag or as matcha green tea powder. I adore matcha. Enjoy green tea in the morning instead of coffee!

Many of the benefits of green tea are due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG inhibits inflammation by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production and damage to cells.

Matcha also contains L-theanine, a relaxing amino acid that can help offset the caffeine content, making it energizing but not too overstimulating.

12. Turmeric

Turmeric contains an active constituent called curcumin that’s responsible for its bright yellow colour and gives it its powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Use it when you cook together with black pepper (freshly grinded is best) because the inflammatory effects are enhanced.

Turmeric can be purchased in its whole root form, or in powder (that’s how I usually use it). It can easily be added to smoothies or cooked in a variety of dishes, like curries and stir fries. I enjoy it in a golden milk latte.