fbpx

by Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

  • Home
  • /
  • by Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

About: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

Recent Posts by Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

Naturally Beat Those Winter Blues!

By: Saturday, February 2, 2013 Diet and Foods, Exercise, Healthy Eating, Healthy Home, Holistic Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Wellness , , , , Permalink 0

By: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

Naturally Beat Those Winter Blues! | The Organic Beauty BlogWhether or not you actually suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), it is pretty tough to not get bummed when it’s freezing and grey outside for days on end.  Our social lives take a major hit, and we are much more likely to crave getting all bundled up and cozy at home than a night on the town.  It’s harder to motivate ourselves to get to the gym, and those cravings for comfort food just don’t let up. But fear not!  With just a few daily steps, you can naturally beat the winter blues, improve your mood and energy, and keep your system on track.

  • Catch some daylight!  Especially when the days are shorter and darker, it is that much more important to get exposure to daylight.  Ideally, this would be direct light outside, but, when it’s frigid and miserable outside, getting some daylight through a window does the trick too!  Leave your blinds open at night, so the morning light can wake you up and help regulate your production of melatonin, and thereby, your sleep cycle!  Keeping a regular sleep-wake cycle is vital to staving off wintertime depression. If your bedroom doesn’t get much natural light, then stand dreamily in front of your brightest window for a couple of minutes right when you wake up!  It’s a nice little morning ritual with wonderful health benefits.
  • Exercise!  I know it’s hard to get to the gym when it’s 0 degrees outside, but it’ll pay off in terms of your motivation and energy, which will help you tons in the long run.  If it’s super gross out, just work out at home!  Don’t let the weather be an excuse to skimp on exercise!  Find a dvd that you love, and sweat it out in the warmth and comfort of your living room.  Exercise is one of the best natural antidepressants out there!
  • Take some fish oil.  Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA, are amazing for balancing mood and staving off depression.  Even if you eat fish regularly, supplement with 2-3 grams of high EPA fish oil every day.  My favorite is NOW Super EPA.. I take it every day!
  • Take vitamin D.  In the dark of winter, especially in the northern parts of this fair country, it is impossible to get enough vitamin D from sunlight.  The result is that we’re all running around completely deficient in this important nutrient!  Low levels of vitamin D can cause depression, lowered immunity, anxiety, higher stress levels, and a host of other unpleasant symptoms.  It is absolutely crucial to supplement with a high quality vitamin D during the winter months, and for many of us, year round!  Opt for at least 3000-4000 IU of sublingual vitamin D daily.  My favorite is Biotics Bio-D-Mulsion Forte.. Just two drops under your tongue in the morning and you’re good to go!
  • Load up on plant nutrients.  Plant foods are nature’s amazing natural mood-boosters, and it is super easy to eat your way to a fantastic mood even in the greyest of winters.  Whole grains like amaranth and quinoa are great for raising serotonin, which is your brain’s natural feel-good neurotransmitter.  Olive oil and other healthy fats like avocados and nuts are also wonderful natural antidepressants.  Green leafies like spinach and collards are loaded with folate, which along with other B vitamins, is vital for regulating mood.
  • Treat yourself!  Plan a fun winter getaway weekend, a spa day, a fun party, or even some nights at the theater, a concert, or the opera!  Having some exciting things to look forward to is a great way to boost your mood and break up the monotony of a long winter.

Give Your Water A Delicious Flavor Boost!

By: Thursday, January 31, 2013 Diet and Foods, Healthy Beauty, Healthy Eating, Holistic Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Organic Beauty, Wellness , , , , Permalink 0

By: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

I myself admit that I am not a huge water person.  By which I mean that I didn’t grow up drinking lots of water, and pure, plain water just doesn’t do it for me.  This has made it a bit of a challenge to drink enough water throughout the day.  My trick is making my water super yummy by infusing it with lemon, cucumber slices, ginger, or berries.  At home or at the office, this is easy to do, but it’s hard to infuse water on the go!  Enter this adorable glass Flavor Infuser Water Bottle from AdNArt ($16.00 on The Organic Beauty Store).

Try yummy flavor infusions like:

  • Fresh or frozen raspberries and mint leaves
  • Lemon slices and fresh thyme
  • Fresh blueberries and sliced ginger
  • Fresh mangoes and basil
  • Orange slices and lavender

Drinking plenty of water is vital for detoxification, weight loss and management, beautiful skin and hair. No more excuses for not drinking your 8 glasses a day!

