Beans are the most undervalued food in the supermarket. They are inexpensive, easy to store, rich in protein and fiber, and taste so good. Add some to your soup tonight.
I’ll put beans in my slow cooker in the morning along with onions, peppers, a bit of garlic, rosemary, basil, diced tomatoes, and low sodium chicken broth. By noon, the fragrance fills the house. By dinner time, it is a healthy and tasty meal.
Let’s Start Moving our Bods!
Research shows the immune system benefits from engaging in regular physical activity, says Dr. Edward Laskowski, co-director of Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine and a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation based in Rochester, Minnesota. Exercise boosts the production of microphages, cells that attack the bacteria that can trigger some of the upper respiratory tract infections we get, he says. And physical activity increases the circulation of many cells in our body that help fend off viruses and harmful bacteria. Just know your body’s limits, and allow adequate time for recovery between workouts to ensure you’re receiving the maximum boost from exercise.
Drinking in moderation is OK. But consuming alcohol in excess can lead to the deterioration of your immune system, Stanford says. There’s evidence from both human and animal research that overconsumption of alcohol decreases immune reactivity, reducing the body’s ability to fight infection, Wedner says. The 2015-20 Dietary Guidelines for Americans advises women who choose to drink to have no more than one a day; men should consume no more than two drinks a day.
Skip the Self-Checkout
Self-checkout may be super convenient, but it’s also a surefire way to make contact with meddling microbes. . . . Imagine all the grimy hands that have touched the screen throughout the day. This germy picture grows even grislier if you consider that most people don’t follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for proper hand-washing practices (ICYMI, the CDC recommends scrubbing with soap and water for 20 seconds).
It’s not easy dealing with stress during COVID-19. Here’s some of my stressors: When do I go to the grocery? How are my children doing? Another day of bean soup? And, then there’s the news, yikes!! Â I found the following on the CDC website. It’s lent, I think I’ll give up checking the news stories every ten minutes (LOL). Have a great day. Stay healthy. Stay strong.
A Good Idea to Prevent COVID-19 When Grocery Shopping
Here’s an easy tip to observe during the COVID-19 outbreak: If you are venturing to the grocery store or any environment where you might be exposed to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 (even just a local park), wear eyeglasses or sunglasses. That can help protect you from infection through your ocular (eye) surface, which is one of the portals through which the virus may travel into the body and, eventually, to the lungs.
I grew up in an Italian family where social gatherings, hugging, and kissing on the cheeks were the norm. I enjoy being with people. Social gatherings are a source of energy and ideas for me. Social Distancing is putting a crimp in my style. Yet, I know it’s important to flow with it. I’m putting aside hugging. I placing going to places where I can connect on the shelf. I’m rescheduling travel plans. I trying to do my small part not to get COVID-19 or to be a carrier of the beast and hurt those near me. I found a list of 15 ways to make social distancing work on the Internet. I’m only placing five here. I created a link for the complete list of the social distancing tips.
Imagine a championship boxing match. Two fighters boxing for the world title. One fighter, the challenger, trains for months, honing his body and mind into top fighting shape. The crafty veteran, knows the ropes and tricks of the trade. Can’t teach him anything new. He doesn’t need to train. He lets his body grow flabby. He loses an edge to his quickness. The outcome is predictable. The challenger easily whips the champ.
We’re in a fight with COVID-19. There’s no magic bullet, supplement, or food that will prevent COVID-19. We do know how we can put our immune system into tip top fighting shape. If you haven’t been thinking about putting your immune system into tip top fighting shape, it’s not too late. The good news is the Internet is full of useful information to get our immune systems into fighting trim. We don’t have time to take a day off. We’re in training. We’re in the fight of our lives. We can and will win with persistence, perseverance, and dogged toughness.
I’ve put together a list of links to check out. They’re full of useful suggestions to tone the immune system.
Useful Links to Tone Your Immune System (There’s loads of information on the Internet).
Sip While You SitÂ
Bring a cup or bottle of water with you whenever you sit (at your desk, in the car or in front of the TV, for example). Although moving is better than sitting, at least you’ll be performing a healthy habit when at rest.
Eat More Vegetables
Vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts are loaded with nutrients that are essential for our immune system. Consuming them on a daily basis boosts the immunity. For a healthy liver, cruciferous vegetables like Kale, Broccoli and Cabbage should be included in daily diet. Healthy liver ensures the body’s’ natural detoxification process.
