Move Those Feet!

In this seemingly eternal cold and flu season, there are many things we can do to protect ourselves from those nasty germs. There are even cold remedies that can help us feel better faster when those germs do manage to catch us. Exercise and healthy eating are vital in these long and cold winter months. But do you know what foods work best to protect you? Here are some facts that may surprise you and get you eating your veggies again.

Brussels Sprouts

I can hear you now: “Brussels sprouts? Yuck. Who eats those?!” But these little cabbages have big health benefits. They are particularly effective in supporting the immune system during the highly infectious winter months. In addition to their vitamin and mineral content, they contain disease-fighting phytochemicals including glucosinolates and antioxidant phenols. (No, I don’t know what those are either, but they sound good for you, don’t they?) Try preparing them steamed with chestnuts, a little butter, and turkey bacon for flavor.

Kale

Again, not the most popular vegetable, but this leafy winter wonderfood will help keep you healthy. It’s packed with vitamin C, providing your daily requirement in one large portion. This makes it a potent defender against colds and viruses. Try making a soup with carrots, corn, bell pepper, and kale.

Onions

Remember, this isn’t about staying popular with the opposite sex. It’s about staying healthy enough to be able to suck on a breath mint and mingle. These vegetables are as strong in healing power as they are in taste (and smell). They have powerful anti-inflammatory effects and nutrients that counteract respiratory problems at all levels. They also have antibacterial action that combats all kinds of infectious diseases. And be honest…who doesn’t love onion soup? If you’re not convinced, eat it with cheesy toasted French bread and get back to me.

Bell Peppers

Red, green, orange or yellow…whatever color you prefer, these versatile veggies provide nutrients to help you breathe freely. They provide a healthy serving of immunity-boosting nutrients including beta carotene and vitamin C. Together, these provide protection for the lungs from winter infections. Cut them into strips and dip in dressing, or try broiling them and mixing with walnuts and lettuce for a delicious salad.

So there you have it…four under-appreciated vegetables that can help keep you healthy as you navigate through another dreary Winter. Fresh or frozen, cooked or raw, whatever your preference this perfect produce will keep you healthy, strong, and ready for anything when Spring finally arrives!

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I’ve quit smoking a number of times before. Anyone who knows anything about how to quit smoking knows that each time a person quits, they’re that much closer to quitting for good. But the only time I had felt comfortable with quitting before was with medication.

This time, I made an appointment with a doctor and asked for the same medication (I even had the old prescription bottle!). But, he said he’d rather I try Chantix. Although I was a bit hesitant, he was enthusiastic about how it had worked for many of his patients.

So I’m now three months into the three-month Chantix plan, and I’m doing great. Not that I didn’t have some rough days; but the medication works to block those nicotine receptors…so if you think about something else other than a cigarette, that craving is nothing more than an itch that really doesn’t need to be scratched.

I will warn you that I’ve had a few reactions to Chantix. Sometimes it makes me drowsy, and a few times I was slightly nauseated by the pills. And, I believe that they’re responsible for a few totally sleepless nights. But, I’d rather put up with all that unsettling mess on a temporary basis if I could quit smoking.

The point is - ask your doctor what might work for you. Any medication after age fifty, especially if you’re on other meds, is something to weigh seriously. But - if you try it - I wish you luck!

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