What Do I Eat? Healthy Eating is Easier Than You Think!

By: Thursday, January 31, 2013 Diet and Foods, Healthy Cooking, Healthy Eating, Nutrition , , , , Permalink 0

how we eat

By: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

With all the crazy conflicting ideas about what a healthy diet looks like, I’m sure that on more than one occasion you’ve found yourself staring into your fridge, throwing your hands up and asking “What the hell do I eat?!”

I’ll let you in on a little secret. It is SO much easier than you think it is. Healthy eating does not involve slaving in the kitchen for hours on end, calculating complicated ratios and formulas, or resorting to bland, boring food.  I’ll let you in on another secret. You already know how to eat healthy… It’s just a matter of loving yourself enough to do it! (Tweet it!)  

The answers are already there, you know them intuitively. It’s making the choice, consistently, every day, to act on that intuitive knowledge that so many of us struggle with. I dealt with the same challenges in my own long journey toward optimal health, but I’ll tell you what did it, what sealed the deal: Experiencing for myself the drastic difference in how I feel when I eat great, delicious, fresh, healthy foods… And when I don’t, opting for what I think is easiest and fastest. The proof is in the pudding, my dears. And until you give yourself that chance, until you commit to listening to your intuition for a solid few weeks or even months, you will continue fighting an uphill battle.

For me, connecting to that intuition daily has become second nature.  When I’m home, when I’m out, when I’m on vacation or at my parent’s house, I hold on to that knowledge of what feels good (and makes me look good), and what doesn’t.  Now don’t get me wrong. I’ll have an occasional fro-yo (I mean, there’s a Red Mango literally in my building), or share an amazing Neopolitan-style pizza with my hubby; I’ll eat some super yummy goat cheese at a party once in a while, or enjoy a few squares of killer artisanal dark chocolate.  But I’ve experienced first hand that when these yummy things enter the picture more often, I feel bloated, tired, and gross.  And after a while, it starts to show up on my body as well.  It just isn’t worth it!  I would rather look and feel amazing than eat cheese, and meat, and sweets, and lasagna, and all that other crap I know, intuitively, does not make my body happy.

So what do I eat?  My diet is simple, delicious, and super satisfying.  It allows me to eat my favorite foods (with healthy tweaks), eat out at my favorite restaurants, and still maintain my ideal weight.

Breakfast

I have green tea and a green smoothie most days… about 1 cup of organic kale, spinach, or collards; half a cup of fruit (organic berries, pineapple, an apple, or mango); half an avocado; a little handful of nuts or seeds; water and maybe a little squeeze of raw organic agave.  That’s it!

On days when I’m in a rush, I’ll just grab two pieces of sprouted grain toast with some raw, organic almond butter.

A couple times a week, if I’m a little hungrier, I’ll have two farm fresh eggs, sunny side up, over spinach with some toast.  Or, I’ll have a yummy bowl of steel cut oats or a quinoa porridge with apples, cinnamon, walnuts, and agave.

Lunch

As my private clients will tell you, lunch is the most important (and biggest!) meal of the day.  I mix it up, depending on my mood, but I’ll typically have quinoa with veggies (for example: roasted squash, sautéed greens, garbanzos); quinoa pasta with tons of veggies; some seafood and tomatoes over brown rice; or a huge salad with beans, avocado, sunflower seeds, and oodles of seasonal veggies with apple cider vinegar or lemon juice and olive oil (at least a tablespoon).

I make sure to eat my lunch in a calm, relaxed environment, which promotes digestion and metabolism… No rushing through lunch or eating while working!

Dinner

Dinner is nice and light most days of the week, which, as my clients will tell you, is the number one secret to sustainable weight loss and weight management.  The great thing about these light dinners is that they are quick and easy, which means we spend less time cooking, and more time hanging out and relaxing.  Most evenings, my hubby and I will have soup or a salad, or some cooked veggies (when it’s cold out).  Two nights a week, we order in.  We love sushi Tuesdays, and always share a “sushi for one” and a roll with miso soup or a salad (depending on the weather).  Another night, we’ll order in Thai where my winter favorite is Tom Yum soup… noodles, shrimp, and greens in a yummy spicy broth.

