The heart contains roughly 40,000 neurons. 
SPORTS, FITNESS &SPORTS, FITNESS & 
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UNLOCK YOUR LIFE

SUPERBOWL SNACK STATS 

Michele Silence, M.A. is a 37-year certified fitness 
professional who offers semi-private/virtual fit-
ness classes. Contact Michele at michele@kid-fit. 
com. Visit her Facebook page at: michelesfitness 
Visit her Facebook page at: michelesfitness. 


ALL THINGS by Jeff Brown 

THE NATURAL BLISS OF BEING 

by Jackson Peterson 

The author designed his book to be a transformative journey that conclusively 
reveals one's own "enlightened self-nature" directly, leaving no 
room for doubt or uncertainty. For those who are serious about self-realization, 
this book offers explanations, insights and practical methods 
that can easily be applied without prior knowledge or experience with 
meditation or Eastern practices. The key teachings originate in the Tibetan 
wisdom tradition known as the "The Great Perfection", but are inclusive 
of other traditions such as Zen, that offer insights and methods 
into discovering our True Nature immediately and directly, not after 
months or years of study, meditation and practice. The author also studied deeply the teachings 
of the Sufis in Kashmir, India which revealed the wisdom of the Heart and Love, both necessary 
qualities in realizing one's true nature. 

The approach shared is very direct and capable of revealing immediate benefits. The overall 
goal is the acquisition of a completely new perspective on life that is grounded in spontaneity,
freedom, joy and unconditional love for the benefit of oneself and others. 

The journey includes delving into the nature of thought, mind and ego-self to learn how we 
create our own suffering. From there we are introduced to our own inner jewel of enlightened 
awareness and knowingness that has always been present but never or rarely noticed. We then 
learn methods of how to broaden the "recognition" and how to stabilize and integrate this wisdom 
awareness into all aspects of our lives. Finally we are introduced to the nature of our spiritual 
Heart the seat of unconditional love and True Being. We learn how we are all just "one life", 
and with this recognition we find joy for ourselves and love for all beings. 

The author has spent over forty-seven years in pursuit of the wisdom teachings that can bring 
about enlightenment and liberation from personal suffering. As a result his travels to meet actual 
masters who were themselves accomplished in this path, took him to India, China, Nepal, 
Japan, Korea, Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. This book represents the essence of those teachings 
yet are presented in a completely generic and unique approach that anyone can benefit 
from. 

The author shares: "It is my hope that seekers of all types may find the realization of their goals 
fulfilled through the reading and application of the teachings as offered in this book and are 
able to realize the immediate presence of the Natural Bliss of Being for themselves as I have, 
and realize: 'Relishing and celebrating life's journey is the realization of Enlightenment itself!'" 
Jackson Peterson (nonduality) has videos on youtube. 


Super Bowl Sunday is not just about football. It is one of the 
biggest eating days in the United States, second only to Thanksgiving. 
On this one day, Americans consume tens of millions 
of pounds of snack foods. Studies and food industry estimates 
suggest that the average person eats at least 1,200 calories just 
from snacking during the game, not counting regular meals. 
If attending parties or watching all afternoon, total intake can 
climb much higher. 

Surveys show that many fans eat two to three times their normal 
daily calories on Super Bowl Sunday. In extreme cases, people 
report eating four times their usual amount, which can add up 
to more than 8,000 calories in a single day. That amount is more 
than most people need over several days. Because the food is 
spread out over hours of watching, grazing, and socializing,
it is easy to keep eating without realizing how much has been 
consumed. 

Nationwide, Americans eat about 1.3 billion chicken wings on 
Super Bowl Sunday alone. That is enough wings to give every 
person in the country several each. Millions of pounds of potato 

chips and tortilla chips are also eaten, along with millions of pounds of popcorn, nuts, bacon, and ribs. 
Pizza is another game-day favorite, with many households ordering multiple pies to feed crowds. 

All these foods are high in calories, fat, and salt, and they are designed to be eaten by the handful. A few 
chips or wings rarely feel like enough, so people keep reaching for more. This combination makes Super 
Bowl Sunday a perfect setup for overeating. 

The calories add up quickly. Six fried chicken wings with sauce and dip can contain more than 550 calories. 
Two small slices of pepperoni pizza can add another 600 calories. A few handfuls of potato chips 
can easily reach 400 calories. Add sugary drinks or beer, and a single afternoon of snacking can exceed 
2,000 or even 3,000 calories before the game ends. 

Of course, one day of overeating will not ruin a person’s health. However, Super Bowl Sunday often 
comes during a time of year when people are already less active and eating heavier foods. It’s easy to see 
how quickly calories can pile up without much nutrition to show for it. 

The good news is that enjoying the Super Bowl does not mean giving up snacks or fun food. Small 
changes can make a big difference without making people feel deprived. Swapping just a few traditional 
party foods for lighter options can save hundreds of calories and still keep guests satisfied. 

Crunchy snacks are one of the hardest habits to break on game day. Potato and tortilla chips are popular 
because they are salty and easy to eat. Try making them in an air fryer to cut the fat. For popcorn, there 
are lots of lower calorie choices. A large bowl of air popped popcorn can come in under 100 calories, 
compared to several hundred calories from a similar amount of chips. Roasted chickpeas can also satisfy 
the desire for crunch while adding fiber and protein, which help people feel full sooner. 

