Protect you and your kids from the Flu!

1. Sugar and processed foods impact the immune system.
Through a complex system of chemical processes, sugar and processed foods (sodas, candy, cookies, ice cream, and potato chips are the big culprits) depress the immune system.  There is a direct link between the amount of sugar your child consumes and his/her health.  
 
Foods that you think are healthy may be hiding a lot of sugar and many refined ingredients:  juices, yogurt drinks instead of real yogurt, breakfast foods such as pop-tarts, kid's cereals, frozen waffles, and many of the "100 calorie" treats still have ingredients that are not good for your immune system.

2. Fresh foods offer the highest quality vitamins.
Don't substitute orange juice for your daily dose of vitamin C.  Real oranges, berries, and vegetables contain tons of vitamin C!  

3. Sleep will boost the immune system.
At night while we rest, the body is working to rebuild the immune system.  Deep sleep allows a complex set of hormonal changes that recharge the body so that it's resilient the next day.  The best way to fight off a cold or flu is to act immediately and get extra rest. Pay attention to the health of others around you such as those at work or your child's school.  If you hear of a bug "going around" and you notice that your child is tired, there's a good chance that extra sleep will ward off the cold or flu.  This is the time to allow extra television and require a mid-day nap.
 
4. Soups are still the best winter foods.
Homemade soups are packed with vitamins and minerals. They warm the body and strengthen the immune system.

5. Wash hands frequently, soap and water are best.
The best way to kill germs is to use soap and hot water and scrub hands thoroughly.  Only use the anti-bacterial products when soap and water are not available.

FACEBOOK can help you jumpstart your 2009 Health and Fitness Goals!

AAOS recently launched a free FACEBOOK social media application for the public called Get Up, Get Out, and Get Moving, Let's Exercise!
Newswise article - "Are you one of the more than 68 million people who have a Facebook.com account? If so, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) challenges you to get up, get out and get moving! The free AAOS application, available for download on FACEBOOK, "Get Up! Get Out! Get Moving! Let's Exercise!" enables users to:

Set fitness goals (promoting weight-bearing exercises)
Track those goals
Join teams that can also set and track fitness goals
Challenge friends and teammates on FaceBook to meet and/or beat goals
Compete with people around the globe to earn points and work your way to the top of the leader-board

The point of this exercise program is to help players get healthy, strengthen bones, encourage participation in the game of life, and help spread the message about exercise and strong bones around the world.
FACEBOOK account users may search for keywords "Get up" to download the "Get Up! Get Out! Get Moving! Let's Exercise!" application to their FACEBOOK profiles and begin inviting friends to join them in setting goals and earning points for some healthy competition.
The "Get Up! Get Out! Get Moving! Let's Exercise Now!"  FACEBOOK application is part of the Academy's current public service campaign to encourage bone strengthening exercise for all ages."

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ZING BARS: AWARDED BEST NUTRITION BAR 2008!

Have you been searching for the best sports bar? Are you tired of all the refined junk, preservatives and other garbage you have to eat while exercising to make your body healthier?
Well as an avid mountain biker and endurance cyclist I have tried nearly every bar in the business, and have finally settled on what I think is the best. Zing Bars!
Congratulations to Zing Bars for winning the Kitchen Table Medicine award for the best in nutrition bars for 2008!  Click the Kitchen Table link to read more!

ORDER ZING BARS...

Color is good, right? Not in your food!

Currently, there are seven artificial colors approved for use by the FDA in food products.  These colors are synthetically produced from petroleum, acetone or coal tars.  The latest research suggests that artificial colors may contribute to ADHD & ADD symptoms in children.  Denmark, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland and Sweden are among the European countries that actually ban coal tar derived dyes. The UK is currently phasing six of the seven artificial colors out of use by 2009, due to research showing increased hyperactivity in children who consumed the colors.  Norway banned coal tar derived dyes in 1978.  Read your ingredient list and eliminate the foods that contain these potentially harmful ingredients. Some food manufactures are beginning to use naturally occurring pigments and dyes to color foods that are 100% safe.  These natural color ingredients include turmeric, annatto, beets, spinach and many more.

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Disclaimer

The information contained in this newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Consult your doctor or health care provider before beginning any health or exercise program.