On the weekends, our whole schedule shifts later, so we end up having a late brunch, big, late lunch, and usually we’ll skip dinner altogether.  If we go out to eat, we try to make it on the earlier side, and I’ll typically order yummy veggies off the sides menu or we’ll split a veggie or seafood entree and a salad.

You might notice that there aren’t any snacks.  I am a firm anti-snacking advocate.  If you feel the need to snack, that means your meals (particularly breakfast and lunch) aren’t big enough.  If your meals are satisfying and nourishing enough, you won’t feel the need to snack, which means your blood sugar is more stable and your body has the chance to burn fat all day long.  You’re also not getting all kinds of unnecessary additional calories throughout the day, nor are you feeling hungry and obsessing about food all day long!  Win-win.

You’ll also notice a conspicuous lack of sweets.  Occasionally, I’ll have some dark chocolate or a handful of dried fruit.  Even more occasionally, I’ll have a little bowl of coconut milk ice cream with some berries.  But this happens so rarely that I don’t even include it in my “diet”.  How do I do it?  By keeping my blood sugar stable, my stress levels managed, and my love tank full ; )

Sounds easy right?  Nothing crazy, nothing mind-blowing… just simple, intuitive, healthy eating.  You know you can do it too.  Need help?  Let me know!

3 Easy, Tasty & Healthy Breakfast Ideas

By: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 Healthy Cooking, Healthy Eating, Nutrition, Recipes , , , , Permalink 0

By: Stephanie Heino

I usually hear people talking about how hard it is to find easy, healthy breakfast options. I understand that all people don’t have time to make an advanced breakfast menu, and might just end up grabbing a donut and a latte from the nearest Dunkin’ Donuts on their way to work. I have some good news for you – a healthy breakfast is not science. Sure, it takes some preparation, but other than that it can be done while doing your make up in the morning. Check out my easy, healthy and delicious (AND gluten-free!) breakfast ideas below and get a healthy start to your day. It is your choice and your body, be mindful what goes in!

Quinoa Porridge

3 Easy, Tasty & Healthy Breakfast Ideas 2 | The Organic Beauty BlogNot all breakfasts need to taste like the bottom of a bird cage. On crisp winter mornings combine silky smooth quinoa with your favorite almond or rice milk for a creamy consistency.  Add anti-oxidant red-rich berries such as goji berries and you’ll have an energizing, warm and fulfilling breakfast to keep you going until lunchtime. Why not make up your own concoction with delicious toppings such as berries, cacao nibs, raw nuts or coconut flakes?

Here’s how to enjoy a yummy quinoa filled breakfast…

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 8 drops stevia liquid concentrate
  • 1 TBS coconut oil
  • Almond milk to serve

Method

Bring 2 cups of water to boil in a wide saucepan
Add quinoa, sea salt, cinnamon, stevia and butter/coconut oil
Cover and reduce heat and simmer for 12 minutes
Remove from heat and scoop into a bowl add almond milk, scatter with lime zest and enjoy

Chia Seed Pudding

3 Easy, Tasty & Healthy Breakfast Ideas | The Organic Beauty BlogAs you may have heard, the Chia seed is a superfood. The seeds are actually a species of flowering plant in the mint family. They’re rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which is usually what you hear the nutritionists discussing. The seeds themselves can be eaten raw as a whole seed, packing a good punch of protein, fat and fiber (one-ounce has 4 grams protein and 11 grams of fiber! – Amazing)

This is one highly adaptable recipe, so you can change it up as you go. The only thing you must do is soak the chia seeds because that’s how the expand and become gelatinous, much like tapioca pearls. But the ways in which you can dress it up are endless: one morning, I had a banana sliced up and added some sliced almonds for a breakfast pudding. Or you could do a version with a cashew cream and crushed roasted hazelnuts.

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients
2 1/4 cups almond milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
2 tablespoons maple syrup or raw agave
2/3 cup chia seeds
2 tablespoons wide-flake unsweetened coconut

Method
In a small bowl, combine the almond milk and the syrup, vanilla, and ginger powder and whisk to combine. Add the chia seeds and whisk vigorously to fully combine. Pour into a container, cover, and refrigerate at least 5 hours, and ideally overnight.

When ready to serve, stir well. Spoon into bowls and top with coconut, berries, nuts, or any other toppings you like. Enjoy!

