Don’t judge a weed by its cover. If a dandelion weren’t classified as a weed, it would probably be a cherished flower. When you think about it, dandelions are pretty darn cool. They even have health benefits. So why do they get such a bad rap?

If you look up the definition of a weed, it says, “a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth.” I find it interesting that the definition has so much subjectivity to it. One person’s weed could be another person’s treasure, depending on how they valued it. And who says that vigorous growth in a yard is a bad thing? For me, a plant that grows without my careful nurturing is my kind of plant. We believe weeds to be the enemy because that is what we are taught to believe. What if instead we had been taught that having weeds pop up in our yard was a sign of good luck? What if a beautiful yard was the one with the most weeds? I like Ralph Waldo Emerson's take on it. He says, "A weed is a plant whose virtue has not yet been discovered." 

Think about how much time and money you put into killing the weeds in your yard—whether by pulling them individually as they pop up or by spraying them with pesticides. To me, it feels like I am working against nature rather than with it when I am fighting the weeds. And, by using pesticides to kill the weeds, I risk bringing those toxic chemicals into my home. I’m not saying that I’m ready to have a yard full of weeds just yet, but I do not dislike all weeds simply because they have been classified as such. I think they should be considered on an individual basis.

Not only can there be beauty to weeds if you get past their classification as a “weed,” but there are actually some weeds that are beneficial to our health. For example, stinging nettles is a weed that pops up in the spring and is packed with nutrients. They are a good source of protein and contain high amounts of vitamins A, B, and C, as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. They are used to help arthritis and allergies, and are often used in detox diets. Dandelions aren’t just pretty to look at and fun to blow on, they are packed with minerals such as iron, potassium, beta-carotene, and vitamins A, C, and D. Dandelions are good for cleansing the liver and can help support the digestive system. This is not to say that all weeds are good, it is simply to say that not all weeds are inherently bad.

While I’m plugging weeds, I’d also like to put in a good word for native plants. A native (or indigenous) plant is one that has developed over hundreds or thousands of years in a particular region. They have adapted to the geography and climate of that region. This is in contrast to a non-native plant which has been introduced by humans. Native plants typically require less fertilizer, water, and care than their non-native counterparts which is good for you and the environment. (By the way, weeds can be native or non-native.)

When planning your garden, how about working with nature and finding out which plants are indigenous to your area? And, when you see a weed pop up, rather than immediately reaching for the weed-killer which is full of toxins, try seeing the weed in a new light. Is it a weed because you really don’t want it growing there or is it a weed because others have told you it’s a weed?

I have a terrible memory. However, I remember an event from over 15 years ago that didn't even happen to me. I was the spectator. I was in the airport at baggage claim waiting for my luggage. There was a woman with three kids traveling alone, waiting for her luggage. She had her arms full with carry-on bags and her kids were running around. As she stood there, the bottom of the paper bag that she was holding ripped and all of the contents in her bag dropped to the floor.

Did she yell at her kids?

No.

Did she fly into a rage?

No.

Did she cry?

No.

She laughed.

To this day, I remember this woman and her reaction. It stands out in my mind because it is not a reaction that would typically come from me in such a situation. Fortunately I am married to a man who has a similar temperament to the woman at the airport. A few years back, we had traveled to Northern Canada to see polar bears. We were flying out of Winnipeg and we got snowed in. I love traveling, but when it is time to come home, my mind is set on coming home. Flexibility is not my strong suit.

Because of the conditions and scarcity of outbound flights, we were pushed back two days. I was upset and stressed. I wanted to go home. While my first reaction was to whine to anyone who would listen and scheme about how I could get out sooner (though there was no hope), my husband had a different impulse. He walked outside the airport doors and came back in with a small snowman he had made from the falling snow—the same snow that was preventing us from getting home.

This simple gesture reminded me to lighten up. There was nothing we could do, so why not make the most of it? I had a choice. I could be miserable for the next two mandatory days in Winnipeg or I could have fun. It reminded me of the woman in the airport. The bag broke. She could feel negative about it or she could just laugh at the craziness of traveling alone with three kids.

When I recounted this story to my friend, Raoul, he shared an example of his own. At the time, Raoul was battling a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. While he was being a full-time patient, his wife, Monique, was working full-time. Her project at the time was working on succession planning for top-level leadership in the company. Strewn about her home office were presentations, white papers, and books on Succession Planning.

One day, Monique said to Raoul, "You are not allowed to die—or at least not the same year our 10-year old dogs die.” Raoul replied, "Hmmm…you're right. I should develop my own succession plan if I kick the bucket. Since we’ve been married almost 10 years, you would not be very good at dating, so let's figure out who will take my place. Tell me what you are looking for in your next husband and I’ll start to do a search for you."

