The True Meaning of Aloha & Taking Yoga Fitness Balance Board Classes at the Marriott Ocean Club

“Change happens through movement and movement heals."—Joseph Pilates

People often ask what is the real meaning of Aloha? It actually is related to the presence of breath. The term Aloha is derived from the Proto-Polynesia period dating back to the early 1800s. The literal interpretation of the phrase translates to [Alo] meaning ‘presence’ and [Ha] meaning ‘breath’ for ‘breath of life.’ In the practice of yoga, we remember our breath as a way to bring us back to the present moment, and to link the body, mind, and spirit. WIth Aloha there is a recognition of the breath, the spirit within us, and the spirit [breath] that we all share.

I have been taking fitness balance board classes at the Maui Marriott Ocean Club for many years. The Yoga Fitness Balance Board is an offshoot of the original Indo Board used by surfers and skaters for land training and was then used to mimic Stand up Paddle Boarding. The wooden boards are roughly the size of a surfboard with rockers attached to the bottom of the front and back. The advantage of the Indo boards is that even if you can’t maintain your balance at times, your feet are only a couple of inches from the floor. It easy to touch down with one foot and bring it back up on the board. Working on your balance is especially important as we age. Because of the element of instability, the teacher conducts the pace of the class to flow more slowly than your typical yoga class allowing students to focus on breathing evenly and slowly; engaging your core muscles, build up you stamina; and, allowing you to really focus and concentrate on your balance.

After Being Fully Vaccinated I Had a Breakthrough COVID Infection & The Awesome News that Followed

“People that say, ‘Oh, the vaccine’s no good, people are still getting infected.' Well, that’s actually not the real benefit of the vaccine. It’s preventing hospitalizations and serious illness..."

—Dr. John Bradley, medical director of Infectious Diseases at Rady Children’s Hospital in San
Diego and Distinguished Professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine

After being double vaccinated and getting jabbed with a booster and flu shot about a year ago, I recently experienced a “breakthrough" infection. Like many thousands of others who chose to get vaccinated I thought there was light at the end of the tunnel, only to come to realize that the light I saw was a train of highly infectious Covid-19 variants coming our way. While taking all the shots that were recommended by the CDC still resulted in my becoming infected with the virus, I have a problem with the word ‘breakthrough.’ It implies a failure of the vaccine to provide a viral shield or even a cure. But as Dr, Bradley and other medical experts have said, it did its job. It kept me and many others in my age group (65 and up) from being hospitalized and possibly dying on a ventilator. According to the CDC the risk of being hospitalized is 10 times lower if you're vaccinated. This is not a political statement. According to medical experts it's a medical fact. As a former health care provider, I like those odds.

How serious are the symptoms from breakthrough infections? Well, we all know by now that one may have no symptoms and may not even be aware they have the virus. For those who do feel sick, the symptoms are usually mild and last a few days to one or two weeks. In my case I had excessive fatigue on a Sunday night after riding my bike for an hour and then meeting a friend for a walk around a local park. The next day, on January 17 (Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday), following two consecutive negative Covid tests after returning from Maui with our family and again on January 5 of the New Year for cold-like symptoms, I tested positive for Covid. I quickly alerted my family and contacted my friend to let him know and isolated myself from family for over 10 days. Fortunately, my friend got tested five days later and tested negative which was a relief for both of us. He too was fully vaccinated and happened to be wearing a mask during our walk. Fortunately, none of my family got infected with the virus. The most difficult thing about getting the virus was not being able to babysit our granddaughter who will be a year old later this month or see our granddaughter Lyla, now three years old. Getting together with them, Cecile, Michelle and Jason again was cause to celebrate.

Several days later I had a video conference call with my doctor who had already emailed me the recommended protocol. I told her I had no shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid heartbeat or fever. I did report I experienced three days of headaches which dissipated the afternoon after talking to my her. I wore a KN95 mask every time Cecile announced she was coming to the bedroom or my home office to bring me my meals. She took great care of me. I did have a runny nose, an occasional tight cough, clogged ears, and raspy throat. It felt more like a bad cold. Oddly enough my appetite and energy were good. I postponed a bike trip in Santa Cruz with friends by a week. A week after that which was well after the isolation period of 10 days, I rode 28 miles with some friends in SF. I never felt better.

What was amazing about my experience is that I felt like there was a tug of war between my immune system and the virus and my immune system won. The vaccine did what it was intended to do: Once, the immune system detected the disease it dispatched cells and molecules to memorize its features so it could be fought off more swiftly in the future. Once delivered to the upper arm, the vaccine instructs the body’s own cells to produce a coronavirus protein called spike—a molecule that elicits powerful, infection-fighting antibody response in people battling COVID-19.

Postscript: Though I read and watch many news sources with diverse opinions, it is noteworthy to mention that CNN reported that after battling Covid-19 for almost a month, and spending 28 days on a ventilator and heart monitor at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, graphic artist Richard Soliz returned to the hospital, not for treatment but to apologize to doctors and staff for their great care. He realized that choosing not to be vaccinated nearly cost him his life. According to Soliz’s pulmonologist, and director of ICU at Harborview, about 99 out of 100 patients admitted to the hospital had not been vaccinated when Soliz was admitted.

Optimistic & Hopeful and Relieved After Getting our 2nd Pfizer Vaccine Shot

“Responding to Covid is a communal team effort. As much as we have to work as a team to adopt safety precautions, it’s also our responsibility to get the vaccine.”

—Jessica Stern, clinical psychologist & assistant professor at NYU Langone Health

Cecile and I are relieved to have gotten our 2nd COVID-19 vaccine shot later this morning and even celebrated the event at lunch at "Happy Hound," our quick take-out and outdoor eatery for hot dogs and fries.

