Cutting Edge Mammography; why it's better for many women.

Gamma Ray Mammography is finding more tumors sooner, especially in younger women.  Watch this TEDtalk video to learn all about the technology, technique, and why it isn't more widely available. 

http://www.ted.com/talks/deborah_rhodes.html

Massage therapy shows promise as adjunctive breast cancer treatment

Preliminary findings of an ongoing pilot study demonstrate that massage decreased anxiety and lessened depression among 10 women with stage-one (diagnosed within the previous five years) breast cancer. The study will be complete when 35-40 women have participated in the study.

Measurements of immune function, which consisted of blood, urine and saliva samples, also indicated that natural killer (white) cells -- those cells that fight viruses and tumors -- also increased, which implies an improved immune system, said one of the lead researchers, Maria Hernandez-Reif, Ph.D., director of research at the Touch Research Institute.

The massage routine focused on promoting relaxation, Hernandez-Reif said, and included strokes of effleurage and petrissage, as well as range-of-motion techniques.

The average age of the 20 women (10 in the massage group and 10 in the nonmassaged control group) is 52. Seventy percent had a breast removed and the remainder had a lumpectomy.

One group had 45-minute massages three times a week over a five-week period. The control group did not receive massage. Eighty percent of those receiving massage had better immune function, while only 30 percent of those in the nonmassaged group showed improved immune function, according to Hernandez-Reif.

Those who received massage were half as anxious after massage, while those in the control group remained anxious, Hernandez-Reif said. Women who were massaged had progressive drops in their reports of depression, she noted, while those who did not receive massage reported no change in their depression over the same time period.

Article copyright Massage Magazine, Inc.~~~~~~~By Melissa B. Mower

See the research on Breast Cancer

Do it for your boobies!

In honor of all the women in our lives who have had breast cancer, I was going to write to our readers about how personally affected we are by this life changing disease.  Whether it’s you, your mother, your sister, your wife, or your friend, we are taught lessons from experiences of just how fragile life is.  As I pondered, I realized that it’s impossible to put into words, at least in a few paragraphs, how life changes because of cancer.  Instead of telling you of, unfortunately, we will all learn, whether first hand or through others experiences, I want to focus on the hope and positive energy of healing.

As research shows, massage is very helpful for breast cancer patients.  In the post-operative period it decreases pain and speeds up healing.  During chemotherapy and radiation, massage significantly boosts immune system function.  That is key to staying on track in a chemo regimen and beating cancer before the treatments beats you.  Regular massage improves feelings of anxiety and depression.  It decreases insomnia, fatigue, and nausea.  Research shows massage therapy had an incredible effect on breast cancer patients that had lymph node dissection and/or lymphedema too.  It also improves range of motion and shoulder function in these patients.

There’s a ton of info out there to support the positive benefits of massage for cancer patients.  I’m posting several research studies and articles this month for you to read.  Please take a look at them, as the proof is in the pudding. 

I love TEDtalk.  Click the link below to watch this informative talk about why a healthy diet is so important in cancer prevention.

Can we eat to starve cancer?
http://www.ted.com/talks/william_li.html

Why did the Free Range Chicken cross the Road?

To lay eggs in a greener pasture. 
Today I start with a joke, a bad one at that, but a joke because the rest of this article is no joke.  I'd like to inform you about the differences between free range and factory farmed chicken eggs.  If you want to skip the grim details and just take my word for it, I urge you to find someone local to purchase your eggs from or get a few of your own hens for a backyard coop.
To begin, eggs in the grocery store are, on average, about 30 days old.  The vitamins in an egg deplete daily so the fresher the better.  The preparation of store bought eggs also compromises the nutrition in them.  When chickens lay eggs in factory farms, they are taken through a process of cleaning that kills not only bacteria but damages the outside surface of the egg, making it more vulnerable to outside contamination and faster deterioration.  Factory farmed eggs are washed in a bleach solution and although they are rinsed after being washed, the cuticle of the egg is removed by the bleach.  The cuticle is the membrane on the outside of the egg that naturally protects the permeable shell from outside contamination.  Removing this membrane opens the door to contamination by bacteria and the bleach itself can now leach into the eggs.  Although I couldn't find any research on this bleach contamination, I would argue that people who have acquired a sensitivity or allergy to eggs may have been exposed to too much bleach contamination in their eggs.  Bleach poisoning causes symptoms like diarrhea, mouth and throat soreness, stomach cramps, and a general feeling of sickness.  I wash my chickens' eggs in warm water only.  They have a very clean coop so I rarely have any poop on them anyway.  If you are concerned about bacteria like salmonella on your farm fresh eggs, then go check out the birds living conditions.  If they are really free range and have a clean coop and plenty of clean water to drink, you probably don't have to worry.  The living conditions of factory farmed eggs increase the probability of salmonella because they are kept in such confined spaces.  Farm fresh eggs are better tasting, more nutritious and probably safer to eat that store bought eggs.  Here's a picture of some of my eggs! 

