Ways to Beat Cold and Flu

Summer, rainy and/or the holiday season is almost always the time when you may feel run-down and stressed or catch a cold. Here are some tips to help you feel your best.

Wash your hands often
You can pick up germs on your hands without knowing it. Good hygiene helps you avoid getting sick. Wash your hand with soap and water for at least 15 to 20 seconds. Remember to scrub between your fingers and under your fingernails.

Get Vaccinated
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that eveyone older than 6 months gets the flu vaccine. Ask your doctor's clinic for the available vaccine.

Spice up your diet
Boost nutrition in meals with spices. Chili peppers, garlic, oregano, rosemary, turmeric and cumin help your body's natural defenses the may protect you against illness. This is also a low-salt way to add flavor to your meal. Did we mention that spices are also low-calorie? 

Get enough SLEEP
Stick to a regular bedtime, and get 8 hours of sleep every night. Getting enough rest can help you avoid sickness. If you get sick getting enough sleep will also help you recover faster.

Stay Active
Get outdoors and take a brisk walk. Or stay indoors, and just march in place. You will burn about 100 calories in 30 mins.

Drink Up
You may not think drinking a lot of water is important but staying hydrated is the key foa a year-round good health. Drinking enough liquids helps your whole body work properly. You don't need to stick to plain water. Try hot tea or hot water with lemon and ginger. Having a little flavor is that small push you need to take your liquid.


Reference: Healthy Woman Your guide to living well.

Tips on being a Helathy Mom-to-Be

Foods you need, and some to avoid

When you are eating for two, choosing the right foods is important or should we say the most important thing ever! What you eat can help your baby grow and keep you feeling your best. But it is also important to avoid certain foods. Make sure to talk to your doctor and/or OB if you have diet concerns.

EAT: Seafood high in omega-3 fat
Omega-3 fats help your baby's brain and yes develop. Fish is also a good source of lean protein. Try Salmon and sardines.

EAT: Beans, eggs, lean chicken, and lean meat
They are rich in protein that helps your baby grow, especially late in pregnancy. You will also get Iron and Vitamin B.

EAT: Whole grains and grain foods fortified with folic acid
Whole grains contain fiber, iron, B vitamins, and essential minerals for you and your baby. Folic acid helps prevent birth defects.

EAT: Low-fat dairy products and foods fortified with calcium
Calcium in these foods builds your baby's bones and teeth. Try skim milk, mozzarella cheese and yogurt.

EAT: Lots of fruits and vegetables
They provide must-have vitamins and minerals. Be sure to wash them well before eating or cooking them. Make half of your plate filled with fruits and veggies.

DRINK:  Water, pasteurized juice, and broth
Water carries nutrients from foods you eat to your baby. Staying hydrated can also ease swelling and stomach pains.

AVOID: Undercooked and unpasteurized foods
These foods may contain harmful bacteria that can lead to food poisoning. Cook eggs, seafood, chicken and meat well. Avoid feta and blue cheeses and raw cookie dough and cake batter.

AVOID: Seafood high in mercury
These foods can lead to developmental problems for your baby.
Avoid Swordfish, shark, king mackerel, and tilefish.

This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice. Consult your doctor for advice about changes that may affect your health.
Reference: Healthy Woman page 2

the BEST Advice Your MOM every gave YOU

There are times our moms do drive us crazy with all the little (or a lot of) nagging they gives us. But as we grow up and be a mother or parent ourselves, we realize that our moms do dish out good advice that we find ourselves using and applying it in our daily life now. Amazingly we find ourselves sharing the same advice with our children.

Share the love of a Mom this Mother's Day and share your mom's advice. Help us out as we compile a list of "great Advice our Moms ever gave" by adding your own. #weluvmoms or leave your best advice on our FB page.

"When you lie, make sure you have a good memory." - M.S.
"Use your common sense!" - anonymous

"Always defend yourself." - Caroline B.

"Face your mistake before it becomes worse." - A.B.

"Never give up easily, you will be the winner at the end." - N.J.
"When buying bargain goods - don't take things at face value, you get what you pay for." - J.S.
"Treat people the way you want to be treated." J.V.S.
"Don't do work that is just enough to get you by or just to be able to say I finished the work, do work that will make you a better you and you can be proud to tell others that it is your hard work." - anonymous
"Pick yourself up! Don't give excuses. Face the problem and that is the only way things get solve." - anonymous
"Surround yourself with good friends and you will be like them. If you surround yourself with bad friends you will be like them too. So choose your friends wisely." - anonymous

Deal of the Day