The Flu Fighters

Flu Season Line of Defense: Hand Sanitizer & Rainbow Light Mushroom Therapy

Sounds like the band, The Foo Fighters!  Flu season is here and is already wrecking havoc in the lower southern states in the US.  Worldwide, the flu (short for influenza) costs billions of dollars a year in lost wages and sick days. While most may not end up in the hospital, elderly people and those with compromised immune systems are at risk of serious complications and even death.

I think one of the best plans is a preventative one.  Here are some cutting edge ideas to keep you healthy this flu season:

Vitamin C: This important vitamin works by strengthening your cellular walls.  If you are prone to bruising or your gums bleed easily, you probably could use some extra vitamin C. You can take between 500 to 1,000 mgs a day in divided doses.  You can only absorb about 500 mgs at a time so you might want to skip taking any more than that at one sitting. You might also want to try a buffered vitamin C like Ester-C.  Unlike straight ascorbic acid, the buffered version won't over-acidify your tissues and urine.

Mushroom Supplements: Organic mushroom supplements are really hot right now as this common fungi are known to strengthen the immune system, fight infections and even cancer cells. The one I recommend is made with several organic mushrooms and ginger. Rainbow Light Certified Organics Mushroom Therapy has: Trametes - Shitake - Maitake - Reishi - Cordyceps. 1 capsule per day is all you need but I also enjoy lots of marinated mushrooms on my salad!

Hand Sanitizers: I keep one of these in each handbag in case I want to stop and eat something while I'm out. Sort of like washing your hands on the fly. They come in all sorts of scents but choose one like mine that kills 99.9% of germs.  The Essence of Beauty Citrus Coconut Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer pictured above has little moisture beads.  The Bath & Body Works PocketBac Anti-bacterial Hand Gel is called Lunch Box and smells like a Honey Pretzel. I guess it would be perfect for a lunch box.  Hand sanitizers not only work on your hands but on other suspect surfaces such as handles and water fountains.

You can also use a hand sanitizer to clean the spigot of a public water fountain before use.

Flu Shots: A seasonal flu shot can be obtained at your doctor's office or at a local drug store chain like CVS, Walgreens, etc. and will run between $28 - $30. You don't need an appointment but each year the flu shot is made up of 3 of the most common flu strains expected to hit the population.  This means that you have only a 30% less chance of getting the particular flu bug that's hovering around your area. If you do decide to get a flu shot, ask around about the new trans-dermal needle that only penetrates the upper layers of the skin. It is less painful and will not leave your arm aching like the old school inter-muscular shots.

If you are traveling, you can sanitize water from public fountains with a Purificup. It kills 99.9% of bacteria in your water.

Water & Air Sanitizers: If you have a daily multivitamin protocol, definitely keep up with it during the flu season. If I'm traveling, I take along a small Ozium Spray Air Sanitizer and a Purificup Portable Water Filtration System. You never know when you might need to use a public water fountain and using a water filter that kills 99.9% of water-borne bacteria gives me peace of mind as well as pure water.
For more help and advice on healthy living and natural solutions do check out, The New Woman's Herbal & Nutritional Guide available at Amazon.com.

Easy & Delicious Holiday Treats

Entertaining for the Holidays? No need to panic! Our video above gives you lots of all time favorites and crowd pleasers. Here are a few that you can make ahead of time, chill and serve on festive platters. Easy to make, these always go over big:

1.) Deviled Eggs - These always fly at my house and are easy to make. Just hard boil your eggs, peel and split while scooping out the yolks. Mash the yolks with a bit of sweet pickle relish, mayonnaise, Hungarian paprika & Dijon mustard. Stuff the boiled egg whites with this creamy mixture and top with extra paprika.

2.) Oysters on a Half Shell - Be sure to get a good Oyster Knife (try Sur la Table) and check out our article on how to open & serve raw oysters under Shore Delights.  We enjoy fresh, salt water Sewansecotts from H. M. Terry in Virginia. Slightly steamed or raw, they are plump with a delicate liquor that reminds you of fresh sea water.

3.) Fresh Baked Raisin Bread - This is a variation of your basic sandwich loaf only with a bit of brown sugar, 1 cup of raisins and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon added. Most bread machines will alert when you can add the raisins or other dried fruits. Slice and leave out with a tub of softened butter and chutney. 

4.) Raw Nuts - We used to have a big bowl of walnuts, almonds, filberts, Brazil nuts and pecans set out during the holidays. Add a festive wooden soldier nutcracker to that extra touch. 

5.) Bacon Wrapped Dates - These are so good! Get the bigger Medjool dates and wrap each one with a small section of sliced, smoked bacon. Secure with a toothpick. Bake in the oven on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees until the bacon in crispy. 

6.) Dark & Milk Chocolates - You can have anything from Hershey's Kisses to Godiva Truffles, depending on your tastes. Fill the bowls and watch them disappear! 

And for the Main Course...
You can slice your turkey, roast beef or ham ahead of time and cover with gravy and/sauce to keep it moist. You can keep your main course and hot entrees warm in foil pans with Sterno cans underneath. 
What I've done is used an electric griddle set on low to help keep my casseroles warm. I like to use Pyrex and Mauviel Cookware because it can be used on the stove, oven and then go on to serve buffet style.

Winter Performances by The Ice Theatre of New York

Winter Holiday Skating Celebration at Riverbank State Park

Photo by Darial Sneed

This coming Saturday, December 8 at 4PM, Ice Theatre of New York will present its annual free Winter Holiday Skating Celebration at the rink at Riverbank State Park in Harlem.

The company will present its "Winter Suite," choreographed by Ice Theatre's Artistic Director and renowned ice choreographer, Douglas Webster. Seven-time British Ice Dance Champions and European Bronze Medalists Sinead & John Kerr will perform the duet.

The show will also feature performances by a synchronized skating team from Figure Skating in Harlem and performances by young apprentices. The performance will conclude with the lighting of the Christmas Tree by local dignitaries. (Program subject to change).

The volunteers from Starbucks Community Service will serve free hot chocolate to the audience. This concert is part of Ice Theatre of New York’s Outreach and Education Programming and is given to the community free of charge.