SHINee - Fly High (Prosecutor Princess OST) MV

This is my favorite Korean drama~~~ Prosecutor Princess.

It talks about the transformation of a prosecutor. Very interesting~~~

SHINee - Fly High [English sub, Hangul & Romaji]

Thanksgiving for Vegetarian (3) ~ Fiery Sweet Potatoes

Yield: 10 to 12 servings.

Time: About 2 hours

Ingredients: 

5 pounds sweet potatoes                           
1 cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste              
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter                    
1 teaspoon salt.

Instruction: 

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Bake potatoes on a baking sheet until very soft, about 1 hour. When cool 
enough to handle, peel and mash.

2. In a small saucepan, heat coconut milk with curry paste over low heat. Mix coconut milk mixture, half the sugar, half the butter, and salt into potatoes. Keep warm until ready to serve, or cover and refrigerate up to two days.

3. At least 30 minutes before serving, heat oven to 425 degrees. Put potatoes in a baking dish, cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover potatoes, dot with remaining butter and sugar and broil until brown and crusty on top, checking often to prevent scorching.

What is Cupping??

Recently, some patients asked my husband what is cupping therapy. Some people reduced  their pain after treatment but some are afraid of result. Here, I will share the meaning of cupping. It's a easy, fast, needle-less  way to release physical pain.  

Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy is the method of using glass or plastic cups to create localized pressure by a vacuum.  The Chinese have been doing this since ancient times by using heat inside glass or bamboo cups.  Nowadays, cupping sets use suction to create the vacuum.  The vacuum inside the cups causes the blood to form in the area and help the healing in that area.

Ancient Chinese medicine have believed that the body contains "Meridians".  These meridians are pathways in the body which the energy of life called Qi ("chi") flows through.  It flows through every body part, tissue, and organ.  Cupping therapy is mainly performed on one's back because there are five meridians on your back.  When these meridians are opened, the internal energy is able to flow through the whole body.

Another healing aspect of cupping therapy is through the release of toxins in your body.  The suction from the cups can penetrate deep into your tissues causing the tissues to release harmful toxins.  It triggers the lymphatic system, clears the blood vessels, and stretches and activates the skin.

Cupping therapy has been found in ancient records dating back 3500 years and it is still used today by many alternative medicine practitioners.  New advancements in technology and materials have been integrated with cupping therapies and its uses now range for many different treatments and applications.

How Cupping Therapy Works

Cupping therapy works by reducing the pain we feel in our bodies.  In alternative medicine, pain is believed to be caused by problems relating to your Qi flow.  This can be related to stress in the body, imbalances of hormones and fluids, lack of blood flow, and temperature in the muscles and joints.  When a suction cup is place on a problem area, the vacuum pull of the cup creates warmth and circulation in the area.  Very soon, you will feel that the pain is reduced.

In Chinese medicine, all the organs are connected together.  So if you have a problem with one organ, it can affect the health of other parts of your body.  For example, it is believed that the kidneys are connected to a persons aging.  A person with an imbalance or disease in the kidneys will experience more graying of the hair, wrinkled and dry skin, etc. 

The use of cupping therapy has many benefits and can be applied in many treatments.  Some of the conditions cupping therapy can be used in are:

• Constipation, IBS, diarrhea
• Headaches
• Back Pain
• Arthritis
• Fatigue
• Sciatica
• Skin Problems
• Period cramps
• Weight problems
• and more

Reverse Type Two Diabetes With a Vegan Diet

Chilean Pavilion at Expo Shanghai 2010

I travelled to varias ountries. Chile is one of beautiful and natral place which I have seen. I met a lot of friends. One of them is helping the Expo Shanghai now. Her name is Daniela who can speaks Mandarin,  Spanish, and a little bit English.

Chilean Pavilion at Expo Shanghai 2010

Chinese Herbs for Arthritis

People complain join pain in the cold season becuase of arthristis. For this reason, Arthristis makes them feel weakness with their elbows and legs. I am curious how Chinese Medicine can help a lot of this kind of patients w/o corticosteroids drug.  Here I find good information to share.  