We sat under the red umbrella with a beautiful mountain view, after what was supposed to be a celebratory event. And yes, we were indeed happy, relieved, and grateful. However, we couldn’t help feel for those who have been left behind due to unequal distribution and shortages of the vaccine, mixed-messaging from the state, and federal authorities.

My doctor called recently and asked how the first inoculation went a few weeks ago. While she was happy to hear our experience was uneventful, she warned that may not be the case with the second shot. Side effects are more common and more pronounced with the second vaccination.

But, again, so far we’re good and it’s better than the potential of an actual COVID-19 infection.

My doctor thanked me for getting the vaccine since the more people who get vaccinated the better chance we have at herd immunity. She added that the compliance in getting the regular annual flu vaccine is at best 50%. We need to do better with the Covid vaccine if we want to get back to any semblance of “normal." The vaccine alone may not be a get out of jail free card, but we have made great strides thanks to the innovation and brilliance of doctors and scientists.

And, as Keith Norris, MD, a professor of medicine at the Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA said recently, “Knowing that after I’ve had the second dose my chance of getting COVID and being so sick I have to go to the hospital or could die is close to zero—that feels wonderful to me.”

Light at the End of the Tunnel: Getting Our First Pfizer Vaccine Shot

“I believe this is likely the most significant medical advance in the last 100 years…”

—CEO of Pfizer, Dr. Albert Bourla

“It could be the beginning of the end of the Covid era.”

—Dr. Ugur Sahn, CEO of BioNTech

We never thought we’d be so grateful to get a "shot in the arm,” so to speak. Thanks to the genius of Dr. Ugur Sahin and his wife Dr. Ozlem Tureci co-founders of a small German biotechnology startup BioNTech, who teamed up with premier pharmaceutical company Pfizer in Project Lightspeed, my wife Cecile and I were able to have the first of two COVID-19 vaccine injections at Kaiser Permanente medical office building across from the hospital in San Jose.

The vaccine was found to be more than 90 percent effective in preventing the disease in clinical trials in those volunteers who had no evidence of previously being infected. Though there is always a possibility of side effects, after four hours since our inoculation neither of us have had any symptoms. Our second shot has been scheduled for two weeks from today.

The hardest part of getting the vaccine was the over four-hour wait on speakerphone for Kaiser to accommodate us as part of the priority 65 and older group. But, if the pandemic has taught us anything it's that patience is indeed a virtue. Other than that the staff at Kaiser were efficient, created a safe environment for us to be vaccinated, and we were seen very quickly. We were asked to self-monitor for any adverse effects for 15 minutes before leaving the facility. In our mind, though we did our best to roll with the punches after the pandemic took hold of our country and around the world. The vaccines are the first step in bringing back a sense of normalcy. Though the ride back was rainy and cloudy, for the first time since the pandemic began we felt there was light at the end of the tunnel.

Alert: It is important to note that the protection that the vaccine offers does not kick in until some weeks later. Check with your doctor.

The Bike Teacher: My Bike Repair Mechanic Who Keeps Me Safe Sane and a Happy Rider

"At the League of American Bicyclists, we know bicycling is essential and bicycle repair is an essential service to support bicycling. Communities are seeing surges in cycling as people look for safe and healthy ways to remain active while social distancing, and people look for low cost ways to get around. It is important that people can have safe and working bicycles this time." —Ken McLeod

To the relief of tens of thousands of bicyclists around the country, the Feds have declared bicycling is essential and biking repair specialists, like Arthur Rodriguez (aka The Bike teacher) are essential workers. I was referred to Arthur by my friend and fellow biking enthusiast Bill Rothenberg who has more than once driven me with my bike on the back of his bike rack to Arthur’s full-service repair shop whenever I got a flat tire.

The first time I had a slow leak as result of riding over a spiky-looking Groathead thorn common in California; the second time was due to a three-inch long broken branch with a sharp point that impaled my back tire while I was doing over 30 MPH on a downhill slope on Los Gatos-Saratoga Road and more recently I ran over a small Allen wrench along the Union Pacific Railroad crossing between Cox and the Seven Springs development. Thanks to Bill for riding his bike home, retrieving his SUV and bike rack, replenishing me with a bottle of water, an energy bar, and a home made chocolate cookie baked by his daughter Madeline and bringing his rescue dog Roscoe with him to keep us company:-)

You may remember the Ghostbusters lyrics: “If there’s something weird and it don’t look good, who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!" Well, Arthur Rodriguez is the guy I’m gonna call whenever I need my flats repaired, brakes adjusted, bicycle chain changed, bike rack and fender installed or general tune-up.

“While most bicycle shops have a long wait time, Arthur offers same day to 24 hours service turnaround and offers a complete hands on bicycle mechanics repair and maintenance training workshops designed for beginners. He has been involved in the biking arena for over 20 years as a mechanic, road and mountain biker and occasional racing. He is knowledegable, friendly, and most of all trustworthy.

Arthur’s shop is near the historic downtown Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose. Often times when Bill or Cecile drop me off to pick up bike I enjoy stopping for take out food, premium truffles, chews and creams at Mariette Chocolates and photographing points of interest including the colorful murals by artist and visual storyteller, Lila Gemellos and ride the natural Los Gatos Creek Trails home.

www.biketeacher.com/about

www.gemellosmurals.com/resume/

www.mariettechocolates.com/

enjoyyourlifenow.net

What a Relief: Outdoor Swimming Pools & Tennis Courts Are Now Open to Members With New Safety Guidelines

“Don’t take life for granted and don’t wait for things to get easier, simpler or better. Life will always be complicated at one time or another. Learn to be happy right now…Otherwise, you will run out of time."

What a welcomed relief to swim again and see some familiar faces. I will never take this for granted again.

As summer begins, the pandemic-related restrictions regarding the safe operation of swimming pools are beginning to ease. In some locations like the Bay Club Courtside in the heart of Silicon Valley where I am a member, got the green light to open up their outdoor pools. Until a vaccine is found, our club management is doing everything they can to create a safe environment for its’ members.

