5-Senses Sunday
The 5-things Rocking my 5-Senses this week
Taste:
I really enjoyed reading this article about this “almost lost” cuisine of the Ryukyu Kingdom, which was a semi-autonomous state from the 1400-1800’s in what is now called Okinawa, Japan.
Yes, this is the same Okinawa where people seem to consume and imbibe longevity serum. Using interesting ingredients like bitter melon, purple sweet potato and mozuku seaweed - the revival of these dishes has been met with welcomeness and nostalgia.
From the Article:
"This was the food of our ancestors," Miyaguni says, slicing into a pimply green bitter gourd called goya and tossing it into a small mixing bowl along with tofu, eggs and pork to make a traditional style of stir fry called champaru. Champaru dishes are often considered the spirit of Okinawa because they reflect the islands' diverse influences. "By cooking this way," Miyaguni continued, "we honour their [memories] and keep this ancient culture alive."
Diving into this article is making me want to research other vanishing cuisines and food rituals from ancient civilizations. Stay tuned….
Scent:
Oh good. They have plants that smell like rotting meat. And, I was today years old when I learned there is a flower called a stinking corpse lily. 😱 🤢
Sound:
I heard this tune on a IG reel and instantly knew I had to add it to my favorites. What do you think?
Touch:
Knitting
During my decade+ as a Clinical Health Educator at a National Health and Weight Management company, I would initially bristle when students arrived to my classes with knitting needles, clicking away while I was teaching. I couldn’t understand how they could possibly absorb the material while their hands were busy creating scarves and sweaters?
But as weeks passed, I noticed something really remarkable: these knitters were often my most engaged participants, asking thoughtful questions and referencing previous class discussions. They weren't tuning out - they were actually using the knitting to tune in more deeply.
What I was witnessing aligns with fascinating research findings. Studies show that fidgeting - including activities like knitting, can increase levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in ways similar to ADHD medications, both of which play key roles in sharpening focus and increasing attention.
Research has also shown that focusing attention on bilateral gestures induces a state of calmness and serenity, with knitting creating similarities to attentional focused meditation.
While my Mom is a master knitter and can bang out a knitted hat or two easily while watching her favorite TV show, I never really had the skill nor inclination to learn. Personally, I hate doing repetitive movements and my first knitting project aspired to be a scarf but ended up being a coaster. Oh well.
What keeps your fingers busy while your brain engages?
Sight:
If you can’t make it out to a park or it’s a rainy day, check out this one-minute park app. It will give you the nature boost your brain wants, replete with many the mood-boosting benefits that actually being there affords you.
Each time you visit the site, a new park arrives for you to quietly observe for 60-seconds before sending you off on a magic carpet ride to another beautiful locale. Each one lists where in the world it is located and when the film was shot.
Tell me. What is rocking YOUR 5-senses this week? I’d love to know!