The Homeless Jesus Sculpture

Since 2013, Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz has been placing a particular sculpture depicting a homeless man sleeping on a bench in cities across the globe. The life-size bronze statue appears to be anonymous with his face and hands hidden under a blanket, but the gaping wounds on his feet reveal that the person is actually Jesus.

Surprisingly, the statue has appeared in front of many churches that have shown extraordinary tolerance for the controversial sculpture. When it was installed at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in the middle of an upscale neighborhood in Davidson, North Carolina, one woman called the police and the another wrote a letter of complaint to the editor of a local newspaper. Many felt that it was an insult to the son of God. Some churches have even refused to have the sculpture installed in front of their institution.

Timothy Schmalz, a Christian himself, says the inspiration for the sculpture came from an actual homeless person he once saw on a bench in Toronto.

He named the statue Matthew 25, in reference to a quote from that gospel —”Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Rev. David Buck of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Davidson feels that the sculpture gives authenticity to their church. “This is a relatively affluent church,” he says, “and we need to be reminded ourselves that our faith expresses itself in active concern for the marginalized of society.”

“We believe that that's the kind of life Jesus had,” Buck says. “He was, in essence, a homeless person.”

Replica of the "Homeless Jesus" sculpture at the Dominican Order Church and Convent Ciudad Colonial, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Photo credit: Mariordo/Wikimedia

Photo credit: Mariordo/Wikimedia

A Modern Mosque That’s Angering Iranian Muslims

The fate of a beautiful, avant-garde mosque in the Iranian capital Tehran hangs in balance as the city decides what to do with the partially completed structure. The new Vali-e-Asr mosque that was supposed to open last summer has drawn the ire of Iranian hardliners who are refusing to recognize it as a mosque because it does not have a minaret or a dome.

The daring mosque was designed by Iranian architects Reza Daneshmir and Catherine Spiridonoff, co-founders of Fluid Motion Architects, who won the commission for its design way back in 2008. Because the new mosque was set to stand next to Tehran's City Theater—a spectacular tiled circular structure built before the 1979 revolution—the architect couple picked a modern design which they thought would blend harmoniously with its older neighbor. A curvaceous roof sweeps from the ground towards the Qibla, located in the direction of Mecca, while narrow slit-like windows embedded on the wave-like structure allows light inside. The building doesn’t have any of the traditional architectural elements of a mosque, such as minarets and domes.

Photo credit: Deed Studio

“We tried to create an interaction between the mosque, which has a cultural essence, and the City theatre. We wanted to make it a cultural project that would be in harmony with its surroundings – the mosque should respond to the needs of its own time,” the architects said.

“Our biggest source for this project was the Qur’an itself,” they said. “We tried to design this mosque with modesty, simplicity and good faith, and not a mosque which would get its pride from its structural height.”

Reza Daneshmir and Catherine Spiridonoff are a new generation of Iranian architects who are keen to follow in the footsteps of a pre-revolutionary avant garde, pushing the boundaries of traditional Persian architecture by using traditional elements in modern designs. 

The Vali-e-Asr mosque was designed to co-exit with the City Theater and not overshadow it, by making the mosque deliberately shorter than the theater’s height—a fact that religious Muslims are offended with. A conservative newspaper reported that the “mosque was sacrificed for the City theatre”, and described its postmodern design as insulting and “empty of any meaning”.

“The Vali-e-Asr mosque doesn’t have a minaret, nor a dome; neither did the first mosque,” the architects said in a statement. “A mosque is a place for worship, and the Qur’an doesn’t dictate a special structure for it. It’s what it contains that is important.”

But now the mosque might not even be completed, even as it was shortlisted for this year’s World Architecture Festival award. Funding was cut due to the controversy and the interior of the building now lies unfinished. The mosque was supposed to have big prayer halls, cultural centers, and an imam’s residence. Now some media reports suggest that the authorities intend to turn it into an Islamic cultural center, with possible physical alterations.

The City Theater in Tehran, next to which the Vali-e-Asr mosque sits. Photo credit: eFesenko / Shutterstock.com

Photo credit: Deed Studio

Photo credit: Deed Studio

Photo credit: Deed Studio

The Colorful Foods that Combat Heart Disease

We all know we should eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. The “eat your vegetables” mantra of parents worldwide is reinforced in our minds from the time we are small children. And, most of us know that a diet high in vibrant-colored foods is the key to great health. But, a new study shows that if you’re trying to reduce your heart disease risk or trying to address the condition, you’ll want to focus on particular shades of foods in the rainbow spectrum of colorful fruits and vegetables.