East Meets West

When the two popular pain medications Vioxx and Bextra were taken off of the market because they could cause heart problems, patients began struggling to find relief. Most over-the-counter medications simply do not offer the kind of pain relief needed for arthritis patients. In order to have the same effect, over-the-counter medications need to be taken in higher than recommended doses. Many of these drugs have adverse side effects in higher dosages, such as liver failure.

Many patients have begun looking to herbal remedies as a way to manage pain. Western physicians are reluctant to accept Eastern medicines as viable, though there are a few naturopathic physicians, which are licensed to practice traditional western medicine as well as holistic medicine.
Before prescribing Chinese herbs for arthritis, a Chinese herbalist will determine what the causes are of the arthritis. They will consider the following examinations before determining a course of action. They are:

Traditional Chinese Medicine

• Bi Syndrome- determined by the types of weather conditions that make the symptoms worse
• Liver Not Smoothing the Qi- since the liver affects the functioning of the joints and tendons, it needs to be working properly and treated if it is not
• Third Stage Injury- injuries to the joints and tendons must also be treated

Once these problems are assessed the herbalist can then prescribe the proper herbs and treatment program for the patient to follow.
There are several herbal remedies that can be used as part of a pain management program for arthritis. As with all herbal remedies, they should be taken only after you have consulted with your physician, especially if you are taking other prescription medications to treat your disease, as in rheumatoid arthritis .

 

Some Chinese Herbs for Arthritis

• Angelica (Dong Quai)- used as a muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory and for pain relief.

A tonic is made from the root of the plant, which can be taken orally.

• Astragulus (Huang qi or Huang Ch’) -the dried root of the plant can be used in tea to boost the immune system
• Ginger (Gan Jiang)– used as an anti-inflammatory. Fresh roots are used in a tea or compress.
• Boswellia- used as an anti-inflammatory. Gum resin extract is used in topical creams or may also be made into a tea to be taken internally
• Alfalfa (Qadb) - used as an anti-inflammatory. A tea can be made of the plant and mint leaves. The sprouts can also be eaten in salads, sandwiches or alone.
• Feverfew- used as an anti-inflammatory, the heads of the flowers can be made into a tea
• Hops (Lu-ts’ao) – fresh flowers of the plants are made into a poultice to be placed on inflamed joints or taken internally when made into a tea
• Curcumin (E-Zhu) – used to treat inflammation, an extract from the root of the plant can be used to make a tea Traditional Western MedicineThe treatment for arthritis in traditional western medicine is to treat the pain and inflammation. Over-the-counter medications are typically prescribed for treating these conditions.
  Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers are treated quite differently. Their condition is not only one of pain and inflammation, but their autoimmune system is attacking their joints. Typical medications in pill form that are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis are prescriptions such as COX-2 inhibitors, methotrexate and quinine. There are also new drugs on the market for rheumatoid arthritis that can be injected, which include Humira and Enbrel.

Since the difference in the ways these two types of arthritis are treated, it is important to discuss any herbal remedies with the treating physician first. Chinese herbs for arthritis can counteract prescription medications while others may intensify them or cause undesirable side effects.

 

Thanksgiving for Vegetarian (2) ~ Cranberry Tart

November is cranberry season in the US. Cranberry sauce usually has pride of place at the Thanksgiving table, but here's another tasty way to enjoy cranberries. You can try it. ^_^

Yield	10-12 servings
Time	2 hours 45 minutes
Tools	plastic wrap  rolling pin 10 inch tart pan w/ removable bottom aluminum foil fork food processor
Ingredients	batchpie crust dough 7 c fresh cranberries, washed and drained 2¼ c sugar zest of one orange, finely grated dash cinnamon dash salt 1 c flour 5 oz butter
Directions	Make the pie crust dough, form into slightly flattened ball, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate 30 minutes. Roll out dough into 12-in circle on floured counter. Arrange in tart pan and fold down the high edges so that they are only ½ inch above edges of pan. Cover and chill for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 425. Line entire shell with foil and fill with dry beans or rice (to weight it down). Bake 25 minutes, remove beans, prick a few times with fork (bottom and sides), bake until golden brown, 5-7 minutes. Meanwhile, combine cranberries, ¾ c sugar, orange zest, cinnamon, and salt. Combine flour, remaining 1½ c sugar, and butter in food processor and process until clumpy. Preheat oven to 375. Pour cranberries into baked pie crust so that they form a slight mound in the center. Drop slightly squished handfuls of topping on top. Bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 40-45 minutes. Allow to cool slighty - serve warm.

