Ready to combat cold/flu season? #TBT

This is a blog from this past February. I received an email the other day from Helen Sanders, the main editor at Health Ambition. They have a really good article on juicing for colds. Here's an excerpt from it. Be sure to click on the link above for more info!

How to Prevent Catching a Cold in the First Place

There is currently no cure or vaccine for the common cold, but there is research underway to develop a single vaccine for most types of colds. (Source)

Until then, the best way to avoid getting a cold is to take preventative measures. Unfortunately, the virus spreads so easily and quickly, that it’s hard to avoid it. But here are a few tips to remember:

• Avoid close contact with someone who has a cold, especially during the first couple of days of their illness. This is when the infection is more likely to spread.
• WASH YOUR HANDS! Wash them after you touch someone who has a cold or an object they’ve touched. Remember to wash children’s toys after they’ve played with them. When in doubt, wash your hands.
• Keep fingers and hands away from your nose and eyes to avoid infecting yourself.
• Don’t spread the virus if you’re infected! Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and stay away from people who are most vulnerable to viruses (i.e. people with autoimmune diseases or asthma).

Here's one of their juice recipes:

Sunshine Yellow Cold-Fighting Juice

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Packed with beta-carotene and amino acids, this brightly-colored butternut squash and ginger juice will help you kick your cold to the curb. The ginger promotes sweating and fights inflammation, and zesty lemons provide you with vitamin C. I love the addition of turmeric to this recipe.

The anti-inflammatory benefits in this juice are off-the-charts amazing!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and de-seeded
• 2 lemons
• 2-inch piece of ginger, peeled
• 2 tsp turmeric powder

DIRECTIONS:

Wash all of your produce! Cut up squash and lemons into chunks that will fit through the juicer, then add the lemons and turmeric. Yum!

And here's my original post:

Get your medicine cabinet ready – cold and flu season is upon us. While putting your family in plastic bubbles to avoid the germs might sound like a good idea (it’s not!), here are a few easier ways to combat these germs and keep your family healthy.

Separate. When one family member gets sick, isolate them from the others. They do not need to be locked in a room alone, but keep them isolated as much as possible to prevent spreading the germs. If more than one comes down with it, keep them together. Pick a bedroom or family room and set it up so that they can stay there together. Bring in puzzles, games, movies, snacks, extra blankets, etc., so they can get comfortable and rest.

Sharing is not caring! More than likely, if you have one family member sick, the whole family will eventually get it. While it seems impossible to get the kids to share toys, sharing illness is another story. If the illness warrants a doctor’s visit, ask the doctor to put the rest of your family on stand-by, allowing you to call and request medicine if the others get sick. Your doctor may go ahead and write a prescription for the entire family, just in case. It will definitely save you money by avoiding individual appointments.

Natural alternatives. While prescription and OTC medicines are great at fighting illness, there are also some great natural medicines that can help alleviate symptoms in between doses. Check them out here!

Cleanliness. Washing your hands is important all the time. It is especially important now. Remind your kids (and yourself) to wash their hands regularly, especially after blowing their nose. Regularly wipe down surfaces, including doorknobs and light switches.

Organization. While being organized can’t actually fight off a cold, it can help you keep your sanity! Keep a dry erase board or notebook in a handy location to keep track of temperatures, medicine administered and symptoms. Designate a page for each person so that you have individual records. These are great to take to the doctor.

Getting sick is no fun, but it is a good excuse to curl up on the sofa and binge watch your favorite shows, so there is a bright side!

Do you have a hint that wasn't included here? Please add it to the comments below.

 Interesting days

Today - Chili Dog Day and Milk Chocolate Day 

Tomorrow - Lasagna Day, International Tiger Day, Lipstick Day, System Administrator Appreciation Day, Rain Day and Talk In An Elevator Day

Next Thursday - Coast Guard Day and Assistance Dog Day 

August 28 - Radio Commercials Day, Pony Express Day, Bow Tie Day and Race Your Mouse Around The Icons Day