Flu season is here....5 ways to stay healthy this year

Flu season should almost have a date on the calendar. Every year, like clockwork, it's there. There is a lot you can do right now to avoid the flu.

1.) Drink plenty of water

Nothing hydrates the body like water. Ice tea doesn't count, juice doesn't count, herbal teas don't count and coffee or other caffeinated beverages definitely don't count. Just water. Water helps to flush out toxins from the body.

When we are overloaded with toxins from our day to day life (makeup, household cleaners, car exhaust, etc.) our immune system is compromised. When we are toxic we don't have the strength in our immune system to fight infection. When infection is present in our body, water can also help to flush it out and keep us hydrated as we tend to need more water to stay well hydrated while fighting illness.

You should be drinking about half of your body weight in ounces ever day or until your urine is clear. So someone that weighs 140 lbs. should be drinking about 70 oz. of water per day. That is without exercise; if you are active drinking about 3/4 of your weight in ounces can help keep you hydrated.

2.) Get a Massage

Researchers at Cedar - Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles found a significant increase in lymphocytes (white blood cells that fight infection) after just 45 minute of massage! See Dr. Weil's report here.

Not to mention that massage greatly reduces stress hormones. When stress hormones are high, as they usually are, we unable to fight infection. Regular massage can help you to fight infection, keep you health and productive this flu season!!

3.) Eat your veggies

Fruits and veggies contain phytonutrients. These nutrients that come from fresh, whole plant food are designed to help us fight illness and disease. These foods help to repair damaged cells and help killer cells and helper-T cells (more infection fighting cells) mobilize, keeping illness from settling in.

Another reason to eat well.....most of our immune system is created in the gut. Yes, that's right, most of your immune system is in your digestive tract. If you are eating poor foods, you're stressing out your immune system. If you are eating good whole foods, your immune system does not have to expend energy combating food and can go fight infection in other areas of the body.

4.) Stay away from hand sanitizers

I'm not saying don't wash your hands, please do wash. I'm talking about the jelly-like, wash and go hand sanitizers. These sanitizers are full of alcohol and often kill the good bacteria on our hands. This good bacteria can help fight off the bad bacteria. When alcohol kills of this good bacteria we are left more vulnerable to infection. A little soap and water is all you need to get the bad bacteria off and keep the good, helpful bacterial present.

5.) Keep moving

As the weather gets colder, it is harder and harder to stay motivated to exercise. Movement is so important during flu season. Exercise decreases stress, increases blood and lymphatic flow. Lymphatic flow is the fluid of our immune system. It is the lymph that collects, eliminates and fights infection. When it isn't moving properly (our movement creates movement in the lymphatic system) it can become stagnant and unable to fight infection properly.

If you do find yourself under the weather this season, remember to rest. Give yourself permission to read that book you've been wanting to read or watch another movie. Rest is the best medicine for the flu along with water and nutritiously dense food.

Another great remedy that we use a lot when we feel like we're coming down with something:

1/4 cup organic, raw apple cider vinegar
1 cup warm water
honey to taste

This makes a great tea to drink while feeling under the weather. The apple cider vinegar changes the Ph in the body, making it uninhabitable to bacteria and virus. Cheers!!

What do you do when you're feeling under the weather? Any remedies that work well for you? Share with us here!!!

Acorn Squash Hash Browns with sauteed Spinach

Acorn squash is a great replacement for your traditional hash browns. It is lower on the glycemic index, helping to keep blood sugar stable, lowering your risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Acorn squash is also high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Dietary Fiber, Calcium, and other essential minerals.

Potatoes are a member of the nightshade family. Along with tomatoes, peppers and eggplant, this family of foods contains solanine, a neurotoxin. For some, nightshades can cause systemic pain, nausea, headaches, abdominal pain and other digestive disorders. Lastly, potatoes tell the body to store fat and can create inflammation throughout the body. All great reasons to use acorn squash instead of potatoes!

Try this recipe next time you want hash browns:

1/2 yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 acorn squash, uncooked, peeled and grated
1 bunch of spinach leaves

1.) Saute onion and garlic in olive oil for about 2 minutes on medium heat, or until onions become translucent.

2.) Add grated acorn squash and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until squash is soft and beginning to brown.

3.) Add spinach, cook until spinach is wilted. Salt and serve.

Great to serve on it's own or with eggs!!
Enjoy!

Massage: Luxury or Health Care?

You wouldn't think of the dentist, your doctor or any other health care specialist an optional luxury would you? What about working out, eating right, those aren't optional either, right? What about massage? Do you or your friends still think that massage is an optional luxury? Now I'm not talking about paying someone to put lotion on you for an hour, yes, that is a luxury. I'm talking about a real, pain-addressing, function-restoring, immune-boosting therapeutic massage. Necessity for health or waste of time and/or money?

Often, I have new clients come in, reluctant to believe that massage can help them. I love the look on their face when within a few sessions we've restored them to full function without pain.


I'm on a mission to share with you why massage should absolutely be a part of your regular health care and how over time, it can even be less expensive than traditional medical care. I will spend the next few blog posts covering a variety of common ailments and how massage can benefit.

Here's what I need from you: email me at sarah@discovermassage.org and tell me what ails you. Could be chronic headaches, physical discomfort while at work, neck pain, back pain, not getting the results you want from your work out, general stiffness or aching in the morning, stress...anything that you are experiencing.

I will dedicate a whole article to whatever you are struggling with. I will share self care techniques as well as how massage can benefit. This is your chance to get information just for you. I won't mention your name or share any personal information. What you will get is a whole article tailored to your specific needs.

Articles will be posted on a first come first serve basis, if you want to see your customized article soon, be the first to write back here.

I look forward to hearing from you! Untill then......health and happiness to you!