Raoul says that this conversation led to many laughs along the way during his eight month battle fighting the cancer. They would tease about what Monique was looking for and whether, like Raoul, he had to speak Spanish and love Greyhound dogs. Raoul said that the whole journey and how they handled it together brought them closer than they had ever been in their relationship. Death was staring them in the face and they chose to laugh. Fortunately, no succession plan was needed.

How we react to the stressors in our lives can absolutely affect our health. Studies show that people who have a positive outlook and feel a sense of control over their lives have been found to have fewer illnesses, fewer doctor visits, faster healing, improved survival after heart attacks, and increased survival time with breast cancer.

I haven't mastered the art of finding humor in typically stressful situations, but I'm working on it. How about you?

Outside Winnipeg airport, 2005

You are your own best advocate of your health. The government, your doctors, the pharmaceutical companies, your friends, and your family all may have the best intentions for you, but you are the one most motivated to help yourself. And, you are the one that knows the most about what is best for you.

My neighbor had breast cancer a couple of years ago and had chemotherapy as treatment. She ended up in the hospital from a severe reaction to it. Recently, her doctors recommended chemo again for a new cancer. She didn’t want to do it, but her doctor and husband encouraged her to do it. So, she did. She ended up in the hospital again, this time with a mild heart attack. Even while she was in the hospital from the heart attack, her husband told her she should still continue with the chemo. She knew, as she had known before, that chemo was not the right course of treatment for her. She is now following her gut and not doing any additional chemo treatments.

This is not about the pros and cons of chemo; this is about trusting yourself to know what is best for you. My neighbor knew that chemo was not right for her, but she let herself get talked into it with near fatal consequences. My sister had stage 3 breast cancer and is 12 years cancer-free. She had very aggressive chemo treatments and would be the first to tell you that these treatments saved her life. There is not one right solution for everyone. We are all different in our biochemical makeup and, as a result, we will have different reactions to treatments.

Remember that you are the expert of your own health. You know what is best for your body. Trust yourself. See your doctors as partners in your health care. Listen to what they have to say and decide for yourself if it is right for you. Doctors and hospitals are not without error. Almost 100,000 people die each year from infections they acquire in the hospital and nearly as many die from medical errors.

If your doctor tells you to do something that doesn't feel right to you, follow your instinct. My dad recently went to a doctor who wanted him to sign a document that said he would do exactly what the doctor told him to do. If he did not sign the document and adhere to the recommendations, the doctor would no longer treat my dad. My dad went elsewhere.

If your doctor does not make time for you or listen to you, find another doctor. Studies show that the care we receive from health care professionals can affect our healing. For example, one study was done where patients were either treated by an anesthesiologist that had a warm and caring bedside manner or a cold and cursory one. Those patients who got five minutes of extra care and attention before their surgeries needed only half the pain medication and were released from the hospital on average over two days sooner than the patients who had been addressed in the more cursory manner. Demand the care you deserve and don’t settle for anything less.

Do your own research, ask questions, and talk to others. As the old adage goes, “Listen to everyone. Follow no one.” Or better yet, “Listen to everyone. Follow yourself.”

Are you ready to take on the role of expert of your health?

Mahatma Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”. In this country, we run the gamut. At one end, there are animals that are treated like family members, their every need thoughtfully attended to. At the other end, there are blatant acts of cruelty against animals like hoarding, puppy mills, dog fighting, and worse. Just the other day, I heard about 15 small dogs that were dumped in the middle of a busy road, some hit by cars not able to stop in time. There is no excuse for the inhumane treatment of animals.

Many of us are well intentioned and may not realize that what we are doing is not in the best interest of our pets. Animals don't speak our language. They are dependent on us for their needs—food, water, shelter, and love. We have to be their advocates. It is a big responsibility and one that should be taken seriously. Here are a few of my "pet" peeves when it comes to pet ownership.

• Feed your pet good food. Check the ingredient list. If it says "meat or poultry by-products", it means that the food contains meat processing waste which includes "4-D" animals. These are animals that are dead, diseased, dying, or disabled. This meat often contains tumors and drugs used to treat the animals before they died. You can buy quality food at pet stores, you just need to read the labels and leave behind those brands that use by-products.

• Don't declaw your cat or debark your dog. Declawing is not a simple surgery that removes a cat's nails. It is the amputation of the last bone of each toe. For a human, it would be like cutting off each finger at the last knuckle. Declawing is painful for the cat and can lead to future behavioral issues. Debarking your dog is just as cruel. Do your research and work to train your pet not to scratch in unwanted areas or bark inappropriately.

• Spay or neuter your pet. This is the best way to help reduce the overpopulation of animals.

