'tis the season for colds...

I don’t know if this counts as a good deed, but I thought it’s something that we can all apply to our daily lives... below are some ways to prevent catching a cold or the flu... with a few added comments for fun... (I hope you don’t mind)... and of course I hope you avoid getting sick this ‘season’.

Defensive Measures Against the Common Cold

There is no cure for the common cold, but you can protect yourself from as many sneezes as possible by:

· Washing your hands. Your best protection against a cold virus is to wash your hands often with soap and water. Be extra vigilant with hand washing during cold season if you work with kids or if you are around someone with a cold, especially someone in your own household... (on a side note... please wash your hands after using the restroom... those that don't know who you are, and so do we... and we think its gross!) Using paper towels instead of hand towels also helps cut down on exposure as germs can remain on hand towels for up to three hours... (and don't even get me started on those nasty air blowing hand dryers... ewww).

· Keeping a stash of gel. If you can’t always get to a sink, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends keeping some alcohol-based gel cleanser with you and using it often... (however do not use the gels in place of washing your hands, only in those rare times when you cannot make it to the sink to wash oh, and don’t let it get in a cut it really hurts... well a little anyway).

· Keeping your hands away from your face. Because cold viruses like to get into your body through your mouth, nose, and eyes, keeping your hands away from these body parts is essential to keeping colds at bay... (do I have to remind you to keep your hands to yourself as well... lol).

· Using your own stuff. Don’t use a cold-sufferer’s phone, keyboard, pen, drinking glass, or any other item where a cold virus can lie in wait... (and don’t let them use yours... this is the one time it’s okay to be selfish... nothing like having someone hacking all over your desk).

· Doing some disinfecting. Viruses are hardy creatures that can live up to three hours on objects. Use a disinfectant that specifically targets cold viruses to clean common areas... (no you cannot spray your coworker as much as you feel they need to be disinfected... that would be mean... funny, but mean).

· Keeping that immune system humming. Eat right, exercise, and manage stress to keep your immune system at its best to help you fight off any cold bug... (lots of veggies and fresh fruits.... see bottom of this post for a list of fruits and veggies).

· Avoiding the crowd. Because cold viruses are so contagious, you improve your chances of not getting one if you stay away from the pack... (so, although you may be the bell of the ball, and never home on a Friday night, just remember to follow the rest of the preventative suggestions, oh, and don’t kiss on the first date at least not during cold season... lol).

Here are some fruits and veggies that are high in many helpful vitamins...

broccoli, cauliflower, strawberries, papaya, grapefruit, oranges (surprisingly not the highest in vitamin C), cabbage, tomatoes, spinach, pineapple, watermelon, tangerines, limes, basil (one of my faves good in salads), blueberries (high in vitamin C and antioxidants), garlic (goes great with the basil, some toasted pine nuts EVOO, and parmesan cheese), apples, shiitake mushrooms, pears... well you get the idea. Lots of stuff for you to use to boost the immune system!

Have a great day,

redd