10/26: Avian Bird Flu Preparation

Many people don't believe the bird flu will actually happen. That's ok. However, even if you think the whole bird flu thing is nonsense, it does make sense to prepare for the super-flu and super-bug that is making the news already this Fall (2008).

Here's a few suggestions:

1. Eat healthy. Avoid packaged and processed foods. Concentrate on foods as close to how nature provided them, like fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains.
2. Exercise at least 20 minutes a day, 5-6 days a week. This will not only make your body fit but will help your immune system, raise your tolerance, and help you mentally and emotionally. Even young children can exercise a little every day (sometimes we play "chase the dog" which gives us all a snippet of exercise).
3. Reduce your stress. This may mean cutting back on extra activities, saying "no" more often, or shopping before dawn to avoid crushing crowds. You could spend quality time with family and friends - your loved ones - playing a board game or singing along with a karoake machine.
4. Meditate (or pray) daily. Your mind needs some time to just chill, as does your spirit. If you don't pray, sit comfortably while listening to soothing music and watching a candle-flame flicker in the dark.
5. Have sex with a caring mate regularly (a couple times a week should work). This helps your body in many ways!
6. Add a bit of vitamin C and echinacea to your supplement regimen. These will help your immune system.

There is not nor will there be (in time) a vaccine to protect you from the bird flu. Your best defense is always a good offense. Get your body's natural immune system to it's peak and keep it there.

The 1917 bird-flu epidemic killed (an estimated) 50 million people, of which 675,000 were in the United States. Experts say another pandemic is very overdue. What else can you do to make sure you don't succumb to the next round?

1. Look at your home. Is there a room that you can care for sick family members, away from other people? (Keep the germs contained.)
2. Stock up on medical supplies, like Vitamin C, multi-vitamins, cough medicine, disposable gloves and surgical masks.
3. Stock up on basic supplies, like food, can openers, toilet paper and water. If a pandemic really does hit, chances are people will be forced to be confined to their homes. Be prepared.

See also: http://food-self-sufficiency.blogspot.com/2008/10/bird-avian-flu-preparation.html

Vikki

http://www.newviewgroupllc.com/

Disclaimer:

(Gotta write this because I'm just a writer and not a health care professional of any kind):

If you think you might be sick, consult with a trusted health care professional. Also, discuss with your doctor before starting any new diet or exercise. Statements in this posting have not been evaluated by the FDA or anyone else.

9/24: Bits and Pieces

MOAB:
This Mother of all Bailouts (MOAB - coined by http://www.survivalblog.com/) - I've heard $70 billion and this morning I heard $700 billion - which is right?

Guess it doesn't matter. If it goes through as it, the "little people" (middle and lower class) are going to get screwed again. As written, we will be paying for the bailout and not getting any direct benefit.

Health:
It was a very rough night with the longest episode of heart palpitations yet, so I only got 3 hours of sleep. I warned Weslee first thing this morning about the situation and how I need him to help me be on an even keel, doing his schoolwork and following the basic rules of the house. It helped for about 4 hours. Without giving all the details, let me just say that it's been horrible since about noon. And he will be paying for a new MP3 player and special headset out of his allowance!

Garden:
I haven't watered the back garden yet today, but did the front. Picked a really big boston pickling cucumber and a bush cucumber. The black turtle beans are about white-papery enough to be harvested; maybe the weekend. The sunflower seeds I planted in the front yard to "hide" the aspen tree we had to cut down have gotten about 6 foot tall, and one has opened! Looks like another couple of strawberries and a few raspberries will probably be ready by Thur or Friday. The big yellow globes out front have turned orange so we're thinking they might be pumpkins after all. Probably a different kind from what's in the backyard pumpkin patch.

Miscellaneous:
I just put ingredients into the breadmaker to test a recipe I came up with for "sweet egg-and-oat bread". I set the machine for basic bread (almost 4 hours) so should be ready by dinner time (it started around 1 p.m.). As soon as Weslee finishes one more schoolwork, I'm going up and taking a nap. Very tired.

p.s. Bread recipe needs tweaking; too much liquid. When I have it perfected, I'll post it. Meanwhile, it's 6:06 p.m. and I'm ready to get ready for bed and a night of new TV show episodes.

Vikki www.newviewgroupllc.com