A new study published in the medical journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition found that foods high in nutritional compounds known as anthocyanins significantly reduce heart disease risk. That’s great news for the 84 million people already suffering from heart disease, as well as the many people trying to avoid the condition altogether. Sadly, approximately 2200 people die from the condition every day, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. But, heart disease is highly treatable with some dietary modifications.

According to the new study, one of the best ways to treat or prevent heart disease is by focusing on foods that are rich in anthocyanins, the compounds that give foods like blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries, purple cabbage, eggplant and other deeply-colored fruits and vegetables their deep reddish, bluish or purplish tones. 

Anthocyanins are members of a potent family of antioxidant compounds known as flavonoids, which protect against damage and degradation of the cells by harmful free radicals.

In this study, researchers reviewed 19 other studies of over 602,000 study participants from the United States, Australia and Europe, who had been monitored for between 4 and 41 years to determine how their anthocyanin intake compared with their incidence of heart disease, as well as heart attacks and strokes linked to the condition. The researchers found that those with the highest dietary intake of anthocyanins had the lowest risk of heart disease. High anthocyanin intake was linked with a 9 percent reduced likelihood of experiencing heart disease and an 8 percent reduced risk of death due to heart disease.

To date, over 635 different anthocyanins have been identified by scientists, but it isn’t necessary to know all of their names to start benefiting from their heart-healing properties. And, a high intake of anthocyanins can have many additional health benefits as well, including helping with eye health, maintaining the health of the brain and keeping the immune system strong.

Anthocyanins also have potent anti-cancer properties, according to research published in the British Journal of Pharmacology. The scientists behind this study found that anthocyanins exert their anti-cancer effects in many ways, including as antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, preventing the mutation of cells typically linked to cancer, inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, stimulating cancer cell suicide (known as apoptosis), preventing cancer from spreading elsewhere in the body and even making cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy.

HOW TO GET MORE ANTHOCYANINS IN YOUR DIET

It’s simple to spot foods rich in anthocyanins: look for foods naturally-rich in red, purple or blue hues. Some of the most anthocyanin-rich foods include:

• Acai berries
• Black currants
• Black raspberries
• Blackberries
• Blood Oranges (their reddish-purplish hue is on the inside of the fruit)
• Blue Corn
• Blueberries
• Cherries
• Cranberries
• Eggplant
• Elderberries
• Pomegranates
• Purple or Black Carrots
• Purple Sweet Potatoes
• Red Cabbage
• Red Onions
• Red or Purple Grapes
• Red or Purple Plums
• Strawberries

Try to eat at least one serving of these brilliantly-colored fruits and vegetables every day to reap their many healing benefits. Considering how delicious these foods are, that should be a fairly easy and enjoyable task.

7 Surprising Side Effects of Dehydration that Will Inspire You to Drink Up

Have a mild headache you can’t seem to shake off? Maybe your skin has lost some of its luster, or your lips are feeling unusually chapped, even for winter. These are all standard signs of dehydration, a condition that occurs when you lose more fluid than you take in, thereby inhibiting your body from carrying out its normal functions at optimal capacity.

While many people understand that hydration levels directly affect how we feel and think, some of the side effects of dehydration can be hard to track back to our fluid intakes.

Here are some surprising side effects of dehydration that will remind you to make adequate hydration a daily priority. 

1. YOU’RE CRAVING SWEETS, AND LOTS OF THEM.

A lack of sufficient fluid can make it more difficult for our bodies to metabolize glycogen, a substance comprised of connected glucose molecules. Glucose is a simple sugar and a source of fuel our body takes from the carbohydrates we eat. When our ability to metabolize glycogen suffers, sugar cravings arise as a means to provide our bodies with quick sources of energy.

2. YOUR BREATH IS AWFUL, NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH.

Dehydration stinks—literally. When the body is dehydrated, saliva production in the mouth decreases, which paves the way for excess bacteria to flourish in its absence.

3. YOU’RE EXPERIENCING MORE CRAMPS THAN USUAL WHILE EXERCISING.

Nothing halts a solid workout faster in its tracks than an unanticipated muscle cramp—and it turns out, sometimes these pangs can be attributed to your body failing to compensate for a lack of proper fluid. Fluids help our muscles contract and relax; they also keep our electrolyte levels in balance, which helps prevent cramps.

