5 Tips For Boosting Your Immune System

While you may be practicing social distancing and following good hand hygiene, you may not be taking as much care of your immune system. To fend off the coronavirus and help you get through this uncertain time, here are five top tips on how to boost your immune system during stressful times. 

Try Not To Stress 

No matter where we turn, we are unable to escape the daily news of coronavirus. If you are a natural born worrier, it is likely that your stress levels will rise, which can have a negative impact on your immune system. Reducing stress levels can help you feel more calm and relaxed during this time, so whether it is by practicing meditation, reducing your caffeine intake, or trying out different breathing techniques, there are lots of things you can do to alleviate stress. 

Get Enough Sleep 

With a cloud of uncertainty around us, many people may struggle to get enough sleep during the recent events. If you are having difficulty drifting off, there are lots of tips that can help, such as establishing a regular sleeping schedule, avoiding using your smartphone before bed, as well as running a hot bath. To get through the day and to stay in good spirits, good quality of sleep is essential. 

Follow A Balanced Diet 

If you have been ordered to work from home during these inflationary times, bad habits may begin to form regarding what you eat. Instead of reaching for junk food, it is important that you incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables into your diet. Getting the vitamins and nutrients you need is vital for keeping your immune system in check. To ensure your body is getting everything it needs, look for a Vitamin Shoppe Coupon. A Vitamin Shop Coupon can save you money on products that are designed to boost your immune system. 

Maintain A Healthy Weight 

Incorporating regular exercise into your day to day routine is key for supporting your immune system. With the threat of coronavirus on many people’s minds, doing everything you can to keep your body in good shape is important. There are lots of at-home exercises you can do to improve cardiovascular health, reduce stress and anxiety, and provide support for your joints and bones. Taking 30 minutes out of your day to dedicate towards health and fitness can make all the difference for both your mental and physical health during this pandemic. 

Stay Hydrated 

Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is essential for your immune system. Water can reduce the risk of infections and help keep your body healthy. Drinking water can also help lubricate your joints, boost skin health, and regulate body temperature. Instead of relying on soda and sugary drinks throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it is best to stick with water. 

Stay Healthy And Stay Safe

If your mind is filled with stress, anxiety, and worry during this pandemic, your immune system may not be working as well as it should. To add a boost and keep you healthy and in good condition, all the tips above can contribute towards improving your immune system.

How To Help Prevent Yourself From Getting Sick

Have you ever encountered someone close to you, probably a family member or colleague, who sneezes and coughs non stop? Are you scared of holding doorknobs and toilet seats because of the fear of getting sick? The fact is, no matter how cautious you are, there is a big chance that you will still get ill, especially if you have a weak immune system. 

Once you catch a bug, you have the option to buy antibiotics online as a form of cure and to get rid of the infection. However, no matter how many medications you take, it will still not stop you from getting ill. What is essential is for you to work on your immune system. Plus, there are other things that you can do to stop yourself from getting sick. Here are some tips that you should look into. 

Regular Hand Washing 

Make it a habit to wash your hands as often as you can. Before and after meals, after shaking hands, after counting some money, and of course after using the restroom. Make sure to wash your hands with water and antibacterial soap and lather them for thirty seconds and rinse thoroughly. Remember that germs are present everywhere, and they can quickly spread from one human being to another through physical contact. 

Get Eight Hours Of Sleep Every Day 

If you are used to sleeping for only four to six hours a day, you should consider snoozing more. Rest is essential for your mind and body. The lack of it can affect your immune system making you prone to common ailments. Some of the visible signs that you lack sleep are that you often feel tired and sleepy even after waking up. You may also suffer from a lack of focus and mood swings. So, make it a habit to get enough sleep for you to achieve a healthy body. 

Make Healthy Food Choices 

Do you love eating fast food most of the time? It is quite understandable because these foods taste pleasant to the palate and are readily available. Who would not want to eat good and tasty food every day? But the question is, is it good for your health? Well, the answer is a resounding no. Eating healthy food may not be as enjoyable compared to eating fast food, but it offers a lot of benefits for your body. Fruits and vegetables are known to be rich in different vitamins and minerals that build your bones and strengthen your immune system. Now is the best time for you to shift to a healthier lifestyle by being wise about your food choices. You can consult a dietician who can help create an ideal meal plan that offers balanced meals. 

