Search Results for: blog is my immune system ready for the holiday season

Give the Gift of a Chemical Free Lifestyle

We could all use a few less chemicals in our homes. A 2009 study showed that newborns come into the world with over 200 chemicals already in their bodies. Wonder how they got there? On a daily basis, we are exposed to hundreds of chemicals – through cleaning products, personal hygiene products, makeup, hair products, plastics and more. And children are the most vulnerable to the side effects of these chemicals because their fragile immune systems can’t fight off the foreign substances. The chemicals found in newborn’s cord blood includ bisphenol A, or BPA, which mimics estrogen and has been … Continue reading →

A Link Between Obesity and Your Immune System?

Scientists from the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Boston Medical Center are looking at a possible link between obesity and immune system function. Previous research has found that obese people are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease than lean people. This new study looked at why. Researchers worked with laboratory mice — some who were obese and some who were lean and healthy. The mice were infected with a bacterium that causes periodontal disease (porphyromonas gingivalis). The obese mice were more susceptible to gum disease and had a blunted immune system reaction to the infection. Ten … Continue reading →

Why a Little Horseplay is a Good Thing

Sure, we want our children to behave. As a matter of fact, this time of year, we often require them to be “on their best behavior” more than usual—there are visiting relatives and holiday parties, church and school pageants, as well as other special occasions. For our kids this can mean a lot of time indoors and a lot of time wearing uncomfortable clothes! Not to mention, plenty of high expectations when it comes to their behavior. Our kids need a bit of release, though, even big kids. A little horseplay and getting out and blowing off some steam can … Continue reading →

What Else Does Exhaustion Do to You?

A few days ago, I took a good look at myself and how being tired changes me. I get cranky, I get over-emotional, I eat more, and I get clumsy. And I’m not alone. Research has looked at how your body changes when you’re low on sleep. Sleep deprivation makes you crave junk food. Your body will be craving more calories than you actually need — especially in the form of sugars and starches. Just two nights of sleep deprivation makes your body produce more hunger hormones and fewer appetite suppressing hormones. Sleep deprivation makes your stress hormones spike. Cortisol … Continue reading →

Balancing Seasonal Temperaments

Some people love this time of year and really get into all the seasonal festivities—others of us may get a touch of the Bah humbugs. This can be challenging enough at work or out and about, but it can be even more challenging when we have to cope with these different seasonal temperaments within our own families. We can all have very different ideas about how to make the most of the season. We are not a huge family, my children and I—there are only four of us, but that is four very different holiday season temperaments. My eldest daughter … Continue reading →

Is My Immune System Ready for the Holiday Season?

I am just getting over my second virus since getting back from Norway in mid-September. Maybe this doesn’t seem like a big deal, but until this past month or so–I hadn’t been sick at all in almost two years! To me, having my immune system “compromised” as we are heading into the “trenches” time of the year for this single parent is a very big deal! I’m wondering if my aging parental immune system is ready for another active and intense holiday season? It used to be that I worried about my children–when they were younger, it seemed that the … Continue reading →

Happy Halloween! Monsters & Ghouls & Workouts Oh My!

Good morning and Happy Halloween – if you’re like most families, you’re probably laying in the candy to hand out to the trick or treaters tonight. Be sure to incorporate some other items to give out so that you aren’t overloading the kids with too much candy. Little canisters of play-doh or other small toys like plastic rings are a great idea for the trick or treat crowd. Still others of you are probably going to be on the run getting the kids ready for their Halloween parties at school (not to mention that school is going to be on … Continue reading →