Healing Pumpkin Seeds | Comparative Advantage | Fitzgerald’s Intelligence Test
Post #31 from November 26, 2023
1/ Healthy: Tis the Season for Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkins were one of the first crops grown for human consumption in North America, traceable over 7,500 years to the Oaxacan Highlands of Mexico.
Pumpkin is ubiquitous during this season of the year for dishes and deserts, but rarely do you see the seeds put to good use. Despite the lack of popularity, the little green powerhouses, nestled within white shells, are a nutritional treasure trove. Packed with fiber, protein, antioxidants, and particularly in magnesium. Maintaining healthy magnesium levels is crucial for blood pressure, blood sugar, heart, and bone health. One lesser known benefit is from the presence of manganese, Vitamin K, Zinc and phosphorous, which can aid in wound healing.
Incorporating pumpkin seeds into your diet is as simple as buying a pre-shelled bag from your grocer, and there are various ways to enjoy them, from raw to roasted.
For a more advanced approach, consider opting for sprouted seeds or try sprouting at home. Sprouting enhances the breakdown and metabolism of fibers and nutrients, making them more readily available for your body.
Healing Pumpkin Seeds Recipe
1 cup pumpkin seeds
1 tablespoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne (for a kick)
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
Mix these ingredients in a bowl to coat the seeds, then bake in a preheated oven at 300°F for approximately 15 minutes. Let them cool in the oven. Do not add salt.
2/ Wealthy: The Theory of Comparative Advantage
At its core, comparative advantage is the ability to produce a specific good or service at a lower opportunity cost than others (i.e. trading partners). This economic theory, popularized by David Ricardo, encourages specialization in whatever you do best, fostering mutually beneficial relations between mass cooperations such as nations.
In the early 19th century, economists Thomas Malthus and David Ricardo engaged in a pivotal debate on England's foreign trade. Malthus advocated for trade barriers, fearing overpopulation's impact on food production. In response, Ricardo proposed the principle of comparative advantage in 1817, asserting that countries benefit from trade based on their specialization with the lowest opportunity cost. This is achieved by the suggestion that a good's value is determined by the labor hours invested in its production.
England embraced Ricardo's ideas, leading to a significant shift towards free trade and economic opportunities. This move, coupled with industrial expansion fueled by international trade, positioned England as Europe's wealthiest country. Comparative advantage remains central to global trade negotiations, prominently featured in World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements.
In today's global economy, comparative advantage guides nations to focus on producing goods with the lowest opportunity costs. For instance, consider the tech industry. While Silicon Valley specializes in cutting-edge technology, it also engages in trade with industries like manufacturing and finance. This mirrors the concept of individuals specializing in areas they know well, while still benefiting from what others specialize in.
Takeaway for Investors:
Just as nations specialize for economic success, investors can apply this principle to their portfolios. Identify your financial strengths and invest where your advantage lies. If you have a deep understanding of technology trends, focus on tech stocks. However, like nations engage in trade, diversify your investments. Trade between people, in the form of diversified investments, ensures you benefit from various industries and trends, optimizing your wealth strategy.
3/ Wise: Fitzgerald’s Intelligence Test
F. Scott Fitzgerald, amidst the cultural upheaval of the Jazz Age, summed up the measure of intellignce:
"The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function."
The Jazz Age, an era of societal shifts and cultural transformation, serves as the backdrop to Fitzgerald's insight. It championed the connections and contradictions in ideas, and found ways for them to interact. Jazz employs nuance and cooperation at the same time, and Fitzgerald saw the mind’s best function in a similar way. Inundated with diverse perspectives and conflicting narratives, this notion of holding opposing ideas resonates more than ever.
Stay healthy, wealthy, and wise.
With warmth,
Fernando R.F.
(Note: This blog is not written by a medical or financial professional. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle, especially if you have any underlying health conditions. They can provide personalized guidance tailored to your individual needs. It is important to do your own research and determine the best course of action together with an expert.)
Go Deeper:
https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/09/world/the-seeds-of-history-a-find-in-mexico.html
https://www.pbs.org/food/the-history-kitchen/history-pumpkins-recipes/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-benefits-of-pumpkin-seeds#TOC_TITLE_HDR_13