It's flu season.  Some people choose to get flu shots, some people are totally against them, some people with compromised immune systems really need to consider getting one, check with your personal physician to see if this would be of value to you. In people who have low blood counts, who are on chemotherapy, have lung disease, are anemic, succeptible to colds, have been previously diagnosed cancers, considering a flu shot would be appropriate (as I said previously, check with your personal physician).

Many grocery stores now supply anti-microbial wipes on entry to the store for customers to wipe off the handles of the grocery carts prior to shopping.  I always wipe where I think I might touch the cart.  You never know if the person who used the cart prior to you using it is physically ill. So, in this day and age, it is good practice to protect yourself and your family. (I also have the anti-germ lotion in my car for myself and my customer if they choose to use it).  I'm not paranoid, just practical in my approach. After all, if I can prevent illness...I will make an attempt.

Now, I'm giving this disclaimer to this blog...I'm not a physician, I am merely suggesting the following b/c they worked for me and my family:

1. Fresh chicken soup...Boil a fresh chicken (covered completely with water), with some a whole onion, a few carrots, a few celery stalks, parsley flakes, about 3 cloves of garlic ( a natural antibiotic ). Cook it for about 2 hours on simmer or until the chicken is completely cooked.  Let cool.  This makes about 4 quarts...Take the chicken out and let cool, put the broth in containers about 2/3 full and pick the chicken off of the bone and put into the containers ( make small pieces of chicken ).  If you don't feel well...add a little rice to the broth or just pour off the broth and drink it and keep the chicken to eat later as a sandwich. You can freeze the extra container's of broth...add a chicken bullion cube for every additional cup of water you want to add. You can add noodles to this broth, matzo balls, or rice and it makes great soup!

2. Garlic of any kind is a very potent and health-restoring herb...use it! On chicken, pork chops, beef, in salads, on squash with a little dill for flavor, or bake it and eat it... After all if your sick...who are you going to kiss? or want to kiss you?  LOL

3. Cold-eeze...tablets are high in zinc. They soothe the throat...Don't chew them. If you don't want it - spit it out...the point is to suck the lozenger slowly so it makes your throat feel better...

4. REST! I know we work hard, but try to work a hour and rest an hour...a 20 minute power nap when you are sick and still have to work allow's your body to heal.

5. If you have a sore throat, gargle with 1 tsp. of salt in a cup of warm water, or gargle with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water...with either...keep gargling until the solution is all gone...repeat until your throat is feeling better...home remedies...I repeat this IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE - HOME REMEDIES THAT WORKED FOR MY FAMILY...

6. If you have a fever, are dizzy, have a productive cough, or feel you need a physician, GO! These situations need a qualified physician's advice and MY SUGGESTIONS HERE ARE MERELY SUGGESTIONS - IN NO WAY MEANT AS MEDICAL ADVICE...

I hope you avoid the flu this season!

Best to you in 2008!

ANYONE HAVE ANY OTHER HOME REMEDIES TO SHARE...I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

http://www.KarenMonsour.com, cell 954-464-4194