Do you get an annual physical? A baseline is important to understand any deviations in your health. If you don't seek to protect your own body, no one will. Prevention is key! KNOW YOUR NUMBERS. Educate yourself on these numbers and utilize all the resources provided to you. You must be your best advocate. You must empower yourself. 

Today is the day. Find a great physician if you don't have one. Ask friends and family for their suggestions. Schedule your appointments. Make it count. To your health

As I've fought a sore throat and now cough, I've included a few doses of raw, local honey in my diet. Not only can honey coat the throat, but raw honey provides immune boosting antioxidants and enzymes. Raw honey is also a natural antimicrobial and antiviral. Local raw honey has also helped many people with allergies.

These natural nutrients are stripped when raw honey is processed(not raw). You may also think that honey is just sugar, but raw honey does not even compare to refined sugar. Empty calories deplete the body whereas vitamins and minerals restore the body. Additionally, honey digests itself with all it's live enzymes and spares key nutrients needed for the body's fat metabolism. Therefore honey has been known as a helpful diet aid.

So, explore the benefits of raw honey! The benefits I've listed above are just a few! Prevent and treat....another option for optimal wellness.

 1. Blow your nose when you get off the plane. Most germs harbor in the respiratory system and entry through the nose. Blow your nose.
2. Leave your shoes at the door. Think of all the "crap" you step in during the day. Do you really want to bring that into your home
3. Don't put your bag on the floor.  I see so many bags on the subway floor. Yuck! Imagine that bag on the kitchen counter next. Treat your bag like your face. 
4.  Wash behind you ears. I remember a science experiment in college where we swabbed a door handle, the floor, a toilet seat, and behind our ears. Guess where the most bacteria were? Yep. Wash behind your ears!
5. Breathe deep. The more oxygen you have in your system, the more energy there is to optimally run "your system". Disease cannot live in an oxygen rich environment. 

You have a choice in your health and wellness.  Do you take it seriously? 
One. Time. Around

Iron is necessary to ensure oxygen delivery to every cell in your body. Do you have low energy? Feel tired? Have trouble sleeping? Are you replenishing your iron stores to ensure you have oxygen for times of stress and illness? I do not have to explain why our bodies need oxygen. Low levels can manifest slowly as headaches, sexual dysfunction, irritability, swelling of the tongue, brittle nails, and lack luster hair to just name a few.

Iron can be obtained from your diet. Some examples of dietary sources include: red meat, lima beans, kale, spinach, watermelon, beets, prunes, clams, almonds, and chlorophyll. Check with your doctor if you need further supplementation.

Keep in mind just like any food you can consume it but are you absorbing the necessary nutrients? The tannins in tea, polyphenols on coffee, phosphates in soda, and calcium if taken within two hours of an iron supplement all impair iron absorption.

You subsequently can also increase iron absorption by combining foods rich in vitamin C (tomatoes, peppers, green veggies, citrus fruits) with iron rich foods.

I routinely boost my iron stores. Sometimes in the winter my lips crack in the corners. When I consciously increase my iron intake, I am able to avoid this. Women especially need to be aware of the benefits of iron very month. Your immune system will thank you. Prevention is the treatment!

One other tidbit I wish I knew earlier is if you aren't ensuring oxygen stores you will burn carbohydrates first instead of fat during exercise as it takes less oxygen to burn carbs. If you are exercising for weight loss ensure your body has plenty of iron.

Oxygen, oxygen, oxygen! The key to optimal wellness :)

A bit of information, to your health! Explore Iron! Questions welcome!

Eliminate all aluminum from your diet and lifestyle!!!

Read Labels:
Salt 
Baking Powder
Cake Mixes
Antacids
Soda Drinks
Pickled Foods
Processed Cheeses
Deodorant
To name a few!

Avoid cooking with aluminum foil or using as a wrapping for food.  Avoid drinking out of aluminum bottles or cans (beer/water).

Aluminum is a heavy metal that leaches into food and settles in the kidneys, brain, and intestines. I won't begin to explain what these three organ systems do for your body and mind. 

Aluminum has been associated with Alzheimer's and interferes with the body's ability to absorb calcium and phosphorus, two essential components for almost every body function.  

A Quick and Easy Detox: Reduce and Eliminate Aluminum in your Diet/Lifestyle.

There are options!!!!  Read labels and educate yourself.  Prevention is the treatment.

Your body will love you for it!

To your health