#annetidote

My parents are my neighbors. We live 7 mins apart. Conveniently, I drop in to their place about 3 days a week. Whether it's to pick up mail, visit my niece Sofia who spends a lot of time there or pop in for a quick hello, I always end up feasting on the healthiest, most "home" feeling food when I'm there. I'm sure most people can relate to this. Key is the fact that my Mom always has a home cooked meal in the fridge (leftovers or day-of meal), an amazing fruit salad and Kraft Peanut Butter with pita bread. What gets me is that I not only leave "home" full of yummy food and fruits, I take parent-downloaded knowledge away too.

Yesterday, my impromptu visit started with a generous greeting and verbal but unecessary invitation to join in by my Mom 'n Pops sitting at the dinner table (placed in the living room because of renos), followed by me heating up some very edible take-out from the Asian supermarket on Tenth Line Road in Orleans. We like Chinese Food! Chinese garlic and spice shrimp, chicken fried rice and orange chicken. NOM NOM.

I love eating with my parents because they talk, eat, drink and are merry.

True "eat well, live well" preachers, we practice it, too. Adorned in almost-empty take-out plates, the table also housed freshly cut-up honeydew melon and papaya to gobble on post-rice fest. They, my Mom especially, shares the most random health facts and highly encourages all-natural eating.  So, when I discovered  that while watching her Lebanese Broadcasting Channel (LBC) cooking show that she learned that papaya seeds are spicy, I got curious.

Here's why they are good for ya. Thanks Mom for inspiring me to #learnsharegrow and thanks Baba for your love for Asian supermarket shopping. All of our traits are birthed from somewhere ;)

4 Health Benefits of Papaya Seeds

Not only are papaya seeds edible, but they are also good for you. Here are four health benefits of papaya seeds.

Antibacterial Properties Research has found that papaya seeds are effective against E. coli, Salmonella, and Staph infections.

Kidney Protection Research has found that papaya seed extract may protect the kidneys from toxin-induced kidney failure.

Eliminates Intestinal Parasites

There is evidence that papaya seeds eradicate intestinal parasites. In a study done on Nigerian children with intestinal parasites, 76.7% of the children were parasite-free after seven days of treatment with papaya seeds compared to only 16.7% of the children who received a placebo.

Liver Detoxifier In Chinese medicine, it is believed that a teaspoon of papaya seeds will help detoxify the liver. Papaya seeds are often recommended by natural doctors in the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver.

Perhaps a daily dose of touch is all we really need? I truly think so.  I'm a true believer in communicating positive emotions through touch. A pat on the back. A high five.

A good ole tap on the ass when you "score" (a sport-induced gesture but we've all been known to tap asses for fun on occasion, too. Don't pretend you never have). 

However, without sounding too naive or "unaware" that many people pass days, weeks, months even years not making bodily contact with another human, I support consensual touching, seeking affection, touching oneself and snuggling, too.

I'd like to point out that the idea I have on touch is subjective to my own socialization and education. Despite my big family (I'm the youngest of 5), growing up I soaked in affection. Tickles and back rubs from my Pops. Snuggles with Momsers. Word-guessing and "criss cross apple sauce" with my sisters and cousins. Massage trains. The whole deal.  Even until this day, when I sit on the couch beside my Dad its assumed that he will play with my hair or rub my back lightly with his semi-lenghthy, groomed nails. His touch is a reward for being an amazing daughter, ha! 

On another note, the reward with giving a massage is getting one right?  My Dad loves affection. So do I. I was socialized to want affection and to give it. EUREKA, I'm human. Phew!  And you know what? SO ARE YOU! Totally subjective comments here.

Socialization is key to reaping the benefits of affection in your older years.  I'll come back to this soon and when I do I will treat the basics:

1- French psychologist Jean Piaget's 4 stages of cognitive child development

2- Freud's psychosexual approach to socialization

3- Jane Goodall's experience with chimps - the idea that touch is a reward is key.