Get Vaccinated

Lastly, protect yourself by getting vaccinated every year. One of the most common and affordable vaccines that you need is the flu vaccine. Having it will lessen your chances of getting sick which is a common scenario from October to January. Remember that prevention is better than cure, and much more frugal!

5 Lifestyle Habits To Boost The Immune System

Most people don’t realize the marvelous job their bodies’ immune system does in combating germs. If it fails to carry out this important function, they inevitably fall sick. In the worst-case scenario, this can even result in death. This is the last thing many of these individuals want. After all, everyone wants to lead a happy and healthy life. Some of them may even consider ways to boost this vital mechanism. However, they want not to know how to go about doing it. Prominent doctors from different parts of the world say they need to make important lifestyle changes. They explain their diet, overall attitude and how often they exercise play a critical role. 

How Can People Improve Their Immune System? 

Such medical experts state that incorporating 5 important yet simple habits can help people improve their immune system. These are as follows: 

1. Laughter 

Many people are unaware of the importance of laughter in their lives. It not only enhances their moods but also works wonders on their immune system. This may come as a pleasant surprise to many of these individuals. Having a good laugh helps them to boost the production of antibodies in their white blood cells. These are the organisms responsible for keeping keep bacteria and various form of viruses at bay. This makes them healthy and strong. 

2. Choose Healthy Fats 

There is a trend among people to consume popular low-fat diets. However, many of these individuals are unaware of important role such natural compounds in producing prostaglandins. These hormone-like substances are regulating the proper functioning of the human immune system. This enables the white blood cells to react swiftly in fighting different kinds of microbes. However, these individuals do need to be careful when it comes to choosing the right cooking oils. They should opt for the ones containing unsaturated fats from vegetables rather transversions. 

3. Reduce Sugar Consumption 

People who intend to improve their immune system need to reduce their sugar consumption drastically. This is because the substance adversely affects the functioning of the white blood cells in their bodies. They are unable to combat bacteria and forms of viruses effectively. This makes such individuals vulnerable to various forms of diseases. Most doctors from around the world suggest they should take more than 10 teaspoons. 

4. Exercise More Often 

The human immune system responds positively to various forms of physical activities. This is because such exertions help in boosting the production of blood cell responsible for fighting germs. This is the reason why doctors encourage people to exercise more often. Research shows individuals who regularly do some physical exercise are less likely to catch colds or experience sore throats. 

5. Sleep And Rest 

Getting enough sleep is an important fact which most people can’t afford to overlook. After a rigorous workout in the gym, they need to take adequate rest. This is after such intense activities, and there is a temporary drop in macrophages in their bodies. These are cells which are responsible for combating various form of germs. During this period these individuals are vulnerable to infections. This is why they need to include recovery day during their exercise sessions. It ensures the proper health of their body’s immune system. 

Most people don’t like falling sick and lying in bed. It makes life intolerable. This is the reasons why they need to take steps to improve their immune system. Incorporating the above 5 habits in their lifestyle can help them achieve this objective.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post about the key lifestyle habits that can boost your immune system and help your health. 

Interested in more articles about improving your immune system? 

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5 Ways To Help Your Hearing With Allergy Prevention

When we think of allergies, we usually think of runny noses, tear-filled eyes, and scratchy throats. But allergies can also interfere with your hearing. Sometimes, allergies only cause hearing problems when an offending allergen gets inside your ear canal. So, how can you tell that a hearing problem is really an allergy problem? 

Ear allergies can make conversations sound muffled. Your ears may feel clogged. You may not hear the phone ring or wonder where the birds have gone from your backyard. 

It is always best to get checked out by your audiologist at Harbor Audiology to know for sure, but an additional, reliable symptom of allergy-generated hearing problems is bubbling, stuffiness, or popping in your ear. There are causes of these symptoms besides just allergies, and you can't go wrong by going to your Harbor Audiology specialist for a precise diagnosis, but they are a sign that clearing up or preventing allergies will also relieve your hearing issues. 

Here are 5 ways anyone can take to treat or prevent allergies. 

1. Take An Antihistamine 

Allergies occur after part of the immune system known as a mast cell bursts and releases an irritant chemical called histamine. In turn, histamine works with nearby tissues to remove the substance that triggered the allergic reaction. 

Histamine makes nerves send itch signals, so you will do your best to get rid of the allergen. It makes tissues swell up around the allergen to isolate it. It triggers the generation of tears, mucus, and phlegm to carry the allergen away. 