4. YOU JUST CAN’T SEEM TO CONCENTRATE.

Recent research demonstrates that even mild dehydration can negatively compromise your cognitive abilities. Take this recent study of healthy, young women who agreed to restrict their water intake for a single day and then take a test designed to measure their cognitive flexibility. Mild dehydration caused deficits in their visual and working memory. Furthermore, drinking water reversed those deficits.

5. YOU’RE DIZZY.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), dehydration can cause your blood pressure to plummet, which could result in dizzy spells or feelings of light-headedness.

6. YOU SUDDENLY HAVE A BAD CASE OF THE CHILLS.

Dehydration will trigger your body to limit blood flow to your skin, which will in turn cause you to feel super chilly, even if you’re in a warm environment. What’s more, water is able to absorb heat, so if you’re taking in less water, your body is less capable of regulating its temperature.

7. YOU’RE CONSTIPATED.

It’s not glamorous, but hydration plays a critical role in the human body’s ability to flush waste from its system. Constipation occurs when the stool in your colon gets dehydrated, thereby inhibiting your body’s ability to move things along, as it were. The more water you drink, the easier it is for your colon to withdraw water from your large intestine and keep digestion regulated.

Top 12 Foods to Eat if You Have Asthma

Most asthma sufferers are routinely advised about the foods to avoid that can aggravate asthma, including: fried or processed foods as well as those containing trans fats or MSG, but few asthmatics know the best foods to incorporate into their daily lives to improve their lung health and potentially reduce the frequency or intensity of symptoms.

Asthma is a serious breathing disorder characterized by wheezing, narrowing of the lung passageways, shortness of breath and chest tightness.

Here are my top 12 foods to add to your diet if you suffer from asthma:

BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Vitamin C is quickly depleted in the body as a result of stress, including impaired breathing and asthma attacks. Because vitamin C is not stored in the body, it is imperative to eat a diet high in this critical nutrient on a daily basis. Fortunately, Brussels sprouts contain 97 milligrams of vitamin C in a single cup. Chop in half, toss in a small amount of olive oil, sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.

ELECAMPANE TEA

Known for its ability to clear out excess mucus from the lungs, elecampane tea makes a great addition to your daily diet. Use one teaspoon of dried herb per cup of boiled water and let steep for at least 10 minutes. Strain and drink three cups daily. 

FLAXSEEDS

The essential fatty acids known as Omega 3s are highly anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce inflammation linked to breathing difficulties. Add a tablespoon of ground flaxseeds to your oatmeal or add to your daily smoothie.

GRAPEFRUIT

Rich in vitamin C, grapefruit is an excellent fruit or fresh juice to enjoy on a regular basis if you suffer from asthma. But, you’ll want to skip bottled grapefruit juice since most of the vitamin C is lost in the processing.

GREEN TEA

Green tea contains some potent natural anti-inflammatory compounds, including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), that can help open the airways. Drinking 3 cups daily may be helpful for asthmatics.

LEAFY GREENS

Magnesium is needed as a natural antispasmodic mineral to prevent the chest and lung spasms often linked with asthma. Leafy greens are rich sources of magnesium.

ONIONS

If your asthma seems to be triggered by allergies you’ll want to enjoy quercetin-rich foods like onions on a daily basis, since quercetin has natural antihistamine properties and can help with allergy-induced asthma.

PAPAYAS

Because ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is a potent antihistamine and anti-inflammatory nutrient that tends to be depleted during stress, including asthma and asthma attacks, eating vitamin C-rich papayas on a regular basis can help.

PUMPKIN SEEDS

High in both anti-inflammatory Omega 3s and anti-spasmodic magnesium, pumpkin seeds (raw, unsalted varieties) make excellent snacks and additions to salads, stews and curries.

STAR ANISE

The spice, star anise, has anti-spasmodic effects that prevent and treat spasms in the lungs linked to asthma, making the spice a great choice to add to brown rice or other foods. Remove the star anise pods prior to eating the foods.

TARRAGON

In addition to this herb’s anti-allergic properties, it also has antispasmodic effects on the lungs to prevent and treat the spasms often linked to asthma. Add chopped fresh tarragon to your favorite vegetable or fish dishes.

WALNUTS

An excellent source of anti-inflammatory Omega 3s, raw, unsalted walnuts are a great snack and make a great addition to stir-fries, or soaked and blended with sea salt to make a delicious vegan cheese.

Of course, do not use any of the above remedies as a replacement for medication when you’re experiencing an asthma attack or need an inhaler. Check with your natural health provider to determine whether any herbs may interact with any drugs you’re taking.

