How To Boost Your Immune System Against Coronavirus, Flu & Cold

March 11, 2020 by Guest Contributor

By practicing healthy living on a daily basis, we provide the best support possible to the immune system and help to prevent illness altogether. There are many active steps you can take to boost your immune system against coronavirus, flu & colds! Ol’ Benji Franklin was right!

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
-Benjamin Franklin

With that said, coming down with a cold or flu is often inevitable and now we are dealing with a whole new monster with the Coronavirus disease -COVID-19. However, if you’re practicing healthy living strategies, the chances for a less severe illness, of shorter duration and milder symptoms is much greater. And remember, getting sick now and then is okay; comparable to a musical instrument that needs tuning, so too does the immune system. It keeps us healthy and strong in the long run! Here are some quick tips for daily healthy living…

Boost Your Immune System Against Coronavirus, Flu & Cold

Make sure to rest! 8 hrs of sleep/night, don’t overdo it; proper rest is the foundation for health and the time when your body heals, repairs and restores.
Clean eating! plenty of organic, fresh fruits + veggies, hormone-free meats, minimally processed with the fewest ingredients possible… real food.
Minimize sugar! medical studies show sugar decreases white blood cell function– white blood cells are the soldiers that make up the army that is our body’s immune system. Keep ‘em healthy + strong!
Hydration! Aim for ½ of your body weight in ounces of room temperature water daily. (example: if you weight 150 lbs, aim for 75 oz water/daily)
Manage + minimize stress! Studies show stress also decreases immune function.
Go outside for fresh air + sunshine! Your body produces vitamin D naturally when it’s directly exposed to sunlight. You can also get it through certain foods and supplements to ensure adequate levels of the vitamin in your blood. Vitamin D has several important functions. Perhaps the most vital are regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and facilitating normal immune system function.
Movement + exercise! Even on days when you’re not feeling so well, if you can move or stretch gently, it will help to encourage lymph, blood, oxygen and nutrient flow throughout your body, which in turn helps to kick start healing.
As a preventative, avoid shaking hands and touching your face and wash your hands frequently.

Bone Broth… it’s oh so good for you!

One great way to beef up your nutrient status is with a batch of homemade bone broth. This soup packs a punch, containing a remarkable amount of vitamins + minerals including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and potassium.

The bones used for this broth also include collagen, a protein that is released during slow cooking to form gelatin. Gelatin can help build healthy skin, hair, and nails.

The gelatin in bone broth also protects and heals the lining of the digestive tract. The liquid is particularly rich in two amino acids, glycine and proline. Interestingly enough, these nutrients are not found in as high amounts in meat—hence the beauty of bones. Amino acids are important for digestion and a healthy gastrointestinal tract, as well as many other processes within the human body.

Reduce inflammation

Damaged joints and autoimmune diseases often result in inflammation, which can also be brought on by stress and poor diets, among other factors. Bone broth contains glucosamine and chondroitin, two compounds widely sold to reduce inflammation and to decrease joint pain. Not only may bone broth calm your joint pain, but it can also help to calm your mind by producing relaxing hormones like serotonin and GABA. Cool, huh?

Lastly, this nutrient-dense soup is a great go-to during the months when colds and flu are running rampant. The immune system loves it!

Easy Bone Broth Recipe

2020-03-11 16:02:35

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Ingredients

2-4 lbs of beef bones (most grocery stores carry, ask the meat counter if you have trouble finding them)
5 cloves of pressed garlic
Sea salt to taste
Other vegetables and herbs (think carrots, onions, cilantro, ginger) can be added but are not necessary

Instructions

Place bones, garlic, and sea salt in slow cooker, cover with water, turn slow cooker on high for 2-3 hours, then turn to low setting and cook for 10 additional hours. The longer it cooks the better the results. Let the broth cool in refrigerator, skim thin layer of fat off top or mix well into remaining broth. The broth can then be strained and stored in the refrigerator. If a large batch is made, freeze ½ for future use. Serve hot or cold. Hot is more palatable, especially during winter months.