Stop the histamine, and you stop the allergic reactions it causes. You counteract a histamine with an antihistamine. 

The problem with old-style antihistamines like Benadryl is that in the process of blocking the nerve impulses that cause itching, wheezing, sneezing, and inflammation, they can also put you to sleep. Modern antihistamines don't have this side effect. However, there is another way to fight histamine release. 

2. Eat Your Fruits And Veggies 

Quercetin is a natural antihistamine. It is an antioxidant chemical plants produce to repair sun damage and tissues bitten by bugs. It acts on mast cells more or less the same way as a drug called cromolyn sodium, the active ingredient in NasalCrom. If NasalCrom works on your allergy symptoms, eating more fruits and vegetables will help, too. 

Some plant foods contain a lot more quercetin than others. It is especially abundant in capers, dill, cilantro, red onions, radishes, kale, cranberries, lingonberries, and black plums. It is also concentrated in apple peels. A Scottish study found that eating as few fruits and vegetables as one apple a week made a significant difference in allergy symptoms. But one or two servings of the previously mentioned fruits and vegetables every day is much better. 

3. If You Wear Hearing Aids, Keep Them Clean And Dry 

When you wear hearing aids, and you seem to have allergies in your ears that don't bother you in other ways, the problem could be keeping your hearing aids clean and dry. 

A damp hearing aid provides a platform that fungi can use to grow and feed on the debris that accumulates in the ear canal. This happens in about 20 percent of people who use hearing aids. You can have an allergic reaction to the fungus, or you can develop a fungal infection of the ear canal, or both. 

Another problem is storing your hearing aids without cleaning them, especially in pollen season. Make a habit of using the cleaning kit your audiologist recommends every day. This way, pollen, fungi, bacteria, and ear canal debris won't accumulate on your hearing aids. 

4. Sleep With Your Windows Closed During Your Allergy Season 

Sleeping with your windows open on a cool, crisp spring and (if you are fortunate to live where this is possible) summer night feels great—unless you wake up with stuffy ears and a runny nose. 

If you have ear allergies, it is best to sleep with your windows closed. Many trees and grasses release their pollen around 4 in the morning. Open windows let pollen drift in, getting inside your ears and nose, sticking to your pillows and bed linens. 

This one change can make a huge difference in allergy symptoms. But it is not the only thing you can do to reduce your exposure to the allergens that cause impaired hearing, itchy eyes, sneezing, wheezing, and asthma attacks. 

5. Make Your Home And Car As Allergy-Free As Possible 

Your vacuum cleaner is your friend when you want to prevent allergies. Vacuuming carpets, upholstery, drapes, and blinds, and dusting your furniture, ceiling fans, and lampshades every week reduce the number of allergens that cause hearing and breathing issues. 

Other helpful habits include: 

• Most people will keep their pets even if they cause allergies. But vacuum up their hair and dander regularly. 

• Comb long-haired pets once or twice a week. Do this outdoors so you won't be adding allergens to indoor air. 

• Use a HEPA air filter in rooms where you spend the most time, such as your bedroom or your relaxation area. 

• Choose laminate, tile, or wooden floors over carpets. 

Helping Hearing And Avoiding Allergies

These five easy steps will reduce allergy-related hearing problems but getting the problem under control often requires professional help. Your Harbor Audiology can confirm that allergies really are the cause of your hearing issues, and whether you could have another treatable issue in addition to them. You will get better faster with an accurate diagnosis and professional medical treatment.

What to Do When You Feel Yourself Getting Sick

There's nothing like that sinking feeling in your stomach when the realization first dawns on you: oh no, I think I'm getting sick. No one likes falling under the weather, and your mind probably filters through a variety of options when you feel that first tickle in the back of your throat. 

Prime among them: is there any way out of this? If you familiarize yourself with what do when you feel yourself getting sick, it's possible there might be a solution. Sometimes, with the right steps, you can fend off illness and recover before things get too serious. 

Need a run over of the basics of avoiding illness? Keep reading and we'll walk you through everything that you need to know about what to do when you feel yourself getting sick. 

Identify the Illness 

Normally, it's not a good idea to diagnose yourself. Everyone's gone down the rabbit hole of WebMD, googling symptoms, and assuming you have some life-ending illness. That's no fun. 

However, in the case of a minor illness, getting to the bottom of things can certainly be helpful. If you know what illness you might soon be facing, you can better react with steps intended to quell the development of that particular problem. At the very least, you'll know what it is you're getting into. 