 

Gluten-Free Flourless Banana Pancakes

Flourless Banana PancakesThis may be the most delicious and easy breakfast option for all of you that like to have a pancake for breakfast. Except for that this one is gluten free, flourless and full of protein. Lately this mashed banana + egg recipe has been blowing up the fitness/health blogs, and we are not late to tag along. Just the two measly ingredients of bananas & egg are perfection, but I usually add my own touches: a tablespoon of almond butter, some ground flaxseed, a bit of vanilla, & a dash of cinnamon.

Serves: 2-3

Ingredients

1 mashed, super ripe banana

2 eggs

Oil for the pan (Coconut oil is my preference)

Method

Mash your banana with a fork. In another bowl whisk eggs. Mix eggs & banana together. Add my additions. Put your choice of oil on a pan [low-medium heat]. Add a silver dollar-sized amount to the pan. Let the cake set for 30 seconds [or when the center bubbles] & flip it! Enjoy with berries & a bit of syrup. Option: if you’re pressed for time use a blender to mix your ingredients.

A Better Option than Airborne or Emergen-C?

By: Monday, January 28, 2013 Diet and Foods, Holistic Health, Nutrition, Wellness , , , , Permalink 8

A Better Option than Airborne or Emergen-C? | The Organic Beauty BlogI’ll admit, a big part of my flu season regimen is loading up on some extra vitamins (for the rest of my regimen, see How To Naturally Prevent the Flu).  When I get home, particularly after having been on the subway or another crowded germ-fest, the number two thing I do (after washing my hands with hot, soapy water) is to pop an effervescent immune-boosting vitamin.  It definitely does the trick (I rarely get sick), but this precaution comes with a fair amount of guilt on my end.  The drugstore standbys, Airborne and Emergen-C, come with their fair share of sub-par ingredients that I usually avoid.  So I’ve decided to take on a side by side comparison of these guys, as well as few other readily available and slightly harder to come by brands.  I was actually surprised to find that those drugstore standbys are the weaker of the 5 brands I found!  So without further ado, behold…

The Effervescent Immunity-Boost Showdown!

Scoring based on the following factors, which are each worth a maximum of 5 points:  

  1. Comprehensive vitamin and mineral content (CVM)

  2. Immune-boosting herbal additions (H)

  3. Quality of ingredients (Q)

  4. Calorie and sugar content (CS)

  5. Value (V)

Continue Reading…

Natural Oil Face Wash Method for Perfect Skin!

By: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 Healthy Beauty, Lifestyle, Organic Beauty, Product Reviews, Wellness , , , , Permalink 0

By: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

Natural Oil Face Wash Method for Perfect Skin! | The Organic Beauty BlogAfter one of my best girlfriends told me of her new oil face wash routine, I was intrigued, and more than a little bit skeptical. I’ve had oily skin my whole life… How could washing my face with oil help?? But as I watched my friend’s skin get clearer and clearer, my curiosity got the best of me. I picked up some jojoba oil from Trader Joe’s and did the deed! Low and behold, my face was significantly less oily throughout the day, and within a few weeks, my perpetually clogged pores were clearer, and my skin was the softest and most glowing it’s ever been. I’ve been using this method for a couple of months now, and I have to say, I’m never going back! Best of all, this is so much less expensive than buying fancy face washes, and so much more effective and natural! Here’s how it’s done:

Step One: Choose (and blend) your oils

The official prescription calls for a combination of castor oil and another balancing oil in the following proportions:

  • For Oily/Breakout Prone Skin: A blend of 30% Castor Oil to 70% Sunflower Seed Oil/Jojoba.
  • For Balanced Skin: A blend of 20% Castor Oil to 80% Jojoba Oil/Olive Oil.
  • For Dry Skin: A blend of 10% Castor Oil to 90% Jojoba/Olive Oil.

You may want to add a drop or two of yummy essential oils to add a scent and some added healthy skin benefits! Try essential oils of lavender, rosemary, tea tree, or eucalyptus.

If this all seems like too much work, you can try a pre-blended oil.  I like Kindred Skincare Co. Complete Cleanse Oil (for oily and blemish prone skin), 100% Pure Blood Orange Cleansing Balm (for normal to dry skin).  I’ve also had great results with just pure organic jojoba oil, which is super easy to find and doesn’t require mixing.