Notes

The broth can also be used as a base for soups, stews, steaming rice or vegetables. This recipe can also be made on the stove top.If the boiling of bones seems like a task you are not quite ready to take on, many grocery stores now sale ready made bone broth, located on the soup aisles.

Baton Rouge Family Fun https://batonrougefamilyfun.com/

Boost Your Immune System: Tonic Tea Recipe

Immune Tonic Tea Recipe

2020-03-11 16:20:55

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Ingredients

1 heaping tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1-2 Tablespoons Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
½ fresh lemon
Cayenne powder- to heat tolerance

Instructions

Add all ingredients to 1 cup boiling water; sip often throughout the day during illness duration.

Baton Rouge Family Fun https://batonrougefamilyfun.com/

For more tips on healthy living, visit Rachel and Carly online at their website, www.kaleblossom.com. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.

The Healing Sole – Pain Relieving Flip-Flop – Giveaway

March 30, 2016 by Tiany Davis

All moms have experienced aching feet, many of us have experience aching, swollen feet, especially when pregnant. Tired, hurting feet are a common complaint for most people, especially those who have to stand for long periods of time, as moms, I think we can all relate! There are days when I feel as though I am on my feet from the time I hit the ground until I go to bed at night, I even eat meals standing!

These long days and extended periods of time on our feet can actually damage our feet, causing conditions like plantar fasciitis that lead to pain after a long day. I recently learned about a new shoe, a southern favorite, a flip-flop, created right here in Baton Rouge that is designed to help your feet recover after a long day of hard work or heavy activity.

The Healing Sole has been getting some much needed media attention in recent weeks, you might have caught Dr. Meredith Warner interview on WAFB’s Healthline, where she discussed the launch of her new groundbreaking invention and the many benefits it provides.

Dr. Warner developed the shoe after two tours with the U.S. Air Force as a combat surgeon in Iraq and Afghanistan. She saw the need for an easier solution to plantar fasciitis, a common and painful condition that occurs when the tissue that connects the toes to the heel (the plantar fascia) is damaged. It affects men and women, young and old, the athletic and non-athletic alike.

Dr. Warner realized that healthcare was becoming extremely expensive for her patients. With a high deductible plan, most of her patients had to pay for the treatment of their pain with cash for months before insurance would help. It is Dr. Warner’s goal to educate patients and to design, produce and provide consumer medical products to allow patients to take control of their own care. Often a foot doctor may charge a patient thousands of dollars to treat heal pain. Treatment usually involves expensive x-rays and physical therapy, painful injections and even surgery.

Dr. Meredith Warner designed a flip flop that incorporates a variety of treatment methods within one simple structure that is portable, affordable and may be used repeatedly over time. This means that there is now available a flip-flop that is actually a part of the treatment process for this painful condition. This flip flop was designed to allow the foot to recover naturally. The flip-flop is to be worn after the work day to enhance tissue rest and allow the body’s natural healing mechanisms to work. In addition, The Healing Sole flip flop was designed to be compatible with a physician’s treatment program; it does not necessarily replace that program.

THE HEALING SOLE

FEATURES DESIGNED TO:

Relieve pain from plantar fasciitis
Reduce pressure at the heel
Release stress on key areas of the foot
Recover your foot function & comfort

It is important to get an EXACT FIT of The Healing Sole for it be effective, you can find a list of retail locations here—> https://www.thehealingsole.com/retail-locations/ or you can visit an upcoming event with Dr. Warner at the Flip Flop Shop in Perkins Rowe, this Saturday, April 2, from noon until 3 p.m. Dr. Warner will be there to answer questions about heel pain and plantar fasciitis, as well as help with flip-flop fittings.

You can also find The Healing Sole online on Facebook and Twitter.