Many illnesses have similar symptoms, which might make this task a little more difficult. Are a runny nose and scratchy throat indicative of a cold or the flu coming on? It might be hard to say. 

If you need to, you can always reach out to mobile doctors to see if they can help diagnose you and recommend a proper treatment plan. 

Drink Lots of Water 

Your body runs on water. You might already know this, but being on the verge of getting sick is no time to underestimate the impact that a little H2O can have on your system. Drinking lots of water can both help to fend off sickness from occurring and even prevent oncoming colds and flu from happening. 

Why is water such a miracle cold-fighter? The main reason is that water tends to moisten the body's first real line of defense, the mucus membrane. Often, these membranes trap germs before they enter into the body. 

When you're dehydrated, these membranes dry out and don't work as well, meaning more germs get through into your system and can infect you. The bottom line is more water means less of a chance of getting sick, less water means more of a chance. 

If you're tired of chugging straight water all day you can consider drinking water-heavy substitutes such as herbal tea or even ice pops. 

Gargle Salt Water 

Speaking of water, another good trick to fend of illness is to use water and a bit of salt as something of a viral tactical weapon. 

Gargling salt water is an old homespun treatment for general illnesses, but it really works. When you have a sore throat, gargling salt water can comfort the feelings of pain. It can also help to reduce inflammation and irritant which may be living in the back of the throat. 

Even more helpful to your future health is the fact that salt can possibly destroy bacteria or viruses that may be existing in the throat. You don't need much to do the job, maybe just a simple half-teaspoon of salt in warm water will do the trick. 

You can gargle for one full minute to get the results that you want. Repeating this throughout your feelings of getting sick might be enough to send that pesky cold away completely. 

Get a Lot of Rest 

If you're getting sick, your body is putting a lot of resources towards attempting to fight off this oncoming illness. You need to support that struggle. 

Getting plenty of rest when you're not feeling well will be the key to this task. If you're out and about when you start feeling ill, heading home and putting yourself into bed as soon as possible can greatly increase your chances of getting over the problem. 

This will have the added bonus of you not spreading your germs to everyone else you're hanging out with, or those kind strangers at the supermarket. 

There are a lot of helpful home remedies you can look into if you're getting sick, but at the end of the day there's really nothing like rest for your body. If you give your body plenty of rest, it can do the rest of the job of fighting off your cold or other illness. 

Eat Healthily 

Most people know well enough not to pull through the fast-food drive-thru when they're feeling less than stellar. Still, it's worth repeating: eating unhealthy food as you're getting sick is only going to make the problem worse. 

Going for vitamin-rich foods when you're getting ill will give your body the ingredients it needs to properly fight off such infections. 

Certain foods, like garlic and lemon, are even known to have extra-special virus-fighting powers. The more you can put these kinds of things in your body early on, the better off you'll be in the long-run. 

What To Do When You Feel Yourself Getting Sick 

If you know what to do when you feel yourself getting sick, you might be able to stave off the reality of a week-ending cold or flu. The above tips and tricks won't work 100% of the time, but employing them can help your body get over a number of small illnesses.

Need more health advice or tips? Keep scrolling our blog for more info. Visit the Healthcare and Frugal Fitness sections for more ways to affordably boost your immune system.

Apple Cider Vinegar - How Is It Beneficial For Your Health?

An apple is mashed at first to squeeze it the pulps, and then it is made fermented to make the vinegar that is be produced form it. Doctors opine that as one of the best supplements of the food the vinegar of apple cider is wonderful and has to be taken in a very small amount by any individual. The ingredient acetic acid is there to fortify the food value of the product, but it is not all in all. Some other compounds are there for the presence of which the vinegar made from apple is always very good for our health. Doctors prescribe to take one or two teaspoons of vinegar every day for its users as the proper dosage, but the dosing may vary for different people. 

Apple Cider Vinegar And Curing Of Health Issues 

For a long time, the vinegar compounds have been employed in different spheres of life as a curative agent that has the ability to heal our chronic pain. From the ancient age, the vinegar has been used to develop our strength and vigor. But as a medicinal property stuffed with an antibiotic, this is fabulous. One can even use the vinegar to detoxify his body. You will be astonished knowing that scurvy is better treated with the vinegar of apple cider. 