Thanks to the Bay Club App, you can schedule the time to use the pool. You need to wear a mask when you enter the club. You need to have a screenshot of your signed waiver of liability. Your temperature is scanned by a staff member. You place your barcode in front of the scanner to identify your membership. The front desk has a plexiglass shield from end to end that separates you from the friendly staff who must also wear face masks. You pick your towels, then proceed to the Adult lap pool and an attendant will ask your name and give you a lane to swim in. There is one chaise lounge per lane with plenty of physical distancing from other members. Only one person can swim in a lane. It was a pleasant experience. After your half-hour or hour is up, you have the option to wait until you get home to shower or you can use one of five cabanas across from the family pool which essentially are individual bathrooms and showers. There are attendants that are on standby to disinfect the rooms before they can be used by other members.

The good news is that scientific evidence shows that the virus is susceptible to the disinfecting power of chlorine as long as the pool chemicals are properly maintained. Other agents such as bromine and ozone, are also believed to render the coronavirus harmless. When it comes to spreading the virus, the water isn’t the issue.

Though the Centers for Disease Control have relaxed their restrictions for pool usage, the same personal hygiene etiquette is encouraged. They include hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes, continue social distancing, and avoiding conversing at the end of the lane, or in common areas, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and shared objects (i.e., blow dryers) in the grooming area of the cabanas. The locker rooms are not available for usage at this time.

Thanks to the Bay Club management for creating flexible, adjusted payment of dues for the last few months while the Club had to shut down and for providing easy access to online exercise classes and keeping members informed on its website.

Postscript: My friend and biking buddy Bill Rothenberg in the last lane just happened to come on standby and was able to gain access to the pool after someone didn't show up.

Top of the World Bicycling in the Santa Cruz Mountains & Bay Area Mayor Creates More Space for Bikes, Joggers, and Pedestrians to Enjoy the Outdoors

“By opening our streets to bikes, joggers, pedestrians we are giving Oaklanders more room to spread out safely.”—Libby Schaaf, Mayor of Oakland

I rode my Sondor’s e-bike a few miles to my friend James (Jimi) Hunter’s home off Highway 9 near downtown Los Gatos. An avid mountain bicyclist, he knows the hills of the Santa Cruz Mountains like the back of his hand. He forewarned me that this would be a more challenging ride but believed my Sondor’s Shimano seven gear shift and myself were up to the challenge.

Our approach was to take the creek trails beginning in Los Gatos, accessing the underpass along Highway 17, up to and above the majestic Lexington Reservoir County Park where we had ridden before, enjoying a spectacular view. “It makes you feel like we're kids again,” Jimi said. I couldn’t agree more. 

We then crossed the freeway to the Montevina trail which was another steep climb. It passes through El Sereno Open Space Preserve, relatively unknown to locals, mainly because it is such an ordeal just to get to the trailhead which is mostly an exposed fire road. The main appeal is that there is never anyone there (though we were greeted by a father and his daughter taking a hike), and the view was "on top of the world” spectacular in a different way than Lexington. From our vantage point, we could see the ocean with a fog bank just above it. 
For all our hard work, really a labor of love, we were rewarded with a screaming cruise downhill descent on Bohlman, a paved road with many winding switchbacks into town to make it challenging and fun.

As a result of posting several blogs about my biking experiences over the past couple of months, I have received some heartwarming emails. One, in particular, was from my former patient and dear friend Mary R., ten years my senior who lives in Lincoln, CA. She said she was feeling a bit guilty enjoying her golfing, hiking, etc., in the midst of this pandemic. She had been golfing with her son, respecting the physical distancing guidelines, including taking separate golf carts. She was enjoying the gorgeous scenery of majestic trees, flowers, ponds, ducks and geese, and a variety of exotic birds. “Life is what you make it, she said. “Keep enjoying yours, you’re my inspiration,” she added. She had told her elderly friends, “A day of peace is better than a hundred days of stress." 

Mary and I agreed we need to take care of our mental health as well as our physical. The body-mind connection is an important consideration. I recently saw Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf interviewed on TV. She had announced she was closing some streets which have been left empty to allow for proper social distancing for joggers, walkers, and cycling as part of an initiative called "Oakland Slow Streets." She said, “It’s to get people who have been sheltering in place the past few weeks some fresh air and exercise…By opening up our streets to bikes, joggers, pedestrians we are giving Oaklanders more room to spread our safety.” If this pilot program is successful, the city of Oakland has plans to expand the program to nearly 74 miles of residential streets.

Mary shared something her pastor said recently. After acknowledging the troubled times, we are in, he said: “Sometimes in life when everything is going to pieces, the best thing to do is enjoy each day and don’t forget to laugh a little…”

Visiting a Local Homeowner’s Pop-Up Outdoor Emergency Art Museum: A Creative Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Shutdown

“Art is the highest form of hope.”
—Gerhard Richter

Before, going on our bike ride last week, my friend Bill wanted to show me something he thought I would find interesting. In Case of Emergency: Stay Safe, Stay Inspired, & Stay 6 Feet Apart read the sign posted on a ranch-style wooden log fence of a home that got my attention. It could easily pass for one posted by the City, and it certainly was a sign of the times both literally and figuratively. I would later find out that behind the fence the plethora of more than 25 digital print recreations on canvas we were looking at on the front lawn were some of the homeowner's favorite internationally celebrated artists. They include the Balloon Girl by Banksy 2002; Interior with Girl Drawing by Pablo Picasso, 1935; Flowers, by Andy Warhol, 1970; Pink Lincoln by Mark Ryden, 2013. The installation is intended as a walk-by, (or drive-by) experience for everyone.

