by L Young | Jan 30, 2014 | Blog
With flu season in full swing, heading to the local drug store for OTC relief is a common reaction. But do they really help? More often than not, we find ourselves feeling worse rather than better. After all, even dextromethorphan which is in common cold/flu formulas, have FDA warnings for children.
But there is one ingredient that may show relief for a sore throat, honey. This natural, sweet ingredient that is often used to sweeten tea, coffee, and some desserts can actually coat the throat to provide relief from a sore throat. Studies have shown that honey, when compared to some OTC sore throat and cough medicines, provides more relief in suppressing nighttime cough’s, especially in children.
Honey is also an antimicrobial, giving it other healing effects. Some studies show that taking 1-2 teaspoons of a good quality honey a day may help in preventing and/or shortening the length of a cold or sore throat. The important thing to remember is that your honey should be organic and I would suggest a local honey, if available.
Honey has been used for centuries for various health issues, including some of the darker honey’s like Manuka which has been found beneficial in healing wounds. So for the common cold or flu, having honey in the cupboard may be a good idea. You can always use it to sweeten your tea.
Just one word of Caution: Do not give honey to children under 1 years of age. There can be risks due to their underdeveloped immune system. As with any illness, always consult your physician when deciding on treatment.
I have added some favorite honey recipes for sore throat and cough symptoms.
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by L Young | Jan 17, 2014 | Blog
Does making a family dinner turn into a dreaded event in your household? If so, you may not be alone. More households are facing issues with putting healthy meals on the tables when faced with less time and picky eaters. As experts will tell you, enjoying quality meal time as a family is a great way to connect with each other on the day’s events, take in a healthy home cooked meal, and relish in the downtime. Ideally it can be as little as 15-20 minutes and include a quiet, electronic free meal.
How does this all happen if you have picky eaters (adults or children) and end up making separate meals or grabbing convenient fast foods to accommodate everyone? There is no doubt this can keep families from moving to healthier choices due to ease, little time, and avoiding confrontation at mealtime. But the results may not be worth it in the long run (increased negative impact on health, behavior, and increased resistance to change).
So what may be behind the reasons for picky eaters who are unwilling to try new things? You may be surprised to find out it’s not just be stubbornness.
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by L Young | Jan 8, 2014 | Blog
Setting New Year resolutions are easy to do at the start of the year, but a little more challenging to actually make them a reality. Did you know the average person reverts back to their old way of doing things after only 4 weeks? So how do we keep our focus on the new intentions and maintain discipline to continue working on those goals?
With personal wellness and family time as two of the top intentions, losing another year of not acting on those changes doesn’t seem like a choice! After all, they involve two important factors that affect our well-being, health and relationships. Once they are achieved, your results are vibrant living!
When your new intentions involve food, whether it’s losing weight or creating a healthier, more balanced life for you and/or your children, there is one thing that can make that happen. Cooking more meals at home! This covers both home cooked meals and family time; priceless…
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