Mental Fitness
Present Traumatic Stress Disorder

Collectively, we are thrown “off balance” which is unfamiliar. We are social by nature and now we are expected to do what is “unnatural”, isolate.
FARMERS MARKETS HOME DELIVERY

To respond to the dramatic changes due to the COVID-19 restrictions, one of our local “Farmers Market Leaders” anticipated the ever-changing landscape of public health restrictions and developed a home delivery option for their patrons.
The public health experts are urging us to restrict one of our basic needs and refrain from shopping at our local grocery stores. With each day comes another safety measure to help slow down the rate of infection as we still practice 6 ft. Social Distancing”. While some of us have well stocked pantries and freezers, we still need to keep a healthy diet by purchasing fresh fruit, vegetables and eggs weekly.
Heritage Farmers Market is committed to provide farm fresh produce by offering an on-line ordering service. You can place an order for your “Farmers Market Produce Kit” and will receive a 10% discount off your first order. They provide free delivery for local orders thereby eliminating your need to have to leave the safety of your home. They work closely with their Farmers to ensure that fresh produce is still plentiful and available.
Visit Heritage Farmers Market Today!
-Victoria Jones Friend of the Pacific Electric Trail
The public health experts are urging us to restrict one of our basic needs and refrain from shopping at our local grocery stores. With each day comes another safety measure to help slow down the rate of infection as we still practice 6 ft. Social Distancing”. While some of us have well stocked pantries and freezers, we still need to keep a healthy diet by purchasing fresh fruit, vegetables and eggs weekly.
Heritage Farmers Market is committed to provide farm fresh produce by offering an on-line ordering service. You can place an order for your “Farmers Market Produce Kit” and will receive a 10% discount off your first order. They provide free delivery for local orders thereby eliminating your need to have to leave the safety of your home. They work closely with their Farmers to ensure that fresh produce is still plentiful and available.
Visit Heritage Farmers Market Today!
-Victoria Jones Friend of the Pacific Electric Trail
Nutritional Basics for Healthy Living
We’ve all heard it before: Exercise 60 minutes a day, Drink 6-8 glasses of water each day, Start the day with a healthy breakfast, Get at least 7 hours of sleep, Limit the time that you are sedentary to no more than 2 hours per day, so on and so forth…Each time we hear it we think “I’ve got to loose weight… I should start exercising tomorrow…” or some variation on the theme.
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IS IT SAFE TO RIDE BY BIKE?
“Our public health experts cannot predict when we will be “Out of the Woods” so for the time being we should all SIP, SIP, SIP (Shelter in Place) for the whole Human Race.”
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Virtual space helping businesses Evolve
We’ve all heard talk about how more and more of us will be able to work from home, helping to reduce traffic and air pollution. Employers who already incorporated working in virtual space were positioned for “Business as usual”.
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EARTH DAY CELEBRATES its' 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Earth’s resources are finite, what would happen if we all embraced Earth Day everyday instead of only one day a year?
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Victory Gardens make a COMEBACK
Growing your own food is one of the simplest, safest and economical things we can do for ourselves. Working in nature provides us with fresh air and sunshine, physical exercise while social distancing, and improved mental health. One of my first instructions in learning how to meditate was “plant a carrot . . . and watch it grow”.
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Who's behind the Mask
Living for others is a basic rule of nature. Guess it is time to start drawing a smile on my face masks so that I won’t feel like I’m hiding.
I am still smiling behind my mask ~ trying to smile with my eyes! |
What's in That Taco?
These tacos looked so appetizing and easy to assemble, that I dashed off to the market that day to pick up all the fresh ingredients for that nights’ dinner.
There were yams to peel, cube and roast... |
A Healthy Back for a Healthy Life
Now, as I age, I see my abdominal muscles getting lax and I have learned to not “overdo it” physically. If I push a physical activity too hard or if I am behind on my sleep, I pay a dear price for it. But, because of the groundwork I did when I was younger, I can still move freely without too much complaint or twinge of back pain.
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May is Bike Month
As May approaches every year, we eagerly anticipate participating in National Bike Month events throughout the month, unfortunately the arrival of COVID-19 has thrown a monkey wrench into the spokes.
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Balanced Dinner with Awesome Roasted Veggies
Sometimes my Mom would prepare frozen spinach and there never was enough to go around. We must have been craving iron in our diets because we would gobble up our spinach like there was no tomorrow, maybe Popeye had a little influence.
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Do you remember your first bicycle?
How can you ever forget seeing your first bike under the Christmas tree? I could not sleep on Christmas eve wondering if my parents picked up on my subtle hints about the kind of bike I was hoping for. The next morning, we ran into the living room and there it was parked under the tree with my name on it. I screeched in joy as it sparkled with colored tassels on the hand grips, I was still in my pajamas and could not wait to take it for a ride.
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By popular demand the resurgence of BIKING
With the current work shut down, bike sales worldwide have jumped through the roof with many bike shops selling out. From coast to coast, bike Inventory is flying off the shelves as the number of people who want to start riding again has increased over 200%...
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How Quarantine Fatigue Changed me
As some states consider reopening businesses with strict official guidelines, this seems to be premature by many and too slow by others as the health experts are predicting that we are not out of the woods by any means...
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Mental Health Benefits of Cycling
Who does not want lower cholesterol, increased flexibility, and better sleep? The brain needs a steady supply of blood to transport oxygen and nutrients for it to function at its best, which makes exercise especially important.
