PARSLEY IS FOR MORE THAN DECORATION

Yes, parsley sprinkled on foods make them look pretty but according to researchers at the University of Missouri it does a lot more than that. Parsley is a very good source of apigenin, an antioxidant the researchers suggest can stop breast cancer cells from growing. Eating a few ounces of parsley daily is a good way to keep the apigenin in your blood stream. Other apigenin-rich foods include mint and celery. Another benefit of eating parsley is that it helps to control bad breath.

ALCOHOL AND ENDOMETRIAL CANCER

The International Journal of Cancer has reported that having two or more alcoholic drinks a day raises estrogen levels and doubles endometrial cancer risk.

BOOST YOUR RESISTANCE TO STOMACH FLU (NOROVIRUSES)

Do you ever wonder why some people are always getting a "stomach bug" while others never seem to? There is a simple explanation why many people who are exposed to a norovirus never get sick. Ready? Here it is...they have an abundance of "good" bacteria in their digestive tract. The "good" bacteria crowds out the "bad" bacteria before it has a chance to make them sick. To up your norovirus resistance do something as simple as eating a cup a day of yogurt that contains live bacteria, according to Jeanne Drisko, M.D., integrative medicine researcher at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Protect your little ones, especially now that they are in school, by giving them a "child-size" yogurt daily. Be sure the yogurt you choose says, "live cultures" or "live bacteria".

Note: This is not an endorsement of the brand. This is only to show the Live Cultures on the carton.

WHAT TO EAT WHILE RECOVERING FROM STOMACH FLU

Continuing with yesterday's post regarding stomach flu - should you be unlucky enough to get stomach flu (norovirus) you will not doubt try to avoid food at first. Here are some tips on what to eat to settle a queasy stomach:

• Take small but frequent sips of water. No gulping, just sips.
• Start back on food with easy-to-digest foods such as saltines or other bland crackers, rice, chicken (not greasy fried!), and bananas, cinnamon and/or jello.
• Avoid the following for a day or so until your stomach feels settled: caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods, and dairy.
• Pain or fever? Take tylenol (acetaminophen) as it is easier on the stomach that similar meds.

GREENS HELP PROTECT FROM STOMACH FLU

The stomach flu or what doctors sometimes call acute gastroenteritis is a nasty thing dreaded by one and all. With school starting and our kids exposed to this dreaded vomiting and diahhrea malady here is some info on helping to prevent an outbreak at your house. The 'stomach flu' is easy to catch because it is caused by a highly contagious group of 'bugs' called noroviruses. One of the best preventatives is frequent hand washing. But how about some green veggies to also help?

The digestive tract produces its own immune cells that are highly capable of quashing noroviruses if you have enough of them. According to British researchers you can triple your body's ability to produce these infection fighters in your digestive tract by eating cruciferous vegetables daily.  Cruciferous veggies include kale, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, etc. The researchers suggested 1 cup a day (for adults) for optimum results.