• Don't leave your dog alone in a parked car. Dogs can easily suffer heatstroke which can be fatal, even if your car is parked in the shade with the windows open. A parked car with the windows opened slightly can reach over 100 degrees within ten minutes when it is 85 degrees outside. Within a half an hour, it can reach 120 degrees in the car. If you see a dog in a parked car, try to find the owner or call the authorities.

• Leave the bike at home. I cringe every time I see a dog being pulled along by an owner on a bike. The intention of wanting to exercise your pet is great, but it is dangerous for you and the pet. There are certain dogs that need a lot of exercise and biking may be the best way for you to give them the exercise they need. Please just be mindful when you are doing it. Let your dog set the pace. Your dog should be running ahead of the bike. Being on a leash and attached to a moving bike does not allow the dog to slow down or stop when needed. It can also create a road hazard for others around you. Why not join your dog on the ground and get yourself some more exercise?

• Don't buy your pet from a pet store or breeder. Save a life and go to your local shelter. Millions of perfectly adoptable animals are euthanized every year. When we get our pets from breeders and pet stores, we create consumer demand for them. There are numerous puppy mills that mass produce puppies and then sell them to animal dealers and pet stores.

• Secure your dog when driving. If you have a pickup truck, let your dog sit in the front with you, not in the back. Approximately 100,000 dogs die every year from falling or jumping out of a moving truck and a similar number are injured. If the dog has to ride in the back, consider getting a top so that the dog is enclosed. If this is not feasible, you can look into cross-tethering (securing a rope on both sides of the truck and making sure it is short enough so the dog does not jump while still chained) or securing a pet carrier. Pickup trucks are the worse offenders, but even riding in cars can be dangerous for dogs. You ride protected by a seatbelt. Why not show the same courtesy to your dog? There are dog car harnesses that you can buy. It is worth doing the research to provide a safe ride for your four-legged friend.

• When the going gets rough, don't leave your pet behind! Just because your pet is getting older and having more accidents on the carpet, doesn't mean it is time to get rid of it. Remember that you made a commitment for life when you brought your pet home. As animals get older, they are less likely to get adopted. There may be circumstances in your life where it is simply not possible to care for your animal any longer. In that case, do your best to find a good home. 

This may seem like a lot of responsibility, and it is. However, what you give to your pets, you get back magnified. A quote I came across recently said, “There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face”. How true this is. There are numerous studies that show positive physiological and psychological responses when people have contact with their pets. Research shows that pets lower our resting heart rate, reduce our blood pressure, increase our mood, and lower our anxiety. It has also been shown that survival rates for heart patients are higher among pet owners than non-pet owners, and that elderly people who own pets visit their doctor less.

Go give your pets a hug now and thank them for promoting your health. Do you vow to give them what they need for their best health?

French fries and pastrami sandwiches are not good for our diet and they certainly aren’t good for a bird’s diet, yet recently I've seen friends on separate occasions feed birds this processed and unhealthy food without a thought for the bird's welfare. It may feel like you are communing with nature when a bird eats a fry off of your plate, but you are actually harming the bird. These foods are not a regular part of a bird’s diet and can cause significant health problems, including death.

Harm to wildlife comes not just by eating the actual unhealthful food, but also by their becoming dependent on us for their food, interrupting their normal migration patterns. This can result in them staying too long in an environment that will not support them through the winter or can lead to overpopulation which leads to starvation. It can also become a nuisance where the birds become aggressive in parks and beaches because they have become accustomed to getting food from humans.

In addition to not feeding wildlife, it is also best not to touch them. I have a friend who touched a sea turtle in Hawaii for his own amusement, despite the fact that he knew he wasn't supposed to. There is even a law against doing so in order to protect the turtles. In most cases, people are not intentionally abusing the wildlife; they are simply self-focused. Next time you encounter wildlife, try to be mindful of doing what’s best for them, not you.

Although I’ve always respected wildlife, my friend Suzanne has helped me take it to a whole new level. My perspective now goes beyond birds and sea turtles and includes worms and bugs. When Suzanne is out on her morning run during the rainy season, she stops to save every worm that is on the path. She picks them up with a stick and moves them to safety, out of harms way from walkers, runners, and cyclists. When she swims in her pool, she does her first warm up lap scanning the pool for any bees, flies, spiders, or grasshoppers that need a little boost out of the water. She even moves them to a shaded area so they don’t overheat in the sun while trying to recover from their swimming ordeal. Suzanne also has a no-kill method for getting hard to capture flies safely out of her house. If there is a fly in her kitchen, she will turn off the lights inside and turn on the lights outside. She then opens the patio door and watches as the fly heads out the door toward the light.

I think we can all be inspired to see the beauty in and have compassion for all living creatures like Suzanne does. When we do, we are less likely to act from a self-focused place and more likely to act in the best interest of the fellow life we’ve encountered.

Next time you encounter wildlife, will you do what is best for them, not you?