A recent publication on vinegar of apple cider says that the product is able to lose our body weight and it is evident on several research works where it is shown that some rat who were obese the application of acetic acid made their fat burning within a short time making noticeable improvement of their metabolism. Studies of Native Nutrition have also proven the fact that the people who consumed the acid of acetic in the modest amount lost their weight instantly. The triglyceride level of their body was decreased by the use of such medically proven vinegar made of apple. 

Consumption Of Apple Cider Vinegar 

Overall, the evidence of science has shown the consumption of any type of vinegar is healthy for our body but the consumption of vinegar for a number of days does not mean that loss of bodyweight is evitable, but it is true that the intake of such vinegar instigates our body metabolism rate and we start reducing our weight. 

The myths of the vinegar and the truth 

•  For several remedies of nature has a little threat so the question is should we avoid the use of vinegar made of apple? 

•  Experts say that always we have to be taken such properties in a modest amount. 

•  Vinegar has to be taken in diluted form as its content of acidity can injure our enamel of tooth when we are sipping it directly — so the approach of taking the vinegar as the dressing of salad is a safe mode. 

•  It has been accounted to degenerate the level of potassium levels. But the doctors opine that if you are taking the dosage of vinegar or apple cider, then you have to take it with a variety of salad that can boost your potassium the levels of insulin. 

So, for diabetic people, it is safe to consume vinegar cautiously. But for those who do not have diabetes can easily take the diet enriched with vinegar.

Apple Cider Vinegar Health Benefits

Apple cider vinegar is beneficial in many areas of your health and nutrition. It's also a frugal option to boost your wellness on a daily or weekly basis. Try some apple cider vinegar today to enjoy the health benefits.

The Cost & Health Benefits Of Green Tea

The benefits of green tea have been known for thousands of years. Green tea bags are considered food products while green tea with added herbs and green tea extract are considered dietary supplements. I would recommend at least 1-2 cups a day for increased metabolism and improved immune system. Green Tea Extract works similar to this but possibly to a lesser extent but it can be more convenient at times. (Don’t drink later than mid-afternoon or it may disturb your sleeping habits due to caffeine, unless drinking Decaf Green Tea). Green Tea has a very high concentration of antioxidants which help to positively stimulate your immune system to fight off sickness and excessive free radicals. 

Green Tea also has a very high concentration of ECGC, as well as small-moderate amounts of caffeine, that significantly improve fat-burning. While Green Tea may not miraculously burn 10 lbs of fat overnight, it is an excellent addition to a fat loss diet and exercise regimen. Try substituting a cup or two of Green Tea instead of your coffee to improve overall health. Green tea extract is not as potent as the regular tea form so try to drink more instead. Bottoms up for better health and immune system!

Cost: A box of 20 tea bags will cost you around $4, you can usually get a much cheaper price if you buy store brand, unflavored, and/or in bulk. I’ve gotten 100 black tea or orange pekoe tea bags for $1 so there are definitely low enough prices out there for anyone’s price range. Green tea is usually slightly more expensive but you can get about 100 green tea bags for no more than $2 or $3. Green tea extract capsules are usually about $10 for 100 capsules but price may vary greatly depending on brand and what store you buy them. Overall, a great frugal and healthier way to get your caffeine fix!


Also Read:  Does NOXPLODE Really Work?

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Immune System Health Boosting Tips

Contributed By John Fritz

Incorporate Vitamin C and Zinc into Your Diet

Studies have shown that both Vitamin C and Zinc contribute to a more productive immune system, but one current study from Switzerland found that a combination of the two nutrients may be more effective than one nutrient alone. The National Institutes of Health recommends 75mg of Vitamin C for women and 90mg of Vitamin C for men per day. For zinc, they recommend 8mg for women and 11mg for men each day. Many fruits and vegetables, particularly citrus fruits such as oranges, are high in Vitamin C, and seafood, red meat, beans, whole grains, and dairy products provide zinc.

Take Steps to Reduce Stress

The Harvard Medical School suggests that stress may contribute to less effective immune systems, citing mice studies that looked at the link between stress and immune system function. These studies showed that stressful situations delayed antibodies and suppressed the immune system and that social stresses contributed more than physical stresses. Some ways to reduce stress include:

1. Identify the stressors in your life and determine which ones you can change, and then take action.
2. Take a break and meditate to help relax your body and your mind.
3. Write about your stress in a journal to help release your emotions.
4. Avoid stressful situations when possible.
5. Stay organized to avoid getting overwhelmed, and drop certain activities if you feel you have too many responsibilities.