Thanksgiving for Vegetarian (1) ~~~Lasagne

Personally, I really like Lasagne so I made it freaquently. This year, my friend asked me to make one because she just became vegetarian few months ago. She wants to learn how to make Vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner.
Here is the recipe.

Yield	8 servings
Time	1 hour 15 minutes
Tools	saucepan ladle 9x13-in or other large baking dish
Ingredients	1 pound dry lasagne noodles 2-3 c Italian tomato paste 2 small or one large zucchini, grated ½-1 pound ricotta cheese 3 large bunches spinach, washed and stemmed 1 pound mozzarella cheese, grated or thinly sliced ½ pound provolone, grated or thinly sliced (optional)
Directions	Bring the tomato sauce to a boil, stir in the zucchini, and cook for about 5 minutes. Ladle a bit of sauce into the baking dish and spread it around so that the bottom of the dish is lightly coated. Preheat oven to 350. Place lasagne noodles in the pan to form a single layer. If necessary, break noodles to fill gaps. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta cheese on the noodles, then lay out 1/3 of the spinach on top of that. Sprinkle or place 1/3 of the cheese, then cover with tomato sauce. Repeat twice, using 1/3 of ingredients for each layer, saving a sprinkle of cheese to garnish the top. Bake for about 1 hour, until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted. Let cool slightly and serve.
Notes	You don't actually need to cook the lasagne noodles ahead of time, as long as they are surrounded by plenty of sauce. The vague amounts of sauce and cheese are deliberate - personally, I like tons of cheese and sauce in my lasagne, but others think it's excessive and prefer more vegetables.

Acupuncture: A Cure for Infertility?

NEW YORK —  At 36, Lucy Appert has suffered through two miscarriages, a stillbirth at 8 1/2 months and, because of a rare pregnancy-related liver dysfunction, intensive illness and surgery.

Yet after enduring five painful years of trying to have their own baby, Appert and her husband Edward finally saw their dream come true last month when their son Henry was born — premature, but healthy.
For all the fertility treatments, technologies and prenatal care available to women today, Appert credits the success of her pregnancy to an ancient Chinese secret.

"I recommend acupuncture to everyone," Appert said. "It does work. I did everything possible for years to have a baby. I almost lost hope."

The millennias-old Asian medical practice — in which the acupuncturist places tiny needles in various pressure points, or "Qi" (Chee), in the body to improve circulation and reduce stress - has been around in the United States for years as an "alternative" treatment for numerous ailments.
But recently, acupuncture has been picking up steam as a possible remedy for female infertility, with a handful of American and European studies showing that it enhances the success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) .

“Do I believe in it? Absolutely,” said Dr. Paul C. Magarelli, an infertility doctor at the Reproductive Medicine & Fertility Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., and co-author of an ongoing study into the use of acupuncture with IVF with Dr. Diane K. Cridennda. Cridennda is a licensed acupuncturist with a master's degree in Oriental medicine from the International Institute of Chinese Medicine who owns East Winds Acupuncture, also in Colorado Springs.

Magarelli said he joined the study at the urging of Cridennda, who had approached him about using acupuncture with IVF based on her knowledge of its history as an Eastern fertility treatment. A skeptic at first, Magarelli said he dismissed the idea for a while before signing on.

"I thought, this is rubbish — it can't be true," Magarelli said. "But no matter how I look at this data, I see an improvement. ... I'm pretty much a convert."

In general, studies seem to indicate that doing acupuncture about 30 minutes before and after in vitro fertilization can increase the chance that the embryo will be implanted successfully and reduce the chance of miscarriage.

There are also indications that the effectiveness of the IVF drugs and procedure may improve if acupuncture is done about once a week in the month or two leading up to the start of IVF and then continued regularly — once or twice a week — during the whole cycle.

