FOR A BETTER HEALTH AND LONGER LIFE, YOU NEED A MEDITERRANEAN DIET PLUS A MEDITERRANEAN RESIDENCE

 I am a Food Refugee from the USA. In the last 20 days i have eaten well in Colombia, Turkiye, France and Portugal and one nice meal awaiting in Casablanca

Opened and managed by the same family since 1957, la Taverne du Dauphin is considered to be an institution by all Casablancais. 4 generation of professionals have passed down their know-how and passion of fresh and authentic cuisine to propose one of the best fish and seafood specialties in town.

But tonight the dinner was at Restaurant Tabu at the NH Collection Hotel in Porto Portugal. The maitre d' Bruno and the chef did not disappoint at all

WHY THE BLOOD PRESSURE READING ABOVE ?

When I got back to my hotel, i checked my BP. After such good portuguese meals each night, and not taking any sort of medications, my BP remains consistently in the good range. Each time i am in the USA, any encounter with a medical facility or personnel reveals a higher than healthy level of BP

and the friends and cardiologist colleagues recommend at least two different kinds of medications. What they do not realize that it is the land, the ambiance in addition to the food ..

In short, USA is not a healthy place to live , especially in the coming four years.  When i opened my Endocrine conference on Culture Health and Illness at Cochin , I began  If any of you in the audience, all doctors, wish to die 15 years younger, please migrate to the USA.

COMPASSIONATE IMMIGRATION AND HOW PORTUGAL SHOWS UP OTHER HYPOCRATIC EUROPEAN AND NORTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES

In recent years, public opinion in several Western countries has shifted significantly regarding immigration levels. In Canada, a survey by Environics revealed that the percentage of citizens believing there were too many immigrants rose from 27% in 2022 to 58% by 2024. Similarly, a 2024 Gallup poll indicated that 55% of Americans favored reducing immigration levels, the highest proportion since 2001. In France, the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) reported in 2024 that 56% of respondents felt there were too many immigrants, a 7-point increase from November 2022.

Contrastingly, Portugal presents a different narrative. During a visit to Porto, I observed that many shops, particularly souvenir stores and fast-food outlets, were staffed by individuals of South Asian origin. Engaging in conversations, I found them to be warm and welcoming.

Portugal has embraced young workers from South Asia, who fill roles that many young Portuguese are less inclined to take, such as Uber drivers, food delivery personnel, and waitstaff in modern cafés. This integration provides valuable services to the community.

In contrast, while some North Americans express concerns about immigration, they often rely on immigrants for essential jobs, from agricultural work to hospitality services. Portugal demonstrates a congruent approach to immigration, acknowledging the economic contributions of these workers.

Many of these young men, driven by economic challenges in their home countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, find opportunities in Portugal. They contribute to both the Portuguese economy and their native countries. Over time, some may seek further opportunities elsewhere, including in regions where they might face less welcoming attitudes.

This situation highlights the complexities of 21st-century migration and the varying perceptions of immigrants across different societies.

Portugal's approach to immigration has been noted in various reports. For instance, the country has considered using its golden visa scheme to assist migrants and build affordable homes.

• Review
• Open access
• Published: 06 January 2025

Efficacy of intermittent fasting on improving liver function in individuals with metabolic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This is an analysis of data available by a consortium of researchers working mainly in China and Iran but summarizing the current knowledge on Intermittent Fasting IF

Conclusions

IF seems to be an effective dietary therapy for improving liver function in adults with metabolic disorders, and many of liver function-related benefits occur regardless of IF mode, intervention duration, or participant health status.

My Comment :

The large number of metabolic diseases prevalent in the western world and in larger numbers in the developing world, India, China, Malaysia and the Gulf Countries among others seem to point out to the Highly processed food in our food as the culprit . No doubt it affects the fatty liver content and no wonder that Intermittent Fasting helps the outcome .

