INSTEAD of the Flu Shot this is what I do!

I get a lot of questions about the flu shot this time of year- should I do it?  What are the risks?  Some people feel pressured into getting it by their medical doctor, employer,  insurance company, family member, etc.  Others are fearful of the flu or getting sick. 
 
I am not going to get into whether you should or shouldn't.  That is a sticky topic and maybe for a later day.  I will just simply tell you what I choose to do.  (If you want to read more into the flu shot read this blog post by Lindsay Bentley by clicking here.  Or the pill profit click here.  They are great posts.)
 
Here is what I personally do 
1) Skip getting the flu shot
2) Have supplements on hand in case I do get sick
3) Eat 3 TBS of coconut oil a day
4) Eat lots of fruits and veggies
 
First you need to understand that if you get sick and let your body fight it off, your immune system actually gets stronger.  That means the next time you get exposed to a bacteria or virus it will be stronger and more equipped to fight!  Secondly if you keep supplements on hand and eat good foods (plenty of fruits, veggies and protein)  you will get vitamins and minerals that are fuel for your immune system. Lastly our trusty friend coconut oil is antibacterial, viral and fungal.  It helps to kill off invaders that would get you sick and it helps to boost up your immune system!
 
The supplements I have on hand
1) Immuplex- Take 6 per day when sick (Mainly for Viruses)
2) Silver Shield- take 3 to 6 TBS when sick (Works on bacterias and viruses)
3) Elderberry Defense- Take 6 to 9 per day when sick- This also has vitamin D in it which is crucial for your immune system (Mainly Viruses)
4) Congaplex- Take 6 per day when sick (Mainly for Bacteria; Great for sinus issues)
 
OTHER:
-Herbal Throat Spray- Perfect for sore throats
-High Potency Garlic- Antibacterial, fungal- great for sinuses and congestion
-Astragalus- Antiviral, but overall immune support (GREAT if you had MONO in the past)
-Olive Leaf Extract- Antibacterial, viral and fungal- It has been working great this year
-Thymex- Overall immune support 

What I Take Daily for Prevention (I tend to switch it up a lot)
-Usually 2 to 3 Elderberry Defense, 2 to 3 Astragalus or Olive Leaf Extract
-If I feel something coming on I use my arsenal above
 
(Nature Sunshine in RED, Standard Process in BLUE- for more info click here)

If these do not help let us know and we have many other great supplements!  These are not the end all be all, but they can really help during the cold/flu season.  With good nutrition and preventative supplements (and the right ones when you do get sick) you have a great foundation.  There are so many other great immune supplements out there and this is a starting block.  If you have any questions or these don't seem to help... call us!  We can get you in the same day for a sick visit and get the exact supplement to you for what is going on. 

ALSO- This is just what I choose to do.  I never pressure any patients one way or another or make anyone feel bad for their choices.  No doctor should EVER EVER EVER do that.  Learn other options no matter what they are, educate yourself and then choose what is best for you!

(Naked) Chicken Tenders: A Play off of Chick-Fil-A

When traveling awhile back there was no other option besides eating some sort of fast food.  After eating Panera many times on our travels we decided to stop at Chick-Fil-A.  They now have 'naked/grilled' chicken nuggets!  Its a great option for those on the road with a side of fresh fruit.  I got 8 which wasn't to terribly filling so I would recommend getting the 12 piece one.  Anyways... this is a simple play off of what we had. 

Cut your chicken breast into small pieces.  Season or marinade.  (We used garlic, sea salt, pepper and a little cayenne too).  Throw into a skillet and cook (with coconut oil of course!).  That's it. 

I know it may seem silly or to simple but it makes for easy bite size pieces just like a chicken nugget.  This is a great option for kids at home who want chicken nuggets.  Try making these instead and let them dip into their favorite sauces!  It is also great for those who travel.  When the chicken is already cut up it is much easier to eat on the road.  (And tastes good too!)

Enjoy!

 

Tasty Drink! (Only 3 Ingredients!)

Here is a simple drink recipe I changed a little bit from @amazon_ashley on Instagram so it was Candida Clear friendly.   

1 bottle Pellegrino Water (I had 750ml)
1 to 1.5 cups raspberries (Her recipe called for 2 whole peaches.)
Juice of 1 lemon
1 Cup of ice (which I didn't do... I don't like ice in my drinks.  It is just a personal preference.)

Blend all together and there you go.  It tastes great!  You could even add xylitol (or honey for those not working on candida) to sweeten it up.  I don't think it really needed it but it always an option.  The only thing I would change is using the juice of 1/2 lemon instead of a full one.  It was just a little tart but still GREAT!

For those on Candida Clear- Try with blueberries, raspberries, blackberries too! 
For everyone else- Try with peaches or mango.  I bet that is delicious!

