So despite your greatest effects, you’ve found yourself sick.  Maybe you’ve got strep throat or that sinus infection that just won’t quick.  In order to blast out those crappy germs, your family doctor has prescribed you an antibiotic.   Now what, all better?  Not all the time.   There are two rules of thumb to remember when taking any antibiotic.  The first is to make sure you take the whole course, meaning finish the bottle, even if you are feeling better.  Bacteria has been around for a lot longer than us and they are stronger than we’d wish.  If you stop taking your medicine before they are completely eradicated, they can grow into stronger strains that will be resistant to antibiotics.  Eek!

What’s the second rule?  Take a probiotic.

What are probiotics?  Most of us have heard the word.  In simplest terms, probiotics refer to the good bacteria that reside in our bowels and work to maintain an healthy environment there.  When we take antibiotics, the bad bacteria that make us sick are destroyed, but the good bacteria are killed as well.  Without these friendly micro-organisms, we can easily develop digestive tract issues such as gas, bloating and diarrhea.  It is also common to develop candida (yeast), especially in the female genital tract.

The best way to replenish our body’s natural bacterial balance is with probiotics.  While probiotics are found naturally in cultured and fermented foods like yogurt, miso and tempeh, these foods do not contain enough bacteria to effectively balance the flora.  Health care professionals recommend an intake of a minimum of 15 billion live bacteria daily, especially after an illness.  And don’t fall into the trap set by food manufacturers promising health promoting products.  Check out yesterday’s NY Times article to read about faulty claims.

The best way to go about supplementing is to consult with your health care provider.  They may carry a product line that’s right for you or know the right place for you to get them, and always follow their instructions.  While self-diagnosis seems easy enough, it’s best for your health if you get the facts and do it right the first time.

I love squash.  I could eat them with every meal.  Tonight I’m adding it to a fan favorite, my Grandma’s Sunday sauce.

Ingredients:

• one onion – chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic – sliced
• 1 zucchini – quartered
• 1 summer squash – quartered
• 2 (28 oz) cans of crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 1 tbsp basil
• salt & pepper

Directions:

In a large sauce pan, heat olive oil over med-heat.  Add onions and garlic and sauteé until onions are translucent, about 3 minutes.  Be careful not to burn the garlic, it will make the sauce taste bitter.  Add the zucchini and squash and sauteé for another 2 minutes.  Carefully pour in both cans of tomatoes.  Add herbs and salt & pepper to taste. Bring to light boil.  Set heat to low, cover halfway and simmer for at least one hour, stirring frequently so as to not let the squash sink to the bottom and burn.  Serve over your favorite pasta or spoon out veggies and serve as a side.  Delizioso!

I make this soup whenever my hunny has a cold.  It’s packed full of nutrients to help his immune system fight the germs and it’s comfort food to make him feel warm and loved.

Ingredients:

• 2 skinless chicken breasts – on the bone
• 1 large onion
• 3 garlic gloves – minced
• 2 celery stalks – chopped
• 2 carrots – peeled and chopped
• 1 large zucchini – quartered
• 1 (14oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup white mushrooms, quartered
• 2 sweet potatoes – peels and cubed
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 3 cups water
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp parsley
• salt and pepper
• dash of red pepper flakes (optional)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions:

In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat.  Add onions, garlic and mushrooms and sauteé until onions are translucent but not browned, about 3 minutes.  Add chicken and lightly brown on each side, adding 2 tbsp chicken broth if needed.  Toss in the rest of the veggies and mix.  Carefully pour in chicken stock and water and add spices.  Bring soup to a light boil then cover, set temperature to low and simmer for at least 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Remove chicken and set aside to let cool.  When cool enough to handle, shred chicken off the bone and return meat to the pot.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Let simmer for another 10 minutes.  Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese if desired and enjoy!

One of the advantages I have being an Alternative Health-care professional are the tools of the trade that I’ve picked up along the way. My medicine cabinet is filled with herbal remedies for anything from PMS to fullness after meals.  One of my favorites and the one I recommend most frequently is an original formula made by Blue Poppy Enterprises, Inc. called Cold Quell.