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BIKE TO WORK WEEK 2020 TAKES ON A NEW MEANING
If you are working from home, you can enjoy the simple pleasures of a neighborhood bike ride. Your ride does not have to be mapped out, just explore streets that you may never have ridden before and enjoy yourself. Every block opens a door to new adventure. What you may have driven numerous times becomes entirely different when slowed down and viewed from two wheels. Riding around your neighborhood, even just around the block, can provide what a lot of us need right now — a much-needed break.
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THE JOYS OF TOURING ON MY BIKE
The entire bike tour provided us with easy transportation access and a variety of restaurants to choose from. We met other travelers with bikes on Metrolink and on the return trip we reviewed the pictures we took of our bike tour to share with our friends. After a day full of eating, sight-seeing, eating on our bike tour, posing for pictures, more eating, riding, eating and more riding, it was a relief to eventually get off our feet and enjoy a comfortable ride home on the train.
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Thinking Outside The Box
This concept is not new in Europe as the many open-air plazas have operated this way for decades. In America, we may have balconies, decks and patios to dine on at restaurants and bars, but expanding to the streets will require examining all the necessary requirements to be in place, ensuring the safety of employees as well as the patrons and emergency access.
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IT’S A DOGS WORLD
My roommate has been home more than ever before, so I’ve been spending more time training him. He takes me for rides in his car; sometimes we head over to the breweries, sometimes it’s a longer ride out to LA to visit my friends. My roomie feeds me, baths me and sometimes - if he has really been a good boy - he lets me sleep at the end of his bed. He is my best friend and I think he knows it, but I don’t want him getting spoiled!
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BICYCLE EVOLUTION 150 YEAR LEGACY
Whatever bike you enjoy riding is up to you. Bike Month 2020 might turn out to be the perfect time to dust off your old bike, strap on your helmet and re-discover the joy of cycling again.
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DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
For the month of June, we would like to hear about all the fun, quirky, uplifting, interesting habits, and/or personal traits of your puppy’s adventures on the Pacific Electric Trail. Is your dog a diva or a lizard chaser? Tell us all about it. Submit your story about your walking buddy and the best story will be featured and highlighted as a blog in the last week of June. We ask that you take as many pictures relevant to both your story, and the Trail and remember to include their favorite parts of the Trail. The last day to submit a story with pictures is Sunday, June 21, 2020, at noon. All submissions to dennis.jones@petrail.org will be reviewed and placed on Facebook for voting. Looking forward to some amazing stories to kick off the start of summer.
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Collectively Moving Forward
Many others use art as a creative expression. Some will try Yoga for the first time and get hooked on the meditative, calming experience. The byproduct of meditation can be deep and meaningful healing. Whatever form of expression you choose, use that energy as your personal empowerment to create something lasting and positive.
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ON THE HORIZON – BUSINESSES SLOWLY RE-OPEN
Yet another positive sign of progress is on the horizon for the city of Laguna Beach, who are in the planning stages of isolating the busiest section of the businesses on Forest street in downtown, to pedestrian traffic only. This will allow restaurants to extend seating to the sidewalk and street and give restaurants the ability to serve the maximum number of guests and still adhere to safe distancing. The city is also considering the addition of parking complexes to accommodate for the loss in street parking adjacent to businesses on Forest street.
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WHO’S THE TOP DOG ON THE PACIFIC ELECTRIC TRAIL?
For the month of June, we would like to see pictures and hear about all the fun, quirky, uplifting, interesting habits, and/or personal traits of your puppy’s adventures on the Pacific Electric Trail. Is your dog a diva or a lizard chaser? Tell us all about it. Submit your story and a picture about your favorite walking buddy and the best story will be featured and highlighted as a blog in the last week of June. We ask that you take as many pictures relevant to both your story, and the Trail and remember to include their favorite parts of the Trail. The last day to submit a story with pictures is Sunday, June 21, 2020, at noon. All submissions to dennis.jones@petrail.org. They will be reviewed and placed on Facebook for voting. Looking forward to some amazing stories to kick off the start of summer.
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Home Remains My Sanctuary
My meditation here never disappoints and always fills my heart with peace and tranquility and has become a treasured part of my daily routine. This hand sculpted retreat/sanctuary sits outside my back door and is where I gravitate to help me solve problems, think things through, forgive, discover, and heal. Friends and family who are always welcome here have lovingly called this backyard retreat a “park” that they like to return to.
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A Walk on the Mild Side
Occasionally during a solitary hike around the Claremont Hills or while walking loops in a local park, I elect to tune out the thinking mind and tune into the sensory mind. This is my adaptation of a walking meditation, it takes a conscious effort.
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Dogs Domesticated Mankind
Children who are raised in the company of dogs become more empathetic and respectful of other living things. Dogs have been our companions for eons, living with us, protecting us, and comforting us. Canines are our best friends for many reasons, but the most important reason is unconditional love and affection.
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Fathers: our Personal Heroes
He lived his life with purpose and meaning, which naturally mirrored his favorite Native American Prayer:
Do all the good you can With all the means you can In all the ways you can To all the people you can For as long as you can |
Unveiling Our New Queen
When I am walking on the Trail, I can tell who has already been there because my nose tells me if a coyote or a pesky squirrel or rabbit or other mysterious canine cousins have been there before me.
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