THE HEALING SOLE Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated BRM via a cash payment, gift, or giveaway. Opinions expressed herein are that of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of the sponsor.

14 Reasons I Pack Lavender Essential Oil On Roadtrips

June 23, 2015 by Jodi Stewart

It’s ROAD TRIP SEASON!! Yay!! The time of year when you load up your loved ones and all the gear you need for adventure, and head out on the road for parts unknown. I love road trips so much more than flying. You get to really see the country, meet the people. But even the best vacations can have a few bumps in the road (heh), so I always carry both a little bottle and a pre-diluted roller of Lavender Essential Oil in my travel kit.

Lavender essential oil has so many uses, and a little goes a long way. I’ve divided the uses up into “Self,” for use on your body and for minor health complaints, and “Stuff” for use on your things and environment.

14 Reasons I Always Bring Lavender Essential Oil on a Road Trip

Lavender Oil for Your Stuff

Okay, this section could really just be one reason: People smell bad, and they make their stuff smell bad. But there are several specific places I use lavender oil to hide this fact. You can use any strong, pleasant smelling essential oil here. Lemongrass is a good one. I prefer lavender because it smells soapy. Just use a few drops of oil straight from the bottle. If you’re using it on clothing, try to drop it where it won’t be noticed in case it discolors the material.

Suitcase Sachet

Put a few drops on a rolled up sock and place in your suitcase, the smell will permeate through the whole case and keep your clothes smelling fresh.

Sweater-Wear-Extender

I have a favorite sweater-jacket thing I like to wear in the car. I also like to wear it in the hotel. Midway through a trip, it’s less than fresh, usually more from the smell of fast food in the car than from the smell of me (really!). I’m pretty liberal with the lavender oil on this sweater. Putting a few drops on the inside of it makes it smell like it’s just been washed so I can avoid actually washing it.

Stinky Shoes

At least three drops per shoe. Because we all have that one stinky kid who needs to take their shoes off in the car.

Poo Pouri

Put two drops in the toilet bowl before you (or Stinky Kid) get started. This will drastically reduce the odor. This is the ultimate hotel trick because there’s nothing worse than having a stinky bathroom that opens into the only living space you have.

Car Odor

Big Macs, teenagers, over-loved stuffed animals, diapers, teenagers (did I mention teenagers?) – cars can get stinky on road trips. Try putting a few drops strategically around the car and rubbing a few drops on the air conditioner vents, professionals from Ambrose Air, Inc. recommended me to do this at home but I guess it also works on the car’s AC.

Musty Hotel

Hotel rooms can smell stale or musty. You can diffuse oil by by putting a few drops on the register and turning the fan on.

Lavender Oil for Your Self

Lavender is great for a number of minor health complaints. There are other essential oils that can be used for each of these, but I don’t know of another that can be used for ALL of them.

I feel I should put a disclaimer here and a safety notice: Lavender essential oil is not evaluated by the FDA.

This post discusses MINOR physical complaints. If you’re seriously sick or injured, SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION.

Many essential oil experts warn against using any essential oil on a child under 2 years old. On a child age 2-10, the oil should be diluted. I buy a pre-diluted oil roller from Plant Therapy. The Hippy Homemaker has an excellent post on essential oils and child safety.

Also, people can be allergic to anything. Some people are allergic to lavender. Do a little test on yourself and family just to make sure that it doesn’t cause rashes or headaches.

Stomach Issues

When we’re on the road we try to picnic and grab healthier things from grocery stores, but there have been those trips where we have to knock out 15 hours of driving in a day and the only stops are to cruise through the Drive-Thru window. Fast food, bouncing around in your stomach for 15 hours can cause some issues, that’s why is important to prevent and have some options in case of an emergency like the Best Portable Toilet . The big people in our family drop a few drops on the abdomen right near the belly button and rub in a circular motion. For the little tummies, I draw a small circle around the belly button with the prediluted roller and then gently rub in a circle.

