Dear Anita

Pine nuts and macadamia nuts are my favorite. Nuts are nutritious and delicious. In twenty-eight grams of mixed nuts there are: 3 g fiber, 5 g of protein and 12% vitamin E.

Nuts contain antioxidants that protect cells from damage by free radicals (highly reactive and short-lived molecules that can damage dna and contribute to cancers).

Twenty-eight grams of nuts, about an ounce of mixed nuts daily can lower risk of heart disease and stroke.

“Nuts and your health: Eating Nuts for heart health” MayoClinic

“Why are nuts good for us and how many should we eat?” globalnews.ca

“8 Health benefits of eating nuts” healthline.com

Dear Anita

A summary from post number 412158 since I think that you missed it.

“An lgbtq curriculum promotes diversity and safe spaces in school by providing awareness of different sexualities and gender identities.  In social studies courses mentioning lgbtq people brings students wider perspectives on different communities in the world.

Allowing students to learn about different identities builds acceptance and promotes mental health for lgbtq people.

Mental health is just as important as physical health and there’s not much emotional first aid courses offered in grade schools. Providing students with emotional first aid courses such as learning healthy coping mechanisms can help reduce depression, anxiety and suicide rates. I think that people come from different walks of life but they share the same skin. We all want to be loved and appreciated. By allowing a community of lgbtq people to feel safe can build relationships and help people feel less fear and prejudice towards lgbtq people.

Some states like California, New Jersey, Oregon and Nevada have passed laws requiring lgbtq curriculum in schools and not allowing discrimination based on sexualities, race, or gender.

Scientists have discovered that about 10% of people who attend public schools identify within the lgbtq community, that is about 5 million students. If people can opt their children out of health and sexual education as well as lgbtq education, this does not promote acceptance and awareness of mental health and diversity. By acknowledging lgbtq people there can be more diversity and inclusion in the world.

Even though we all come from different walks of life we are made of the same elements. Earth the body, fire the soul, water the blood and air the breath. We all are connected in the ecosystem and by lifting each other up we help encourage diversity and caring communities reducing hate and prejudice.”

“LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum as a path to better public health” ABA human rights 2022

Dear Anita

Interesting that you should mention that some nuts might not be classified as nuts. Peanuts are short plants growing underground that require very little water .

Peanuts are legumes that fix nitrogen helping promote plant growth.  Peanuts form symbiotic relationships with Bradyrhizobium bacteria through root nodules allowing the bacteria to take atmospheric nitrogen (N2) and convert it to ammonia (NH3) which can be used by plants.

Cashews come from the fruit  cashew apple which produces seeds that are c-shaped that are cashews. Similarly, walnuts are seeds that come from the walnut fruit.

Pistachios are from the cashew family and they are seeds from pistachio trees.

Macadamia nuts are seeds from evergreen macadamia trees native to Australia.

Pine nuts are seeds from pine cones found in 20 species of pine trees. Some common pine trees to harvest pine nuts include Italian stone pine, Colorado pinion, and Chinese nut pine.

But walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, and chestnuts are true nuts. Nuts are technically dry fruits with seeds enclosed in a protective outer layer.

“Peanuts, pistachios, and other ‘nuts’ that aren’t actually nuts”  BusinessInsider

“Peanuts & Sustainability: A case of good bacteria” National Peanut Board

“Nuts” United Forest Service

“Macadamia Nuts” Agricultural Marketing Resource Center

“What are pine nuts?” thespruceeats.com

Dear Anita

My favorite transgender role model is Chaz Bono. Chaz Bono came out as a transmale in July 11 2009 and has been an activist for trans and lgbtq rights.  Chaz Bono was born to singers Sony and Cher.

“Chaz Bono Comes Out as Transgender” glaad.org

“Ask a gender therapist” by Dara Hoffman-Fox youtube videos

many videos about transgender identity.

Paraphrasing from one of Dara’s videos : “If you feel comfortable expressing yourself as the opposite gender from the biological sex that you were born as and it makes you happy, then you are transgender. There is no right or wrong way to be transgender and it’s great to explore what makes you most comfortable.”

Jamidodger, trans guy youtube videos are very entertaining  and helpful😄

Dear Anita

I like how you mentioned everything is physical because everything can be experienced through the body. If a person is feeling mental health stresses like depression and anxiety long term then physical health declines too. Depression can impact sleep patterns leading to fatigue, memory fog, irritability, intense sadness and headaches and muscle pains. Anxiety can cause feelings of nausea, fatigue, headaches, digestive upsets. Since emotions are energy in motion processed by the mind and the heart, sometimes emotions like anxiety speed up our heart rates and send signals to the mind that we are stressed.  The sympathetic nervous system kicks into action which triggers rise in releasing of hormone cortisol. Long-term stress increases risk for heart disease and stroke. That’s why mental health and relieving stressful emotions is helpful in promoting physical health.

Dear Anita hope that you have a great holiday season.

Thanks for all your comments on things, your insights are appreciated