As Plato once said, necessity is the mother of invention,” and it was clear to me that the owner was definitely trying to make a statement, to remind people about taking “social" or more accurately "physical” distancing measures during the pandemic. But, there was more behind this unusual art exhibit, in my opinion. An artist or any lover of art would know that with heavy workloads, financial worries, the current divisive political climate on the world stage, and being stalked by the coronavirus, it is an invitation to stop and take a breather. Research has shown that viewing art at an art gallery or museum can reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and can elevate one’s mood. The unknown owner of this outdoor exhibition is also trying to show us that it’s’ not a bad idea to surround ourselves with art that we love.

It may be quite a long time until museums and galleries we once took for granted will feel safe enough to open to the public again. There is no denying that these entities play a crucial role in creating a more empathic world by preserving the past, reminding us of our place in the present and give hope for the future.

In the meantime, we have the free online interactive offerings of major museums, digital reproductions, or for those who live in Santa Clara County, visit the Emergency Art Museum at 801 Miller Street on the corner of Abbot just across from Jack Fisher Park, in Campbell, CA. The owner is a children’s author. For more information about his work visit: umbrellybooks.com & emergencyartmuseum.com

Postscript: The spread of the novel coronavirus is concerning, to be sure. But even during this threatening time, governments and citizens around the world are using innovative, quirky and humorous ways to educate the public on how to stay safe and spread a little joy and laughter while trying to keep people from spreading the virus. The last two photos of Leonardo DaVinci's Mona Lisa are not part of the homeowner’s installation. The one of her wearing a face mask and holding a cell phone is by Italian artist Salvatore Benintende in Barcelona, Spain (Feb 18, 2020). The one of her with her legs propped up is a meme by Craftinga@CraftingCom, depicting her behind the doors of the Louvre Museum after being closed for days! The result? Mona can finally relax until the museums open again and visitors start declaring, look it’s her!

Self Care Biking for My Physical and Mental Health During this Age of Coronavirus: Using Two Wheels to Ease the Uncertainty

“It’s fine to ride your bike for exercise, as long as you maintain a distance of at least six feet…"
—San Francisco Mayor London Breed, SFGATE

“The steady rhythm of thousands of pedal strokes during a ride bring a sense of normalcy to an uncertain and chaotic world.” —Scott Mercier

During Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Covid-19 March 29th Update he said: "This time in our lives is disorienting, frightening and disturbing and has turned everyone upside down, but urged people to find things to smile about and to make others smile. You do the best you can…find a way to create some joy..." Amen to that.
So why biking at this time. The coronavirus paradox of a bike is that it simultaneously gets you out of doors, in touch with fresh air and nature and almost always allows you to stake out six feet of distance from other riders.

Most doctors agree that biking Improves cardiovascular fitness, reduces body fat, builds strength, improves circulation and reduces the risk of developing diabetes and cancer. I ride—and I know my riding companions Jimi Hunter and Bill Rothenberg seen in the photos will agree—because it makes us feel happy. How you feel about yourself, your life and the world around you, especially at this most challenging time is just as important as your physical health. 

An American Psychiatric Association poll 36% of Americans reported that the pandemic has had a serious impact on their mental health. Mental health officials believe that physical activity such as biking can be as effective as medication and counseling in overcoming and even preventing anxiety and depression. An hour of biking can improve your mood and well being. It is a great adjunct to relaxation and mindfulness practices such as deep breathing, yoga at home, and meditation to bring you back into a state of equilibrium. To be able to travel about purely through the pedaling action of your own two feet with an added electric assist for steep hills is an indescribable cathartic experience. 

Most of these photos were taken at the Vasona Lake and Reservoir, various neighborhoods in Los Gatos and Saratoga, the creek trails, the top of Overlook Drive with a magnificent view of Santa Clara County, and in front of the 19th and 20th-century Mediterranean Revival, Italian-Style Mansion nestled in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. This was the former estate of James D. Phelen, the three-term mayor of San Francisco who would go on to become California’s popularly elected US Senator. From there it was a harrowing ride downhill from the estate into downtown Los Gatos, before heading home to complete our exhilarating 20 mile excursion. 

Postscript: These were taken during two different timelines this past week, one with my friend Bill and the other with Bill and Jimi who led the way to the top of Overlook Drive.

Feet on the Pedals & our Heads in the Clouds While Enjoying the Majesty of Nature

"When the world is running down, you make the best of what's still around."
—Sting

“I don’t want to close big, beautiful open spaces—not when we’re encouraging people to go outside with intention and purpose,” California Governor Gavin Newsom told The Mercury News with respect to exceptions to the STAY AT HOME order during the coronavirus pandemic.

Before heading out for my weekly bike ride yesterday, Cecile and I went for our usual morning walk on the nature trails where we live. Like most mornings we were serenaded by a symphony of birdsong which broke through our still sleepy awareness. The chorus of largely unseen birds hidden in the trees struck a reassuring note within us that in spite of the coronavirus, our ecosystem continues to flourish and renew itself. 

My biking companion Bill and I rode adjacent to a long expanse of railroad tracks as we headed for a road that would lead us to a 900-foot hilltop of open hay fields In the Fremont Older Open Space Preserve offering sweeping views of Santa Clara Valley. The dark storm clouds of recent days were now replaced by puffy cumulus clouds. Though I was yearning for sunny blues skies, I have lived long enough to know that life would be boring if we only had clear blue skies and sunshine all day. Clouds to me are the magic show of nature. They are continually moving and disappearing in a slow-motion and seemingly mindful way. We were blessed with beautiful vistas of puffy, rounded blobs of cumulus fair-weather clouds hovering over the mountain slopes.

Just about any off-pavement riding will reward you with fresh air, and great exercise. But, we are fortunate to have easy access to the Santa Cruz mountains which offer the exhilaration of scenic views and long downhill stretches. While I love pavement riding, the variable terrain of mountain trails that include rocks, roots, and ruts makes it even more fun.