Chlorophyll, a Superfood for Health

Chlorophyll is a gift from the earth, literally.  It is responsible for giving plants their green color.  More importantly, chlorophyll is what actually absorbs sunlight in plants, giving them their energy and making them grow.  It is called plant blood, probably because of it's similarity to human blood.  In fact, it is identical to blood except that the atom in chlorophyll is magnesium and in blood it is iron.  It has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and it helps to repair all tissues in the body.  Leafy green vegetables contain the most chlorophyll.  Because cooking vegetables greatly reduces the amount and quality of chlorophyll in plants it is best to take chlorophyll supplements to ensure you are getting enough.  I use the liquid kind, one tablespoon every morning.  Although it does not have a foul taste, odor, or texture I follow it immediately with a full glass of water and then brush my teeth.  It stains everything green so I try to clean my teeth as soon after I take it.  It's inexpensive and you can find it at any health food store.


Here are some of the known chlorophyll benefits:

• It has been seen to help in the growth and repair of tissues.
• Chlorophyll helps in neutralizing the pollution that we breathe in and intake everyday - a good supplement for smokers.
• It efficiently delivers magnesium and helps the blood in carrying the much needed oxygen to all cells and tissues.
• It is also found to be useful in assimilating and chelating calcium and other heavy minerals.
• It had been seen to have a good potential in stimulating red blood cells to improve oxygen supply.
• Along with other vitamins such as A, C and E, chlorophyll has been seen to help neutralize free radicals that do damage to healthy cells.
• Chlorophyll is also an effective deodorizer to reduce bad breath, urine, fecal waste, and body odor.
• It may reduce the ability of carcinogens to bind with the DNA in different major organs in the body.
• Chlorophyll may be useful in treating calcium oxalate stone ailments.
• It possesses some anti-atherogenic activity as well.
• It can be used to treat infected wounds naturally.
• These are only a few of the multitude benefits that chlorophyll can do to the body.
• It has antimutagenic and anti-carcinogenic properties so that it may be helpful in protecting your body against toxins and in reducing drug side effects.

Happy National Relaxation Day

A day dedicated to relaxation...  Sounds great!  Yet, why don't we take time on a regular basis to relax and unwind?  Other cultures throughout the world hold their relaxation in high regard.  France created the 35 hour work week and the French take more vacation time than most Europeans.  They are credited with being some of the happiest cultures in Europe.  In Spain, an afternoon siesta is not uncommon; and they are highly productive people.  Maybe American politicians should take a nap every afternoon.  Would they get more done???  Probably not!  I would bet that if industry workers had time to relax during the day though, they would be more productive overall and be happier in their work environment.  Companies that offer massage to their employees are improving moral and decreasing their healthcare costs, all while productivity goes up.  Massage happens to be my favorite way to relax.  You can meditate, do yoga or Tai Chi, or take a relaxing bath. 

I think the key to finding your relaxing activity is to schedule the time and not give it up.  Make it sacred, even if you don't know what it is you will do.  It's like a blind date with yourself.  Maybe you will just turn off the lights and electronics and take a nap.  That's where I am headed now.  Sweet Dreams and Happy Relaxation Day!

P.S.  Here's a link to the most relaxing song in the world...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMmMNyTwePY&feature=player_detailpage

Candidiasis... What you need to know!