Traveling can occasionally expose you to coughs and colds. Yuck. Inhaling lavender scented steam can help ease a minor cough. To make a hotel steamroom, I put the plug in the tub, add in about 15 drops of lavender, and then run a hot shower. The person with a cough sits in the bathroom with the door closed and breathes. You could also add a few drops to a warm bath.

Agitation/ Fussy Kids

Cramped cars and hotel rooms, exciting adventures, messed up schedules, there are alot of reasons kids can get agitated on road trips, but lavender is calming. A few drops on the top of a stuffed animal to hold, or some drops in the bath, or a little swipe behind the ears with the prediluted roller will help calm a little person.

Sleeplessness

You know how, when you’ve been driving for a few hours and you lay down to sleep, you’re still driving? Or you’re just so wound up from all the fun you’ve been having, or you might have had one too many MM’s (apparently you can actually eat “too many”) and you just can’t sleep? Lavender can help with that too. Put a few drops on your favorite blanket from The Comfy Traveler, in a warm bath, behind your ears or on the soles of your feet to help you get to sleep. For children’s ears and feet, use the roller.

Emergency Deodorant

This one is less for your health, and more for the health of the people around you. If you forget your deodorant or it melts or falls apart, you can use lavender oil as an emergency deodorant backup. Just mix a couple of drops into a dime sized amount of hotel body lotion and spread on your armpits. It’ll hold you until you get to a drug store. It might even work so well for you that you give up store bought deodorant all together.

Mild Athlete’s Foot

Whether your feet are trapped in sweaty hiking boots or you’ve been at a waterpark or pool sharing bare-foot-space with strangers, there are many opportunities to get athlete’s foot on a road trip. Lavender oil has antifungal properties and can fix that nasty yeast infection. Just put a few drops on the affected area. Repeat as necessary.

Minor Burns and Bites

This is also the reason I always have a little lavender roller in the kitchen. My five year old loves to help cook, and I love to let her, but sometimes her little finger will get too close to the edge of the electric frying pan and she’ll get a little burn. After running it under cold water, I roll a little bit of diluted lavender oil on it and it seems to really help the pain. It also seems to heal more quickly than just using cold water alone. Lavender oil can also help ease the pain of minor bites and stings. Perfect for road trips that involve camping, fire and bugs.

Sunburn

Saved my favorite for last. Sunburns heal more quickly when you put a little lavender on them. I make my own “after sun” by adding a few drops of lavender to about 1 tsp of coconut oil and rubbing it on the burn (apply more as needed). You could also add the lavender to aloe vera gel or a commercial after sun lotion.

Check out this neat essential oils guide.

Join us for Doc’s DASH 5K and 1 mile fun run.

September 10, 2014 by Nicole Decker

A Healthier Louisiana Starts with YOU!

Doc’s DASH is a community event for all ages that includes a 5K and 1 mile fun run alongside interactive fun for the entire family. Join us on September 27th, 2014 and explore the research opportunities Pennington Biomedical Research Center has to offer the greater Baton Rouge area. Meet the research professionals for some healthy, family fun!

Race Day: Saturday, September 27, 2014

Race Day Packet Pickup: 6:30 am – 7:30 am
5k Race Warm-up Time: 7:30 am
5k Start Time: 8:00 am (Runner, Walker, and Stroller Friendly)
1-mile Fun Run/Walk Race Warm-up Time: 9:00 am
1-mile Fun Run/Walk Race Start Time: 9:15 am (Stroller Friendly)
Post-Race Festivities: 8:30 am – 11:30 am

Race Division and Age Groups:

5k Run/Walk – Males and Females:
6 & under, 7-12, 13 & 14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70+

1-Mile Fun Run/Walk:
Ages 5 and up can register.
No Age Group Divisions.

Awards:
5k Run/Walk – Males and Females

First Place trophies will be awarded to the top Male and Female finishers in each age group.
All 5K finishers will receive an official Doc’s DASH 2014 medal.