Based on the formula, Xiao Chai Hu Tang Si Wu Tang Jia Jian (that’s Chinese for a bunch of herbs mixed together), this herbal supplement can be used at first sign of common cold and flu, characterized by sore throat, fever and headache. I take 3 capsules twice a day for three days and, more often than not, my symptoms are resolved and I never miss a day of work.

In most states, Cold Quell and other herbal supplements can only be distributed by a licensed professional.  To find a Chinese Medicine practitioner in your area visit the Acufinder website.

Fall is here! The long warm days are almost gone (except for in So. Cal where I’m still sweating!  It was 99° today!).  My fortunate friends and relatives on the East coast will soon be enjoying the brilliant colors of autumn, and eventually, even here, I’ll be snuggling up under the afghan my grandmother made me, watching the sun take an earlier bedtime.

Picture taken by Michael Metzdorff

In Autumn, just as the sap of the tree withdraws from its branches to be stored in its trunk in hopes of an early spring, likewise the “Yang” of the body begins to turn inward, building a storage of nutrients in order to fuel us through the long and cold winter.  Like the animals who scurry around at first sign of falling leaves, collecting nuts and reserves for the winter, we too can take the opportunity to nourish our bodies, build our immune system and prepare for whatever mother nature may have in store.

Stay warm. If you read my blog-post Scarves – Not just for Fashion, then you already know that warm clothes are your first line of defense against the cooler weather, and especially the scarf should be worn whenever the winds are blowing.  Be mindful to shield yourself from the November rains as well and  keep your feet dry. Whenever possible, carry an extra pair socks (this goes out especially to you city folks).

Eat foods rich in nutrients.  One of the best parts of fall is the harvest.  Plants have been soaking in the summer sun and using the rich soil to grow brightly colored vegetables for your soups and stews.  Winter squash, sweet potatoes, beets and pumpkin (among others) will soon be reaching their peek and appearing at the local farmers’ markets.  Sour foods such as sauerkraut, olives and pickles, apples, plums and yogurt are also recommended in order to stimulate the process of contraction in the body. When cooking, use less water and simmer at lower temperatures for a longer period of time.  Sauteing and baking, which release the fragrant essence of food, is also recommended.

Supplement the Lung. In Chinese Medicine, the organ associated with Fall is the Lung.  The Lung is also referred to as the “delicate canopy” and it is very susceptible to dryness.  In California, the Santa Ana winds are starting to blow and many of us are experiencing what is called Lung dryness.  To understand this, think of a canopy of leaves in a forest.  As the sap withdraws from the leaves, they begin dry up.  The lungs are much like leaves.  They can easily dry out if they are not supplemented by moistening factors.  Foods such as millet, spinach and especially pears can help to moisten the Lungs and prevent dryness.

Conserve your energy.  While it is important to continue with a healthy exercise regimen, the same routine that worked for you all summer long may be too exhausting for the colder months.  Perhaps it’s time to set aside the boxing gloves and give Yoga or Tai Chi a try.  The body will appreciate this change and you’ll receive many therapeutic benefits from it as well.  Most importantly, if you do continue with your strenuous workouts, get plenty of rest afterward.  Our bodies know how much rest we need and if we’re deprived, the body will let us know.

While it’s still warm outside, it’s important to prepare so that we don’t find ourselves battling the winter flu without the proper reserves to manage it.  And if you do end up in bed with the sniffles, allow the time to get well… And see if you can get someone to make you some tasty soup, filled with all the goodies of Fall.

Happy Equinox!

In last night’s Emmy goody bag, along with the Nano Ipods and Container Store gift certificates, attendants received some healthy party favors as well.  Among them, Chews4Health Chewable Dietary Supplements were included.  Each tasty chewable tablet contains 16 powerful anti-oxidant ingredients from land and sea, including goji berries, açai and kelp.

