Foods that fight the flu

via yeahtips.com


It's that season again.. and we are all seeking shelter from the flu and germ bug.  There are several things you can do to ward off the flu besides washing your hands 300x a day, and wearing a mask.
The most important thing you can do this season is get your diet in order, and exercise to get your immune system on the right path.  There are also certain foods as well you can incorporate in your diet to keep the flu at bay.

Here is a quick list of foods that may jump start your immune system...

1.  Whole Wheat:  It is full of zinc (which is super vital in maintaining a healthy immune system).
 

 2.  Bananas:  These yellow friends contain vitamin B6, which has been known to help fight infection. 


3.  Sweet Potatoes:  These guys are full of vitamin A, which our body needs to make enough white blood cells to fight off infections.


4.  Garlic:  Not only will you scare off your friends.. but you will be zapping off viruses and keeping infections away.  I suggest crushing it and adding it to your salad or guacamole.


5.  Tea:  A group of researchers at Harvard found that by drinking five cups of black tea a day QUADRUPLED the body's immune defense system after two weeks.  This is is some serious stuff!


6.  Yogurt:  It is those probiotics and prebiotics that keep disease causing germs out.  Look for the live and active cultures especially.

7.  Dark Chocolate:  According to the British Journal of Nutrition.. this sweet stuff will boost your immune system in high doses (of cocoa). 


8. Almonds:  These heart healthy friends have a immune boosting vitamin E, which can possibly reduce your chance of catching a cold or respiratory infection. 

Lastly.. get outside and stay active if you can.  Fresh air will do you good and get you out of the office and home which usually crawl with germs. 

 via www.sanfranciscochic.me


  

   

Do It For Fun

I have became a huge fan of the blog "Zenhabits" over the past year.  This recent post by Leo Bauta really hit me this past week.  His post reminds me so much of my friend Karen back in California who has such a positive attitude and also really knows how to have fun at the same time.  She has picked me up a million times, celebrated birthdays with me.. and I consider myself blessed not having to pay money for a life coach or therapist over the past few years because I had Karen. We used to work together in an account that was probably the most difficult account we have both ever faced in our work career. (a matter a fact I cried in my car one morning it was so hard).   We both decided in order to survive our time in this account we would need to laugh and make it fun. We did that.. and maybe a little too much. We now look back on this experience and still laugh.   Karen gives the best advice and support.  A matter a fact I went to her first before I decided to get up and move away from California.  This was a BIG decision and I wanted to know I was doing the right thing at the right time.  Who knows.. maybe one day I will return to California?  But for now I am going to enjoy the Rocky Mountains and fresh air and have FUN.

Celebrating my Birthday at True Foods Kitchen by the firepit in Newport Beach, CA.  Karen and I tried everything on the menu and took pictures, tried all the drinks, met new friends, and laughed quite hard that night. 

Not to Mention...

It was a Supermoon that night as well.

Here is the post.... on just doing it for fun...

Post written by Leo Babauta. (Taken from Zenhabits.net)

Just about everything I do is just for fun.
While some people like to focus on being disciplined and achieving goals and sticking to their plans, I find this to be meaningless. What’s the point? You’ll fail about a third to half the time, and then feel like a failure for not being disciplined or sticking to a plan or goal.
In contrast, if you do the exact same thing, but let go of the expectation you’ve set for yourself and just have fun doing it, it’s a complete success.
Let’s repeat that for emphasis: if you do the exact same thing, it’s a failure if you have expectations, but a complete and absolute success if you let go of the expectations and do it for fun.
Let’s take a few examples:

• If you set out on a really tough 3-day hike through some mountains, and make it through the first day and night but get too tired in the middle of the second day, is that a failure? It is if you are mad at yourself for not getting to the end, for not being disciplined. It’s a success, though, if you decided at the beginning to do it “just for fun” and had a great time while you were doing it.
• If you start writing a book but only get about halfway through, is that a success or failure? It’s a failure if you expected to get finished and are disappointed in yourself for not sticking it through to the goal. It’s a success if you decided to do it for fun and had a wonderful time writing.
• If you start an online venture and it doesn’t take off and you have to call it quits after a year — is that a failure? Well, by now you know the answer. Have fun doing it, and it’s always a success.

If you go for a walk, a run, a hike, do it for fun, not for the benefits you might get. Do experiments in your life for fun, not for the results. Wake up each day and do something for fun, not to accomplish something. Every waking moment should be just for fun.
It shifts everything. It doesn’t only determine whether something’s a success or failure — it changes your attitude while you do anything, while you’re talking with someone or reading or watching something. Your mood lifts, you are kinder to others, you have a smile on your face.
Do handstands. Dance. Bound up a hill. Sing with your child. Write something with a light and lifted heart. Be love, and compassion, and joy. Live life just for fun.

Going for the Goal

I recently decided I needed to implement a goal in my life... I really was not sure what this goal might be or entail?  But after this past weekend I decided I wanted to focus on my health.. and I mean.. get back on the horse and eat like I preach.  I recently read in Women's Health Magazine that consuming up to 7 servings of fruits and vegetables will lead you to be more happy.  They also had research to back this up... and it is the truth.  Eating healthy will not only boost your mood.. but it will improve your overall health and boost the immune system.  While I was commuting via train back in San Francisco.. I would touch everything known to mankind on that train


.. including the dirty ticket kiosk. During this time frame of my job.. I made a big change to my diet.. and low and behold.. I NEVER once picked up a cold, the flu, or a virus of some kind.  

I am kind of freaky into numerology... and I have always felt that I needed to complete 3 half-marathons in my life then I would retire from running completely.  Not sure what it is about the number 3... but I have to do this.  I went on active.com and looked up half-marathons on May 5, 2013.  Cinco De Mayo happens to be my birthday.. and I thought this would be the perfect birthday gift to myself.  Here are the races I am considering signing up for...



Orange County Half-Marathon in New Port Beach, California

The Avenue of  Giants in the Redwoods of Northern California

The Lincoln Half-Marathon in Lincoln, Nebraska... I always wanted to finish a race in Memorial Stadium  (My Alma Mater)

Divas Half Marathon in San Francisco, CA


Nike Womens Half Marathon/San Francisco


I might also throw my name in the lottery for this race... it would be my THIRD time running it.  I think I really want this opportunity again... it is an AMAZING race. 

So I have started up the Couch to 5K program AGAIN.. and will build up my mileage from scratch and hope to be ready by May.  I think living in this mile high city gives me a little edge in my training.   So here we go....
Here is a glimpse of the training for the next 10 weeks.. I will also include spinning class on Monday nights, and mix it up with Pilate's to build my non-existent core.