1-Mile Fun Run/Walk

Only the overall 1st place male and female will receive a trophy. (The overall 1st place male and female winner will be calculated from ages 5-14 only.)
All 1-mile fun run finishers will receive an official Doc’s DASH 2014 medal.

Click here to register til 9/24/14. There will be NO race day registration for this event.

** ALL ENTRY FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE** Upcoming , there will be a stroller contest, that’s right moms and dads will be involving the kids. Take notice though that only the strollers mentioned in these tandem stroller reviews
will be allowed.

Location:
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
6400 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Battle the bulge with these 10 foods.

May 28, 2014 by Tiany Davis

The older we get, the harder it is to keep the tummy in check. If you are struggling with a larger than wanted mid-section, the culprit could be bloat, not fat. Of course, for many of it’s fat and bloat.

There are many misconceptions when it comes to our stomachs and our med-section in general. For today’s Wellness Wednesday post, we’re sharing myths, facts and helpful tips to help you get control of the tummy with just a few lifestyle tweaks.

Tummy shrinking facts, myths and tips:

Contrary to popular belief, foods do not digest in the order they are eaten. Everything lands in the stomach where it’s all churned together, and when it’s ready it’s released into the small intestines together. Chew food well and long! Another fun fact, cutting down on food intake does not shrink your stomach. Once we become adults, our stomachs usually stay the same size or close to it. However what we eat can make a significant difference.

Drink one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar daily, preferably before a meal and definitely before eating pasta. Read more about the magic of vinegar here.
Get enough calcium based foods…milk, greek yogurt. Calcium has been proven to break down stomach fat and interferes with fat formation.
Eat your greens! A British Journal of Nutrition study found that people with the highest folate levels lost 8.5 times more weight while on a diet. To get a sufficient amount of folate, choose more green veggies, such as broccoli, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, and bok choy.
Drink 8 glasses of water a day, this includes other water based beverages you drink throughout the day. To maximize digestion, try not to drink too much water with your meals; it can dilute your digestive juices and the stomach acids that are vital to digestion, slowing down the processing of the food you’re eating.
Eat your beans, preferably black beans! Legumes are full of protein and fiber — two great appetite crushers. Research shows that flavonoids may thwart the storage of excess tummy fat and black beans have the most flavonoids.
Snack on nuts -this might sound counter productive since nuts are high in fat but they are the good fat, easily digestible, unlike the fats in cookies and chips.
Drink tea– drinking white, oolong and yerba mate tea can help shrink your waist. These teas contain high concentrates of EGCG, a compound that stimulates fat cells to stop growing. YES!
Try a daily cup of Lemony goodness – Lemon water can help thin out bile and keep toxins flowing through your liver, then out of your body. As a result, fat metabolism becomes more optimal. Juice one lemon, or at least two tablespoons of lemon juice to one cup of warm water, if your feeling adventurous add half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Make sure to drink this with a straw to protect your teeth.
Add some heat- Studies have shown that cayenne pepper aids in the increase of lipid oxidation. Lipid oxidation is when fat is burned for energy. Cayenne can help burn fat, reduces appetite and slows the growth of fat cells.
Get your garlic – Garlic acts as a thermogenic in the body, increasing the heat producing process of the body. Garlic contains allicin which is known to reduce unhealthy fats in the body.
Add Flaxseed – Flaxseeds are a great source of healthy fat and fiber. You need healthy fats in order to lose body fat. If you restrict all fat from your diet, your body will respond by storing more fat! You can throw whole seeds into baked goods, oatmeal, yogurt, shakes, cereal; or even replace your current oil with flax seed oil.
Get your Zzzzz’s – This is the hardest one for us mamas. Especially if you’re up all night with a baby, or toddler. Not getting sufficient amounts of sleep causes levels of the stress hormone cortisol to rise, along with levels of deep abdominal fat. Try getting to bed earlier in order to get enough sleep 7 to 8 hours every night. Canadian researchers found that adults who averaged 5 or 6 hours of sleep a night were 35% more likely to gain 10 or more pounds in a year and were nearly 60% heavier around the middle than those who slept 7 to 8 hours. If your like me, you enjoy and long for your evening quiet time but we NEED our sleep!
Get in some moderate aerobic exercise (walking, jogging, elliptical, aerobics, Zumba) for at least 30 minutes, at least three times per week to burn the midsection fat.
Is bloating your problem? Here are 8 tips that will make a significant difference in days, courtesy of Prevention.com