We decided to take care of business from our last trip in this area and set off on a trail to Garrod Farms Riding Stables
where Cecile used to take the kids for horseriding lessons when they were young. It was also the place that I used to do Plein air watercolor painting with the Saratoga Community of Painters. The late Jan Garrod was one of our members. One favorite spot to paint was the 28-acre Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards just beyond the horse stables. We used to have our Christmas parties in the wine tasting room. On our way there we found ourselves on a narrow trail behind a woman riding her beautiful horse. We let her have the right of way so as not to startle the horse. She alerted us she was making a left turn and we turned right.

While biking itself, is one way of maintaining my fitness and mental health (along with lives streaming yoga, Qi Gong, and meditation), I also see the bike as a vehicle to access natural places of beauty and spaciousness to feed my secondary interest of photography and blogging.

In a recent memo, California State Senator, Jim Beall, whom I had the privilege to volunteer with to help clean up the debris on the Los Gatos Trails and Creek with other volunteers a couple of years ago recommended following the advice and orders of Governor Newsom and the Public Health Officer, related to self-care tips during this time: Taking care of our physical and mental health which includes regular exercise to help boost our immune system. Those permissible activities include: Walking, Running, Hiking and Biking.

Happy Biking 'n' Eating Day at Mendicino Farms in Silicon Valley

Good habits are as addictive as bad habits, and a lot more rewarding, which is why I have made it a point to upgrade my addictions over the years

It’s never too late in the day for a bike ride. Bill Rothenberg and I began our 16-mile roundtrip journey at 11:30 AM, an hour and a half later than usual. It was brisk with overcast. I had the new grey ear muffs that Bill in a "random act of kindness" had Amazon ship to me. It was a perfect day for them. I had little sleep the night before and felt a bit grumpy. But after a mile of riding along the Los Gatos Creek Trails, I found my happy place again. To extend our ride we made our way to the red pedestrian bridge at the 152 acres Vasona Lake County Park including a pit stop at the Vasona Lake Dam spillway seen in the photos. 

We then reversed course and made our way to the Mendocino Farms Sandwich Market (great soups and salad too) at the Pruneyard Shopping Center in Campbell. Their motto is: “We’re All About Selling Happy."

Bill and I both ordered the "Save Drake Farm’s Salad.” He called it his wife Sarah’s favorite. As my late dad would say they put everything in it but the kitchen sink. I have to say, it was out of this world GOOD. It included shaved, roasted chicken breast, Herbs de Provence marinated Drake Farm’s goat cheese, pink lady beets, green apples, dried cranberries, crushed honey roasted almonds, red onions, Scarborough Farm’s greens, chopped romaine (620 cal) with citrus vinaigrette (240 cal), with a Wheat Tortilla on the side. I took advantage of a photo op with the blue and white cow statue out front that was practically begging me to take a photo with it.

My Facebook Friends often tell me the restaurants I frequent with friends and post about should hire me as their publicist. A friend affectionately referred to my posts as "Dining with Dennis.” But, it's really a labor of love to write about such things. It’s all about celebrating life. As we rode back home, I was reminded about St. Pete Petersburg (St. Pete’s) Bike ’N’ Eat in Florida that promotes physical fitness and mental well-being using bike riding as a catalyst to promote locally-owned restaurants. This is a modest version of it. I just cut out the middle man.

Postscript: Photo of 5 feral cats eating I took on the trail is for friends Jimi and Jennifer Hunter who lovingly feed a cadre of feral cats that visit their home.

The Perks of Bike Riding Along the Percolation Ponds on the Way to San Jose

"Tomorrow isn't guaranteed, so live today!"
—Keanu Reeves

It was so nice to get back on my Sondor’s Electric Assist (E-Bike) yesterday after a 6-week hiatus. One of my riding buddies, Bill Rothenberg and I began our 15-mile adventure along the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s network of manmade perc ponds (short for percolation ponds). They were designed to help refill underground aquifers, which are capable of holding more water than all 10 of the county’s reservoirs combined. We couldn’t have timed our brisk ride on the Los Gatos-Campbell border heading to San Jose more perfectly—in advance of today's rainfall.

We passed the Oka Land Groundwater Recharge Ponds behind the Jewish Community Center, which was built in 1958. The captured water for these recharge ponds, the large blue sign says, percolates through the earth’s surface for the valley’s groundwater. This process helps filter the water so it can later be pumped from wells used in homes and businesses.

We continued along the Los Gatos Creek Trail through the moderately trafficked loop near Campbell Park to Meridian Avenue in San Jose which is great for all skill levels. There is plenty of wildlife like ducks, egrets, Canadian geese; it is well suited for walkers, joggers and is dog-friendly. In fact, there is a dog park nearby. It's nicely paved in some areas, quiet and peaceful except for the areas along the highway. I love traversing the bridges, on and off ramps seen in the photos and passing fellow bikers along the way.

Biking is such a good way to keep physically, mentally, and emotionally fit and healthy, and a great adjunct to my yoga practice, nature walks and swimming. It also connects you to the outside world more directly, freedom to roam and explore the less beaten paths.

When Bill asked where I would like to eat, I said on cool days like this I love to eat Pho (pronounced fuh-like the first part of saying fudge). All my trips to Southeast Asia has made me a fan of the national soup of Vietnam. Though described as soup, it shouldn’t be mistaken as a starter or side dish. Pho itself is the main course.
Bill recommended Pho Wagon which happened to be close to our turnaround point to return back from whence we came. I had the thinly cut brisket and rare steak with my vermicelli noodles. All the soups include fresh cilantro, beansprouts, Thai basil, jalapeno and lime that you can add into the broth. It was perfection. Vegetarian options are available.