Candida Albican is a fungus that grows in your gut and normally lives symbiotically with the bacteria it cohabitates with.  Sometimes the balance changes and an overgrown of Candida can occur. It is quite easy to create an imbalance. Antibiotics have been singled out as the main culprit, although many prescription drugs (including contraceptives and corticosteroids) have shown to cause an imbalance.  High sugar intake is a huge factor in Candidiasis.  The average American consumes 30 teaspoons of added sugar every day.  Stress is also a contributor.  Stress raises the blood sugar level and suppresses the immune system, making you more vulnerable to Candidiasis. 

 

Symptoms

Candidiasis causes a wide variety of symptoms including: 

• Fungal infections like "jock itch", tinea (Athlete's Foot),  toenail fungus, or some rashes.
• Digestive complaints like bloating, nausea, bad breath, malabsorption of nutrients, and fatigue.
• Thrush- either vaginal or at the back of your throat; ringworms; fungus under the fingernails or toenails;
• Food intolerances and environmental sensitivities. 
• White spots in the mouth; itchy anus, ears, or throat; nappy rash; excess mucous
• Edema, feeling heavy and sluggish
• Mental dullness, mood swings, and memory loss.

Foods to Include
 

• Essential Fatty acids from fish, flaxseed oil, and olive oil will protect your cells from damage.
• Garlic reduces infection.
• Yogurt with live cultures to reduce fungal growth.
• Eat a wholefoods diet, including fish, brown rice, fruit and veggies, and legumes, (especially mung beans) and other whole grains.
• Complex Carbohydrates, chewed properly can be helpful, not harmful like once thought.
• Sprouts are wonderful.
• Seaweeds: their iodine content will deactivate yeasts.
• Green plants like parsley, watercress, cabbage, wheatgrass, and spirulina have high amounts of chlorophyll, which promote a healthy intestinal flora.

Foods to Avoid

• Sugar: in all forms; Candida thrives on it.
• Yeast: Candida is yeast, adding baker's yeast just makes the problem a whole lot worse. Instead eat sourdough bread, made from spelt or kamut flour.
• Refined carbohydrates: these usually aren’t tolerated anyway. These foods turn very quickly into sugar which Candida thrives on.
• Fruit. One piece a day should be OK, as fruit is full of fructose (a sugar). Avoid acidic types like oranges, limes, pineapples, grapefruit, lemons and tomatoes.). Dried fruits are a non-no.
• Nuts and seed, unless freshly roasted.

Herbal Medicine

• Pau D'arco is an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial herb as well as being immune boosting. It may be drunk as a tea for maintenance.
• Oregano Essential Oil is a potent anti-fungal.  Applied to the skin, it will burn and cause irritation.  I would advise you purchase a bottle of vegetable capsules from my DoTerra Store (also widely available at your local health food store) and add 5-10 drops in a capsule once per day.  I also suggest taking it with a single food, such as an apple or brown rice, so you reduce any reflux.  You can get Certified Pure Grade Oregano Oil on the DoTerra link on this page.
• Citrus Seed Extract. This anti-microbial extract works in the same way as an antibiotic. It bombs everything in the gut, good and bad. You have to be quite strong and healthy to do this however, you will have no defense as the good bacterium has been bombed as well. (Try Pau Darco first.) You must be gentle on yourself during this time. No late nights, too much alcohol, going out with wet hair etc., as you will be susceptible to illness. Dose: Take 9 drops of the liquid extract a day. Again, I would drop the extract in veggie capsules before taking. This medicine is really very awful. After the two weeks is up you will probably not be feeling great in that time. 
• Probiotics!!!  It is imperative that you follow anti-microbial and anti-fungal treatments with a bottle of acidophilus to re-establish the good gut flora.  Even if you choose to forgo the above treatments, probiotics will help to reverse the overgrowth of candida by crowding the fungus out with bacteria.  Probiotics also boost the immune system and regulate the acidity in your gut.  Yogurt and fermented foods such as Pickles, Sauerkraut, and Kefir are excellent sources of probiotics. 
• Golden Seal will help repair inflamed intestinal lining.