Reducing stress is not only beneficial to your immune health, but it can also help boost your mood and reduce your risk of gaining weight.

Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise is not only a great way to prevent weight gain, but it can also improve your mood, reduce your stress levels, prevent chronic diseases, and improve immune system function. The reasons for these benefits are not entirely understood and may intertwine, but scientists do know that people who exercise regularly tend to get sick less. In fact, a recent 2013 study showed improved immune system function in rats who underwent an 8-week exercise program compared to a sedentary group of rats.

Limit Alcohol and Cigarettes

Certain drugs, even legal ones, can have a poor effect on your immune system when abused. While moderate amounts of alcohol may have a positive effect on the immune system, overconsumption of alcoholic beverages can suppress immune system responses. The same goes for cigarettes. While the nicotine in them may have some potential as an anti-inflammatory agent, the continued use can suppress the immune system.

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When It's Smart To Throw In The Towel

Contributed By Frugal Fit Guest Blogger Michele Gonzalez, Author of NYC Running Mama

Race for Recovery Update

• Photos post will be up tomorrow or Friday (taking me A LOT longer to compile them all then I had anticipated!)
• Results can be found here
• Giveaway Winners can be found here

———————————————–

As you are probably aware, I was set to race the Hot Chocolate 10k on Sunday.  I had really big goals for the race: running sub-42 which would allow me to apply for the Saucony Hurricane Team.

I spent the last 5 weeks following a training plan – cutting back on my mileage and focusing on regaining the speed I had lost during pregnancy.

I reacquainted myself with the uncomfortableness of speed workouts and hard runs.

I saw HUGE gains in just a few weeks.  My 5k time went from 21:36 to 20:50 in one week.

I had successful tempo runs.  My last one included 4 miles at a 7:05 pace.  I finished feeling strong and anxious to run more.

Sweaty speed day

I was starting to believe in myself.

Last Monday I planned to do a practice 10k.  My goal was sub-43 (~ 6:55 pace).  I jogged a mile warmup, stretched and began the 10k time trial.  I barely made it a mile. Something didn’t seem right.  I felt tired and achy – as though I had a really tough run the day before – which I hadn’t (it was a rest day).

Later that day, I began having painful headaches.  By bedtime, I was on the couch, not wanting to move or do anything.  I woke up Tuesday morning with the flu. For the better part of the week, I felt like I could barely get out of bed.  But I had to – my husband has been really busy at work and couldn’t take any days off (he has tried to come home as early as he could each night).  Having the flu stinks.  Having the flu and being alone with two kids under age 2 makes it 100x worse.

Here I am, 9 days later, still feeling under the weather.  Although my fever is gone, I am incredibly exhausted and achy.  I have no energy to clean, cook, or do much of anything.  And I have a hacking cough that would rival someone who has smoked their whole life.  Since I’m breastfeeding, I am really hesitant to take any sort of medication because of the effects on the little guy or my milk supply.

Oh – and I haven’t run since last Monday.  That’s 9 days.  That’s LONGER than I went in September when the little guy was born.

So what do I do?  The 10k race is only four days away.

Well, I’ve decided not to race on Sunday.

I may feel okay enough to run 6.2 miles.  But I know my body is not going to be ready to race and get pushed to the limit for 42 minutes.  The worst thing I can do is try to race when I’m not feeling 100% and risk the chance of getting sick again.  And the weather is not looking so hot either  - forecast is calling for showers with temperatures hovering around 35.

Selfishly, I want to try anyway.  But, risking getting sick again is stupid – especially given that I have two little ones at home that need me to be healthy (and happy).  The last week has been tough on all of us – my oldest son has watched more TV than I would care to think about.  And I’ve missed snuggling and kissing them more than I thought possible.

I think not racing is the smartest decision I can make right now.

But I am completely devastated.  Making the Saucony Hurricane Team was in the forefront of my head for the last year.  I knew it would be tough to run the required time in the short window I had postpartum, but I had set myself up to give it my best shot.

It’s one thing to go for your goal and come up short – knowing you gave it your all.  It’s another to not even get the chance to try.

Have you gotten sick before a big race?  Did you run anyway? How did you do?

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Top 4 Immune System Boosting Supplements

Supplements containing antioxidants (found mostly in 

fruits, veggies, and herbs) may help to reduce excessive free radicals that cause disease, cancer, aging and may stimulate overall immune system function along with boosting health and performance

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Virtual Run For Cancer Fundraising!

