Hey there!

Hope you all had or are having a good weekend. Juan and Michael just got back from camping together, along with two other HousingAnywhere friends, nearby Haarlem. Thankfully Juan managed to sleep through Michael snoring in his ear.

This week Jonathan is guestwriting for us. He’s started writing about different takeaways from movies on his site Narrative Codes. For his post today he’s sharing some things from the Harry Potter franchise, scroll down to read it!

So in the past two weeks; Juan did a 48-hour fast, and Michael did a 36-hour fast. This has recently been quite a popular thing in the health movement. So Michael is going to tell you why, and how to do this.

HEALTH

The Why and How of Fasting

Over the past handful of years, the topic of fasting has come up more and more frequently. I’ve read about it in a handful of books, seen it in youtube videos, and heard it talked about on podcasts. One particular channel that I really like is “What I’ve Learned” and he has a handful of videos on this subject, where he often does prolonged fasts (5 or more days).

Did you know that the longest someone went without eating was 382 days! In 1965 Angus Barbieri accomplished this, starting at 456 pounds, and ending at 180 pounds. You can see from this example that you won’t starve from missing a handful of meals. Our bodies have gotten so used to the 3 meals we eat each day, that we feel like something bad will happen if we don’t give it that, in fact, it’s quite the opposite.

Based on quite a bit of research done on the topic of fasting, it’s clear why it’s talked about so much – the benefits are really impressive! So, we decided to give you a rundown on why fasting might be worth considering and how you can start.

The Benefits of Fasting

Fasting isn't just about skipping meals; it's about giving your body a break and reaping some amazing benefits:

• Caloric Restriction: By reducing your calorie intake, you can manage your weight more effectively.

• Speed up Metabolism: Fasting can enhance fat burning, making it easier to shed those extra pounds.

• Autophagy: This is a fancy term for your cells cleaning house, getting rid of damaged components, and boosting cellular health and longevity.

• Inflammation Reduction: Lowering inflammation can lead to better overall health.

• Cholesterol Management: Fasting can lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase HDL (good cholesterol).

• Enhanced Cognitive Function: You'll likely find your brain working better and feeling sharper.

• Extended Lifespan: Some studies suggest fasting might help you live longer.

• Improved Digestion: Giving your digestive system a break can lead to better gut health.

• Emotional Resilience: Fasting can build mental toughness and emotional resilience.

Lengths of Fasts

There are several ways to fast, so you can choose one that fits your lifestyle:

• Intermittent Fasting: This involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting, like the popular 16:8 method (16 hours fasting, 8 hours eating).

• 36-48 Hour Fasts: A bit longer and can be done occasionally for deeper benefits.

• 3-5 Day Fasts: These longer fasts should be done with medical supervision to ensure safety.

• Even Longer Fasts: Only attempt these if you're really experienced and know what you're doing.

How to Fast

Starting a fast is straightforward, but there are a few tips to make it easier:

• Pre-Fast Meal: Have a meal in the evening that's low in carbs and high in fats and proteins. More fat helps you enter ketosis faster.

• During the Fast: Stick to water, black coffee, or tea. Drink lots of water and consider taking salt and magnesium to avoid headaches. Do light exercise to make sure you burn fat and not muscle!

• Small Allowances: If you must, you can consume up to 400 calories a day without breaking ketosis, but it will technically break your fast.

What to Break Your Fast With

When your fast is over, ease back into eating with some these foods:

• Eggs: Easy to digest and full of nutrients.

• Avocados: Packed with healthy fats and nutrients.

• Bone Broth: Gives essential minarals, easy on the stomach

• Smoothies: Nutrient dense, easy to digest

• Yogurt: Contains probiotics

• Oatmeal: Easy to digest

• Fish: Easily digestible & low fat

What NOT to Break Your Fast With

• Avoid Carbs: Stay away from carbs right after a fast to avoid a sugar spike.

• Avoid High Fiber Foods: Difficult for the digestive system

• Avoid High Fat Foods: Can be hard to digest

• Avoid Sugary Foods: Spikes blood sugar, could cause dizziness

• Avoid Processed Foods: Difficult to digest, and doesn’t give necessary nutrients

So after reading all of this information, does it make you curious about giving it a try?

