IS THE FLU (OR SOMETHING WORSE) LURKING IN YOUR KITCHEN?

Now that flu season is upon us, here is something you may not have thought off when it comes to flu prevention.  Studies have shown that around 30% of all kitchen sponges tested positive for the flu virus!  Just imagine what else may be lurking there!  If you use a kitchen sponge, be sure to disinfect it daily!  I have one I use on my stove, etc. I run it through my dishwasher every time I run it.  I prefer to use heavy-duty paper towels or dish cloths.  One use with the paper towel then it goes into the trash! Dish clothes go into the washer with hot water and a small amount of bleach. Don't let yourself or your family get sick over something as simple as a dirty sponge.

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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.

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SOME TIPS FOR FIGHTING COLDS AND FLU

The dreaded colds and flu can make us sick and miserable. Here are some foods that have been proven scientifically to be beneficial in fighting both colds and flu.

• Chicken Soup is known to help clear clogged airways, and the broth is nourishing to the body.
• Hot and Spicy Foods, such as garlic, onion, hot peppers and hot sauces, help break up congestion.
• Garlic, mentioned above, seems to especially reduce cold and flu symptoms. Use garlic liberally when cooking.
• Cirtus Fruits increase one's intake of vitamin C, a known fighter of colds and flu. Drink juice, add the fruit to salads or cottage cheese or simply eat the whole fruit. Potatoes, Bell Peppers (especially red ones), Strawberries and Pineapple are also good sources of vitamin C and should be part of your cold and flu fighting arsenal.
• Ginger, this spice is also known as a good cold and flu fighter. Add ginger to soups, stews, etc. You can also make yourself a cup of ginger tea as it is a good cold and flu fighter.
• Fluids are important at all times but especially so when fighting colds and flu. It is very important to stay hydrated, especially when running a fever. But your choice of beverages can make a difference. It is best to cut back on coffee and sodas and to increase one's intake of water and pure fruit juices. Hot tea and hot water with lemon added are also good choices.

I'm sure this is an incomplete list, but it is a good starting point. During cold or flu season, use some of these tips to keep yourself healthy, If you do get a cold or flu, this list can be helpful in helping your misery and to recover faster.

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GOOD IDEA FOR COLDS AND FLU

What a great idea anytime, but especially during cold and flu season. This will help keep from spreading germs everywhere. Such a simple solution to keep others safe from our germs. Attach an empty tissue box to a full box. After using a tissue, simply discard it in the empty box.

HOW STAR ANISE BOOSTS IMMUNITY

Spices have healing properties that we often don't realize. Since we are in cold and flu season, I thought it would be good to mention star anise. Do you ever take Tamiflu when ill? You probably didn't realize that two of the compounds in star anise are used to make Tamiflu. Those compounds are shikimic acid and quercetin. Imagine that, properties in this spice are used in making medicine to combat the flu! According to the Journal of Medical Virology, simply boosting your intake of these antioxidants can significantly increase your body's production of immune cells.

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COULD EATING BREAKFAST HELP PREVENT COLDS AND FLU?

We are all familiar with the fact that we need to eat breakfast and I like to add a healthy breakfast.

The Cleveland Clinic gives us another reason to do so.  According to the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Editors, studies done at Cardiff University in Wales, show that those who eat breakfast  are less likely to suffer from colds, etc.  Perhaps this coming cold and flu season it would be helpful to eat a healthy breakfast everyday.

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DR. TRAVIS STORK ON FIGHTING COLDS AND FLU

This is a repeat post. I have no idea where Dr Stork is today. I just thought it would be good to repost since we are into cold and flu season.

When Travis Stork, M.D., an emergency medicine physician at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee and cohost of the TV show The Doctors, was ask how he kicks colds and flu he replied, "When I get a scratchy throat, I gargle with warm salt water and eat more fruits and veggies........." He went on to say, "I also rinse my nasal passages with saline mist when I feel stuffy, once in the morning and once before bed. It's like washing away the cold virus." Sounds like some pretty good advice for us. Ever notice how many times the experts talk about eating fruits and vegetables?