P.S  I used a hand blender that has come in SO handy.  It is from Costco ($20 I think) and I use it all the time.  It is great because you don't have to dirty a lot of things, it is simple to use and works great.  I use it to blend my smoothies each morning and it works perfectly.   

Enjoy!

 

 

 

My kitchen helper.  And sock stealer. 

A Not So Traditional Dinner

One of the things I have learned is that when eating healthy sometimes your 'typical' or 'traditional' meals are not so typical anymore.  For example my dinner...  First off- I wasn't in a mood to be creative and secondly I didn't have a lot in my fridge.  Time for a grocery run!  I had to come up with a quick creative idea and this is what I did.  3 eggs and asparagus! Not a traditional dinner at all.

You get your veggies in (cooked quickly on a skillet with coconut oil), as well as protein with the eggs (cooked in coconut oil on a skillet too) and a healthy fat (coconut oil)! Season with a little sea salt or garlic and you are good to go!

I understand this isn't an amazing recipe however I just wanted to shine light on thinking outside the box.  If you want a light dinner here you go!  If you want a good breakfast... here you go too!  Its always a good idea to get a healthy fat and protein in at each meal.  It keeps your metabolism going and keeps you full so you don't have any blood sugar crashes (aka getting shaky or so tired that you have to eat to get your energy back up).  Enjoy!

Also- if you are needing a warm healthy alternative to hot chocolate for this cool weather... click here! :)

New and Improved Silver Shield

Nature Sunshine has a new and improved Silver Shield!  The original Silver Shield was 18 parts per million and only 4oz.  NOW they have a 6 oz (4278-5) & 16 oz (4280-5) Silver Shield and they are 20 parts per million!  Not only is it larger... but stronger too!!

Silver Shield is a powerful anti-bacterial, viral, parasitic and fungal.  It is tasteless and great for people of all ages! (Infants, breastfeeding, elderly, and everyone in between!)  Besides ingesting it- you can put it in your eyes and ears too for infections! It is an amazing all around product!!!

There is a special going on till Friday (Sept 19th)!  Stock up while you can!

On the 6 oz
-Buy 5 get 1 FREE (offer code: 18086-9)
-Buy 9 get 2 FREE (offer code: 18087-5)

On the 16 oz
-Buy 10 get 10% OFF (offer code: 18108-2)
-Buy 15 get 15% OFF (offer code: 18109-0)

Double check at your check out to make sure you have the discount and correct products. 

Quinoa Burgers

I can not take credit for this... a patient sent me a link asking if these were okay on Candida Clear.  Of course I am always skeptical but this really does pass the test!  In the grocery store I usually skip over the frozen food isle beside veggies and fruit because each time I read ingredients they are no good... so I couldn't believe it!

They are called Qrunch Quinoa Burgers.  I found mine at Kroger (in the healthy frozen section) and she said they are also at Target.  They have a regular and a spicy Italian (which I didn't find to spicy).  You just throw them on a skillet with coconut oil (of course) for 2 to 3 minutes on each side and you have a meal!  Tonight we made the veggie 'pasta' with Costco Marinara, the Qrunch Burger and some fresh basil!  Yummmmmm!   Enjoy!  I have also attached the ingredient list... apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, and everything else is organic!

(Garrett said he lost a little bit of his manhood by eating veggie pasta and having these 'burgers.' :) He likes them though!  Don't let him fool you.)

 

 

They all look great!

 (Minus canola oil- but its organic and non GMO, so its as good as you can get)

System Packs from Nature Sunshine

Having trouble getting your loved ones taking vitamins or getting them into the office?  Some people wait till something is tragically wrong to go see a doctor so if you can kind of guess what area of their body needs help Nature Sunshine has created 'system packs' to help out.  Ready below for more info on the packs. 

Nervous System Pack
Soothe nervous system, fight stress, support more restful sleep

Circulatory System Pack
Targeted for improved circulatory health and heart function

Structural System Pack
Help build and strengthen joints, bones, connective tissue

Glandular System Pack
Nourish the glands, support mood, promote energy and manage stress

Hepatic System Pack (liver)
Improve liver health and detoxification with protection against toxins

Urinary System Pack (kidneys, bladder)
Targeted for kidney health and urinary system function

Respiratory System Pack
Support lungs, sinuses, and bronchials with powerful formula

Immune System Pack
Create a healthier environment and stimulate your body's natural defenses

Intestinal System Pack
Improve colon health- support cleansing, building, elimination and repopulate the gut with friendly flora

Digestive System Pack
Improved digestive function and may support immune health

For more info on the packs click the link
http://www.naturessunshine.com/us/general/search/?q=system+packs

 

If you have never ordered through Nature Sunshine click here

 

Disclaimer- These do not take care of a lot of root/deep issues people have going on, however they will help significantly if someone is not up for a cleanse or other protocols.  If a person doesn't feel better on them there is still hope- it just wasn't the right combination or there is something deeper going on.  That's when you give them the elbow nudge to schedule a visit :)