Lifestyle

• Try and stay cool. Heat and damp environments make it worse.
• The sugars in alcohol will exacerbate the condition. Definitely avoid beer.
• Stress really does make it worse, especially worry and anxiety.
• Seek professional advice if you have persistent Candida. It may be a symptom of an underlying illness.
• Check for mercury poisoning. This can lead to Candidiasis
• Avoid overeating.
• Reduce raw food, as these will weaken digestion.
• Eat simply, avoiding too many flavors in one meal.
• It is very important to re-establish good bacteria in the gut after taking antibiotics. Use miso, sauerkraut, acidophilus, sea veggies or wheat or barley grass. (Remember that animals are fed antibiotics, so if you are eating animal products, the above food should be a regular part of your diet.)
• Exercise regularly and moderately.

Sweet Relief

At 34 years old I experienced my first toe infection.  My swollen red toe looked like it was smashed with a hammer.  It was my own fault.  I forgot to trim my toenails before a 20 mile backpacking trip.  Funny thing is... it didn't hurt until I got home and took off my shoe.  Owwweeee!  I'd post a picture but it is gruesome.  I think you get the idea.  I want to share with you how I cleared up the infection and avoided a trip to the doctors office.
You can do step 1 even if a problem doesn't exist.  The essential oils used will soothe tired and sore feet, as well as make them smell great.  The peppermint is cooling, the lemon refreshing, and the lavender is relaxing and reduces inflammation.  Epsom salts soften the skin and make it easier to exfoliate.  The salts also contain trace minerals like magnesium.  Step 2 is intended to spot treat bacterial infections.  Other essential oils are better for fungal infections (like Athlete's Foot or toenail fungus) such as Oregano oil.  All of the essential oils can be found by clicking the link in the DoTerra tab on this page.  Epsom salts are widely available, even at the grocery store.

Sweet Relief Recipe:

Step 1 ~ In a large bowl, add a gallon of warm water.  Make sure the water only fills your bowl half way or when you put your feet in it will overflow.  Add 1 cup of Epsom salt to the warm water.  Add 3 drops of Lavender Essential Oil, 3 drops of Lemon Essential Oil, and 3 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil.  Stir until the salts are dissolved.  Soak your feet until the water is cool.  Pat dry your feet and dispose of the water.

Step 2 ~ Use Melaleuca Oil to spot treat any infection.  You can either drop the oil directly onto the area or put a few drops on a cotton swab and apply 2 or 3 times a day.  Melaleuca Oil is also known as Tea Tree Oil.  If you have very sensitive skin it can burn or cause irritation.  If you suspect it will irritate your skin, then dip your cotton swab in some vegetable based oil, preferably coconut oil before adding the Melaleuca essential oil.  You will have to apply it more often.

The Mountains Are Calling...

...And I must go. (John Muir)

A 20 mile backpacking trip into the Idaho wilderness will soothe the soul.  Our destination was an idyllic hot spring.  I was so grateful to spend the night next to the hot waters and to take advantage of their healing energy.  The company was as splendid as the water too. We hiked till our feet were sore and out hearts were filled.  Today I am back to civilization.  I will schedule a massage to work out the kinks from sleeping in the woods and hiking literally until my feet, legs, and shoulders screamed at me.  I suggest you get out and explore, and I will be here to give you a massage when you get back.

Money can't buy happiness!

The results are in.  Money won't buy happiness.  In fact, recent studies have shown that some of the poorest countries in the world are overall some off the happiest.  Go to the following link and read this article:
http://www.naturalnews.com/039605_happiness_abundance_mindset.html

So I guess the saying is true.... If you are happy with what you have, then you have everything you need.

doTERRA Weight Loss Challenge

February will kick off the doTERRA Slim & Sassy Weight Loss Challenge.  To kick start my diet, I will use the Slim and Sassy line of products, along with some other strategically placed doTERRA products to reach my weight loss goals.  Here's what I am starting with:

SLIM & SASSY^®
METABOLIC BLEND

dōTERRA’s Slim & Sassy is a proprietary formula of grapefruit, lemon, peppermint, ginger, and cinnamon essential oils. Just add 8 drops to 16 oz. of water and drink between your healthy meals throughout the day to help manage hunger, calm your stomach, and lift your mood. Slim & Sassy is 100% pure essential oils, does not contain diuretics or stimulants, and has zero calories.