Step Two: Cleanse and steam

For maximim benefits, use this method at night. There’s no need to cleanse your skin the morning after, you can just rinse with warm water. This allows your skin to balance itself and prevents over-drying and overproduction of sebum! You’ll need a washcloth, your oil, and some super hot running water.

  • Start by massaging the oil into your dry face, giving extra attention to areas where you have makeup or clogged pores. Take your time while massaging the oil into your skin. Let this be a calming moment in your day. Breathe deeply and enjoy the sensation.
  • When you’ve massaged your face for a minute or two, soak your washcloth in steaming hot water, wring it out, and apply it to cover your face. Keep it on until it cools, and gently wipe the oil from your face. Rinse the washcloth in hot water and repeat. The hot washcloth opens your pores, and allows the oil to bind with it and remove impurities from your skin! Don’t be afraid of the oil… The washcloth cleans it off your skin, leaving just enough moisture to keep you glowing and hydrated.
  • Pat your face dry.

Step Three (Optional): Moisturize

If your skin feels at all tight after your oil wash, you can use a couple drops of your oil (or one of the oils below) to moisturize your skin. If you don’t wash your face in the morning, your skin’s oil production should normalize within a few days of using this method. But I still like to use a really great face oil as a moisturizer after I shower. My absolute favorite is Osmia Organics Facial Calibration Serum (check out my interview with the owner of Osmia, Sarah Villafranco). For some other great face oils that clear pores and cure breakouts, check out this post on Well+Good NYC.

Potent, Non-Toxic Skincare from Own

By: Monday, January 14, 2013 Healthy Beauty, Organic Beauty, Product Reviews , , , , Permalink 0

own_assorted_productsAll you devoted followers of trends in organic beauty know that the search for non-toxic products that are just as effective as their potentially carcinogenic counterparts can be a grueling one.  For the last few months, I’ve been testing the entire line of Own Skincare Products, and have to say I am super happy with the results!  The line isn’t organic, but it is free of harsh chemicals, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and all the other bad guys we Organic Beauties are bent on banishing.  Best of all, it is super affordable!

The San Francisco-based product line features the super potent skincare ingredient, CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), which is known for reversing and preventing the signs of aging and improving skin texture and firmness.  The Firming Silk Concentrate serum feels fantastic after my morning jojoba oil face wash.  It really does leave my skin silky smooth and absorbs super fast.  I use the Lifting Eye Cream twice a day, and I definitely attribute my total lack of lines to the potent combination of CLA, safflower oil, shea butter, and soybean germ extract!  Before bed, I end my skincare routine with luxurious Refining Moisture Night Cream, which goes on super smooth, absorbs super fast, and gives me the smoothest, brightest skin when I wake up in the morning.   In the last few months, I’ve noticed that my skin is softer, smoother, and despite my recent (ahem) landmark birthday, I’m happy to say my skin doesn’t look a day older than it did at 18!

The other great thing about the Own brand is their commitment to holistic beauty. Over on their blog, they regularly feature all kinds of super helpful lifestyle tips that guarantee young healthy skin for life! Check out their 10 Winter Beauty Tips! Because, as we Organic Beauties know, beautiful skin is more than just the products you use…

How to Naturally Prevent the Flu… (Plus, Should You Get a Flu Shot?)

By: Saturday, January 12, 2013 Healthy Home, Holistic Health, Lifestyle, Wellness , , , , Permalink 0

How to Naturally Prevent the Flu… (Plus, Should You Get a Flu Shot?) | The Organic Beauty Blog

Seeing as we live in what CNN recently dubbed “Flu York,” where almost everyone we know is currently coming down with the flu virus, I thought I would share some natural flu prevention methods that will lower your risk of contracting this year’s rather severe flu bug.

But first, a word on flu shots…  Are you considering getting a flu shot? Read on to make sure it’s the right decision for you!

There is currently a 35 minute wait at all our neighborhood pharmacies to get the flu shot, obviously due to the pretty severe outbreak we are experiencing.  Now I know this is a bit controversial, but I am typically not a huge proponent of flu shots.  Due to the natural mutation of the virus, each year’s flu shot gives you only partial, if any, protection.  A review of 51 research studies involving 260,000 children ages 6 to 23 months found no evidence that the flu vaccine is any more effective than a placebo. Secondly, and perhaps even more importantly, the flu vaccine is chock full of harmful toxins like mercury, formaldehyde, and detergent.  These toxins lower immunity (ironically making you more susceptible to illness), and have been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. One report showed that people who received the flu vaccine each year for 3 to 5 years had a 10 times greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s than people who never received any flu shots.