Contributed by Amanda Loudin of MissZippy1. 

You can also find her on Twitter @MissZippy1 and on Facebook

This past week, I lost my brother-in-law Dale to cancer. He was only 44 years old, and was a husband, father to four kids, brother, son, friend–he was so much to so many people. His loss leaves a hole in my inlaws’ hearts that will never be repaired.

Cancer sucks, plain and simple. I know I am not alone in having suffered loss to this horrible disease. Which is why I want to encourage all of you to consider being a part of the Rev3 Virtual Run Across America that begins on March 26. The run serves as a fundraiser to the Ulman Cancer Fund, an organization right here in my town that is designed to help young people living with the disease. This is a population that often falls through the cracks when it comes to support services for cancer, and the Ulman Fund picks up those pieces.

Cancer survivor Jessica Protasio

A great example of how Ulman works is Jessica Protasio, a 28-year old survivor of liver cancer. When she was diagnosed two years back, Jessica had recently lost both parents and was therefore missing what would have been a big part of her support structure. After diagnosis, she was put in contact with Ulman and the organization gave her support through surgeries, a liver transplant, treatment, and more. With a heavy focus on healthy living through its Team Fight, Ulman also turned Jessica on to running. Today she is a survivor, an athlete, and an incredible inspiration to anyone who has the chance to meet her. You can read more about her story here.

For me, hearing stories like Jessica’s helps a bit with the pain of loss. Knowing that people do beat this disease and go on to thrive is a great feeling. The virtual run across America gives us all a way to channel the pain of loss and dealing with a disease like cancer into something positive.

I encourage each of you to consider getting on board with this run. The run is centered around teams of runners, each kicking in miles and/or donations. Here’s how it will go down:

Every day from March 26- April 16, 2012 a select member from you team will e-mail miles@rev3tri.com and report your clubs total miles for the day.

• Each member of your club/team can log as many miles as they want over the 21 days.
• On April 16th your clubs total miles will be added up and then divided by the number of participants of your club to give you an average miles per person. That average will be your overall points.
• You will also be given points for fundraising. Rev3 Tri has a donation page at:  www.rev3tri.com/america/donate.  Member of your club/friends/family ANYONE can donate in your clubs name.
• On April 16th all donations in support of your club will be totaled and divided by the total number of athletes in your club, it will then by multiplied by two. Donating = more points than running!
• For example if you have 100 members of your club participating and you run a total of 500 miles in the given time, you will receive 5 points for miles ran. If you fundraised $3,000 for your 100 member club you will have an average of $30 per person multiplied by 2 giving you $60 per person. 5+60= 65 total points.
• On April 16th your overall mileage and total fundraising will be added together for a grand total, whichever team has the highest number will be the winner.

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Frugal Healthy Recipe: Immune Booster Soup

Submitted By Helen Chin Lui, Owner of The Healing Place in Medfield, MA 

Recipe by Debra Brammer, N.D., Associate Clinical Dean of Naturopathic Medicine at Bastyr Center for Natural Health

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Serves: 6

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of either vegetable or low sodium, chicken broth, either packaged or homemade
• 1 small, chopped, yellow onion
• 4-10 cloves, chopped, garlic, to taste
• 1 thinly sliced, peeled, carrot
• 4-8 fresh, sliced, mushrooms (button, shiitake, portabella, etc., preferably shiitake)
• 1-3 teaspoon of grated gingerroot, to taste
• 1 fresh, juiced, lemon
• 3 tablespoons of chopped, fresh, parsley

Directions:

Bring the broth, onion, garlic, carrot, mushrooms, and gingerroot to a slow boil. Reduce the heat and simmer on low, covered, for 15 minutes or until the vegetables are soft. Remove from heat; add the lemon juice and parsley. Cover and steep for 5 minutes. Eat while hot.

Frugal Fitness Fun For Everyone! Subscribe Today

For More Great Tips, Get My Best-Seller On Amazon:

I hope you enjoyed this article about how to live healthier on a frugal budget and maximize your performance!

Interested in more articles about frugal fitness? 

Read My Posts:

- Why CrossFit Is Unhealthy

- Hang On For Health: Grip Training Workouts

Stay Frugal & Fit My Friends!

Frugal Fitness World Wide Wellness

Free Workouts & Nutrition On A Budget

"Crushing Fitness Costs Worldwide"

#FrugalFitness

Also visit the Bootstrapped Entrepreneur