Hmmmm

Toying around with the idea of starting up my blog again.....
May just have to do it!
But not today. Today I'm too busy.
It's a nice idea though.

Immune Support, Flu Prevention, Etc.

Just a little document I put together for anyone who wants to know this stuff.
I passed it out to everyone at work....some were appreciative, others think I'm a weirdo. There is so much info out there about boosting the immune system, supplements to take, how to treat or prevent the flu....I just thought I would take everything I've learned and put it all together.

IMMUNE SUPPORT / FLU PREVENTION & TREATMENT

SUPPLEMENTS (VITAMIN, MINERAL, HERBAL)

Elderberry

Common brands are “Sambucol” or “Sambucus”

Elderberry is a natural anti-viral; Used for its antioxidant activity, to lower cholesterol, improve vision, boost the immune system, improve heart health and for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsilitis. Elderberry juice was used to treat a flu epidemic in Panama in 1995.

Vitamin C (daily)

Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin, so overdosing is very rare; your body will excrete what it doesn’t use. 1000 mg / day in toddlers, 2000 mg / day in children & teens

Up to 5000 mg / day in adults

Also increase intake of Vitamin C rich foods – broccoli, strawberries, citrus fruits, bell peppers, tomato

Vitamin D3 (daily)

for children: 400 IU for maintenance, 800 IU for winter months, 1200 IU when sick

for adults: 2000-3000 IU

They are noting that the majority of people coming down with the flu have a deficiency in Vitamin D3.

Zinc

Zinc supplements come in many different types and forms, such as tablets, liquid, capsules, and lozenges. Zinc chelate is one of the most effective and absorbable zinc supplements. Research has shown that zinc absorption is improved greatly if it is taken as a lozenge and dissolved in the mouth.

When taking zinc in supplements, it is best taken before bed as it should be taken away from food and should be taken at least 8 hours after iron.

Natural sources: almonds, pumpkin seeds, wheat germ, meat, liver, sunflower seeds, whole grains, milk

*Take a zinc supplement only when you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms. Taking zinc over a long period of time can actually suppress immune function.

If you have the flu or cold symptoms, take 5-10 mg chewable or lozenge two times a day for 5-7 days

Juice Plus – purchased through an independent distributor (concentrated fruits and vegetables, highly recommended) Come in capsule or gummy form. For ages two and up. Ask me if you would like more information.

Probiotics

While you can find probiotic supplements at your local drugstore, the best quality probiotics are usually found in the refrigerated section of health food stores as well as Market Street grocery store.

Echinacea & Golden Seal

Preferred form is liquid extract; boosts immune system; Take 1 dose 2 times a week to boost immune system

Cod liver oil

Contains omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and vitamin D

Garlic

Garlic will detoxify the body. Can be taken in capsule form or by eating raw garlic clove 2-3 times a day

Astragalus

1 dose 3x/week during flu season; available in capsule; do NOT give astragalus if any sign of fever or infection are present

Bioflavanoid Supplement

Take daily

American Ginseng

1 dose 3 times a week during flu season

NATURAL FLU REMEDIES:

Oscillococcinum – you can buy this at your local drug store; it is the homeopathic version of Tamiflu, but has none of the scary side effects. www.oscillo.com ($2 off coupon can be printed online)

Oscillo (for short) is regulated by the FDA and recommended by many medical experts as a flu treatment. You must begin oscillo at the first sign of flu symptoms. Oscillo can be taken by family members if one of them has the flu, as a preventative measure.

Increased dosage of Elderberry (Sambucol) Stops the viral replication of the flu.

Another homeopathic treatment is called Influenzinum. It has been used in Europe for many years during the flu season. Every year the World Health Organization predicts which flu viruses are most likely to infect and cause flu symptoms. Based on this information, the homeopathic solution is reformulated year to year to help prepare the body during the flu season. It has no side effects, and is safe for the entire family. During the flu season beginning in November, 8-10 pellets are taken once a week for one month and then one more dose 3 weeks later. This series can be repeated again in January and February.

GENERAL FLU PREVENTION:

Avoid sugar and high fried foods

When sick, avoid milk and dairy. Milk increases the production of mucous. Choose soy milk or almond milk instead.