Here’s What Kids All Around the World Leave out for Santa

While said to have started in response to The Great Depression as a way to teach children gratitude in the face of great economic hardship, the tradition of leaving a snack out for Santa Claus on Christmas is actually not a uniquely American pastime. In fact, ol’ Saint Nick enjoys a sumptuous buffet of treats in exchange for his tiring trek across the globe each year.

From pints of ice cold beer to the familiar plate of cookies and milk, here’s what children in nine parts of the world leave out for Santa Claus.

1. AUSTRALIA

While Americans dream of a “white Christmas,” it’s actually summertime in December south of the equator, so it’s customary to leave out Santa a glass of crisp and refreshing beer. 

2. SWEDEN

Next up is Sweden, where children thoughtfully leave out coffee in order to provide Santa with a much-needed caffeine boost.

3. DENMARK

In Denmark, Jultomte (Swedish Santa) opts to enter homes through the front door with his elves, rather than shimmying down the chimney. It is the elves, rather than Santa, who are welcomed with a dish of risgrynsgröt, a Danish rice pudding flavored with cinnamon and a dash of salt.

4. FRANCE

Père Noël rides a noble donkey named Gui instead of a reindeer. Out of respect, French children leave biscuits for Santa and carrots in their shoes for Gui, which are swapped out for gifts in the morning.

5. UK

Mince pies—a miniature pastry-pie stuffed with a mix of spices and dried fruits—are a quintessential holiday treat in the UK. Children leave out the pies and a side of sherry or brandy to fuel Santa on his merry way.

6. IRELAND

They say that Guinness tastes better in Ireland than anywhere else in the world, so it follows that children leave Santa a glass of the dark Irish stout as his treat.

7. GERMANY

German kids, perhaps hoping to stave off a food coma, leave their iteration of Santa Claus (who is more of an angelic figure) letters filled with their hopes and dreams instead of any snacks to much on.

8. CHILE

Once he reaches South America, Santa can look forward to a traditional Chilean fruitcake topped off with dulce de leche called pan de pascua.

9. AMERICA

Traditionally, Santa is greeted with cookies—be they gingerbread, chocolate chip, or even sugar—and a tall glass of milk as his reward for emerging on the other end of the chimney. 

80% of Americans Don’t Move Enough

You may not be surprised to find that about 80 percent of U.S. adults and young people aren’t active enough. That’s a significant number, but given the allure of TV and video games after a long day of sitting at your desk for work, you can see how easy it is to submit to a sedentary lifestyle. Unfortunately, a sedentary lifestyle can actually be worse for you than smoking.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently released an updated version of their Physical Activity Guidelines, which originally debuted in 2008. The updated version boasts new research, updated specifics on how often and how hard you should exercise each week, as well as specifics for older adults. Are you meeting the guidelines?

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES

So ,what does the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have to say about physical activity? Let’s look at the guidelines for adults in general and older adults.

Adults

It’s certain that some physical activity is better than none, but to reap the most benefits, an adult should do at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week. That’s between 2.5 hours and five hours of exercise weekly, or 30-60 minutes per day, five days a week..

Alternatively, an adult can do between 75 minutes and 150 minutes of vigorous, aerobic exercise a week to achieve similar results. That’s only 15-30 minutes each weekday.

Or, if you like to keep things spicy, you can do a combination of moderate-intensity and vigorous exercise throughout the week.

Ultimately, the more you exercise the better. The guidelines note that more than 300 minutes (or five hours) of exercise in a week provides even more benefits.

These are recommendations for aerobic exercise. What about strength training? It’s an important element of exercise and health, as well. When you build strong muscles you’re also building strong bones. The guidelines suggest strength training at a moderate or greater intensity level at least twice a week.

Older Adults

These guidelines apply to older adults, as well, but with some additional components. It’s important as you age to do exercises aimed at strengthening your balance. Falls can be deadly as we age and are more likely to occur due to a steady decline in your ability to balance. The guidelines suggest balance training as part of your weekly activity.

It’s also more common as an older adult to have a chronic condition. When planning your physical activity, take into consideration your fitness level and any chronic condition you’re dealing with. Don’t try to go above and beyond what your body is capable of. Give yourself time to work up to higher levels of exercise.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Physical activity benefits you in so many ways. The more active you are, the happier you are, you sleep better, and you have a reduced risk of chronic disease. What can be better? While time and motivation are often limiting factors, consider your long-term health next time you’re tempted to sit on the couch rather than exercise.