Be Healthy, Be Well

Unless you've been living in a remote cave recently, you know there is a flu epidemic sweeping the nation this year.  Details grab the news headlines every day.  People are being hospitalized and some are even dying.  It is truly the issue of the winter season.  I have no idea why it's so bad....I'm sure there's a scientific explanation out there somewhere.

You've heard about washing your hands, and sneezing/coughing in the bend of your elbow.  Ok...those are good practices...but there's certainly more to it than that.  In fact, precautions should be year-round, not something you decide to jump on when you start hearing all the bad news, hoping you can escape the assault.  It's not too late to start with the tips I'm going to give you, however, there is certainly no guarantee that starting now might keep you from getting sick.   There's really no guarantee, period....but there is 'insurance' in putting these into practice.   I can not say it enough...you need to be in a habit of making good health decisions January through December.

Your environment inside and out is one of those gray areas, because some of it you can control and some you can't.  Start in your own home.  Do not use harsh chemicals.  These are what I consider the 'mainstream' cleaning products that are on the market....those that are 'synthetic' (full of man-made ingredients).  You should be using eco-friendly (pet/child safe) products.  Buy organic....use natural essential oils to boost the value of your cleaning.  Add several drops of eucalyptus, tea tree oil and/or camphor  to your cleaning products.  These are naturally antibiotic, antiviral, antiseptic and antifungal oils.

Stay on top of your nutritional needs.  Be sure to eat foods as close to nature as possible.  Avoid processed flours and sugars.  Ditch the junk and fast food....it stresses your immune system.  Challenge yourself to eat 5 to 6 different colored fruits/vegetables every day.  Dark green leafy vegetables are full of healthy nutrients that build up your immune system.  Choosing to eat properly 90% of the time is a good start.  Drink plenty of clear water.  Lay off the soda pop and other sugary drinks.  Don't over-do caffeine.  Ground flaxseed is a powerhouse supplement to include in your food.  Add quality pro-biotics such as organic yogurt and kefir to your diet. Start your morning with half a fresh lemon squeezed into 8 ounces of hot water.  This is an excellent liver tonic....and believe me, this is one organ you need to keep in proper working order!

Get at least 3 to 4 days of aerobic exercise for 20 to 30 minutes.  This keeps your blood flowing properly to all those internal organs.  Try to get some of your exercise outside if at all possible.  Don't over-do or expose yourself to extremely cold temperatures.  Be sure to stretch and cool down properly...keep those joints limber.  Get adequate sleep. (6 to 8 hours should be sufficient)

Just as you should be eating whole (live) foods....be sure your supplementation is a full complex, not just a 'portion' of the vitamin.  Ascorbic acid is only one part of the Vitamin C complex, thus 'incomplete'.  One of the best supplements I take, and I strongly suggest you check into is Oreganol P73 from North American Herb & Spice.  The best price I've found on it is through Tao Of Herbs (www.taoofherbs.com) This is not the kind of oregano you cook with.  It is available in several forms.  I use the drops (a couple of them) on my toothbrush each night, and I also take a capsule each day, I have utilized the drops daily for nearly a couple of years now.

Don't smoke (anything!), and avoid places where you can be exposed to second or third hand smoke.  Do not drink alcohol in excess.  All these unhealthy practices can suppress your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness.

Cover all your bases.  As I mentioned earlier, practice these things year-round...your immune system will be stronger, and hopefully well when everybody else is getting sick.  There are no 100% guarantees that you'll never get sick....but if and when you do, your body has better defenses to get you recovering sooner.

It's the choices you make each day that can equal how your body reacts to all that you're exposed to day in and day out.  Control those things you can, like these I mentioned above, and you will be ahead of the majority of those around you.  Be healthy, be well all year!