Fall Reflections

“Another fall, another turned page: there was something of jubilee in that annual autumnal beginning, as if last year’s mistakes had been wiped clean by summer.” Wallace Stegner

September was always back to school, new outfits, new beginnings. At this time, we of Jewish faith celebrate Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New Year, a fall holiday which is both a time of rejoicing and of serious introspection. It’s a time to celebrate the completion of another year while also taking stock of one’s life.

Growing up, Rosh Hashanah was a special time for my dad and me. My mom refused to go to synagogue, feeling like it was merely a fashion show–a time for the rich Jewish women in our community to show off. (We were not rich) My twin sister happily stayed home with her and I would walk to temple with my dad. It was really special for me to not have to share Dad with anyone. We would come home to a special meal prepared by my mother and grandmother of brisket, potatoes and roasted carrots with of course, matzoh ball soup. I cherish those memories.

With the pandemic still lurking, I watched the live stream Rosh Hashanah service from Central Synagogue in New York City. The music is soul stirring and the sermons thought provoking and on point.

This year 5782, I have decided to make my new year’s resolutions during the Jewish new year, rather than the traditional time in January in the throes of winter doldrums when I am in hibernation mode. Perhaps that is why I never seem to follow through. September, on the other hand has “warmth and depth and color and glows like old amber”. Patience Strong

Well, here goes. During Rosh Hashanah, we pray for good health, happiness, love and prosperity today and every day and a sweet year. Here are my “good intentions”:

HEALTH: I will drink more water to keep away dehydration. I have learned that many of us experience mild dehydration that can lead to many health conditions. In the book “You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty”, F. Fatmanghelidj, M.D., stated, “I am of the opinion that many conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s, aphasia, autism, ADD and epilepsy are a result of persistent dehydration in the body”. Mild dehydration brings on feelings of brain fog, when you feel you can’t think clearly and have trouble concentrating. To counter the problem of dehydration, we need to drink more water.

How much is enough? The general rule for healthy people is one 10 ounce glass of water for every 30 pounds of body weight (So for me, five 10 ounce glasses per day). The recommendation is to gradually increase the amount of water so as not to disrupt the chemical balance in your body. Add 2 oz. to the amount you normally drink each day for the next week. Continue adding 2 oz. per day each week until the reach the desired amount. Water brightens your skin, flushes out toxins and provides your internal systems with much needed hydration. Remember 70% of our body is comprised of water.

I will eat more protein: I never realized that by not eating enough protein as we age, we may be putting our health at risk. This is because aging makes it harder for us to absorb and effectively use protein we consume at a time in our lives when we need more to protect our health. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging suggested that 45% of adults over the age of 51 do not get enough protein. This important nutrient helps to maintain muscle mass and strength (lack leads to sarcopenia). This is vital to help prevent falls while keeping us mobile and agile. In addition, sufficient protein in our diet may help prevent fatty liver and reduce our risk of stroke.

How much protein should we consume? A boomer woman weighing 140 pounds should be getting 76 grams of protein a day. For example, a salad with a cup of shredded chicken breast and a hard boiled egg contains 49 grams of protein. A six ounce serving of salmon contains 34 grams of protein and a cup of edamame has 31 grams . Having a comprehensive nutrient test on a regular basis can be helpful as well.

SWEET YEAR: We eat apples dipped in honey on Rosh Hashanah for a sweet year. I will try to do more good deeds (mitzvot) to help others. I will be more conscious of performing acts of kindness daily. Sam Levenson said, “As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself and the other for helping others.” In that spirit, I will continue to declutter my closets and house and donate my excesses to those who are in need.

PROSPERITY: I will get back to writing my book and finish Part Two. I put it aside for too long because it was more difficult to write than Part One. I will cut back spending on things I do not need (like more makeup)

LOVE: “I will shower the people I love with love” (the words of James Taylor). The pandemic has taught us so much about what is important in this life, and family and friends are paramount.

HAPPINESS: I will continue to count my many blessings and thank God daily for the bounty of goodness and love I have been given.

I will end with the beautiful words of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel:

“And above all remember that the meaning of life is to build a life as if it were a work of art”.