The spring season and the confluence of Easter, Ramadan, and Passover is a good reminder about the importance of fasting. I was reminded of this while attending a wonderful recent event. Joyce and I were invited to an Annual Interfaith Iftar hosted by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain at the lovely Middle East Institute honoring the works of interfaith leaders and highlighted by Chef Jose Andres and his company World Central Kitchen. The gracious hosts were the dynamic and humble couple H.E. Ambassador Shaikh Abdulla R. Al Khalifa and H.E. Shaikha Aisha Al Khalifa who have a wonderful philosophy on deep health and sacred living.
Imam Magid discussed the importance of expanding the concept of fasting to include good deeds and helping others. In an age of Orthorexia- a pathological obsession with “correct” eating- it is important that we realize that joy is also a nutrient and we should look to be both flexible and have deeper goals. This could include changing our approaches to not just food but actions, thoughts, and behaviors not least of which may be our use of technology. To balance and control our passions is arguably more valuable than removing a food.
Rachel Marie Stone has written:
Fasting is a person’s whole-body natural response to life’s sacred moments. A unified perception of body, soul, spirit, and mind creates an environment where fasting is natural. Fasting, then, is the body expressing what the entire person yearns for: healing, wisdom, courage.
Fasting- Deep Dive
I’ve updated the detailed fasting writeup I share with patients and have included information on common questions about Intermittent Fasting (IF), Alternate Day Fasting (ADF), One Meal A Day (OMAD), and Circadian Rhythm Fasting to name a few. I’ve also referenced important research on the need to have adequate protein to ensure no loss of muscle mass.
March Madness
Speaking of joy also being a nutrient, it’s that time of year when many of us become experts in sports prognostication and immerse ourselves in the exciting world of college basketball. I wanted to point out and showcase and also brag about the work of my cousin Spero Dedes who is a CBS Sports TV Play by Play broadcaster for Men’s College Basketball. Spero does not only broadcast college basketball but also does play-by-play for CBS NFL TV with Adam Archuletta, who many of you may remember during his career as a Washington Redskin. My cousin also is PxP for Turner Sports TV coverage of the NBA.
Spero is very humble but many in the industry have told me about his exceptional skills and gracious support of those in his challenging field. We grew up close together in NJ -our grandmothers were sisters-and I got to see firsthand his budding skill set as a talkative youngster and good athlete. Spero remains passionate about his health and fitness and can be seen on the road in the gym, using saunas, and getting in his veggies and lamb.
Spero’s unique journey in the industry took off as the voice of the LA Lakers doing radio play-by-play during their heyday (2005-2011) and then progressed to include work on NFL TV and NBA TV, Olympics, radio PxP for our hometown NY Knicks, preseason SD Chargers games, and then full-time work for CBS Football and College Basketball in 2009/2010.
He’s been a busy man already having called the play in games including the difficult loss of our local University of Virginia men’s team earlier this week.
His schedule for today includes:
- 1140am Colgate v Baylor
- 210 pm New Mexico v Clemson
- 550pm Texas A&M v Nebraska
- 820pm Longwood v Houston
Look for this and other games through the next few weeks from Spero and his good team. Good luck to everyone in their brackets!