Anti-oxidants are powerful neutralizers of free radicals and help our bodies fight against early aging, cancer and heart disease.  Two daily tablets maintain high levels of anti-oxidant and provide recommended doses of Vitamin B12, which is necessary for the normal synthesis of red blood cells, folic acid, which is needed for energy production, and alpha lipoic acid, which plays a crucial role in the mitochondria.  While we can obtain these healthy ingredients from the food we eat, many of us are not eating the 9-13 servings of fruits and vegetables we need to do so.  Chews4Health makes it easy and convenient to supplement our diets with these powerful and important components.

Visit the Chews4Health website for product information and to find out how to order.

It looks like everyone is trying to play a roll in getting America healthy. The YMCA has declared this week (September 20-27) America on the Move Week.  Their goal is to help communities add small but meaningful changes to their lives and incorporate activities in schools, the workplace and their homes. 

60% of Americans are still not getting the recommended 30 daily minutes of activity and 25% aren’t active at all. The average annual weight gain per adult is 1-2 pounds a year.

Start moving America! The change starts today and it starts with those first few steps. Try to add extra steps to your day by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking in further spots in parking lots. And try to eat better by cutting calories. Bring bottled water to work everyday and say “no” to sugary beverages, pack a lunch of grilled chicken with salsa and some cut veggies and avoid that snack machine. Click the link below for more helpful ideas on how you can start living healthier today and everyday.

Eight months ago a friend told me he joined a great new yoga studio nearby my office. They were having a deal: $389 unlimited classes for one year! It sounded too good to be true. My first reaction was to run over and sign up. Then the “buts” and “what if’s” kicked in. Can I afford to shell out 400 bucks? Will I really go and make the deal worth my wild? What my friend said next changed my mind. He said, “You are a health care professional now and you use a lot of your time and energy helping others. You need to start doing something that is healthy for your mind and your body in order to be the best you can be.” Almost immediately, I got in my car and drove over to the studio, handed the woman at the desk my check card and I was on my way.

I started by going to one or two beginner classes a week. I found it a great way to wind down after work and settle my mind of restless activity. Soon I was attending the more advanced classes and practicing more frequently. After three months, Power Yoga had found it’s way into my routine.

Yoga has become part of my life. Even when I can’t attend a class, wherever I am I’ll do a few minutes of stretches and breathing.  Sometimes I’ll use a video if I’m really feeling unmotivated to leave the house. If you have “On Demand” they have some decent FREE classes on their fitness channel.

The benefits are greater than I could have ever imagined. I sleep well, my mind is clearer, I’m less quick to anger and my body looks and feels great. I feel a new deliberation and control in my actions. I’ve learned to listen to my body and answer to its needs. I’ve found a new sense of gratitude and peace.

My yoga practice is something that is all my own and my mat is a place that is only mine to go. I leave my family and friends and work at the door and use the time to reconnect with my body and my self. I know that when I’m feeling down or out of sync, I can return to my mat, without judgment, without fear. I do what my body is capable of doing. When I feel ready, I challenge myself. I thank myself after each time I practice, being grateful for my day and that I gave myself to the time to be.

The New England Journal of Medicine published a health policy report yesterday, discussing the benefits of higher taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages.  The authors of this proposal, all respected doctors and PhD’s, suggest that because “the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has been linked to risks for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease…a compelling case can be made for the need for reduced consumption of these beverages.”

They believe that, not only will a new tax reduce the consumption thereby positively effecting the health of our county, but it will also generate a revenue that can then be used to support health-related programs, an estimated $14.9 billion if a tax of a penny an ounce is applied.   This tax would be for soft drinks, energy drinks, sports beverages and many juices and iced teas,  excluding sugar-free diet drinks.

According to an article in The New York Times, this proposal is getting some attention in Washington. President Obama has said it is worth considering.    Read the full article….

What do you think?

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The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared September National Fruits & Veggies—More Matters® Month.  It is clear that although we are reminded time and time again about the importance of adding more fruits and vegetables to our diets, a large percentage of the American population have still not effectively adopted a healthier way of eating.  For more information on how fruits and vegetables can improve your health, visit their website.