Wow! You Are Really Lucky….

Are you immune to the flu? I went last week to deliver a piece of cake to my neighbor, who recently moved to a nursing home. On the door a bold sign warned that the flu was circulating around the home. Visit at your own risk! Upon checking in at the desk the attendant warned me again that many of the residents were infected with the flu and was I sure I wanted to visit Mrs. Peifperburg. I said that I was immune to the flu and went on with my visit. The receptionist said “You are really lucky! Everyone should be immune to the flu!

You Can Change Your Luck

Your luck is influenced by your actions. Unlike chance, which is applied equally to everyone, luck is something that you can change based on your actions. Your immune system can be boosted and improved by your diet and also by your general outlook on life. Studies have shown that positively focused people have fewer health issues. I am immune to the flu because of what I eat and also partly because of my positive attitude on life.

Foods That Boost Your Immune System

Here are just a few of the many foods that will boost your body’s ability to fight off disease.

• Green Tea: Green tea is one of the most studied herbs of all time. Scientific research clearly shows that properties in green tea have the ability to defend and repair cells, fight off many different diseases and improve the immune system. Replace your last cup of coffee with green tea. Or use green tea as your afternoon pick-me-up beverage.
• Garlic: Garlic has been used over the centuries to fight disease in many applications. Prior to the discovery of penicillin, garlic was frequently prescribed as a treatment for pneumonia, bronchitis, colds and flu. Clinical studies have supported the use of garlic in both preventing and fighting colds. (Press garlic onto a piece of toast, sprinkle with an herb blend and drizzle with olive oil.). Garlic also improves your body’s ability to utilize vitamin C.
• Rosemary: This fresh herb has long had the reputation for cold- and flu-fighting properties. Keep a plant in your kitchen and snip fresh rosemary into a variety of dishes including omelettes, stews, vegetables and stir fry.
• Orange Juice: Orange juice or any food high in vitamin C will reduce your chances of getting colds or flus any time of the year. Orange juice has the reputation of fighting colds due to the high levels of vitamin C. Any diet high in fruits and vegetables will enhance your immune system.
• Spinach or Green Leafy Vegetables: One of the top 12 super foods, spinach is an asset in every diet for keeping you healthy. Spinach is a powerhouse of antioxidants and nutrients.
• Honey: Studies published in the Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine Archives show that honey has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. It reduces symptoms and duration of upper respiratory infections as well as increases the immune system. Honey, used as an expectorant and cough medicine, has been proven to be as effective as most over the counter cough medicines. (Do not give honey to children under 2 years of age.)
• Yogurt: Everyone knows that the properties in the super food yogurt are good for your immune system. The live active culture assists your body in balancing good bacteria with bad bacteria. This makes an awesome night time snack with fresh fruit. It will also improve your ability to get a good night’s sleep while your body regenerates.

There are many more foods that will increase your immunity to colds and flus. While there are no guarantees, year-round good eating habits certainly make it more likely that your body will be able to fight off the flu when exposed to it.

Immune Enhancing Lifestyle

You can create an immune-enhancing lifestyle with the choices you make each day. Exercise and a good night’s sleep are an essential part of creating immunity to the flu. A high stress lifestyle plays a huge part in your body’s ability to stay strong against colds and flus as well as other diseases. When you create a lifestyle that includes daily routines for exercise, good meals, positive attitude, sleep and relaxation your body’s ability to fight off the daily onslaught of germs and flu viruses will improve. You can make a decision and choose to improve your immune system. You can change your luck. Are you immune to the flu?

Buy Healthy Living Program

Wow! You Are Really Lucky…. is a program that will teach you how to live healthy, maintain your ideal weight and keep your immune system at peak performance through choices. Buy Healthy Living Program

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Everyone thinks chocolate on Valentine’s Day. Chocolate has always been associated with romance. Eating chocolate does actually boost the “feel good” sensors of the brain. It contains a chemical that is the same chemical emitted in your brain when you are in love, hence the association with Valentine’s Day. It is also true that dark, semi-sweet chocolate has the same antioxidants found in green tea, so it is good for you at some levels.

Other Valentine’s Day Mood-Altering Substances

Due to the many spam mails that I get for Viagra, it seems that there is a need for romance enhancement foods. The following list could be considered sexy foods because they can enhance or increase libido naturally.

• Almonds: All nuts contain fatty acids that help the brain respond to stimuli better. This particular nut is associated with aphrodisiac qualities more than others.
• Avocados: The creamy avocado is a sensual delight and contains terrific fatty acids as well.
• Celery: Believe it or not, celery is known to contain small amounts of a male hormone that when released in sweat turns women on.
• Chili Peppers: Hot chili peppers contain capsaicin, which can stimulate circulation.
• Oysters: Zinc is essential for male sexual function. Zinc-rich oysters have been associated with sexual enhancement since Casanova’s time.
• Figs: The fig is sensual, juicy and sweet, perfect for bedroom snacking. They are high in amino acids and are believed to increase bedroom stamina.
• Nutmeg: Indian medicine used nutmeg to increase desire. In one study, nutmeg had the same effect as Viagra.

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Low Calorie Meals = Weight Loss

The ideal way to keep your metabolism revved up is to eat small-frequent meals. Six small meals of less than 300 calories each is ideal. Make sure that each meal includes carbs, protein and fiber or non-starchy vegetables. Eating small balanced meals of less than 300 calories each will assure weight loss and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Consistently consuming five or six low calorie-nutrient rich meals will equal weight loss. Most of these meals, although not all of them, include a protein and carbohydrate combination. They are all good choices.

