lecturing at WHF on staying healthy when temperatures drop

This has been a busy month of lectures, lunch and learns, and cooking classes. The big question that is on everybody’s mind from children- to parents- to seniors is, how can we protect ourselves from the s flu naturally?

Some of my best tips for STAYING HEALTHY this flu season are as follows:

Eat leafy greens every day. Kale, spinach, seaweed and algaes are excellent sources of vitamin D, the immunity-booster we usually get from sunshine in the summertime. Some other great sources we can supplement with in the winter include wild salmon, sardines, sweet potatoes, butter and Carlson’s cod liver oil.
Vitamin C. Kiwis, Goji berries, grapefruits, oranges are great sources of vitamin C, the antioxidant we’ve known for decades to be powerful in fighting colds and flu. It is also found in cabbage, bell peppers, tomatoes, cayenne pepper, turmeric and broccoli.
Snack on almonds and sunflower seeds. They not only supply vitamin E, an antioxidant that fights off free radicals and keeps skin soft and young looking, but also are a great source of essential fatty acids to keep body systems running smoothly.
Enjoy your garlic! Garlic was once worn as a garland to ward off disease. This superstition actually has scientific basis as eating garlic can provide a variety of health benefits, including a boost to the immune system that can help defend against nasty bugs.
Spike it with ginger. Ginger, long used as a folk remedy, can open nasal passages, soothe nausea and help the immune system work.
Increase your omega 3 intake. My favorite sources of omega 3's are nuts, fish, avocados , olive oil and fish oil.
Avoid sugar and processed foods. Sugar suppreses the immune system almost immediately, and a strong immune system is key to fighting off flues and other illness.
Get plenty of sleep. If your body is overly tired it will be harder for it to fight the flu and other viruses.
Decrease stress. We all face some stress every day, but if stress becomes overwhelming then your body will be less able to fight off the flu and other illnesses.
Exercise. When you exercise, you increase your circulation and your blood flow throughout your body.
Wash your hands and face. Washing your hands will decrease your likelihood of spreading a virus to your nose, mouth or other places. Be sure you don't use antibacterial soap for this. Antibacterial soaps are completely unnecessary, and they cause far more harm than good.
Complex carbohydrates. Finally, don‘t overlook the power of complex carbohydrates from whole grains, sweet potatoes to beans. Our bodies need complex carbs for energy!