And, as in Appert's case, there is anecdotal evidence that acupuncture can help with other fertility and pregnancy problems. Appert didn't need IVF to conceive, but she was told she probably couldn't carry a healthy baby to term because of her liver disorder.

But some doctors caution that there is no "magic pill" for fertility, pregnancy and IVF troubles — whether it's acupuncture or something else.

"The jury is still out on that," said Dr. Eric Surrey, president of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), who has a practice at the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine. "I don't think we have good data to show that acupuncture before and after the embryo transfer is truly beneficial."

And they warn against making too much of claims that acupuncture can help with having babies.
"It's impossible to say at this point," said Dr. Robert Schenken, president of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), who has a practice at the University of Texas Health Science Center. "In the absence of any controlled data, I don't think we can come to a firm conclusion."

Promising Research

Acupuncture seems to help some women because it improves circulation to the ovaries— which makes for healthier eggs — and to the uterus, which increases the chances that the lining will be strong enough to hold those eggs to full-term.

"Acupuncture provides better circulation and better blood flow to the womb," said Dr. Raymond Chang, director of New York's Meridian Medical Group, who has been incorporating acupuncture into fertility treatments for the past decade. "It will give a better chance for the eggs to be nourished and therefore carried."

There's also the fact that acupuncture can be a stress-reliever during an emotional time.
"Trying to get pregnant is incredibly stressful," said Victoria Koos, the acupuncturist who treated Appert at Yin and Tonic Acupuncture in New York. "They're crossing their fingers. The longer they're trying to get pregnant, the worse it gets ... Part of [acupuncture's success] is simply relaxation. When the body is relaxed, all systems function better."

The Colorado study Magarelli and Cridennda presented at aconference

this fall is one of a series the pair have done with acupuncture and in vitro.

Healthy Life: Beneficial About Beets

Healthy Life: Beneficial About Beets: "Beets are a unique source of phytonutrients called betalains. Betanin and vulgaxanthin are the two best-studied betalains from beets, and..."

Beneficial About Beets

• Beets are a unique source of phytonutrients called betalains. Betanin and vulgaxanthin are the two best-studied betalains from beets, and both have been shown to provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support. The detox support provided by betalains includes support of some especially important Phase 2 detox steps involving glutathione. Although you can see these betalain pigments in other foods (like the stems of chard or rhubarb), the concentration of betalains in the peel and flesh of beets gives you an unexpectedly great opportunity for these health benefits. 

• In a recent study from Italy, beets were shown to be an especially important contributor of two carotenoids in the overall diet: lutein and zeaxanthin. Although much of the recent carotenoid research has focused on beta-carotene, both lutein and zeaxanthin are unique as health support molecules, particularly with respect to eye health and common age-related eye problems involving the macula and the retina. For eye health, beets may eventually turn out to require a category all their own. 

• Unlike some other food pigments, betalains undergo very steady loss from food as the length of cooking time is increased. For example, one recent study has shown the red betalain pigments in beets to be far less heat stable than red anthocyanin pigments in red cabbage. The difference between 15 minutes of steaming versus 25 minutes of steaming, or 60 minutes of roasting versus 90 minutes of roasting can be significant in terms of betalain damage. For these reasons, we recommend that you keep beet steaming times to 15 minutes or less, and roasting times under an hour. 

• An estimated 10-15% of all U.S. adults experience beeturia (a reddening of the urine) after consumption of beets in everyday amounts. While this phenomenon is not considered harmful in and of itself, it may be a possible indicator of the need for healthcare guidance in one particular set of circumstances involving problems with iron metabolism. Individuals with iron deficiency, iron excess, or specific problems with iron metabolism are much more likely to experience beeturia than individuals with healthy iron metabolism. For this reason, if you experience beeturia and have any reason to suspect iron-related problems, we recommend a healthcare consult to follow up on possible issues related to iron status. 

• In recent lab studies on human tumor cells, betanin pigments from beets have been shown to lessen tumor cell growth through a number of mechanisms, including inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzymes (specifically, cyclooxygenase enzymes). The tumor cell types tested in these studies include tumor cells from colon, stomach, nerve, lung, breast, prostate and testicular tissue. While lab studies by themselves are not proof of beets' anti-cancer benefits, the results of these studies are encouraging researchers to look more closely than ever at the value of betanins and other betalains in beets for both prevention and treatment of certain cancer types.

THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER AND HUMAN HEALTH

"I'm dying of thirst!"

Well, you just might. It sounds so simple. H20. Two parts hydrogen, one part oxygen. But this substance better known as water, is the most essential element, next to air, to our survival. Water truly is everywhere, still most take it for granted.

Water makes up more than two thirds of the weight of the human body, and without it, we would die in a few days. The human brain is made up of 95% water, blood is 82% and lungs 90%. A mere 2% drop in our body's water supply can trigger signs of dehydration: fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on smaller print, such as a computer screen. (Are you having trouble reading this? Drink up!)

Mild dehydration is also one of the most common causes of daytime fatigue. An estimated seventy-five percent of Americans have mild, chronic dehydration. Pretty scary statistic for a developed country where water is readily available through the tap or bottle.
Water is important to the mechanics of the human body. The body cannot work without it, just as a car cannot run without gas and oil. In fact, all the cell and organ functions made up in our entire anatomy and physiology depend on water for their functioning.

• Water serves as a lubricant
• Water forms the base for saliva
• Water forms the fluids that surround the joints.
• Water regulates the body temperature, as the cooling and heating is distributed through perspiration.
• Water helps to alleviate constipation by moving food through the intestinal tract and thereby eliminating waste- the best detox agent.
• Regulates metabolism

In addition to the daily maintenance of our bodies, water also plays a key role in the prevention of disease. Drinking eight glasses of water daily can decrease the risk of colon cancer by 45%, bladder cancer by 50% and it can potentially even reduce the risk of breast cancer. And those are just a few examples! As you follow other links on our website, you can read more in depth about how water can aid in the prevention and cure of many types of diseases, ailments and disorders that affect the many systems of our bodies.

Since water is such an important component to our physiology, it would make sense that the quality of the water should be just as important as the quantity. Drinking water should always be clean and free of contaminants to ensure proper health and wellness.

Eggless Tiramisu~~

Tiramisu:
8 oz. mascarpone cheese
1/2 standard container of Cool Whip
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tsp. cane sugar
1/2 box of Nilla wafers
1 cup of coffee (refrigerated)
1 tsp instant coffee
1/2 cup of shaved truffles (a good dark or milk chocolate)


Mix the mascarpone, Cool Whip, vanilla extract, sugar and instant coffee.

Soak the Nilla wafers in the refrigerated coffee, and layer them in your dish as the base layer.

Spread half the mascarpone/Cool Whip mixture over the soaked Nilla wafers.

Add another layer of the coffee soaked Nilla wafers, followed by a final layer of the mascarpone/Cool Whip mixture.

Refrigerate for a good 3-4 hours; the longer it sits, the better the flavor.

Just make sure that your refrigerator is clean ;). Top with the shaved truffles before serving.

Note: Nilla wafers aren’t very porous. They don’t manage to pick up the coffee flavor too well. So, if you’re looking for a really strong tiramsu, where coffee is concerned, I would suggest adding a good quality instand coffee (ha, if that’s possible!) to the mascarpone/Cool Whip mixture.

Artichoke – Health & Nutrition

The ancients considered artichokes to have many benefits. Artichokes, including leaves, were thought to be an aphrodisiac, a diuretic, a breath freshener and even a deodorant. Decoctions of artichoke leaves have been used as blood cleansers, cholerics, to improve bile production and secretion and to detox the liver and the skin.

The new, to this era, information about phytochemicals contained in vegetables and fruits is confirming some of these ancient claims. Research is now underway to determine the phytochemicals in artichokes, and work continues to define the role these phytochemicals play in maintaining good health and preventing disease.
Current research is showing benefits to the liver from cynarin, a compound found in the artichoke's leaves. Silymarin is another compound found in artichokes that has powerful anitoxidant properties and may help the liver regenerate healthy tissue.
Artichokes are nutrient dense, so, for the 25 calories in a medium artichoke, you're getting 16 essential nutrients!