HAPPY NEW YEAR SENSATIONS 2025 FROM PORTO IN PORTUGAL L'SHANAH TOVAH 2025. HOPE FOR GOOD NEWS FROM CUBA, IRAN, MYANMAR AND USA

IS it the fragile optimism of a new year, or the weight of my observations gathered from wandering through distant ports and forgotten alleys across this fractured world? Today, walking along the worn stones of the Praça de Batalha towards my temporary refuge at the NH Collection hotel, a thought surfaced—a flicker in the restless tide of my reflections. Despite the crude borders drawn by politicians, the venom spat by terrorists, and the ceaseless chatter of those who profit from division, humanity, it seems, is quietly knitting itself together. I sense it in the subtle increase of friendliness, a quiet rebellion against the forces of separation. Whether in Turkey, Colombia, France, Portugal, or Morocco, the pattern holds steady. Perhaps those who remain tethered to one place grow fixated on the shadows cast by their immediate concerns, magnifying molehills into mountains. Movement has a way of softening such edges. One particular instance glimmers in my memory from these waning days of 2024 and the tentative first breaths of 2025—a brief moment of unguarded human connection. Bruno, the maître d' and steward of the hotel's Food and Beverage section, a man who carries the weight of his role with a dignified ease, and young Magda, a dedicated NH employee with eyes brightened by earnest intent, are at the heart of this recollection. Bruno guided me through the subtleties of Portuguese cuisine, each suggestion a small revelation on my plate. What began as a two-night stay stretched to four, a change dictated by the capricious winds of travel. In a fleeting whim, I considered seeking another hotel—a shift, perhaps, in the spirit of exploration. But when I mentioned this to Magda and a young Portuguese man of Angolan descent (whose fluidity in Spanish and English added an additional note of warmth to our exchange), they both insisted, with a sincerity that felt entirely free of commercial varnish, that I remain. “You haven’t tried the fish prepared in our special way,” Bruno had said. And so I stayed. This was not the hollow cheerfulness of corporate hospitality, not the perfunctory "have a nice day" that we all know too well. It was something deeper, something rare. I am reminded of Sahar at the front desk of the Bank Hotel in Istanbul, her quiet efficiency paired with genuine concern. Faces like hers, like Magda’s, like Bruno’s, linger in the corners of memory, illuminated not by grand gestures but by fleeting, sincere acts of connection. Whether on an Emirates flight to Bogotá or a late dinner in Istanbul, a similar theme emerges—a gentle shift in the collective focus. Conversations lean less towards financial gain, less towards the cold machinery of markets, and more towards personal well-being, towards presence, towards moments that stretch and breathe. Perhaps something truly is in the air, a subtle current pulling us towards something better. Or perhaps, like Maqroll perched atop the crow's nest, I am merely straining to see through the mist, hoping for landfall on a kinder shore.

WALKER EVANS AND MY LUCK WITH BARBERS

Walker Evans (1903–1975) was an influential American photographer renowned for documenting the harsh realities of the Great Depression. His iconic works, such as Alabama Tenant Farmer Wife and his contributions to the book Let Us Now Praise Famous Men, remain powerful representations of resilience and human dignity during that era. His stark images of everyday people and places helped establish photography as both art and social commentary.

Evans believed photography should "describe a society truthfully and with clarity," and his commitment to authenticity cemented his place as one of the most celebrated photographers of the 20th century.

During one of my early visits to Havana, I wandered through Old Havana's crumbling buildings and may have stumbled upon the same hair salon Evans once photographed. The faint scent of talcum powder lingered in the warm, humid air, and the creak of an old barber's chair echoed softly against the peeling turquoise walls. In tribute, I had a quick haircut there.

Just as Walker Evans captured the essence of people through his lens, I’ve often found that barbers, in their own way, reveal stories of place and culture through their craft. Barbers have been memorable companions throughout my travels. In Miami, Alex, a fellow Aussie, doubled as my barber and confidant. In Marrakech, haircuts came with mint tea and spontaneous dancing. Back home, Adonis squeezed me into his schedule in a converted salon, its walls telling stories of revolution and decay.

