Friday, August 26, 2016

Weekend Tranquility and Depression

Hello everyone!  A very warm welcome to you all! 
Those of you who have been followers of my blog for a while now are aware that I struggle with depression, and that I have for decades now.  I have been on medication for this and it does help me.  I also had thyroid issues which only made the depression worse, but thankfully I have a good doctor and he was able to discover this and help me with it.  I just discovered something in the last month or so that I wanted to share with you all and that has been helping me tremendously.  Now I don't know if this will help others who struggle with depression, but I feel that it is worth mentioning, as it certainly can't hurt to try (so long as you don't have an allergy to tomatoes!)

For the last about over a month I have been consuming tomatoes on a very regular basis (at least 4 days a week, and sometimes several days in a row)...and it doesn't matter if the tomatoes are fresh or canned, the results are the same.  I discovered that my mood has been improved considerably, to the point that I haven't had any feelings of despair.  In other words, the tomatoes seem to be really helping me a lot with the depression.  Before I discovered this over a month ago, even with the medication I am taking for depression I would still have episodes with the depression, but now I have been feeling so much better.  The best thing about this is that I discovered this totally by accident, and that I love tomatoes, so it is a win-win situation for me.  I can eat tomatoes every day, once a day with a meal, and they have many other health benefits as well!  My favourite way to eat tomatoes is the following:  I make mashed potatoes, heat up some canned tomatoes and spoon them over the potatoes, with some of the juice as well.  It not only keeps the mashed potatoes hot much longer but even though it may be a little mushy, I don't mind at all, because it is delicious!  :) You can have this with either chicken, pork, sausages or whatever meat you have.  If you are a vegetarian, perhaps some zucchini sauteed with onions would be a lovely side for this!  You don't have to struggle with depression to get the health benefits and enjoyment from tomatoes, I am just sharing that it has helped me tremendously. I hope that by sharing this discovery it may help some people.  

The videos I have chosen for this post are:

Flight Attendant Adopts Dog who Never Stopped Waiting for her Outside Hotel

15 Million Pound Futuristic Super Yacht is Controllable by iPad

I Love Lucy - Too Much Yeast

Playful Cow Asks for Hugs from Humans

For the following, I am providing the link sources beneath each photo.  You just need to click on the images to see a larger view.

Nothing is more important than empathy for another human being's suffering.  Nothing.  Not a career, not wealth, not intelligence, certainly not status.  We have to feel for one another if we're going to survive with dignity. - Audrey Hepburn


Choose to see the possibilities.


Leave a sparkle trail today!


If you are still searching for that one person who will love you no matter what, look in the mirror.


You alone are the judge of your worth and your goal is to discover infinite worth in yourself.  No matter what anyone else thinks.


Life is not about what happens to you, it's about how you handle what happens.  Choose carefully because it will either help you or hurt you.


Nature is not a place to visit...it is home. - Gary Snyder


The beauty of life is, while we cannot undo what is done, we can see it, understand it, learn from it and change.


A person is only beautiful when their own beauty is reflecting on to others. - Tara Grady


Love is not what you say.  Love is what you do.


Warning:  Overthinking can lead to sadness.


Don't just look to find the miracle you need.  Look for how you might become a miracle to someone else.






Thank you all so much for visiting me here!  I always appreciate and enjoy reading your kind thoughts, which you are always welcome to share!

57 comments:

  1. Very interesting about the tomatoes, thanks for sharing that! I'm glad it helps you, I definitely find that gym time helps me and think it's very important to help yourself in whatever way that works for you even with meds and other therapies. Glad you help yourself like that and very grateful for your wonderful blog posts that help so many others :o) Hugs!

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  2. That is an interesting observation on how the tomatoes have helped you. Thanks for sharing, your advice may help others!

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  3. Hello sweet lady! How interesting about tomatoes, why I would eat them just because. I have also heard that a hand full of cashews a day helps with depression. I'm happy to hear that it is working for you.
    Want that the sweetest story about the dog and his new owner. I feel that way about my dear Donatella. She is so happy here in her new home and I'm the blessed one.

    Much love to you~~

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  4. Happy to hear that tomatoes helped you lot in your life. Take care of your health. There is a saying"Health is wealth", so we need to be careful in our health to enjoy the wealth.

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  5. Thanks for sharing about the tomatoes, Linda! I'll have to try upping my tomato intake. I'm so glad that it's working for you! I have way too memories of being chased by cows, almost hooked by cows, so no cow hugs are in my future! Lucy and Ethel had me laughing till my tummy hurt, and the video about the street dog was heartwarming. My beloved dog MacBeath picked me out too. Absolutely loved the last two pictures with those gorgeous cats! Have a lovely Friday, me dear, dear friend!

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  6. If the tomatoes work for you that is excellent.
    Take care.

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  7. Special that tomatoes help Linda, great!!Playful Cat Asks, is quite nice.