1. Add: Two kinds of fiber
2. Subtract: Sodium – avoid the salt shaker!
3. Add: Potassium-rich foods
4. Subtract: Sugar alcohols
5. Add: More fluids
6. Subtract: Candy and soda
7. Add: Probiotic yogurt
8. Subtract: Raw produce

What works for you? Do you have a tried and true tip for battling the bulge or lessening stomach bloat?

Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, registered dietitian, or fitness expert. The purpose of this site is to share our experiences with food, fitness, and life. When it comes to your health please be sure to contact your physician.

Resources: WebMed.com, www.teambeachbody.co, bodybuilding.com

Curb unhealthy food cravings

May 7, 2014 by Tiany Davis

We all have unhealthy cravings from time to time, but do you know what those cravings mean? A particular food craving might point to something lacking in your diet.

Sugar / Carbs seems to be the hardest cravings to overcome. Evidence suggests that binging on sugar can act in the brain in ways very similar to drugs, sometimes is better to use some tobacco products from
https://www.superiorvapour.com/collections/mechanical-mods instead of binging yourself with food or using real drugs . Studies have proven that when we eat starch and sugar in the morning, it’s very difficult to get our behavior / cravings under control and we’ll usually end up craving sweets all day.

Why is sugar bad? When you consume excess sugar that your body can’t use it is then turned into fat by the body. Sugar can cause hormonal changes and mood swings. New studies show that excess sugar causes aging of the skin. As we know sugar is also addictive. The more you eat it the more you want it. – Sugar Detox by Amy Layne

So, back to those cravings, and what they mean! Find your favorite cravings below on the chart from Step into my Green World and look for foods that might be missing from your diet. You can find plenty of healthy alternatives to satisfy those “not so healthy” cravings.

Two more tips for tackling cravings if you know you have eaten the right things or you have eaten enough. Drink plenty of water, brush your teeth and use teeth whitening kits! Brushing your teeth or rinsing with mouthwash might work. The minty feeling of having a clean mouth usually kicks the cravings.

What do you do to overcome unhealthy cravings?

Flu Prevention: 8 Tips to Avoid the Flu

December 29, 2013 by Tiany Davis

The flu season is upon us, and there is no time like the present to adopt protective measures to keep colds or the flu at bay. Unfortunately, many across the country seem to be catching the bug early on with reports of illness — particularly in the south – New York, Texas, Louisiana and Alabama have been reporting widespread influenza — chiefly caused by H1N1 (swine flu) that is more likely to sicken younger adults than the elderly. A new report from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says Louisiana is among ten states in the US where the flu is widespread meaning more than half the state is reporting flu activity.

The CDC reports more than 1,600 new cases in Louisiana last week.

At least five people have died from flu in Texas — all from swine flu. Health authorities say this year’s flu vaccine can prevent swine flu and several other flu strains, if people get vaccinated. Flu vaccination is a whole separate {hot} topic.Last year, according to the CDC, only 45 percent of Americans got the flu shot.