Loyalty defines my relationship with barbers. I once detoured to Marrakech from France just to visit a trusted stylist. In Brussels, Dariush—a bald but brilliant barber—crafted my haircut with precision.

My anthropological curiosity often leads me to local eateries, where conversations reveal cultural insights. For instance, in Bogotá, I learned from a local vendor about the tradition of adding egg to arepas, a regional twist that reflects both resourcefulness and cultural pride. Such small but meaningful details enrich my understanding of the places I visit. In Bogotá, a craving for arepas introduced me to Cristian, a young barber with Indigenous features. After savoring an arepa with ropa vieja and egg, I returned to Cristian’s chair. His care and precision completed a triangle of satisfaction: a good hotel, great food, and a trusted barber.

If my travels bring me back to Bogotá en route to Leticia, I know Cristian will be there—scissors in hand—ready to continue this cherished tradition. In moments like these, I’m reminded that travel isn’t just about destinations; it’s about the human connections formed along the way—small, fleeting moments that linger far longer than the journeys themselves.

FEAR MONGERING JOURNALISM IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE SCARED AMERICANS

People in the United States, regardless of what you call them, live in a perpetual state of fear about their health. One week they’re avoiding one thing, and the next week it's something else. Journalists and doctors—modern-day troubadours of tragedy—bring scientific research to light, but often focus on correlations rather than causations. Unfortunately, the average American isn't educated enough to grasp the difference.

Meanwhile, all the pollution caused by companies, businesses, and corporations—impacting the environment, changing the climate, generating mountains of garbage, and consuming vast amounts of energy—goes largely unmentioned. Instead, fear is stirred up by targeting popular, enjoyable aspects of life, linking them to poor health or death.

Take, for example, an article I read today in The New York Times—a publication I respect greatly. The headline: "Deep Links Between Alcohol and Cancer Are Described in New Report." Scientists are now reconsidering the long-held belief that moderate drinking offers health benefits.

This made me wonder: why is there no mention of the social factors that drive people to drink? Instead, the focus is solely on alcohol itself. For instance, drinking wine with meals has been shown to mitigate some negative effects of alcohol. And as a francophone, I can’t help but ask: do the French—who drink daily—die in droves before their time? Hardly. But then again, Americans can only dream of eating as well as the French.

Fear-mongering journalism, scientific facts taken out of context, and the neglect of social factors—these are the hallmarks of health information in the United States.

GRAN HOTEL, THE OLDEST HOTEL STILL FUNCTIONING IN MERIDA MEXICO

Opened in 1901, the Gran Hotel in Mérida is the city's oldest hotel, showcasing French neo-Classical architecture that has attracted numerous movie producers and photographers. Its guestbook includes names such as Fidel Castro, Charles Lindbergh, Douglas Fairbanks, and César Augusto Sandino. With its majestic building, constructed in 1900, the Gran Hotel has remained a landmark in the heart of Mérida for over 90 years. This elegant and iconic downtown structure evokes the Belle Époque of Mexico. It has long been a gathering place for artists, writers, models, and a central location for filmmakers. Restored in 1987 to its original French neo-Classical style, the Gran Hotel offers one of the richest experiences in comfort and hospitality in southeastern Mexico. As the saying goes, "The Gran Hotel is Mérida. If you haven’t been to the Gran, you haven’t been to Mérida."

My love affair with the Gran Hotel coincided with my growing affection for the city of Mérida. At the time, I was a visiting student at the School of Medicine at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Back then, there were multiple daily flights between Miami and Mérida; now, there's only one.

Roberto, a wellspring of Mérida's history, has worked at the Gran Hotel since 1978, yet remains tight-lipped about its past. Remarkably, in its 123-year history, the hotel has been owned by just two local families.

Tonight, I’m staying in the very room where a prominent American icon from the 1930s stayed back in 1934.