SLIM & SASSY^®
CHOCOLATE  OR VANILLA TRIM SHAKE

Slim & Sassy TrimShake is a convenient and delicious shake mix providing the essential nutrients of a healthy meal* with only 125 calories per serving. Used as a meal replacement for one or more meals each day, TrimShake can help you lose unwanted fat stores through calorie restriction and regular exercise. TrimShake also includes a patented weight-loss ingredient Essentra^® Trim that has been demonstrated to help with managing the stress hormone cortisol associated with fat storage. TrimShake blends well with water or milk for a low-calorie, low-glycemic, high-fiber satisfying meal alternative† with 16 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per serving.

I'm replacing one meal a day with a Trim Shake and taking 8 drops of Slim & Sassy Essential Oil in a veggie cap with every meal.  I'm getting at least 30 minutes of cardio in at least 5 days a week.  I am also doing yoga twice a week.  To maintain a high energy level, I'll also be taking Mito2Max throughout the entire diet.

To get off to a running start, I'm doing a digestive cleanse for the first 7 day.  I'm taking GX Assist and sticking to a liquid vegetarian diet.  After the first 7 days, I'll reintroduce solid foods and continue to take the GX Assist for 3 more days. Then I will start taking PB Assist to restore good flora to my digestive system.

GX ASSIST
GI CLEANSING FORMULA

GX Assist is a combination of CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade^® essential oils of oregano, melaleuca, lemon, lemongrass, peppermint and thyme and caprylic acid that helps support a healthy digestive tract by creating an unfriendly environment for potentially harmful pathogens that can disrupt digestive immunities and cause digestive upset. GX Assist is formulated to be used for 10 days as a preparatory cleansing step before using PB Assist Probiotic Defense Formula.

PB ASSIST+
PROBIOTIC DEFENSE FORMULA

PB Assist+ is a proprietary formula of pre-biotic fiber and six strains of probiotic microorganisms in a unique double-layer vegetable capsule delivering 5 billion CFUs of active probiotic cultures and soluble pre-biotic FOS (fructo- oligosaccharides) that encourages culture adhesion and growth. The time-release double-capsule delivery system protects sensitive probiotic cultures from stomach acid. PB Assist+ supports healthy digestive functions and immunities and is safe for use by all members of your family.

MITO2MAX^TM
ENERGY & STAMINA COMPLEX

dōTERRA’s Mito2Max is a proprietary formula of standardized plant extracts and metabolic cofactors of cellular energy. Mito2Max supports healthy mitochondrial function and aerobic capacity, and improves stamina naturally without the use of harmful stimulants. Use Mito2Max as a healthy long-term alternative to caffeinated drinks and supplements for increased energy and vitality.*

doTERRA February Special

IQ MEGA^TM

dōTERRA IQ Mega takes the fishy taste out of fish oil, then adds the fresh orange flavor of dōTERRA’s wild orange CPTG essential oil. This great tasting and easy to swallow omega supplement provides 1,000 mg of concentrated, pure fish oil per serving. IQ Mega contains essential nutrients EPA and DHA to support healthy brain, cardiovascular, immune, and joint function.* IQ Mega is formulated to be used daily with A2Z Chewable.

US $31.05          150ml          (10% OFF in February)

Click on the link in the doTERRA tab to go to my doTERRA store.

In Blogs We Trust...

You can't believe everything you read or hear and that is probably especially true on the internet.  So how do you know what your getting is good information?  The best advise I can give is that if it sounds reasonable and gives fact based information it can be trusted.  That said, take everything in moderation.  
Since there isn't a "Parent Manual" and "Parenting for Dummies" hasn't been published, we are all on our own to do the best job we can.  Most would agree that we cant just parent on instinct, as our parents did.  Following the status quo isn't only unfashionable, it can be dangerous.  There are so many hazards to our children these days, in the environment, the socioeconomic climate, political agendas, and more.  These 3 hazards are especially dangerous though, as they work silently to influence the very fibers which we rely on to create our "good" parenting skills.  
When it comes to the food we eat, getting the information we need off of nutritional labels isn't enough.  Huge corporations have enough at money to pay for passing of changes in the law so they can be sure their products look "natural" and "healthy".  Digging a little deeper, beyond the food labels, will reveal some disturbing information.  I could get on my soap box about an issue that is disturbing to me (Monsanto corn and modified corn products) but you can find it already.  It's all over the web and some of the best and most resounding information I have read and believe has been written in blogs, by women like myself, moms with a drive to make better decisions for themselves and their families.  Natural news just posted an article about a study that found moms are more and more often looking to blogs to find honest and reasonable information about food facts.  Here's the link.  It's an interesting read!
http://www.naturalnews.com/038838_food_facts_moms_online_research.html

