Photograph by Michael Pachis, National Geographic Your Shot
“The Memphis Zoo houses bald eagles that have been injured too badly to be returned to the wild,” writes Your Shot member Michael Pachis. “Usually the eagles are perched in their tree watching the visitors. However, this time I noticed one … hopping on the ground toward a water pool in the aviary. He surprised me by dunking his entire head in the water” before coming up shaking.
When you crave certain foods your body may need something.
Food cravings can seem strong enough to pick you up and carry you straight to the refrigerator or convenience store independent of your will and better judgment. For many women, cravings are especially intense in the week or so before menstruation. But many men, older women, teens and children can have strong cravings too. Let’s look at what is behind this force. Naturopathic physician Tori Hudson, ND, describes the condition as a mild malnutrition, certainly not with severe overt consequences as say scurvy or rickets. Rather, a great many people on the Standard American Diet (SAD in more ways than one) suffer from a milder malnutrition from eating only depleted, processed foods and not enough whole, nutrient-rich foods.
As a result, we end up craving the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that we lack. But while your body may know that you are missing for example potassium, your conscious mind is not aware of the flavor of potassium. Instead, because of familiarity, you can reminisce and feel hungry for the flavor of salty foods, which are high in another cation, sodium, and which have their appeal partly rooted in sodium and potassium. The salty foods that your conscious mind desires has its greatest ability to quench those cravings due to the salty foods’ high sodium content.
Ticino is the Italian flair of Switzerland, its sun-trap, a region also known for thunderstorms. The lovely landscape transforms into a mystical scenery and the city of Lugano suddenly looks like Rio de Janeiro. Wind draws bizarre reflections on the water surface of the lakes, while lightnings strike the clouds. After this storm the sky clears up fast, a new day awakes with a splendid sunrise at the Monte Rosa (Pink Mountain). The images have been taken at Serpiano, Sighignola, Ronco sopra Ascona, Monti di Motti, Monte Gambarogno, Monte Brè and Gotthard. Many thanks to Michael Gertschen (michaelgertschen.ch) for composing the beautiful soundtrack for this movie.
In 1900, fathers prayed their children would learn English.
Today, fathers pray their children will speak English.
In 1900, if a father put a roof over his family’s head, he was a success.
Today, it takes a roof, deck, pool, and 4-car garage. And that’s just the vacation home.
In 1900, a father waited for the doctor to tell him when the baby arrived.
Today, a father must wear a smock, know how to breathe, and make sure film is in the video camera.
In 1900, fathers passed on clothing to their sons.
Today, kids wouldn’t touch Dad’s clothes if they were sliding naked down an icicle.
In 1900, fathers could count on children to join the family business.
Today, fathers pray their kids will soon come home from college long enough to teach them how to work the computer and operate the Digital Camera.
In 1900, fathers pined for old country Romania, Italy, or Russia.
Today, fathers pine for old country Hank Williams.
In 1900, fathers shook their children gently and whispered, “Wake up, it’s time for school.”
Today, kids shake their fathers violently at 4 a.m., shouting: “Wake up, it’s time for hockey practice.”
In 1900, a father came home from work to find his wife and children at the supper table.
Today, a father comes home to a note: “Jimmy’s at baseball, Cindy’s at gymnastics, I’m at gym, Pizza in fridge.”
In 1900, fathers and sons would have heart-to-heart conversations while fishing in a stream.
Today, fathers pluck the headphones off their sons’ ears and shout, “WHEN YOU HAVE A MINUTE..”
In 1900, a father gave a pencil box for Christmas, and the kid was all smiles.
Today, a father spends $800 at Toys ‘R’ Us, and the kid screams: “I wanted an Xbox One!”
