Healthy Hints

I don't usually do an "informative" blog but I was chatting with a friend the other day about all the health tricks I've learned to stay healthy & thought I would share them! For Sinus Health:

• Simply Saline: I heard about this product from a friend. It's an aerosol nasal spray with NO preservatives AND you can't contaminate the rest of the contents b/c of how it's sprayed. It's meant to be used as an irrigation rinse, too. I use it every night. What does it do? When the air is dry, the tissue in your nasal cavity swells, which makes you congested...then you get runny, & bacteria love the mucus--you end up with a sinus infection. Keep the inside moist & you're in great shape!
• Vaporizer/Humidifier: Helps with what I mentioned above in a different form; it keeps the air moist. Especially helpful in a little one's room who won't willingly use spray/drops. But you have to keep them clean OR bad stuff will grow in them & MAKE you sick.
• Vaporizer cleaner: No idea what they're called. I just bought one this month for the first time. It is a little ball with something inside that keeps your vaporizer clean for 30 days without scrubbing :) Pricey little thing at $4 a pop but I wanted to give it a shot; I'm always ready to drop when it's bedtime & never want to clean the vaporizer but want to run it!
  
• Nasal Irrigation: This is for those of you who are hard-core about staying healthy. It takes moist nasal cavity to a whole nutha level! It will literally get the old junk out of the nukes & crannies in your nasal cavity, along with refreshing/moisturizing the tissue I've already talked about. I have a recipe for one you can make but I also recommend the Simply Saline I mentioned above. If you use a pure liquid version, use cold or tepid solution (never hot!). With either, you stand over a sink, wash cloth in hand, head sideways, and spray/pour the solution into one nostril. Be sure to start breathing through your mouth so as to close the "nose opening" in your throat or you'll get a mouth/stomach full--yuck! Try to hold it in for a few seconds so that the junk can loosen up. Do with other side also & repeat if desired. I'll find the recipe & add later...
• Steam inhalations: Noticing a trend? Yep, it's all about the moisture. This is a great way to get a little facial, too, lol! Put on some water to boil; when it's boiling rapidly, take it off the heat, place on a trivet & drape a towel over your head & the pot. Be careful not to burn yourself! This is great, though, & your nose will start running like a faucet. I've done it before till all steam was gone & reheated for an extra round. Feels fabulous when you've had a hard time breathing!
• ACV: Hands down, #1 natural medicine. Raw, unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar, "with the mother." (Bragg is well-known brand.) You can't find it at a grocery store; local vitamin/supplement shops should have it or Whole Foods, Harry's, etc. It works as a natural antibiotic; is actually amazing for quite a number of things; Bragg from above mentioned brand wrote a whole book that I love! But the best way to take it is 1-2 tsp in 8 oz hot water with a tablespoon of honey. Taste--not great but better than taking it alone; is kind of like medicinal tea. For kids, put 1 tsp in a cup of apple juice or give them a REALLY good incentive in a small amount of whatever. Neena knows it's her medicine & I'm gonna win; she's learned to take it quick & earn a prize :)
• Avoid mucus-producing foods such as dairy, carbonated beverages & caffiene, citrus, wheat, bananas, & grapes. Onions & garlic help to thin mucus. (But I think when you have extra mucus in your system already the stench sticks to it & lasts longer...but that could just be me!)
• Listerine: Always use listerine to kill germs in your mouth; it can help prevent you from getting sick!
• Change your tooth brush: Don't forget the germs that live there, too. If your tooth brush is new or if you're trying to fight getting sick, soak it in Listerine to kill the bugs without hurting your pocket :)
• I've been trying to think of which drugs I prefer as I write this...I have pretty much given up on all of them because they are honestly not nearly as effective as these treatments. They are more time-consuming but are healthier than antibiotics for everyone & they REALLY WORK! Oh, I did think of one I endorse: Vapor Rub. I use it as my chap stick at night & sometimes put a dab on my nose; it says not to but I prefer that over covering my chest--yuck. There are also "Vicks Kleenex" that I am totally digging! Much less messy than the rub, just take a big whiff before you blow! Sometimes I put them by my mouth/nose on my pillow at night; it works! I stick to the store brand on the vapor rub, though, b/c the name brand is MUCH pricier (even when I had a $1 off coupon!)
• Homemade bread with fresh ground wheat: sounds totally Amish...the mills you can buy are expensive but they're small & soo simple. Fresh ground wheat does SOO much for your body but for sinuses, specifically, it helps your body get over allergies. Simply amazing. Get more info at www.breadbeckers.com

If you have any hints to add, please leave them in the "comments!" Glad to know of all we can do to maintain good health!