Artichokes provide the important minerals magnesium, chromium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, iron and calcium. For example, that 25 calorie artichoke provides 6% of the Recommended Daily Value of phosphorus, 10% of magnesium, 8% of manganese, 10% of chromium, 5% of potassium, 4% of iron and 2% of calcium and iron.
In addition to all these important minerals, artichokes are a good source of fiber (12% of the RDV), vitamin C (10% of the RDV), and folate (10% of the RDV).

Artichokes are low in calories and sodium, have no fat and no cholesterol.
All this means that artichokes, as a part of a low-fat, high-fiber diet, can help reduce the risk of certain types of heart disease, cancers and birth defects.

Eat Well to Help Reduce Your Risk of Cold and Flu

According to Dr. Hark, food and healthy lifestyle choices boost your immune system, and that can prevent you from coming down with colds and flu. The key is not waiting until you get sick to make these changes; you need to revamp your diet and lifestyle before the cold and flu bugs get to you.

Rely on Real Food, Not Vitamins

Foods are better than dietary supplements for the prevention of colds and flu because you get the whole nutritional package. For example, Dr. Hark points out, eating an orange is better for you than just taking vitamin C because the orange offers you a combination of nutrients -- magnesium, potassium, folate, vitamin B6, and antioxidant-rich flavonoids. While we know that vitamin C is important for a healthy immune system, studies don’t show that taking massive doses of vitamin C helps to prevent colds and flu at all. However, we do know that eating fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C will help to keep your immune system strong. Your immune system is what protects you from viral infections, and the foods you eat have a major impact on your immune system’s ability to fight off colds and flu. The reason that fruits and vegetables do a better job of keeping your immune system ready is because they also contain vitamins A and E, as well as the flavonoids that work along side vitamin C to keep your immune system and your whole body healthy.

Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

So now that you know you need to eat lots of fruits and vegetables to keep your immune system strong, the next step is to actually make it happen. People tend to eat fewer fruits and vegetables in the winter, which is the opposite of what you should be doing. Everyone needs at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day to get adequate vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants -- all things we need for a healthy immune system. One way to increase your intake of fruits and vegetables is to incorporate juice into your diet. Not just any juice will do, though. Make sure you choose 100% juices, as other juice drinks contain extra sugar and empty calories. You can learn more about the benefits of 100% juice at the Florida Department of Citrus website.
For the best prices, be sure to browse your grocery store's produce aisle for fresh fruits and vegetables that are in-season. Oranges and grapefruits are usually cheaper in the winter, so cold and flu season is the perfect time to load up on citrus fruits.
Dr. Hark assures us that eating frozen fruits and vegetables is another economical and convenient way to improve your diet and prevent colds and flu. Frozen vegetable selections range from very inexpensive bags of basic peas, corn and green beans to artfully combined fruits and vegetable dishes topped with delicate sauces that you simply pop in the microwave.

Make sure that fruits and vegetables are part of every meal. You can add berries or a sliced banana to your whole grain cereal at breakfast and drink a glass of 100% orange or grapefruit juice. Pack a bunch of grapes or an apple with your sandwich for lunch, and top that sandwich with tomato slices, avocado, sprouts and lettuce. Start dinner off with a salad or vegetable soup, or serve a big salad as a healthy dinner. Keep a bowl of oranges, apples and pears on your counter top to grab as quick snacks.

Keep Up Your Healthy Diet

While you want to focus on increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat, don't forget to choose other healthy foods to supply nutrients your immune system needs. A healthy balanced diet with lean meats, fish, poultry, low-fat dairy, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds provides your body with all of the nutrients you need for general health. A healthy body tends to have a healthier immune system. Protein sources such as lean meats, dairy, eggs and legumes are especially important because they supply the amino acids that your body needs to build the components of your immune system. Lean meats also contain iron and zinc; deficiencies of these minerals can depress your immune system.
Of course, avoiding unhealthy food is important too. Stay away from excess sugar and unhealthy fats, such as saturated fat and trans fats. Dr. Hark suggests being prepared by keeping healthy snacks handy so you won’t be so tempted to eat less healthy options. Try dried fruit or trail mix.

