A Different Kind of Flu Season

Everyone is talking about the H1N1 Flu virus. The flu season is typically from mid-October to early spring, and people are starting to line up for their shots.

But, not everyone is that anxious to get vaccinated. Many health care workers have shunned the vaccine due to safety concerns. Some fear getting Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare paralysis that occurred during a swine flu vaccine effort in 1976.

Last month, Dr. Andrew Weil appeared on Larry King Live and gave practical, down-to-earth advice regarding all the hype surrounding the H1N1 Flu virus. He is cautiously optimistic and believes that it won't be that bad. He stated that he would not be the first in line to get the vaccine; he is adopting a wait-and-see attitude regarding its safety and possible side effects.

So, what is he advising?

• Wash your hands frequently using hot water and soap.
• Supplement your diet with herbal and natural foods. Astragalus is a herbal root which has anti-viral properties that can help protect against the H1N1 Flu virus. It is currently being used in China and other areas where alternative therapies are prevalent. It is also helpful in the treatment of hepatitis, some forms of heart disease, and some cancers.

And, it is also helpful to keep the following hints in mind:

• Get adequate rest, food, and drink. Good health always starts with a well rested, well nourished, and hydrated body.
• Remember to sneeze into the crook of your elbow or tissue. Do not cover up your sneeze with your hands. And, wash your hands after you sneeze.
• Keep an alcohol-based sanitizer handy at work, home, and in your car.
• Keep commonly touched surfaces clean and disinfected.
  
• Review the signs and symptoms of influenza as opposed to the common cold. An easy way to remember flu symptoms is the FACTS acronym: Fever, Aches, Chills, Tiredness, Sudden Symptoms.
• Keep up with your local health news.

Sharing Recipes--Waldorf Salad

This salad was first created at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City in the 1890s. The original salad combined apples, celery and mayonnaise. There are many ways to build this tasty salad. I prefer to substitute yogurt for mayonnaise and add oranges. Feel free to add or substitute your favourite fruits.


Ingredients

6 ounces low-fat plain yogurt
1/2 cup orange juice
1 1/2 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 apples
1 large orange
1 rib celery
1/2 cup golden raisins
3 tbsp chopped cashews

Procedure

• Cut apples into 1/2" chunks.
• Peel and separate orange into segments.
• Chop celery.
• In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, orange juice, honey, and cinnamon.
• Add the remaining ingredients.
• Stir to mix.

Makes 6 servings

Spicing It Up With Cinnamon

This hot-weather plant is grown in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, and Egypt.

Besides using it in cooking, cinnamon is also thought to have health benefits. In traditional Chinese medicine, cinnamon is used for colds, nausea, diarrhea, and painful menstrual periods. It is also believed to improve energy, vitality, and circulation.

Recent studies have found that cinnamon may have a beneficial effect on blood sugar. In an American study conducted by Dr. Richard Anderson, sixty people with type 2 diabetes took 1, 3, or 6 grams of cinnamon in pill form daily. These amounts are equivalent to one-quarter of a teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. After 40 days, all three amounts of cinnamon reduced fasting blood glucose by 18% to 29%; triglycerides by 23% to 30%, and total cholesterol by 12% to 26%.

Each morning, I add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to my smoothie. Here are a few other ways to enjoy this tasty spice:

• Stir it into low-fat yogurt and cottage cheese.

• Place a sliced apple and a teaspoon of cinnamon in a plastic bag. Shake well and enjoy.

• Add it to meat loaf or oatmeal.

• Boil a cinnamon stick in water for tea.

Dieting on a Budget

Those of us who are addicted to sugar find it difficult to simply throw out the sugar and do without. The following alternatives to white sugar have fewer calories, a lower glycemic index, and additional nutrients.

Brown Sugar Although the nutritional value is the same, the browner the sugar the more flavour it has and so the less you will need. When you are baking, if you swap white for brown, you will save 15 grams of carbs in every 1/4 cup you use.

