by Joy Thompson | Dec 1, 2015 | Blog
Our immune systems are amazing and the more I learn, the more I am in awe of it. It works optimally when we feed and nurture it healthfully; it takes care of us, as we take care of it. Recently there was a photo going around on the internet that educates on this topic: “The flu is NOT a season! It is an inability to adapt due to decreased sun exposure and water intake, combined with increased sugar intake and stress. Create resistance! Create health!” Then I stumbled across this article and it fit the “season.” I have a couple of the supplements and remedies mentioned at my office for sale while supplies last. Battling the Cold and Flu Season, Naturally Seven top tips for fighting the common cold, flu, and staying healthy By Dr. Doni Wilson (taken from The Life Connection, December 2014 Let’s start with prevention: TIP 1: Avoid sugar and alcohol Two top enemies to an invincible immune system are sugar and alcohol. Dr. Doni recommends avoiding or minimizing sugar and alcohol consumption, as they both lower your ability to fight off viruses. Even just 8 tablespoons of sugar (as in 2 cans of soda), or fructose (such as in honey or ½ cup of orange juice) can lower your immune function for five hours after you consume it. That is because sugar inhibits the white blood cells that fight off bacteria, leaving you vulnerable to infections. A similar thing happens with alcohol. When you drink three or more alcoholic drinks (wine, beer, or liquor), your white blood cells are weaker and have a harder...
by Joy Thompson | Oct 6, 2015 | Blog
Although we more often think of carving pumpkins for the autumn season, these fruit are actually edible…and not just for pies or muffins!! They can be eaten raw, roasted, baked, and steamed; the flesh, seeds, and leaves are edible AND they are nutritious and low calorie (Did you know that a 1-cup serving has 3 grams of fiber and only 49 calories?). Pumpkin is packed with antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E, beta-carotene, and zeaxanthin (which helps to prevent age-related macular disease). It’s a rich source of B-vitamins like folates, niacin, thiamin, and pantothenic acid, and minerals such a calcium, copper, potassium, and phosphorus. These are immune-boosting ingredients to help the body stay strong and ward off common colds and flus that may be going around! (1cup of pureed pumpkin has 11mg [20%] of RDI of vitamin C) 1 cup of cooked mashed pumpkin contains more than 200% of the RDI* of vitamin A which aids vision, particularly in dim light. Also pumpkin is rich in carotenoids, which are the compounds that give the fruit their bright orange color, including Beta-carotene which the body converts into a form of vitamin A. Pumpkin has a high amount of phytonutrients, particularly the antioxidant Beta-carotene, like their orange colored friends: sweet potato, carrot, and butternut squash, which helps to prevent the risk of cancers particularly of the mouth, lung, and colon. It also has anti-aging benefits and antioxidants called carotenoids that have free-radical-neutralizing powers to help keep skin wrinkle-free and radiating a healthy glow. Boost your mood with pumpkin seeds: the seeds are rich in the amino acid tryptophan which is important in the production of serotonin...
