The Case of the Yellow Car; Moroccan Spice-Rubbed Salmon

Health Tip:

You are more likely to have a good day and feel better if you do the following:  “Whatever is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” Philippians 4:8. 

Monthly Article:

The Case of the Yellow Car

Many years ago I decided it would be really fun to have a yellow car.  I was going to be very particular about the color yellow because I didn’t want just any yellow color.  I was not used to seeing yellow as a common color for cars.  A very interesting thing began to happen, though.  I started seeing yellow cars EVERYWHERE!  Was there a sudden influx of yellow cars onto the roads since I made that decision?  No, that would be silly.  The only thing that changed was me.  Because I was thinking about yellow cars, I started noticing the ones that were out there.  There still were not a lot but much more than I had ever noticed before.

This same phenomenon happens when people start thinking they are the only ones not a couple; they start seeing couples everywhere.  Or start thinking of starting a family – babies, children and pregnant women everywhere.

This fun phenomenon has a few names.  One is Frequency Illusion.  Another is ‘Baader-Meinhof’.  A Stanford University linguist, Arnold Zwicky, said in 2005: “the frequency illusion involves two processes. The first is selective attention, which is when you notice things that interest you most while disregarding the rest. The second is confirmation bias, which is when you look for things that support your way of thinking while disregarding things that don’t.” (Reference Link below)

The reason I bring up this fascinating phenomenon is that you can use it to your advantage for your health.  If you concentrate on illness and negative things you will see it everywhere.  You are programing your brain and mind to look for the negatives.  Instead, start training your brain and mind to look for healing and positives.  We really do need to count our many blessings!  The more you train your mind to look for the positives, the more you will see them and be able to enjoy them.  Because your mind has tremendous power over your body, focusing on the positives has the potential to improve your health as well!  BONUS!  Happy and healthier!

Philippians 4:8 NIV

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

https://www.healthline.com/health/baader-meinhof-phenomenon last access May 20, 2025

Recipe of the Month:

Moroccan Spice-Rubbed Salmon

This blend of spices gives the salmon an Indian/Moroccan taste.  The sautéed onions are optional, but highly recommended.

Prep time: 20 minutes              Cook time: 8 minutes               Makes: 2 servings

Rub

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon ground turmeric

¼ teaspoon sea salt

¼ teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon garam masala or curry powder

1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

Fish

2 (6-ounce) salmon filets

Topping

1 small onion, sliced in rounds

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1.      Preheat the oven to 450°F.

2.      Combine all the ingredients for the rub.

3.      Spread the rub on the flesh side of the salmon filets.

4.      Cook the fish without turning for 8 minutes, or until the fish flakes with a fork.

5.      While the fish is cooking, sauté the onion in the oil.  Place the sautéed onion rounds on top of the fish for the last 2 minutes of cooking.

Cook’s Note:  If you have never used these spices, you might be hesitant about this recipe, but giving it a try might just open a whole new world of delicious possibilities to you and your family.

Recipe taken with permission from:  Recipes for Repair:  A Lyme Disease Cookbook by Gail Piazza and Laura Piazza, page 93.

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  Tuesday June 3 at 6:15

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