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— Michael

SPORTS

Why no one wants to host the Olympics

Every 4 years, more than 5 million people attend the Olympics, and over 3 billion watch it on TV. Competition to host the Olympics has usually been fierce. 12 countries applied in 2004 and 10 applied in 2008. But since then, interest has been waning. 9 cities applied in 2012, then 7 in 2016, then 5 in 2020, and for 2024 only 2 countries.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was so concerned that nobody would bid to host the games in 2028, that they simultaneously awarded the 2024 games to Paris and 2028 to Los Angeles.

The Olympics is the most prestigious sporting event in the world. Why does nobody want to host it anymore?

This is not the first time this has happened. Initially, in the 19th and 20th centuries, the Olympics were forced to rotate the host cities to promote international competition. As the games grew, they kept this tradition. But when they opened bidding for the 1984 games, no city wanted to host because the last few didn’t go very well...

• Local political protests had turned violent in the 1968 games of Mexico City.

• Terrorists killed 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich games.

• Construction problems led the 1976 Montreal games to go 13 times over budget.

These incidents showed cities that hosting could be politically and financially risky or even deadly. This almost led to the fall of the Olympics, but one city offered to save them; Los Angeles. The condition was to host the Olympics but use pre-existing sports facilities to save money. The 1984 Los Angeles games were so successful that they inspired cities around the world to bid again to host, but this led to more problems…

The Olympic committee started creating more events and demanding more infrastructure from host cities.

All of this forced countries to spend significantly more money to be able to host all the new games.

And in the end, many of the host cities ended up with dozens of empty stadiums that would never be used again.

Recently, the Olympic committee passed reforms to reduce the costs of hosting and requiring hosts to use pre-existing and temporary venues. They are now also doing private negotiations for the future Olympic games.

Another proposal is to have a permanent location for the hosting of the Olympics, but this might reduce much of the excitement around each new Olympics.

SOURCE: Search Party YouTube channel

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— Juan

GUEST POST

Unlocking the Magic Within
Lessons from Harry Potter

Magic is a prevalent theme in literature, especially in science fiction and fantasy. While we may not encounter actual wizards and spells in our everyday lives, the magical worlds of books and movies can teach us valuable lessons. What does magic symbolize, and how can we apply its principles to improve our lives?

Magic as a Discipline

In the Harry Potter series, magic isn't just about casting spells; it's a discipline requiring concentration, emotional control, and self-awareness. For example, to perform the Patronus charm, wizards must focus on a happy memory and channel their emotional strength. This teaches us that true power comes from within and requires dedication and mindfulness.

Dumbledore's view of music as a form of magic shows that magic can be found in the everyday, transforming our thoughts and emotions. Like music, magic connects us to something greater, providing meaning and purpose.

Embracing the Unknown

The students of Hogwarts embrace their magical abilities through study and adventure. They cultivate their imaginations and face challenges with curiosity and courage. We can do the same by exploring our interests and embracing new experiences. The phrase "The wand chooses the wizard" reminds us that our true paths in life often reveal themselves in unexpected ways. We should be open to discovering what excites us and pursue it passionately.

Balancing Light and Shadow

Magic also has a darker side, as seen in the character of Voldemort, who becomes consumed by his pursuit of power. His story illustrates the dangers of obsession and losing touch with one's humanity. Harry's journey to block Voldemort's influence through Occlumency teaches us the importance of self-awareness and emotional regulation. By mastering our minds, we protect ourselves from negative influences and delusion.

Cultivating Inner Magic

The stories of magic are reflections of our potential for both good and evil. By understanding magic's symbolism, we can better navigate our own minds and hearts. Embracing the light within us, we use our creativity, empathy, and wisdom to create a better world. To cultivate magic within ourselves, we must embark on a journey of self-discovery and emotional mastery. Observing our emotions, articulating our intentions clearly, and learning from those who wield wisdom, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and others.

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— Jonathan

TAKING ACTION

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