Biking the Los Gatos Creek Trails to Lexington Reservoir County Park

"Nothing compares to the simple pleasures of riding a bike."
—John F. Kennedy

My neighbor and friend Bill Rothenberg and I rode our bikes from our gated-community to the Los Gatos Creek Trail behind Netflix Headquarters to the Lexington Reservoir County Park, a beautiful and scenic 950-acre park and reservoir just minutes away from the urban centers of Santa Clara County. The park includes a 338-acre man-made reservoir. It is quite remarkable that you can ride your bike in the heart of Silicon Valley on an uninterrupted trail for eight miles without having to encounter motor-vehicle traffic. The portion of Los Gatos Trail south of Los Gatos has a gravel surface. My Sondor’s electric-assist bike with its fat tires was made for this terrain. There is also a portion of the trail north of Los Gatos that is paved. 

The official bicycle speed limit is 15 miles an hour. We honored the speed since some bikers coming from the opposite direction on their return are known to take the curves at 25 MPH, making any attempt to pass pedestrians on the left very hazardous. There are dips and climbs as the trail follows underpasses to cross major roadways. There are more uphill climbing heading toward the reservoir than on the return. In particular, there was at a 45-degree grade incline that even with an electric-assist bike was very challenging. Though I was losing my breath, I made it to the top. Though we left on our jorney at 10 AM, the temperature had now reached 93 degrees.

The reservoir that covers the towns of Lexington and Alma reached its peak population in the mid-19th century. About 200 people lived in each town. Lexington was the halfway stop for stagecoaches running between San Jose and Santa Cruz.

It is hard to believe that such a peaceful place like Lexington was once the site of a brutal crime scene. In 1883 a Los Gatos saloon keeper, named Lloyd Majors, hired two thugs to rob an elderly Lexington man who kept $20,000 in gold in his cabin. They killed him and fled with the gold. The sensational trial in San Jose drew national attention. Majors and one of the thugs were hanged, the other spent 15 years in prison.

We stopped at the Oak Knoll picnic area which was renamed Douglas B. Miller Memorial Point in honor of Doug Miller, a hard-working dedicated Deputy who patrolled the Santa Cruz mountains and died in the line of duty in 1986. His favorite pastime was looking out at the land from a solitary vista to listen to the silence. I could see why. It was the perfect place to be remembered.

As we made our way above the reservoir and stopped to take it all in, a couple sensed we might be in distress rolled up in their car and asked if we needed anything. “A cold beer," I said. Turns out these folks downsized and move to this relatively deserted area further up the mountain. It was after their purchase they realized they had to be caretakers of 20 acres of land. So much for downsizing to keep things simple, they said.

I took a photo of Bill in front of the sign marking the crossroad of Alma Bridge and Soda Springs, so he could text an old friend of his who lives in a Yurt with his wife and three kids at a higher elevation. He texted the pix to his friend to let him know he was in the neighborhood. 

After our return to downtown Los Gatos.
we ordered a bagel sandwich with Turkey and Swiss for lunch and ate in the Town Plaza Park.

I napped, took a swim and hit the Jacuzzi at Bay Club Courtside. Ahhhhhh!

Cosmetically Challenged Fruit and Veggies Get No Respect & Why They Should

Cosmetically Challenged Fruit and Veggies Get No Respect & Why They Should 

“Ugly is the new beautiful when it comes to produce.”—Mary Gerush

It all began with a trip to the local Farmer’s Market. One of our favorite fruits are white nectarines. When we approached our favorite produce stall, I began hand picking the best, unbruised fruit I could find when I came upon one that looked “cosmetically challenged.” It was odd, misshapen, and it made me smile. It looked like it had a big nose attached to it. My curiosity got the best of me. I bought it anyway. When we got home, It got me thinking about how often the mind discriminates by how things look. People tend to look for attractive partners with whom to mate, nice clothes to wear, we want flawless skin, perfect tans, desire fancy cars within our budget, cute pets to bring home. So is it really any wonder why we would expect good-looking food to be tastier? In fact according to Debra Zellner, a professor of psychology at Montclair State University in New Jersey, “Several studies have shown that how foods are presented can influence our liking them.” Think about the “oohs and ahs,” we express when the waiter serves us an entree made by a chef that looks like a work of art. They are almost too pretty eat. 

In 2014, Zellner worked with the Culinary Institute of America to serve two meals to participants that were prepared by chefs. They were the same in every way except one was more visually pleasing to the human eye. The result of the study confirmed that people enjoyed their meal better when it was plated more attractively. Scientists believe the brain uses aesthetic processing to evaluate whether the foodstuff we are looking at, is good or bad for us. But, the question that begs to be answered, are strange looking fruits and vegetables really bad for y

Let’s begin with what causes fruits and vegetable to become mishappen or deformed in the first place.
According to Marvin Pitts, a professor of horticulture at Cornell University there are three major causes:
Inadequate pollination, frost damage and insects feeding on parts of these food sources that causes them to develop in a asymmetrical shape. But, none of these causes would make them harmful to human beings. The belief is that once people are reminded that fruits and vegetables don’t have to be symmetrical to be safe and delicious to eat, perceptions are likely to change. Plus, in the age of social and environmental responsibility, food shaming based on how an item looks may fall by the wayside. 

Sadly, even though nutritious food is available, six billion pounds of so called ugly fruits and veggies wind up in a landfill because it doesn’t meet cosmetic standards, while millions of children who go hungry every day. To combat this dilemma, Bay Area start up “imperfect" is selling crooked carrots and malformed tomatoes and potatoes directly to consumers by forming strategic alliances with farms and packing houses to take their unwanted produce and sell them at 30 to 50 per cent less than supermarkets. It is a win-win situation that benefits the farmer, consumer, while saving a great amount of wasted food and water.

The European Commission joined in declaring 2014 was “the year against food waste.” Their goal is to reduce food waste in the European Union by 30% by 2025.
Imperfect Founders Ben Chesler and Ben Simon are filling in some of the gaps in the food waste chain. They founded Food Recovery Network to connect cafeterias with local food banks so dining hall leftovers would go to groups in need. Ron Clark, the food sourcing and logistics manager for the California Association of Food Banks set up a program called Farm to Family, where he sources out one million pounds of ugly fruits and veggies directly from farms to families in need. 