Loneliness can weaken the immune system

This week the internet has been flooded with news reporting a study done by Ohio State University It scientifically and measurably shows the effects of loneliness on the human immune system.  From what I have read, it seems to be a very well done study and the results are compelling.  Here's part of an article that I read with a couple of links to more information:

..."It is clear from previous research that poor-quality relationships are linked to a number of health problems, including premature mortality and all sorts of other very serious health conditions. And people who are lonely clearly feel like they are in poor-quality relationships," said Lisa Jaremka, a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research at Ohio State University and lead author of the research. "One reason this type of research is important is to understand how loneliness and relationships broadly affect health. The more we understand about the process, the more potential there is to counter those negative effects – to perhaps intervene. If we don't know the physiological processes, what are we going to do to change them?"


http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-loneliness-chronic-stress-taxes-immune.html#jCp

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/01/21/loneliness-bad-health_n_2519899.html

Slim & Sassy

Aromatherapy for Weight Loss

Keep those munchies at bay and stay on track with your diet by using essential oils.  Using them internally and externally can help your diet be a smashing success.  The best oil blend to use is doTERRA's Slim and Sassy.  I've made it easy to find, just by clicking on the link on the bottom of this article.  The other oiIs mentioned are also available from doTERRA.  They are the highest quality oils available to the general public.
Inhalation can be very effective in curbing the cravings and stabilizing the emotional urges to eat too much.  Giving into cravings can be the demise of a good diet plan.  Eating sugars and too many carbs will not only throw off your diet, but will actually make you hungrier.  Inhaling Slim and Sassy will stave off cravings.  All of the ingredients in this blend are appetite suppressants: Grapefruit, Peppermint, Ginger, Lemon, and Cinnamon.  Avoid sweet smells, such as vanilla and strawberry.

It's important to note that candida can sabotage your diet.  Carbs and sugars also promote an overgrowth of candida in the body.  Using inhalation to curb the cravings is best.  If the urge to eat is overwhelming, it is probably a good idea to address the candidiasis. Oregano essential oil will kill an overabundance of candida.  It will be most effective taken internally.  I suggest getting some empty veggie caps (@ $5.33 from doTERRA) and putting 3-5 drops inside and taking 1 capsule with every meal.  Candida is epidemic in America, so dont be suprised or worried if you think you have it.  Look for my future post on candidiasis to find out how to cure it.  

Slim and Sassy is the best blend of oils to keep a well intentioned diet on the right track.  You can apply it to your trouble areas, especially to the tummy.  It will increase the blood flow to these areas, effectively flushing fat stores into the bloodstream.  Inhaling it will curb cravings.  Taking it internally will work on both fat absorbtion and hunger.  You will feel full faster so you eat less. It will also boost your metabolism so you burn more calories.  Again, using the veggie caps is my favorite way to take this essential oil internally.  Put 5-8 drops inside a veggie cap and swallow.  Take before every meal.  This essential oil blend tastes great in your water bottle as well.  

For the best results, you can try the entire weight management line from doTERRA.  It includes the TrimShake, Slim & Sassy EO, Mito2Max, Oregano EO, GX Assist & PB Assist+.  In February, I will be posting a complete diet regimen using doTERRA products, so stay tuned.  In the mean time, get some SLIM & SASSY!