Wash your hands with soap and water; use antibacterial solutions when out in public or at the Doctors office

EAT HEALTHY FOODS!!!

**You do not have to take ALL the above supplements and vitamins. Doing at least one or two will be better than doing nothing! **

not a lot going on

Its just been a REALLY long time since I've posted.
News?
Well, Braelyn went pee pee on the potty last night. Yay!
I've been kind of lazy about potty training, but its time to start. Hopefully it will be quick and easy. Ha ha. I know all you parents out there are laughing, thinking 'dream on, sister'.

Maybe I will think of something else worth posting and edit later. I'm sure there's got to be something just exceptionally exciting going on with us that isn't coming to mind right now. :)

Braelyn's 2, the Birthday Zoo Party!

I didn't get that many great pictures this year. :( Even though it was just a family party, it seemed a little hectic and I couldn't get real good shots. I was also exhausted! Working all week and planning her party just about did me in! I was up until 1 am on Friday night making cupcakes and cleaning house. Jay normally cleans the house, but he's got a torn ligament in his foot...so I had to woman-up and get it all done myself. I took a fat nap on Saturday and Sunday!:)
It was a great time, though. Next year I might be brave enough to invite other children besides her cousin. :)

Here is the Birthday Girl on party day!
I got the handmade shirt off of etsy.com. I love that place.

Gifts galore. Spoiled.


With Jack and cousin Jacob. (yes, they call him Jack, not Grandpa!)

Oh, yummy! Vanilla cupcake with strawberry cream cheese icing.
"Mommy, do you realize I'm eating a cupcake? are you sure this is okay? Is this a trick??"
She got some dress up shoes that she can't walk in. Oh well, I think they cost a dollar.
All she cares about is her lollipop! (She calls it a "babypop")
But after the party had ended and she had taken a long nap....loving her new baby doll.


So, a little pizza sauce got on her forehead....it matched her outfit. :)

Some of the animal ducks kept falling over. Aren't they supposed to FLOAT? Isn't that the whole idea behind rubber duckies?? Well, FYI if you buy duckies from Oriental Trading Co, they might not float.
Chocolate cupcake with marshmallow creme icing.
Yes, I made them myself this year, but used Janna's icing recipes. It was easy and they were delicious!

I took these pictures last Tuesday. She is so into her baby dolls. She loves to sit them in the doll high chair and feed them, though she doesn't understand why I won't let her give them "real" food. And, no, I do NOT want one of those dolls that actually eats, pees, and poops. I have to clean up the poop and pee of one child and three pets, I don't want to add a plastic doll to that responsibility!
So, she's letting me put her hair in pigtails again....I'm hoping this sticks, not just a temporary thing she's letting me get away with for now. She looks so adorable with her hair done!
Since today is her actual birthday we are going to take her to Mr. Gatti's or Peter Piper, then head to Toys-R-Us to let her pick something she likes. Her babysitter took her to Frisco SplashTown today. She isn't really a "water baby" so I hope she enjoyed it. We went to a friend's house last night who has a pool and she didn't like it one bit. She liked to throw things into the pool - like my shoes, swimsuit coverup, etc. but not a fan of getting in the water.

This baby is TWO today...

Where does the time go? She just keeps getting bigger and bigger!

So much Fun!

I had the best time with my 3 best friends last weekend. A week ago today I was there with them all, having a blast as you can tell from the pictures.

Me, Kristy, and Micayla on the "Poparazzi" tube.

Us Four Girls. Crystal, Kristy, Micayla, Julie
Crystal had these sweet gifts made for us. Monogrammed beach bags and wine glasses.
Dinner on the lake on Saturday night.

Margaritas....with Patron....thanks Crystal!

We all brought along in our luggage memories of us four from the past 11 years. We were looking over old emails we had written to each other in our freshman dorm's computer lab, pictures from one anothers weddings, cards we had mailed over the years, etc. etc. I have precious, hilarious, unforgettable memories with these girls.
Leaving Dallas. We were so excited!!!! Crystal was calling us every 30 mintues "where are you at now?"
Our names are written on the front, with "Lakehouse 2009" on the back to remind us of our fun weekend.