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  8. Thanks for the tip Linda. I have been feeling down lately as well... perhaps I will try some tomato therapy. :)
    I wonder if drinking tomato juice would also help?

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  9. Hi Linda. I have no doubt you feel better after eating tomatoes. Potatoes (in the same family) have been known to improve moods as well. Diet can dramatically improve our health AND emotions. We are eating processed foods that contain terrible additives and chemicals the body was NEVER designed to cope with. I made the switch to an organic, whole foods diet two years ago. GONE are the depression, the mood swings and as an added bonus-45 pounds!! I hope you continue to gravitate to a healthier diet . I'm sure you'll find the depression (and those gawd awful antidepressants) and thing of the past. Good luck!

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  10. Hello, Great information on tomatoes. I love them too. I enjoyed the heartwarming story about the dog and the flight attendant. The playful cows are cute. Wonderful post, thanks for sharing.
    Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!

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  11. Bon courage à toi et je suis heureuse que tu es fait cette découverte ♡

    Je t'embrasse fort et bon week end

    Manon

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  12. So glad to hear you are feeling better eating tomatoes! Always love Lucy. And I do like the quote about love being what you do, not necessarily what you say.

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  13. Such a wonderful post! Have a great weekend.

    STYLEFORMANKIND.COM
    Bloglovin

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  14. une très belle citation de Gary Snyder..Linda

    et merci pour votre conseil

    have a nice day

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  15. Thank you for sharing about the tomato helping with the depression. I love tomato soup. The story of the dog waiting for the flight attendant is so touching and the cow wanting hugs from human is so cute!

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  16. Linda I liked video 'Playful cow' - it's amazing!
    I'm sure tomatoes help you in depression, because they contain digestible carbohydrates, pectin, are rich in vitamins and are a valuable food product.
    Tomatoes contain potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, calcium, phosphorus; a large number of organic acids, which are necessary for our body to function properly. Also tomato contains a lot of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, E, but most of them vitamin C. 100 grams of ripe tomatoes on the cover a quarter of the demand for it adult.
    The 2 of all - pectin and potassium - are very useful for you. Have a nice weekend!

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  17. How nice, Linda -> tomatoes... ! Interesting...

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  18. If the tomatoes work then good for you. It's wonderful finding something that makes you feel better. Sometimes accidents are fantastic.

    Awww on the dog that the flight attendant adopted. I've always said they pick us not the other way around.

    Have a fabulous day Linda. ☺

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  19. The Vavasseur art always appeals to me. I do like tomatoes in dishes, but I've never really gone for them on their own.

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  20. Funny, I've begun to avoid tomatoes recently...it's a texture thing.

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  21. I use chocolate to ward off depression but the tomato idea is good since I do love tomatoes too. Thanks for sharing so many feel good memes.

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  22. I love the cow video so much, friend L ... I raised cattle for over 20 years, and I think I know pretty much everything there is to know about them, as I slept besides the wood stove besides lil newborns on a particular cold night quite often ... but come spring time, they always membered me ... jumping in the green grass, tail in the air ... Love, cat.

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    1. ... "remembered" ... sorry for the spelling mistake. Love, cat.

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  23. That's such an interesting tip about tomatoes! Glad you've found something that's helping with your depression. Take care :-)

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  24. Thank you for sharing your experience. How great tomatoes are helping you so much! I have a friend who has been struggling with depression. It seems she is much better now, but I will mention tomatoes to her. When I was a child, I loved eating tomatoes with sugar :-)

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  25. Hi Linda, thank you for sharing. By doing this I know you must be helping so many. Loved the videos again. Sweet and heartwarming. The Lucy video gave me a laugh and always love the wise words. Thank you my friend and have a great day.

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  26. Linda I am so grateful you are getting you depression under control. I remember when I was a child going to the garden and getting a fresh tomato and with a little bit of salt eating it so good. Enjoyed your videos especially the Lucy one. Great saying and quotes and lovely art work. Have a blessed day and a wonderful weekend. Madeline

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  27. hi, Linda
    thanks for your lovely comment at my blog!
    It's good news with the tomatoes.
    wish you all the best!
    many greetings from Germany - Regina

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  28. Prends bien soin de toi ma belle Linda!

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  29. Hi Linda,
    I hope you`ll be much better soon! I was having problems last year too and best thing for me was to pray every time I feel bad. Now, I will pray for you too! xoxo
    Vesna - Home Chic Club

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  30. Dear Linda what a simply wonderful sharing of how tomatoes are helping. I eat them everyday once the garden starts producing. I am like you I love them. So glad they are making you better. I have come to believe there is something natural to cure different diseases if we just knew which ones. Loved the story about Rubio and the airline stewardess. Brings a tear to my eye to think he was so faithful. Thank you sweet friend for such a wonderful post. I will be thinking of you tonight when I slice my tomatoes for dinner. Hugs!

