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!

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Boost Your Immune System: Tonic Tea Recipe

[yumprint-recipe id=’45’]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 Baton Rouge Family Fun

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.

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

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, fitness, parenting, please be sure to do some research or contact your physician.