Holidays seem to bring on the extra stress (and sugar) that can lead to feeling a little under the weather. My health regime involves first and foremost trying to get regular exercise, coming from someone who doesn't like to exercise this can be a tough thing to state first but its probably the most important. These days I've picked up dancing with a pair of mini-hula-hoops indoors; hula-hoops seem to be great for facilitating stretching as well! I drink a lot of tea, antioxidant-rich goodness warms my soul and helps neutralize free radicals in the body. Make sure to brew your own though and avoid already made ice teas that have artificial sweeteners. Real organic cane sugar, turbinado or "raw" sugar, local bee pollen honey (great for allergies), stevia or even my new favorite discovery of yacon syrup are all better, healthier choices. At this point I'm not sure where I stand on Agave syrup, but that is another subject... My current tea choices rotate between Yerba Mate (great get-up-and-go drink for sustained energy, weight management and high in vitamins & minerals), Celestial Seasonings Echinacea Complete Care Wellness Tea, Traditional Medicinals (any), Chai, Genmaicha (green tea with toasted brown rice) or Pu-erh (which I have only recently discovered since moving to Santa Cruz in the past year). Chinese herbal medicine and Acupuncture seem to believe that when attuning ones body to the energy and philosophies of yin and yang, one should drink green teas in the spring and summer and drink black teas in the fall and winter.
Another new aspect involved in moving from a snowy mountain climate to a lush ocean climate has been allergies and hay fever. Cordyceps (a mushroom that grows out of the silk worm in Nepal) helps keep it under control and promotes healthy lung functioning. My understanding of allergies is that usually your immune system has been compromised, therefore you need to boost it back up. Mycelia (Mushrooms) have incredible healing powers and there are many varieties and combos available for specific needs. Visit your local health food stores vitamin section and I'm sure someone can help you to find a good recommendation. Colostrum is another excellent immune-boosting magical development. It is made from a cows pre-milk and in some countries was given to children and the elderly to keep them well.
When all else fails, diced (non-refridgerated) raw garlic swallowed down by a glassful of water will help cure anything! It is a natural antibiotic. Tumeric is a wonder plant as well... Don't forget to drink water!
While on the topic of drinking, a Holidaze cocktail happened upon the Digital Honey duo which involved a variation of the master cleanse - juiced ginger, maple syrup (Grade B is best), fresh squeezed lemon juice and Vodka in a sugar-pumpkin spice-cayenne pepper rimmed martini glass. I just couldn't leave the sugar topic alone, could I? Cheers to you and yours this holiday season, may your days be merry and bright! ~DD
***I wrote this blog post while participating in the Bookieboo and Earth Footwear "All's Well That Ends Well" blogging program, making me eligible to win a pair of Earth Footwear boots. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
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