Should you take antibiotics?

I’m back from the other side….did you miss me? I got sick! I cannot believe it-it’s been two years. Despite all the daily Vitamin D intake, exercise and eating well, a germ got me. I guess I must’ve been run down.

Of course this happened at the worst time possible, three days before my cousin’s wedding, that I was a bridesmaid in. I was panicked, I could feel it coming on. I increased my vitamins to 6000 mg of Vitamin D, 2000 mg of Vitamin C, Zinc and Echinacea. Nothing was helping.  I slept, pushed fluids but the sinus infection was causing pain, pressure and a fever. I finally caved and started a z-pac. I usually am very against antibiotics because of the abuse of them in our society.  At the first sign of a sore throat Americans start popping antibiotics, eventually causing resistance to these drugs and possibly superbugs to thrive. In this particular situation I needed to take antibiotics to treat the sinus infection and relive my fever.  I have to admit that within 12 hours of starting I felt better.  Within 24 hours I was almost well and within 36 I completely better.

I think that taking antibiotics when necessary is fine but watch how dependent you are on them.  The problem is if you take them too often, they won’t work as well when you may actually need them. There is no way to stay safe from getting sick this winter season, just keeping washing your hands and getting as much sleep as possible.

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Are Avocados the New Wonder Fruit?

My Mom bought a ton of Avocados the other day with the hopes that I would make my famous guacamole. Four days have passed and I keep walking past them, still in their skins. I can’t help but think about our amazing moisturizer, WAKE UP CALL, every time I see an avocado, which got me thinking about other uses for the fruit. Yes, avocados are fruits.

With a little googling I discovered a wealth of uses and benefits of avocados. They’re not just for Mexican food anymore.

Health Benefits:

  • Avocados lower cholesterol because they contain high levels of beta-sitosterol.
  • They also contain high levels of folate which aids in stroke prevention and heart attacks.
  • High levels of vitamin E, monounsaturated fats, and glutathione will keep your heart healthy.
  • Avocados also have carotenoid lutein, which help to prevent macular degeneration and cataracts.
  • Similar to Olive Oil, avocados have Oleic Acid, which can be beneficial in warding off cancer, specifically breast and oral cancers.

Skin & Hair Benefits:

  • Highest level of sterolins, which is wonderful for dry or dehydrated skin
  • Avocado oil increases collagen in the skin
  • Avocado can help repair damaged hair and mimics our own oil secretions.

Don’t be shy-eat them or mash them up for your skin and hair. The avocado is a wonder fruit!

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A Few Ways to Try and Stay Healthy….

Since it is cold and flu season, I thought I would continue on with a few tricks to keep yourself healthy. Although, I am writing this holed up in the guest room at my parent’s house. My Dad has been coughing and sneezing and I am fighting something yucky off….

The truth is you can be as careful as possible and follow all the rules on how ‘not to get sick’, but if you’re due for it-you’re going to get it. That being said there are still a few tips that may help you. Wash your hands after everything! Don’t touch your face, nose or mouth, this is the quickest way to get germs. Stay hydrated and limit your sugar intake. If it is cold outside cover your nose and mouth. If you start to feel like you’re getting sick, pop some vitamin D and C. I’ve been loading up and I think i’m winning the war.

Yesterday my Dad told me that the most common way germs are passed around a restaurant are through the water pitcher.  Apparently most pitchers are cleaned in the PM after the restaurant has closed-that means the same pitcher is used throughout the entire day and night. When waiters go around and fill your glass up they are also unknowingly giving you everyone else’s germs. Every time a pitcher touches a glass it can pick up other people’s saliva which carries germs and ends up on your glass….yuck. Your best bet in a restaurant is bottled water or skip it all together.  Another scary restaurant fact is that when you take something home in a doggy bag, you should always ask to box it yourself at the table.  Once you send your food away, it can come into contact with numerous hands (germs), not to mention anything airborne.

Stay healthy friends!

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