Issues and Inspirations

Seafood Lovers Alert

If you're like me, I am a huge fan of seafood, baked, broiled, or raw, and have been enjoying sushi since we lived in San Francisco back in the 80s. Nick and I had our honeymoon in Japan in 1985 and so we loved sushi long before it became fashionable. But you and I probably want to see these critters alive as well, and that's not happening. The oceans have been overfished, taking with them "collateral" species like dolphins, whales, and sharks, and the only way to allow our children to enjoy the pleasure of fish in the future is to stop eating and buying fish that are endangered. Give them a chance to replenish for gosh sakes! Greenpeace has a list of species they call "red" and urge us to avoid when we go to the market:

Conscientious seafood consumers take note – here are the twenty-two ‘red’ species:

Alaska Pollock
Atlantic Cod or Scrod
Atlantic Halibut (US and Canadian)
Atlantic Salmon (wild and farmed)
Atlantic Sea Scallop
Bluefin tuna
Big Eye Tuna
Chilean Sea Bass (also sold as Patagonia Toothfish)
Greenland Halibut (also sold as Black halibut, Atlantic turbot or Arrowhead flounder)
Grouper (imported to the U.S.)
Hoki (also known as Blue Grenadier)
Monkfish
Ocean Quahog
Orange Roughy
Red Snapper
Redfish (also sold as Ocean Perch)
Sharks
Skates and Rays
South Atlantic Albacore Tuna
Swordfish
Tropical Shrimp (wild and farmed)
Yellowfin Tuna

Our children will thank us.

Laughter Yoga

My doppleganger, another Wendy Woods, has an interesting career. Caught this on the net:

Wendy Woods has been a Laughter Yoga professional since 2005. Laughter Yoga,
or as it's known officially, Hasya Yoga, was invented by Dr. Madan Kataria in India
in 1995. Noticing the many health benefits of a good laugh, Dr. Kataria
decided to start a "laughter club." People were initially sceptical of this idea, but
now there are approximately 5000 laughter clubs around the world.

Upon receiving training and certification from Dr. Kataraia, Woods began to offer her
services as a laughter expert to corporations and professionals as a
means of stress management. She has worked with
a wide variety of companies including Bombardier, Pfizer, Scotiabank,
and TD Bank Financial Group. She has also been
a major contributor to the organization of Toronto's World Laughter Day
for the past few years.

In an article by V. Radhika titled The Fake Laughter Movement, Wood
said, "Women are doing so many things and it (Hasya Yoga) is a
way for them to take time out for themselves. Many make plans to
come with friends from work and this is a way to
connect. Laughter creates a common language and is a great
way to break barriers."