Here's the link to my doTERRA Store...

https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?pid=46374932963430558

Foods for Flu Season & an Easy Recipe

Immune-boosting foods can improve your ability to ward off the flu and other health problems, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Even a small nutritional deficiency can affect the body's ability to stay healthy, said Heather Mangieri, a registered dietitian and academy spokesperson. 
"A strong immune system doesn't guarantee your body can fight off every flu bug, but it is a powerful defense," said Mangieri in an academy news release. "Good nutrition is essential to a strong immune response." 
Mangieri provided the following overview of foods that may boost the immune system: 
-Protein is an essential part of your body's defense system. Sources of protein include seafood, lean meat, poultry, eggs, beans and peas, soy products and unsalted nuts and seeds. 
-Vitamin A helps prevent infections by keeping the skin and tissues in the mouth, stomach, lungs and intestines healthy. This nutrient, found in sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, spinach and red bell peppers, also helps the body regulate the immune system. 
-Vitamin C triggers the production of immune-boosting antibodies. Oranges, grapefruit, strawberries and tangerines are among the foods rich in vitamin C. 
-Vitamin E is an antioxidant that may provide a boost to the immune system. 
People who want to get more vitamin E in their diet should eat sunflower seeds, almonds, sunflower or safflower oil, hazelnuts, peanut butter or spinach. 
-Some believe that zinc, a nutrient found in lean beef, wheat germ, crab, wheat bran, sunflower seeds, black-eyed peas, almonds, milk and tofu, may also improve functioning of the immune system.

Read more at: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-immune-boosting-foods-flu-defense.html#jCp

Here's a great recipe I have made.  It's a hit in my home, where it's often hard to get the kids to eat what is good for them.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Almonds

4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1in cubes
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup fresh thyme, or 3 teaspoons of dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon Kosher or coarse salt
1/2 cup sliced almonds


Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2.  In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except the sliced almonds, and toss.
3.  Spread potatoes in a single layer on a greased cookie sheet.  Roast until tender in oven until
     slightly browned, about 40 minutes.
4.  In a serving dish, stir together roasted potatoes and almonds.  Serve warm.

Avoid the Flu with Elderberry

Want to avoid the flu epidemic? 
Here's how to stay healthy with elderberry.

Elderberry can be found in syrups, jams, as an extract, or in vitamin supplements at your local health food store.  It is inexpensive and therefore an economical way to fend off illness.  

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/038659_flu_epidemic_elderberry_prevention.html#ixzz2HuXrbcjq

Cilantro Essential Oils for the flu, and so much more!

Cilantro essential oil has been used as a detoxifying agent to help the body remove toxic levels of heavy metals (like mercury used in teeth fillings). It can be beneficial for Arthritis, colds, colic, diarrhea, exhaustion, flatulence, flu, infections, migraine, muscular aches and pains, nausea, neuralgia, poor circulation, rheumatism, stiffness. It's also great in lots of recipes - try it in guacamole, lime shrimp, fajitas, tortilla soup, etc.

Fight the 2012 Flu with supplements...

Instead of getting the flu this year and having to suffer in misery, why not boost your immunity with supplements!  Click on the link below for helpful hints to prevent coming down with this nasty virus.  It's a short article from Natural News on a few simple things you can do to avoid getting the flu this year or ever again!

http://www.naturalnews.com/038655_flu_prevention_supplements_nutrients.html

Regulation of the Immune Response to Pathogens

Regulation of the immune response has been efficiently explained in these 2 videos.  Click on the links below to see them.  A good working knowledge of the immune system will be your best ally to improved health.  

Regulation of the Immune Response to Pathogens: Part 1
http://hstalks.com/main/view_talk.php?t=2457&r=611&j=755&c=252

Regulation of the immune Response to Pathogens:  Part 2http://hstalks.com/main/view_talk.php?t=2458&r=611&c=252

January Feature: The Immune System

To function well, the immune system needs balance and harmony.  Many things can affect the immune system, including diet, exercise, age,  psychological stress, and genetics.  Figuring out the massive defense system that is our immune system is incredibly complex.  Healthy living is a good way to start giving your immune system the upper hand.

I could go on and on in a lengthy article about how the immune system works.  If you are looking for that, go to Wikipedia.  Although the information on the functions of the immune system is thorough, it gives little help to someone looking to improve their immunity.  All of January, I’ll be posting information about different areas involved and affected in the immune system.  More importantly, you’ll learn how to combat your immune system deficiencies.  So stay tuned!  There's great info to come, including:

• Boosting your Immunity with Diet
• Supplementing with Vitamins, Minerals, Probiotics, and Essential Oils
• How Special Populations can Combat Low Immunity
• Massage Therapy for Immunity
• The Stress Connection to Low Immunity
• Using Essential Oils to Prevent Illness
• The Myth of Antibiotics
• Some Tasty Recipes