I want to start by saying thank you for all the wonderful feedback I've been getting about my blog. I love the opportunity to share this kind of information with others, and help you live a better healthier life. You are the reason I love my job.

What I'm going to share with you today is general information that I wish everyone knew. That's why I'm sharing it. All the information today is generalized, applicable to most everyone. However if you are on medication or have a medical condition you may want to check with your health care provider before taking any supplements and medicinal foods. Food is powerful as medicine, don't underestimate it.

There are many other ways to keep your family healthy

My areas of expertise are Nutrition and Homeopathic medicine. I'll start with Nutrition since everyone has to eat! I love how making small changes to your diet or taking a supplement can make huge changes in the way you feel. I have never had someone say "I regret eating healthier." It just doesn't happen! :)

The following are foods and supplements you can stock in your home to include more of on a daily basis to keep you healthier, and to include more of to combat illness when it does strike.

*all removed to comply with the government’s censorship of promoting natural health products. Demand a repeal of Bill 47 sections 500-504. see www.nhppa.org for more information

Probiotics- invest in some good quality probiotics or fermented foods to help your body fight of infections. All disease begins in the gut, so make sure yours is healthy and full of good gut flora. Fermented foods and drinks are the best diverse sources of probiotics.

Raw local honey- antibacterial, antiviral, soothes digestive and sore throats, best taken in warm lemon ginger water/tea, or mixed with cinnamon to soothe sore throats

Apple cider vinegar- thins the mucousa, fights bacteria, rich in vitamins A, E, B1, B2, Magnesium and calcium, take 1 tbsp 3-4 times per day at onset of illness, great for sinus infections

Bone broth- Grandma was right! Mineral rich, nutrient dense healing bone broth is awesome for any type of illness.

Garlic, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, cloves are fantastic bacteria and virus fighting spices.

One major food to avoid when sick or to avoid getting sick: Sugar!

Sugar depresses the immune system. Each time you eat sugar you immune system cannot work as effectively for several hours. You body uses lots of magnesium each time you eat sugar, this is why so many people are deficient in magnesium.

This includes juice too! Most juice will be used like sugar in the body, packaged juices are pasteurized and have very little nutrients left. Fresh pressed or squeezed juices are much better, they have live enzymes and are nutrient rich, however will still cause a spike in the blood sugar. So just eat the whole fruit, eat an orange instead of orange juice.

Sugar causes inflammation in the body. Inflammation is the cause of all disease. Stress and poor diet are main contributors to inflammation.

Foods to avoid: Foods that promote inflammation are:

Corn and Soybean oils
Pasteurized dairy
Refined carbohydrates
Conventional meat
Sugar
Trans fats

Foods to increase: Anti inflammatory foods:

tomatoes.
extra virgin olive oil.
green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collards.
beets, carrots, squashes, peas,
nuts like almonds and walnuts.
fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines.
fruits such as berries, citrus fruits, bananas, pineapple, pomegranate
ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, garlic and onion

Alkaline foods:

The standard American diet is highly acid-forming, overwhelming the body's mechanisms for removing excess acid. Your body is constantly trying to achieve a state of equilibrium at a pH of about 7.365, which is slightly alkaline. To do this, the body draws from the nutrients from your food, which either acidifies or alkalizes the blood. When there are not enough nutrients to maintain this slightly alkaline state, the body draws from backup nutrient and mineral reserves in the bones and other places. This is one of them main reasons many people are mineral deficient. We'll talk about how to correct this with Mineral Salts.
An alkaline diet helps reduce the strain on the body's acid-detoxification systems, such as the kidneys which maintain fluid levels in the body. This is important in respiratory illness, as fluid retention can lead to complications in pneumonia and bronchitis.

Eat less Acid Forming foods:

refined grains,
pasteurized dairy,
conventional meat,
vegetable oils,
artificial sweeteners, and processed sugars

Eat more Alkalizing foods:

Some Alkalizing Vegetables: Beets, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Celery, Cucumber, Kale, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Spinach, sprout, leafy greens
Some Alkalizing Fruits: Apple, Banana, Berries, Cantaloupe, Grapes, Melon, Lemon, Orange, Peach, Pear, dates, figs
Alkalizing Protein: Almonds, Chestnuts, chia seeds
Alkalizing Spices: Cinnamon, Curry, Ginger, Mustard, Sea Salt, cayenne pepper

*These are just a few examples, there are many more!

Note: a food's acid or alkaline forming tendency in the body has nothing to do with the actual pH of the food itself. Although it might seem that citrus fruits would have an acidifying effect on the body, the citric acid they contain actually has an alkalizing effect in the system.

Preventative care

Preventative care products are fantastic for the whole family but especially important for those who are immune compromised, prone to respiratory issues, have allergies or asthma, those frequently exposed to chemicals like hair stylists, nail technicians, mine workers, smokers; and those with poor diet or lots of stress, fatigue or chronic illness. These products support the immune system, giving the body the tools needed to fight virus and illnesses more effectively, minimizing the intensity and duration of symptoms.

Homeopathic Mineral Salts are fantastic at preventing and speeding the healing of various colds and flus. These mineral salts are some of my top recommended remedies for their gentleness and effectiveness. Safe for all ages. They are immediately bio-available- as soon as they are chewed in the mouth and mix with saliva they are taken into the bloodstream for the body to use. They don't have to be digested like traditional mineral supplements. Mineral Salts bypass digestion and get the mineral to cells that need them much more effectively.

Each Mineral Salt has many these are just a few examples:

I hope you have found this information useful. It is my sincere wish that you and your family have a very happy and healthy winter. Please contact Lisa for more information. I would love to help you Feel Better Naturally!

The information provided here is for educational purposes only. For treatment please seek a qualified health care provider.