Meet The Amazing Bonobos

Yesterday provided a lot of conversation about the Biggest Loser.  Carol, thanks for your feedback, in “comment.”  Erica, thanks for pointing out that the first challenge, with the tennis balls in the canisters, was what you called “mean spirited.”  Yes, it would have been a better indication of their own athleticism if they had to put the balls in their OWN canisters.  Instead, we saw the alliances and who wanted who out, all a part of what makes this a game.  Its amazing how much I can love and hate something so much.  As you pointed out, Erica, people love to watch a “train wreck.”  Sad, but definitely true.

Yesterday, after my classes at Ballys, once all my students had left the room, I picked up a hula hoop to see if I still had some hooping in me.  Like riding a bicycle, it comes right back.  I can see where a weighted one would surely be in order for this to be a great workout.  Once you get a rhythm going, you hardly have to move, so I wasn’t feeling that the unweighted one was a very good workout for me.  I was also “over it” in just a few minutes but that said, I WILL consider a weighted one for my home gym.  I love variety!

Last night was a great example of how simple a plant-based dinner can be.  I sauteed up some already sliced baby bella mushrooms and put them on top of a bowl of a bowl of whole wheat pasta shells with marinara sauce.  With a garden salad on the side and a glass of red wine, dinner was done!  This is one meal that Mitch and I can both enjoy and no animals need to be harmed in the process.  For anyone that wants to go meatless even one night a week, this is a great, affordable dinner that most everyone finds yummy.

Ok, so did anyone see Oprah on Monday and have the chance to “meet” Kanzi and baby Teco?  These apes (Bonobos) are able to understand and communicate with humans.  Using lexigrams (keyboards that repeat words aloud) 29 year-Kanzi can communicate hundreds of words, but his trainer, Sue Savage, says he probably has a vocabulary in the thousands!  After tasting kale, but not finding it on the lexigram, he put together the words HARD and LETTUCE, showing he not only understands, but can think things out, as well.  Baby Teco is being raised on the lexigram and Dr. Sue says it is possible that someday he might speak.  Another amazing thing that Kanzi can do is blow up balloons.  While one may think this is NOT a big deal, it has always been believed that humans are the only species that can control their breath, but watching Kanzi, we clearly see this is WRONG.  He has complete control over his breath.  I saved the episode on DVR to re-watch.  It was that worth it.  If you haven’t seen it, see if you can find it on line.  If you ever have questioned how much animals can understand (or feel!) you must watch this.

As I sit at my computer, my big red guy is at my feet patiently waiting for breakfast.  My petite little grand-kitty is behind me eating hers.  I am so grateful to have them in my life.  The more I learn about animals, the more connected to them I feel.  This is why we must not fear those that are different from us–we just need to get to know them so that our circles become one.  Our commonalities are so much greater than what divides us.  WE ARE ALL CONNECTED!