Flu or Cold? Know the Differences:

{click on image to enlarge or download for a full page PDF}

Helpful tips to prevent the cold or flu…

Washing Hands – The advice we have all heard a thousand times is still our best defense to keep away sickness. The simple act of washing hands is something most of us do every day without much thought. There really is an art to keeping hands clean. Washing prevents disease and promotes wellness. Use warm, soapy water and rub hands for 15 to 20 seconds. Sing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song twice while rubbing, to keep track of the time.
Strengthen your immune system before it comes under attack.– Keeping yourself in top health and strengthening your immune system will help keep the flu and colds at bay. Probiotics will do wonders to boost the immune system! Echinacea and zinc help protect against colds too. Vitamin C is an essential year-round immune system booster.
Eat Garlic, and lots of it! – Garlic may have some infection-fighting capability. In laboratory tests, researchers have seen garlic work against bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Clean surfaces – I never walk into a grocery store without cleaning the grocery cart handle FIRST! Products such as hand sanitizer, wipes and sprays can do the trick! I never leave home without my travel sized Lysol wipes. Clean doorknobs, counter-tops, faucet handles, kitchen appliances, cell phones and the TV remote.
Have your Vitamin D levels checked – If you or your child (like mine) seem to get any passing bug, you might want to consider the possibility of Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D can help those with asthma and other chronic lung conditions. A recent study showed that people with the lowest vitamin D levels report having significantly more cases of cold and flu than those with higher levels. Vitamin D is produced by the body in response to sunlight and is also found in fortified foods such as milk.
Get plenty of exercise – Exercise boosts the immune system by clearing out the lymph system. It also boosts mood which is a protective factor in the prevention of illness.
Cut down on sugar – Simple sugars, including glucose, table sugar, fructose, and honey caused a fifty- percent drop in the white blood cells ability to resist infections for several hours. Read more on the harmful effects of sugar.
Get your Z’s – According to Sleep Doctor Michael Breus, Ph.D. “There’s a significant body of research showing immune function is tied closely to the body’s 24-hour circadian clock,” says Breus. “When sleep is deprived, this cycle is weakened and disrupted, and the immune system suffers.” Research shows that even mild sleep deprivation is associated with deterioration in immune function. “The impact of even a few nights of disrupted sleep on immune function can linger even after sleep levels have improved,” he says.

Keep your immune system strong, protect yourself, wash hands, eat well and get your Z’s to prevent illness from striking! Check back for Wellness Wednesday, we are share 10 tips for treating the flu naturally!

How do you protect your family from the flu virus?

Sources: webmd.com

8 Tips for Surviving Holiday Indulgences

November 20, 2013 by Nicole Decker

It’s getting to be that time. The holiday candy and cookies are starting to come out, holiday parties are booked. How can I indulge but not overdo?

Here are 8 Tips for Surviving Holiday Indulgences:

Take an extra class at the gym whether it is Zumba, Yoga, Spin class anything to get some extra cardio in and take a little holiday stress off.
Sign up for a holiday themed 5k. Here are a couple local ones in Baton Rouge: http://www.turkeytrotbr.com/ http://www.forum35.org/?page=RR
Go dress shopping ladies. Yes, dress shopping. Find a flattering, snug dress for a holiday party. Instant weight management!
Eat a small snack before leaving for your holiday party or dinner. Whether it is raw almonds, carrots with hummus, anything to take the edge off of your hunger so you don’t over indulge. Drink lots of water throughout the day which will naturally make you more full.
Watch your calories in alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks such as Egg Nog. Choose lighter varieties. Tip: Champagne only has 110 calories per 5 oz. versus White Russian 307 calories per 5 oz.
Skip the hors d’oeuvres. You know there will be plenty of dinner offerings to satisfy you and this way you can save a little room for dessert!
Survey party offerings before filling your plate. Include vegetables and fruits to keep your plate balanced. Enjoy smaller portions of your holiday favorites. Eat until you are satisfied not stuffed. If possible sit far away from tempting dishes.
Bring your own healthy dish to a holiday potluck so you know at least one dish that you can enjoy guilt free. Look up some healthy holiday cooking recipes to experiment and learn where you cut back on calories.

It is the holidays and you can enjoy without the guilt!