We've decided we're going to get together biannually...just the four of us, no kiddos. I think I lost 5 lbs from laughing so hard over the weekend. Love you girls. Can you all please move to Dallas? Seriously. My best friends in the world are scattered. Its not fair! But I treasure the time we do get to be together even though its not often enough and it FLIES BY.

Hudson is here!!!

My dear friend Allison had her baby yesterday. I'm already in love. Look at his golden hair...oh, he's precious. I can't wait to meet him!!!

Girls Weekend!!!

Well, I turn 30 this coming weekend. Sunday, to be exact. I'm not really freaking out about it. I have a blessed life and couldn't ask for more than God has abundantly given.

What I'm REALLY excited about is getting to spend my birthday weekend with my 3 college girls. Crystal, Micayla, and Kristy. We're leaving the kiddos at home and having a Girls Weekend. I can't wait!!! We all live in different cities - Kristy even left the state. So, we don't get to see one another often enough. Which, at times, might be a good thing, because I think we'd be together so much that our husbands and children would probably be jealous. :) I have no doubt that God purposed us 4 girls to all be in the same hall our Freshman year at ACU. I couldn't imagine my life without these 3 amazing people. Love you girls! Can't Wait!!!! Break out the Nutella!








Of course, I will miss these two. It will be the longest I've been away from Braelyn. I hope Daddy feeds her healthy food and doesn't let her watch too much Calliou while I'm gone. Oh, can I live without this snuggle monster for an entire weekend??

Our Fourth of July

This weekend, Braelyn and I went to see my family in Burleson while Jay stayed in Frisco and finished up some home projects that have been in the works for a while. (Among other things, he finally had the chance to complete the finishing touches on our wood floors which he installed back in December of 2007....hard to get things like that finished with a little one in the house)
We missed seeing the fireworks with him, but I'm glad he was able to tie up some loose ends that have needed attention for a while.


There have always been stray cats around the house I grew up in. For some reason, they like to adopt our backyard as their home. Specifically, underneath Dad's storage building in the back corner of the yard. So, a mommy cat had 5 kittens recently. I believe they are 3 weeks old.They're stinkin' adorable and Braelyn LOVED them. **I must add a disclaimer before you see these pictures...no kittens were harmed or injured during this trip, though you might assume otherwise from the not so gentle handling of our toddler** So, no injuries to the kittens, though I can't promise they weren't emotionally traumatized.

She carried them around like her baby dolls. She kept talking to them, mostly saying "meow, meow". I really wanted to take two home, but I knew Jay would make me bring them right back. They are so darn adorable, aren't they?

For the fourth, we went across the street from Mom & Dad's house to the elementary school. (the school I went to from K-6 in fact) From the parking lot, you can see perfectly the fireworks that are lit at Hidden Creek golf course a few yards away. I expected Brae to be scared - especially since we were so close -but she wasn't. Actually, she didn't show much expression at all; she was just zoned in on them, totally mesmerized. Sometimes she would say "green" when a green firework went off. Other than that, she was still for a complete 20 minutes - which usually doesn't happen unless she's asleep. (why this text is a different color...i don't know. I tried 18 times to change it to red. stupid blogger - not me, the site :))


Sunday we went to church with my sister at McKinney Bible Church off Hulen. Loved the bible class (they're doing the Beth Moore Esther study). Worship was uplifting, there was a full band and praise team. It was a nice variation from the ordinary for me. The nursery was great too. I could do an entire post on their nursery alone. But I won't because it would bore the majority of you. So, I'll just say every church should copy McKinney's nursery. Fabulous.

We had a great time. I was even able to fit in some shopping with my Sister on Saturday - baby free - while Mom and Dad spoiled their grandbaby. My sister took me to Lucille's - a little cafe off Camp Bowie. I tried fried green tomatoes for the first time. yyyuuumm.

yeah, the poor kitties are upside down.
I'm not sure they could completely breathe here. I rescued them after I took the picture.



She found this pole / pipe in the backyard and walked around with it. Walking softly & carrying a big stick.
Mema and Braelyn looking at the birds outside Auntie Kim's house
Too cool for school.
Before the fireworks started. She was running all over the place, waving to complete strangers. She's a very friendly little girl. Loves to meet people.
Here, she's sitting in Pepa's lap waiting for the fireworks to start.
We had a fun time and loved every minute of it. Hope you all had a Happy 4th!