11 Natural Tips to Prevent a Cold

There are no known cures for colds and flu, so cold and flu prevention should be your goal. A proactive approach to warding off colds and flu is apt to make your whole life healthier. The most effective way for preventing the flu is to get the flu shot. It may not be natural, but it works better than anything else. But there are other strategies you can employ as well.

#1 Wash Your Hands

Most cold and flu viruses are spread by direct contact. Someone who has the flu sneezes onto their hand, and then touches the telephone, the keyboard, a kitchen glass. The germs can live for hours -- in some cases weeks -- only to be picked up by the next person who touches the same object. So wash your hands often. If no sink is available, rub your hands together very hard for a minute or so. That also helps break up most of the cold germs. Or rub an alcohol-based hand sanitizer onto your hands.

 

#2 Don't Cover Your Sneezes and Coughs With Your Hands

Because germs and viruses cling to your bare hands, muffling coughs and sneezes with your hands results in passing along your germs to others. When you feel a sneeze or cough coming, use a tissue, then throw it away immediately. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow.

#3 Don't Touch Your Face

Cold and flu viruses enter your body through the eyes, nose, or mouth. Touching their faces is the major way children catch colds, and a key way they pass colds on to their parents.

#4 Drink Plenty of Fluids

Water flushes your system, washing out the poisons as it rehydrates you. A typical, healthy adult needs eight 8-ounce glasses of fluids each day. How can you tell if you're getting enough liquid? If the color of your urine runs close to clear, you're getting enough. If it's deep yellow, you need more fluids.

#5 Take a Sauna

Researchers aren't clear about the exact role saunas play in prevention, but one 1989 German study found that people who steamed twice a week got half as many colds as those who didn't. One theory: When you take a sauna you inhale air hotter than 80 degrees, a temperature too hot for cold and flu viruses to survive.

#6 Do Aerobic Exercise Regularly

Aerobic exercise speeds up the heart to pump larger quantities of blood; makes you breathe faster to help transfer oxygen from your lungs to your blood; and makes you sweat once your body heats up. These exercises help increase the body's natural virus-killing cells.

#7 Eat Foods Containing Phytochemicals

"Phyto" means plants, and the natural chemicals in plants give the vitamins in food a supercharged boost. So put away the vitamin pill, and eat dark green, red, and yellow vegetables and fruits.

#8 Eat Yogurt

Some studies have shown that eating a daily cup of low-fat yogurt can reduce your susceptibility to colds by 25%. Researchers think the beneficial bacteria in yogurt may stimulate production of immune system substances that fight disease.

#9 Don't Smoke

Statistics show that heavy smokers get more severe colds and more frequent ones.

Even being around smoke profoundly zaps the immune system. Smoke dries out your nasal passages and paralyzes cilia. These are the delicate hairs that line the mucous membranes in your nose and lungs, and with their wavy movements, sweep cold and flu viruses out of the nasal passages. Experts contend that one cigarette can paralyze cilia for as long as 30 to 40 minutes.

#10 Cut Alcohol Consumption

Heavy alcohol use suppresses the immune system in a variety of ways. Heavier drinkers are more prone to initial infections as well as secondary complications. Alcohol also dehydrates the body -- it actually causes more fluid loss from your system than it puts in.

#11 Relax

If you can teach yourself to relax, you can activate your immune system on demand. There's evidence that when you put your relaxation skills into action, your interleukins -- leaders in the immune system response against cold and flu viruses -- increase in the bloodstream. Train yourself to picture an image you find pleasant or calming. Do this 30 minutes a day for several months. Keep in mind, relaxation is a learnable skill, but it is not doing nothing. People who try to relax, but are in fact bored, show no changes in blood chemicals.

The purpose of Healthy Life

Living a healthier life can not only extend your life, it can also improve the quality. Feeling physically better and having control over your own life can greatly increase your mental health as well. Although there are some aspects of physical and mental health that are beyond an individual's (and science's) control, there are many things that people can do to improve their quality of life.

The purpose of this blog is to introduce you to some of the basic practices and guidelines of healthy living. Because every person (and his or her physical health and abilities) is unique, not all of the information in this course may apply. It is important to check with your doctor or medical care provider when changing your lifestyle. However, the information from this blog may provide you with some basic guidelines for developing your own healthy living plan.