Many Low Calorie Meals

I did not list the required vegetables or fiber necessary to make a balanced meal on each meal, so you should add vegetables at every meal/snack automatically. You can and should eat an unlimited supply of non-starchy vegetables at every meal, or snack. Some examples are listed below. These snack/meal choices are approximate calculations using the brand indicated. An approximate caloric guide of the brands listed follow. When using other brands, the ingredients and calories can vary widely.

200 Calorie Meals or Snacks

(plus or minus a few calories)
• 3-4 egg white omelet with broccoli (or other non-starch vegetable and 1 slice whole grain bread with fat-free cream cheese (or dry)
• Protein drink consisting of ½ cup water and one fruit portion, lots of ice cubes and 2 scoops of protein powder blended
• Tam-X-ico’s™ whole grain wrap, 3 oz cooked chicken breast, mustard, or horseradish, lettuce and lots of veggies
• 1/4 cup nuts
• 1/4 cup trail mix or granola
• 7-8 Triscuits™ with spread of low fat-cream cheese
• 5-6 Triscuits™ with refried black beans
• celery sticks with 2 Tbs. peanut butter
• sandwich with one piece of bread and 3 oz. chicken or 2 oz turkey breast, mustard
• huge salad with 1/2 cup black beans, unlimited veggies and 4 Triscuits™ with vinegar and fresh herbs
• one nitrate free (Shelton’s™) hot dog, one slice whole grain bread, ketchup and ¼ cup Deb’s Zesty Pickle recipe
• ½ cup Fantastic™ vegetarian chili, (made without the beans), celery sticks, ¼ cup Deb’s Zesty Pickle recipe
• ½ cup Fantastic™ vegetarian chili, (made without the beans), 7-8 Triscuits™
• ½ cup Fantastic™ vegetarian chili, made with the beans, celery sticks
• 2 Ryvita™ crackers, (a little short of) 1 Tbs. no-sugar added natural peanut butter, ½ pear sliced (I make this like a sandwich)
• 1/8th butternut squash baked, 1 tsp, raisins, and 1.5 tsp. brown sugar, (as per Deb’s recipe), 1 oz. cheddar cheese
• 4 Mi Del™ whole wheat graham crackers, 1.25 Tbs. Peanut butter
• ¾ cup fat-free yogurt-plain or fat-free cottage cheese with 1 fruit and 1 scoop of protein powder
• huge salad with 1 oz. feta cheese, unlimited veggies and 7-8 Triscuits™ with vinegar and fresh herbs
• ½ cup refried beans, ½ cup fresh tomato salsa (see Deb’s Recipe), with 1 Tam-X-ico’s™ whole grain wrap toasted in the toaster.
• ½ cup Fantastic™ vegetarian chili, (made without the beans), 4 oz. white, flat fish like flounder or tilapia (I add some water and cook the fish in the chili, it comes out like soup.)
• 2 Wheatabix™ biscuits, 1 cup soy or skim milk
• 1 Wheatabix™ biscuit, ¾ cup soy or skim milk, 1 fruit portion
• 4 oz. white, flat fish like flounder or tilapia, 1 small sweet potato (no condiments)

100 Calorie Meals or Snacks

(plus or minus a couple of calories)

• ½ cup Fantastic™ vegetarian chili, (made without the beans), celery sticks
• 1/8th butternut squash baked, 1 tsp, raisins, and 1.5 tsp. brown sugar, (as per Deb’s recipe)
• ¾ cup Puffins™ brand cereal
• ¾ cup fat-free yogurt-plain or fat-free cottage cheese with ¼ cup of fruit
• ½ cup refried beans, ½ cup fresh tomato salsa (see Deb’s Recipe), with celery, carrots, and radishes
• 2 cup oil popped pop corn (made by you)
• McDonalds Yogurt Parfait (skip the granola)
• McDonalds Chicken Caesar (skip the dressing, ask for vinegar)
• Burger King Veggie Burger (no bun, no condiments)
• Subway 4” Sub (not tuna, no cheese, no condiments)
• Wendy’s low-fat strawberry yogurt (skip the granola)

Eat Lots Of Vegetables

Don’t forget that all of these “meals” require the addition of unlimited non-starchy vegetables. Eat as many non-starchy vegetables, both raw and cooked everyday as you want. They should be condiment free, with the exception of a little salt, other spices or pepper. Vinegar is also unlimited usage and is delicious over all of these vegetables. It is good to include a cruciferous vegetable everyday.

Cruciferous Vegetables: cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Swiss chard

Other Good Vegetables: green beans, carrots, celery, radishes, spinach, leaf lettuces, romaine, carrot tops

Deb’s Favorite Brand Names

Approximate portion size to calorie ratio
Tam-X-ico’s™ whole grain wrap: 120 c
7-8 Triscuits™: 180 c
½ cup Fantastic™ vegetarian chili (prepared measure) 100 c
2 Ryvita™ crackers: 100 c
4 Mi Del™ whole wheat graham crackers: 140 c
2 Wheatabix™: 120 c
¾ cup Puffins™ brand cereal: 100 c
Shelton’s™ hot dog: 60 calories per dog

You Can Maintain Ideal Weight

This is only a small part of the Wow! You Are Really Lucky weight loss program. To learn more about losing weight and keeping it off, check out this link for more information about the WOW! program.

Click Here For Printable Version

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