Honey Honey is sweeter than sugar, has fewer calories, and contains vitamins and minerals that keep your cells healthy. In particular, darker honey has a higher antioxidant content. Honey also enhances the growth of "good" bacteria in the gut. Many hay fever sufferers report that local honey is very helpful during the pollen season.

Stevia This herb has enormous sweetening power. The liquid form is the most convenient choice for cooking--it measures easily and stores in the fridge. Keep in mind that 1/8 of a teaspoon of liquid stevia is equivalent to 1/2 cup of sugar. It works well in everything from pancakes to puddings.

Splenda The primary ingredient in Splenda is sucralose, a sugar substitute processed from real sugar. Sucralose is calories free, does not affect blood sugar levels, and maintains its sweetness across a broad range of temperatures. Splenda measures cup for cup like sugar in recipes.

Freshening Up

Our kitchens are incubators for all kinds of smells. I am always on the lookout for any quick fixes that will reduce or eliminate these unpleasant odours.

Consider the following tips:

• To remove the odours associated with cabbage, broccoli or fish, set out a small bowl of vinegar on the the counter next to the stove.

• When you are frying, remember that it is very easy for oil to splatter on the stove, counter tops, and floor. Unless the oil and food splatter on these surfaces are wiped clean, the cooking odour will remain strong. Use a rag dipped in degreasing dish detergent to clean all surfaces and then rinse with a damp cloth.

• When a casserole dish bubbles over in the oven, it is important to take immediate action. Sprinkle salt on the burned mess to remove the smoky odour and then clean up when the oven is cool.

• Food splatters in the microwave can be easily eliminated. Combine 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 cup of water in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for two to three minutes. Then wipe off the walls and the turntable.

• A friend suggested the following technique to get rid of the "burned popcorn smell". Fill a large microwave-safe bowl with 4 or 5 cloves, 1/2 chopped lemon, and 2 cups of water. Microwave on high until it boils and let it sit until the water cools. Wipe walls with a paper towel and leave the door open to air out the microwave.

• And, if you have some extra time, consider brewing coffee or baking. The delicious aroma of brewed coffee, apple pie, or banana bread can quickly overcome any unpleasant odours.

Dressed Up Salads

It is very easy to give our salads a boost with the following nutritious and delicious superfoods:

Eggs will give salads an instant boost of protein. Each hard-boiled egg adds 6 grams of the nutrient for less than 30 cents an egg.

Walnuts are a good source of Omega 3. A quarter-cup of chopped nuts contains five grams of protein and two grams of fibre.

Red cabbage is an excellent source of Vitamin C and beta carotene. And, it also offers protection against cancer.

Sunflower seeds are loaded with Vitamin E and also contain thiamin, selenium, and magnesium.

Strawberries add colour and sweetness to any salad. Also, one cup contains 103 mg of Vitamin C.

Lentils add instant fibre to any salad. Three-quarters of a cup contains six grams of fibre and less than one gram of fat.

When Life Happens

Last month, my mother fell and broke her arm--an unfortunate circumstance, especially for someone suffering from Parkinson's Disease.

She has spent the last four weeks in the hospital and is making a very slow recovery. While visiting her, I learned about the Convalescent Care Program (CCP) which is available in the province of Ontario.

What is CCP?

This program provides 24-hour care to people who may be ready to leave the hospital but are not able to return home safely. It will help you recover your strength, endurance and functioning before returning home. It is usually delivered in long-term care homes which have met guidelines for this specialized care. CCP is funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, so there is no fee.

You can qualify for the program if...

• You are at least 18 years of age.
• You have a valid Ontario Health Card.
• Your doctor has said your health condition is stable and you do not need to be in the hospital.
• You have needs that cannot be met by the home care program in your community.
  
• You are likely to return to your home within 30 to 45 days.

We are truly blessed to be living in a country where universal health care is available.