Imperfect’s motto is,“all fruits and veggies deserve to be loved.” As in life itself, diversity and imperfections are not flaws but traits to be celebrated. When you break down the word Imperfect, it actually spells, “I’m Perfect,” because everyone and every thing is perfect in their own imperfect ways. And finally a note to parents of young children, your kids are more likely fruits and vegetable if they looked like this.

Postscript: Yes, I did eat my cosmetically challenged nectarine from the Farmer’s Market (except the nose),🙂 and boy was it tasty and sweet.

Eggplant Head Image credit: Gareth P. Lewis.
Apple Duckie image credit: @gourmet.jpg
Carrot Yoga image credit: @debbiegleeson
Peachy Love image credit: @UglyFruitAndBeg.jpg

Celebrating the Grand Opening of Cafe’ Vida at Bay Club Courtside-our Active Lifestyle Resort Facility

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
—William Arthur Ward

Cecile and I attended a celebration for the Grand Opening of Cafe’ Vida at Bay Club Courtside, an 88,000 square-foot active lifestyle resort facility that we have been members of since the late 70s. We partook in the live entertainment, a Margarita station, multiple bars and delicious tapas-style food service stations that were strategically placed around the familly pool deck. There were colorful decorations everywhere including two white “Unicorn" floaties in the family pool that added a mythical feel to the festivities.

Other than the gastronomic delights, some of the photos taken include the band, Cecile and I and our long time friend Rose whom we have done yoga and Tai Chi with for years; my friend AJ in the striped blue shirt and blue cap, whom I affectionally refer to as the “Zumba King,” for his love of dancing and the ladies. He and Robyn VanderLuit, Vice President and General Manager of the Bay Club Company (not pictured here), opened up the first dance number of the evening. Then there is Jose, a food-service leader, always with a smile, preparing the salad with his co-worker. Finally, The photo of Gurpreet and his lovely wife Sarah—with the colorful Mexican Hat—who happen to be our neighbors at Rinconada Hills.

The desire to improve one’s diet and embrace heatlhy living has moved our society to seek out nutritious and tasty alternative eateries such as Cafe' Vita. We feel very fortunate that our resort club owner was cognizant of this healthy trend and arranged to provide it's members with one of it's most enviable offerings. Cafe’ Vita provides California fresh and Latin-style dishes with a unique blend of spices and herbs. The emphasis is to avoid the use of heavy oils and sauces. It is simple fresh tasting food that is also aesthetically pleasing to the eye. “Vida" is Spanish for life and love, and there is plenty of both that goes into their food. The owners of Cafe’ Vida—who have several restaurants in Southern California—have stayed true their name and mission statement: “Food is the mainstay of social and cultural events, not only does it provide nutrition, it helps faciliate connections between people…its all about enjoying life.”

We feel so blessed to be members at Bay Club Courtside. Other than the occasional weekend getaway, we never feel the need to go away on vacation during the summer months. 

The facility boasts three heated outdoor pools including a lap pool for adults with luxurious, reclining, cushioned- chaisse lounge chairs, and bright yellow mediteranean umbrellas. Other amenities are group exercise classes, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, indoor basketball court, a state of the art fitness center with some of the best personal trainers, coaches and instructors. There is also a business suite, locker rooms, a meeting room, childcare center, the “Sanctuary Spa,” a jacuzzi, steam and sauna, “The Shop” for leisure and fashion apparel; and my favorite, the “MindBody Center,” for yoga, meditation and tai chi classes.

As I thought about the white Unicorns floating in the pool, it made me think about what these mythical creatures represent: Opening up to infinite possibilities that surround us at all times. Many fail to notice these possibilities that abound. Unicorns give us the “eyes to see” them. Thanks to the owner of the Bay Club Courtside and it’s management for their vision to not only see the possibilites but to implement them for us members to enjoy!

The Joy of Electric Bikes Like I've Never Experienced Before

“The Bicycle Has A Soul…It Will Give You Emotions that You Will Never Forget.”
—Mario Cipollini

My friend James “Jimi” Hunter, a self-described former “extreme biker,” invited me to go riding with him one day. He has two Sonders E-Bikes in his garage—charged and ready to go. All I had to do was drive to his home and we were off to the races—so to speak.

In 1987, while racing in the Veteran's Class (men 35 and older), Jimi finished 3rd in the Cross Country race, and took first place in the downhill at the World Mountain Biking Championships. He also won the sport and masters class in the Ultimate Kamikaze Downhill in Bishop the same year. Eventually, a nasty crash, broken collar bone, severe concussion and severed vertebral artery forced him to give up high risk biking and racing. 

Upon reflection, he said, "It was all about ego. Now, I just ride for pleasure. E-BIkes are about hitting the EZ button and enjoying the ride,” he added. “It allows people who wouldn’t consider riding a bike any more to revisit the recreational aspects of the sport.” His enthusiasm for E-Biking has won over some converts. His 70 year old brother in law, a psychiatrist in Texas bought one and “fricken loves it,” he said. His sister and nephew are getting one, and after two outings with Jimi I found myself hooked and placed my order online.

We rode the hills and valleys of Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Saratoga, CA. After living in this area for over 40 years, Jimi knows all the nooks and crannies like the back of his hand. We explored the sweet spots—quiet neighborhoods off the beaten paths, including magnificent estates, vineyards, and breathtaking panoramic vistas of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

People have been riding bikes since the 1800s. The precursor to a bicycle as we know it was a Draisienne or “Running Machine,” invented by Barn Karl von Drais of Germany. It had frames and two wheels but no pedals. It was propelled by walking and gliding.
I still remember my first Schwinn bicycle and the feeling of joy and sense of freedom I felt when I took off my training wheels. The advantage of an electric bike is it makes riding more convenient, easy and fun, and a healthy addition to any lifestyle. The pedal assist feature of electric bikes not only works out your muscles, especially on an incline, but provides the rider aerobic exercise as well. For those using it as a means of transportation to get to and from work or, run an errand. It shortens the time and distance to your final destination.

