First, eating a diet high  in fruits and vegetables will help optimize your immunity.  Consuming plant based foods which vary in color, such as red tomatoes, purple grapes or  orange carrots,  can  ensure a diverse intake of antioxidants.  A healthy diet  will give the body the tools necessary to fight off  bacteria and viruses.

Sleeping  at least 7 to 8 hours of each night is crucial  for a healthy immune system.   It is during the sleeping hours that the body repairs and heals itself from the damage done on a daily basis.  Poor sleep contributes  to poor health.

Keeping stress under control is also very important. When our body is mentally and physically stressed, cortisol, the primary stress hormone, is released in excess into the bloodstream.  Cortisol, a natural steroid,  suppresses the immune system  making one more susceptible to infection.

Studies show vitamin C  can reduce the duration of the common cold by up to 12% in adults and  21% in children.  Supplementing with 500 mg to 1000 mg of vitamin C  daily should be considered.

The Cochrane Collaboration, an independent research group,  has shown that  the mineral  zinc reduces risk of contracting a cold when taken within 24 hours of exposure.  Daily supplementation also appears to help prevent the need of  developing an  infection requiring antibiotic treatment.

Vitamin D supplementation also helps reduce the risk of developing influenza according to scientists.  The lack of sunshine, and ultimately blood levels of vitamin D,  likely accounts for the higher  incidence of upper respiratory infections during the winter months.  Ask your doctor to check your vitamin D levels before supplementing with doses higher than 2,000 IU per day.

Lastly, some people may also benefit from the influenza vaccine. Interestingly, the studies are not as overwhelmingly favorable as expected.   However, the best evidence reports that between 33 to 100 people need to be vaccinated  against the seasonal flu in order to prevent one extra infection with the virus. Even when vaccinated, one is never 100% protected from developing the flu.

As always, prevention is always the best medicine. Please talk with your healthcare provider before making and changes to your healthcare regimen.

To my surprise, they absolutely loved it.   When we finished the  green creation, I told them what was in it, spinach and cabbage are now top on their list of vegetables to eat (or drink)

Below are my ingedients for this smoothie recipe:

-2 bananas (105 calories each, rich in potassium and magnesium)

-crushed ice  (1/3 to 1/2 of the blender) + some water

- about 1/4 of a head of cabbage (50 calories, tastes better than it sounds)

- 2 cups of  spinach

-1 apple, cut in 4 pieces

-1 medium size orange, peeled.

- 1, 8 0z can of crushed pineapples (in its own juice). Pineapples are rich in Vitamin C and Bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory.

-Mix in Vitamix industrial blender for about 30 seconds

-Drink and enjoy.

I typically make an entire blender of smoothie drink with the above recipe. If too thick, add a bit more water.

To receive free shipping on a  Vitamix 5200 blender, use affiliate discount code:  06-005296 when placing your order.

To order the Vitamix with free shipping + 7 year manufacturer warranty, use the free shipping discount code:

06-005296

&  GET FREE STANDARD SHIPPING ($25US/$35CN) . 
Call 1-800-848-2649 or view their special deals.  Don’t forget to use the free shipping discount coupon code 06-005296 when placing your order.

The Department of Homeland Security has designated September as National Preparedness Month to educate people on steps to take in case of a natural disaster or national emergency. The recent earthquakes, storms and hurricanes have made people aware of the need to cook without power. Demand for SUN OVENS has sky-rocketed. To meet the increased demand we have stepped up production and orders are shipped the next business day… read more here…

This result was seen in a study which compared rates of heart attacks in smokers who took either Chantix or a placebo.

Ironically, smoking in itself is a big risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.  Tobacco related deaths in the USA alone are about 500,000 each year, ten times more than the US deaths in Vietnam.

For more information, talk to your doctor or visit the FDA

- A  small amount (few tablespoons worth) of dry oatmeal

-2 bananas (105 calories each, rich in potassium and magnesium)

- half a bag of frozen cherries (~ 71 calories, Omega 3s, potassium)

-crushed ice  (1/3 to 1/2 of the blender) + some water

-a little bit of almond milk (1/3 cup to 1/2 cup)

- about 1/4 of a head of cabbage (50 calories, tastes better than it sounds)

-Mix in Vitamix industrial blender for about 30 seconds

-Drink and enjoy.

I typically make an entire blender of smoothie drink with the above recipe. If too thick, add a bit more water.

To receive free shipping on a  Vitamix 5200 blender, use affiliate discount code:  06-005296 when placing your order.

To order the Vitamix with free shipping + 7 year manufacturer warranty, use the free shipping discount code:

06-005296

&  GET FREE STANDARD SHIPPING ($25US/$35CN) . 
Call 1-800-848-2649 or view their special deals.  Don’t forget to use the free shipping discount coupon code 06-005296 when placing your order.