For months now, my systolic blood pressure has been steadily creeping upwards. My energy levels are disappointing and I've had episodes of unwarranted anxiety. Coincidentally - OR NOT -- I've been indulging in salty snacks and sugary, buttery treats.
So I've decided to experiment. For two weeks I will consume only foods that are plant-based, unprocessed and with no added salt or sugar. Also, I'm going to exercise for at least half an hour a day, be it on my elliptical exercise machine or shovelling snow, hiking or swimming at my favourite public pool in Ottawa.
I'm not even going to touch my blood pressure monitoring machine until the two weeks are up. Then, all will be revealed. If the results are as I expect, my new life style change will be a keeper!
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For two mornings in a row, I just happened to be looking out of my kitchen window to witness a screech owl being routed by jays from it's hideout in a big, bushy spruce tree. The fleeing little owl bolted into the roost box for cover. It got me thinking about those jays and their roll as birdy neighbourhood watch. I've also noticed that very often, smaller birds don't even appear at my feeders until the bluejays arrive first. The jays are definitely bossy and even at times bullies but they also provide a kind of security service as first responders to hawk or owl dangers. And they even wear blue uniforms.
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| This blue jay has driven a fugitive to ground. |
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| Under house arrest! |
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| The blue uniform seems appropriate. |