Another advantage of an E-Bike, is you can navigate hilly terrains without a sweat by the push of a button at the top of the handle bar that activates the pedal assist feature. As we age, we have less capacity to power up. Knees and quads tend to ache, and the back can stiffen. With an electric bike you don’t need to worry about getting halfway through your ride and caving-in to exhaustion, worrying whether you’ll make it back home. In that sense the electric motor of an E-Bike is your friend.

And, who cares if someone thinks you’re cheating? It’s not like we were taking steroids or looking to compete in the tor de France. You can’t cheat at getting around and having fun. Besides, Electric bikes are designed to break down the barriers to entry to the world of cycling. It’s no more cheating than using gears that were invented to assist a cyclist to climb a hill more efficiently or increase your speed on the straightaways. Electric bikes make it possible for more people of all levels of fitness to ride without being intimidated by hills, wind or any extra weight they may be carrying. For non athletes there are other fringe benefits of cycling including the freedom from traffic jams, not having to stop for gas, and not having to pay a parking fee.

During my first ride out in the Santa Cruz foothills, I couldn’t stop smiling. It was so liberating. The motor powered electric assist feature is what transforms what would normally be an ordinary bike ride to a Zen-like experience. The experience leaves you with a sense of awe, appreciation and gratitude for being alive.

So where does one get an E-Bike and how much does it cost? E-bikes can range from $800 to $8000 or more. I mentioned earlier that I placed my order online. I chose a white bodied Sondors Premium Electric Bike with pin stripe blue trim on the tire rim as created by Storm Sanders as seen in the photo. It was like placing an order for a Tesla. They had a special pre-sale program of their lastest two models are going for $699 and $899. The main features that sold me were that it was lighter and slimmer than the older models, holds a longer battery charge and can be folded in half for easier storage.

I also liked the bio of its creator, Storm Sonders who grew up in Latvia and makes his home in Malibu. Ever since he was a young boy his parents believed there was someting “off" about him. He was socially awkward, yet displayed a talent for brilliance. He finished high school at 14 and went to an art school to study to be a sculptor. In his early 20s, he was living in Chicago, building wooden models for Mattel and Fisher-Price. He went into business on his own, was very successful with many ventures but it didn’t bring him happiness. He sought out therapist and found out he had Asperger’s syndrome, a mild form of autism. 

He got interested in electric bikes following a knee injury. But, it retailed for $4000, far more than he was willing to pay for a bike. So, he decided to design his own, found a fundraising partner and together they developed a crowdfunding campaign. Early investors committed $499 for a brightly covered, fat-tire beach cruiser. Thanks to my friend Jimi, this was my first introduction to E-Bikes and I didn’t need to look any further. I liked what I saw and experienced, and can’t wait for my order to be shipped.🙂

Electric Bike Review (EBR) website:

https://electricbikereview.com/guides/true-cost-of-electric-bikes/

Entrepreneur with Asperger’s peddling affordable electric bike by Charles Fleming

http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-autism-entrepreneur-20150228-story.html

Eating at True Food Kitchen, a New Full-service Restaurant is an Affirmation for Healthy Eating That Tastes Good

My wife Cecile, daughter Michelle and her fiancé Kyle, on my right; and our niece Annabel, a senior at U of M in Ann Arbor, MI hooked up with Michelle and Kyle's friends Kacy and fiance’ Noel on my left at this trendy, spacious eatery in Palo Alto last evening. This concept restaurant that is being rolled out around the country was inspired by celebrity doctor, Andrew Weil, the “guru” of alternative holistic health and integrative medicine.

His philosophy of an “Anti-Inflammatory Diet,” is built on a base of vegetables and fruits (though tropical fruits are minimized), fish and whole grains. Cooked Asian mushrooms, dairy and spices are encouraged. Many scientific studies agree that an inflammatory diet helps counteract inflammation, the root cause of many serious illnesses. Even the cocktails are healthy—in moderation of course:-). I had a Ginger Margarita, but there are many healthy non-alcoholic drinks to choose from.

The general consensus was that the appetizer we had: Edamame Dumplings and Kale Guacamole with pink grapefruit, cilantro, jalapeno, sunflower seeds and pita chips were “to die for,” was the general consensus.

Some of the main dishes our table ordered were: the Ancient Grains rice bowl; Scottish Steelhead Salmon with chopped kale, Lasagne Bolognese, to name a few. I had a curried Cauliflower soup with Ginger, Grilled Fish Tacos with avocado, greek yogurt, cilantro, pickled onion, Anasazi beans, and cotija cheese.

We had a team of one waiter and three servers. We highly recommend this place for healthy eating advocates and discriminating foodies alike.

The Oldest Living Marathon Man and his Secret for a Healthy Life

The 105 year old, Fauja Singh, an Indian born Sikh and British citizen, ran his first marathon at the age of 89 to overcome depression after the loss of his wife and son.

On October 16 2011, at the age of 100, Singh also known as the 'Turbaned Tornado' became the oldest man to run a full marathon on the Toronto Waterfront.

Singh received a letter from Queen Elisabeth ll congratulating him on his 100th birthday.
Between ages 89 and 100 Fauja Singh had run seven marathons. He retired from competition in 2013, just shy of his 102nd birthday.

After he announced his retirement he indicated he would continue to run for pleasure, health and charitable events.

But, in 2016 he ran the Mubai Marathon as seen here.

When asked by various media outlets, what his secret for a long and healthy life, he said:

• Live a stress-free life
• Be grateful for everything you have 
• Stay away from negative people
• Eat healthy and light (he’s a vegetarian)
• Be charitable
• Stay smiling and keep running