As far as I’m concerned, this is reason enough to avoid the flu vaccine… the benefits just don’t outweigh the risks!  My husband, my family, and I have rarely gotten a flu shot, and have only come down with the flu a handful of times in our lives.  That said, the flu virus, especially particularly rough strains like 2013’s, can be really hazardous to people with already compromised immune systems.  Pregnant women, the elderly, and anyone with an immunity-compromising illness should consider the flu shot.  But again, make sure to weigh the risks for yourself and your family!  As I stated above, the flu shot can actually lower your immune response, and could potentially be harmful to a developing fetus.  Think carefully…

How to naturally prevent the flu!

There are many ways to naturally decrease your risk of getting the flu, and whether or not you get the flu shot this year, I strongly recommend making the tips below a part of your everyday routine for the remainder of the flu season!

  • Wash your hands.  When you get to the office, when you come home, and throughout the day, especially after coming in contact with particularly germy areas like the subway, schools, communal office supplies, and (duh!) people showing signs of illness, wash your hands with hot soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Moisturize.  With all this hand washing, your hands will naturally be inclined to dryness and cracking, which gives germs a direct pathway into your body.  Keep a travel-size bottle of natural moisturizer in your bag (I love Burt’s Bees Farmer’s Friend Hand Salve, which comes in a cute and portable little tin!), and lube up after every hand-washing, or throughout the day as needed.
  • Clear out your nose.  Yes, yes, you’ve heard me tout all the benefits of the Neti Pot a million times before, but I’m telling you, it is a vital part of flu prevention!  Your nasal passages are full of mucous and tiny little hairs that are designed to trap germs and bugs to keep you from getting sick.  But they can only do so much!  You need to help your nose out by cleaning and lubricating it, and getting all those trapped bugs out of there!  There is no better way to do this than regularly using a neti pot.  It’s safe to use everyday, but if you feel like your nose is easily irritated, every other day will do the trick as well.  Make sure to follow each neti session with some sesame oil or olive oil in your nose, to moisturize and soothe everything!
  • Get plenty of sleep!  Flu season is no time to start partying and staying up until all hours of the night. Your body naturally needs more rest in the winter months, and when the flu bug is running rampant, getting at least 7-8 hours up’s your body’s first defense against illness.  You need to do whatever you can to boost your natural immunity!  If getting to bed early is hard for you, check out How to Sleep Better, Naturally!
  • Supplement smartly.  Even if you’re not big on supplementation, flu season is definitely a time to fortify your system with some strategic vitamins.  Vitamin C is of course a big one (opt for 500-1000 mg 2-3 times a day, and make sure to get a formula with rose hips for maximum absorption!).  Another immunity powerhouse is vitamin D, which we all need to be taking year-round, but especially in the winter months.  Opt for 2000-4000 IU of a liquid, sublingual vitamin D (like this one) every day.  Lastly, North American Ginseng (panax ginseng) has been shown to reduce incidence of the flu, as well as duration if you do become ill.
  • Stay warm.  Although being cold doesn’t actually make you sick, it can definitely lower your immune response, making you more susceptible to contracting the flu virus.  So bundle up, and make sure to drink lots of warm liquids throughout the day… Green or ginger tea with raw, organic honey actually does a lot to boost your body’s natural defenses against the flu, due to the honey’s anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties!
  • Eat for health.  Flu season is definitely the ideal time to get serious about healthy eating.  Shoot for having as much of your diet as possible being made up of dark leafy greens, brightly colored veggies, sea vegetables, mushrooms, plant proteins, and fish to boost your immunity and not give your body any other toxins to contend with!  Keep alcohol, which compromises your immunity, to a minimum, and drink tons of water!

If you do get sick, STAY HOME!!!  The biggest cause of the flue epidemic spreading so rapidly is sick people walking around infecting everyone!  Don’t take the risk, and stay home to rest, which will also help you to recover as quickly as possible!  Make sure to read my article, 5 Tips to Beat a Cold in Two Days Flat for some great self-care tips to help you get healthy fast!

Do you have any other natural flu prevention tactics or remedies that work for you? Share them in the comments below!