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EAT GARLIC DURING COLD AND FLU SEASON

As we head toward Fall with its cold and flu season you may want to up your intake of garlic. Yes, garlic - that smelly garlic is very good for you!  One of garlic's important health benefits is that it helps the immune system by increasing the production of white-blood cells.  White-blood cells are disease fighters and we all want a good healthy supply of them.  The good thing about garlic is that it can be used in so many foods such as soups, sauces, marinades, etc.

VITAMIN C F00DS FOR FIGHTING OFF COLDS AND FLU

Cold and flu season is upon us. Remember that vitamin-C is a big help in fighting off colds and flu.  Here is a list of foods that are high in vitamin-C so be sure to include them regularly in your diet! It is always a good idea to build up our immune systems to help fight off anything that may come our way.

• Hot Chili Peppers: 1/2 cup contains: 182mg vitamin C, or 303% DV
• Bell Peppers: 10 strips contain: 95.4mg vitamin C, or 159% DV
• Guava 1/2 cup contains: 188mg vitamin C, or 314% DV
• Kale 1 cup, chopped, contains: 80.4mg vitamin C, or 134%
• 1 cup pineapple chunks contains: over 131% of daily needs

Other foods high in vitamin-C that should be included in your diet are broccoli, Brussels sprouts, strawberries, oranges, cantaloupe and papaya.

WOMEN AND WALKING

Almost all of us can walk.  If you can walk, you need to be doing so.  I am a big advocate of taking a far from the door parking space at the mall, carrying in groceries, etc, one bag at a time, taking the stairs when possible, etc.  These simple things keep you moving and give you much needed exercise.  But I am talking about real walking here, at least 20 to 30 minutes at a time.  Consider these facts:

• According to a Harvard Medical School study, walking just three hours a week cuts the risk of heart attack and stroke in women ages 40 to 65 by 40%.
• Women who walk 40 to 45 minutes 5 times a week are sick with colds or flu only half as often as sedentary women.  This information comes from Appalachian State University.

Just those two statistics alone should be enough to get one moving!  And there are many more benefits to walking.

The good thing about walking is that it is available to almost everyone.  No expensive equipment, a gym is not required, etc.  According to Kathy Smith, a fitness instructor, "Walking is an equal opportunity exercise.  There aren't any biases against uncoordinated people, and everyone knows how to do it.  It's a 'no excuses' workout because you don't need equipment or a gym."

The statistics in this post are on women.  However, walking is a good exercise for men, women, and children!

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DR. TRAVIS STORK ON PREVENTING COLDS AND FLU

Dr. Travis Stork is not only a popular TV personality from the show The Doctors, he is also an ER physician.  He says one of the best ways to prevent colds and flu is to avoid touching your nose, eyes, or mouth before washing your hands.  This is a quote from Dr. Travis.

"If I shake hands with people, I don't rub my eyes until I've washed my hands.  I think it's one of the reasons I rarely get sick.  I haven't had the flu since I was a kid."

An important reminder to us all as we head into cold and flu season! Personally, I would add this is very important to help prevent the spread of covid.

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SPICE RACK REMEDIES

 Have you ever considered your spice rack as a medicine cabinet? As strange as that may sound, it is a good idea. To enlighten us all, I have decided to do a 'spice rack remedies' post from time to time. If you have taking medications, as many do, try using more spices to help with your health situations. Below are the first two I will post.

• Ginger - Ginger relieves inflammation associated with arthritic conditions, soothes nausea and indigestion, and helps fight colds and flu. I can personally say I have used ginger for years and it has helped my inflammation and stomach issues. According to Andrew Weil, MD, a graduate of Harvard Medical School and a leading proponent of Natural Healing, ginger can reduce joint stiffness and swelling as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. One possible risk is that excessive use by pregnant women may cause miscarriage and/or heartburn.
• Caraway - Aids digestion. Also acts as an antispasmodic which can be helpful in treating menstrual cramps. No known risks.

These are just brief points on these spices. You can look them up online for more details if you are interested in a particular one.

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