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  31. I wonder why the tomatoes are making a difference? I have heard that high doses of Vitamin C help with depression.

    I Love Lucy! "A happy little loaf!"

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  32. Tomatoes, eh? Thanks for the tip.

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  33. I'm glad that you found something that worked!

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  34. Great post! I'm going to pick those 100 cherry tomatoes from my garden tonight for dinner. The overthinking saying sure rings true for me.

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  35. I have to admit I loved the video about the dog who was adopted by the airline stewardess ....it breaks your heart when for some reason they get attached to that one special person and I'm so happy that they found each other!!! As far as the tomatoes...I will certainly spread that news!!! It sounds like it might help other people as well! You're such a sweet person Linda and I'm so glad you're feeling better! You're in my thoughts!!!!

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  36. Another great reason to eat tomatoes! I like them best with pasta.

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  37. Thank you for sharing how tomatoes are helping, I will certainly try to introduce more into our diet. I will certainly be following to see if it continues.

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  38. Hello Linda. I Love the video about Rubio the lost dog...Loz

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  39. Bonjour Lina,
    Je suis contente de te retrouver.
    Ton blog est toujours agréable à visiter et sait nous montrer de si jolies choses.
    Je te souhaite une belle fin de semaine

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  40. I hope you become much better soon, you are in my thoughts ( I have a sister who ha salso a depression and I know what it is, all the best
    eert

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  41. I've read also that high doses of tomatoes can act as a natural sunscreen. People who ate a lot increased their resistance to sunburn. I do believe diet has much influence over our health.

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  42. Loads of energy of tomatoes!
    Nice links too.
    Have a wonderful weekend!!

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  43. That's a lovely and happy story about Rubio. Thank you for discovering and sharing that Linda. Keep taking the tomatoes if they make you feel better.Of course they do say that there is more goodness in tomatoes cooked than if eaten raw and I always try to cook them in some way, gently fried, baked in the oven or made into a sauce.

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  44. Food is so important to our general well-being. Thank you for sharing your discovery about the tomatoes.

    Super selection of links and quotes.
    Take care

    All the best Jan

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  45. I do Love Lucy.... funny!

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  46. I'm so glad to hear that it helps you! I have a greenhouse full of tomatoes right now :)
    Tomatoes is very healthy!

    Happy Weekend!

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  47. I'm so happy to hear that you've found something that you enjoy that helps with your bouts of depression. I took to drinking V8 awhile back because my potassium was low, and there's a lot of potassium in tomato products. Loved that Lucy video. I remember that episode. She and Ethel were just a hoot together.

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  48. Anonymous9:44 PM

    Anything that helps is always welcome. I don't have depression right now, but I get the blues. I adore tomatoes.

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  49. I'm so glad the tomatoes are helping. I love them also. I eat a lot of them. Your selection today is beautiful. Lucy made me smile and the dog in the last art picture is precious. Sending love and hugs dear Linda! You are a winner.

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  50. I love tomatoes and need to eat more of them. I'm glad they help you. It also helps to laugh, which Lucy and Ethel knew and shared with others. Love the two cats drawing. Have a good week!

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  51. Liked the dog video the best. Resembles the recent ultra runner who found a small dog (Gobi) in the desert and adopted him. I eat tomatoes with practically every meal just because I like them. Very versatile and unusual fruit as you wouldn't have any other fruit with meat or fish on a regular basis or throw it into soups and stews. Goes with practically anything I can think of except ice cream and has many other health benefits as well. The original super food. My favourite is fried cherry tomatoes with sausages, egg, and chips.

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  52. It is a good thing that you share your experiences with others. Doubtless you help untold numbers of people. A psych professor once told me that what we think is most personal is usually most universal. I'd guess there are a lot of folks you go through or have gone through what you experience on a daily basis.

    Your posts offer so much to so many. I'm often helped by the posters and the videos. I often laugh at the videos, like the Lucy one today. Laughter, they say, is good medicine.

    I'm going to wish you a Happy Birthday even though it is early! I've got you by a few years so thought I could let you know that the 60s and most of the 70s were good years for me. Enjoy every moment of every day!

    And have a wonderful week ahead!

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  53. Great post! Thank you for sharing.

    STYLEFORMANKIND.COM
    Bloglovin

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  54. Espero te recuperes pronto de la depresión y lo de los tomates no sabia. Decirte que yo como uno diario todo el año siempre me gustaron.
    Los vídeos muy bonitos el del perro muy enternecedor y simpático el de la vaca mimosa.

    Saludos.

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  55. I am so happy about the tomatoes!!! Keep eating them Linda! Thank you for sharing this information!! I think it's so interesting!!!
    Big Hugs and thanks once again for the beautiful messages!
    Keep being you!

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  56. must try to visit your blog more often. it's a fascinating place and what you can do with it...

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