Dips are another major source of hidden calories. Instead of pairing dips with chips, using vegetables 
like bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, or celery can dramatically cut calorie intake. Salsa paired with 
vegetables provides strong flavor for very few calories, and even guacamole goes farther when eaten 
with vegetables instead of chips. 

Nuts are often seen as a healthy snack, but portion size matters. A small bowl can contain hundreds of 
calories. Lower-calorie alternatives like roasted edamame or seasoned popcorn still offer a satisfying 
snack experience without the heavy calorie load. These foods allow people to snack longer without 
consuming as much fat. 

Desserts and drinks can quietly add even more calories. Sugary sodas, cocktails, and beer can contribute 
hundreds of calories with little nutritional value. Switching to sparkling water with fruit, flavored water, 
or diet drinks can save a significant number of calories over the course of the game. For dessert, fresh 
fruit provides sweetness and color without the heavy calorie punch of cookies or brownies. 

Super Bowl Sunday will always be about celebration, community, and fun. Food is part of that tradition. 
The goal is not to eliminate favorite snacks, but to balance them with smarter choices. By making a few 
simple swaps, it is possible to save thousands of calories while still enjoying the game. 

When the game is over, the real win is waking up the next day feeling good instead of weighed down. 
Super Bowl memories should be about the game and the people, not regret over what was eaten. 


Lori A. Harris 


WHAT IS 
YOUR LIFE 
COSTING 
YOU? 

Decision-Making, 
Intuition, and the 
Quiet Wisdom 
Within 

“The cost of a thing

is the amount of 
what I will call life which is required to be exchanged 
for it, immediately or in the long run.” 

— Henry David Thoreau 
That line from Thoreau has stayed with me 
for years because it asks a question most of us 
don’t pause long enough to answer: What is 
this choice costing me—not in money, but in 
life energy, time, joy, or regret? 

Every life is shaped by decisions. Some are 
dramatic and obvious. Others are small, repeated 
daily, and quietly powerful. Over time, 
these choices begin to form an internal operating 
system, habits, and beliefs that guide 
us automatically. In psychology, this is often 
called a paradigm. Paradigms aren’t good or 
bad. They exist to help the brain conserve energy 
and keep us safe. But left unexamined, 
they can also keep us stuck. 

This is why awareness matters. 

When our hidden beliefs go unchallenged, 
we can find ourselves living out of alignment 
with our stated values and deepest intentions. 
We may say we want peace, freedom, or connection—
while making decisions rooted in 
fear, old conditioning, or the need to please. 

Improving your decision-making skills isn’t 
about perfection. It’s about learning to notice 
why you choose what you choose. 

Listening Beyond LogicMany of us were trained to trust logic alone. 
Make a pros-and-cons list. Be reasonable. 
Push feelings aside. 

And yet, ancient wisdom traditions and modern 
neuroscience tell a fuller story. 

The primary cells of the nervous system are 
neurons, and while we tend to think of them 
as living only in the brain, they are also found 
in the heart and the gut. These neural networks 
communicate with the brain through 
the vagus nerve, sometimes called the “soul 
nerve” because of its role in emotional regulation 
and felt sense. 

The gut contains an astonishing 100 million 
neurons. 

So when people talk about “gut feelings,” 
“heart knowing,” or butterflies in the stomach, 
they’re not being poetic; they’re describing 
real biological signals. 

Intuition isn’t mystical. It’s information. 

Writer Alexandra Franzen playfully refers 
to this integrated wisdom of heart, gut, and 
head as the “HUT.” When these systems are 
aligned, decisions tend to feel steadier, even 
when they’re challenging. 

A Simple Inner Check-InOne of the most reliable guides is the bodyitself. 

Before making a decision, pause. Take a 
breath. Scan your body gently. 

Does this choice feel expansive or constricting?
Does it carry a sense of growth, learning, or 
quiet excitement?
Or does it feel heavy, rushed, or fear-driven? 

This is sometimes called the inner mentor or 
inner knower—a voice that becomes clearer 
through stillness, reflection, and practice. 
Many traditions refer to it as the “still small 
voice.” It’s not loud. It doesn’t argue. It simply 
notices. 

Memories or RegretsAt the end of the day, our lives are the sum of 
our decisions. The purpose of life, as Thoreau 
reminded us, is not merely to survive—but to 
live fully, vibrantly, and awake. To “suck the 
marrow of life.” 

A useful question when you’re standing at a 
crossroads is this: 
Will this choice help me create memories—or 
regrets? 

That single pause can change everything. 

A gentle invitation:
This week, choose one small decision, what 
you say yes to, what you postpone, what you 
let go of, and practice listening a little deeper. 
Notice what your body knows. Notice what 
costs you life, and what gives it back. 

Sometimes the most powerful change begins 
with one honest moment of awareness. 

Lori A. Harris is an Integrative Change Coach 
and Life Mastery Consultant. Learn more 
about her at loriaharris.com. 


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