Health and Wellness Archives – Page 2 of 4

Sick with Stomach Flu

By JM PerezNovember 15, 20132 min read518 views

Upon waking up on Thursday morning my daughter came down with the stomach flu. She spent the entire day throwing up and taking trips to the bathroom. Though she’s such a strong, lively child and didn’t let her illness bring her down; I felt a wave of helplessness enveloping me. As a parent it’s always heartbreaking watching your child go through something like that. Just as she started getting better; her brother became the next victim and kept me up all night. I helped him clean up, gave him new clothes, changed the sheets and sent him in another room. Little did I know that I was already infected from cleaning contaminated surfaces.

As I began throwing up in the toilet, I heard my boy doing the same in his. How could I possibly take care of my sick child while I was fighting the same fight? It was a long, uncomfortable and painful night. At least, my daughter was sound asleep (I would have lost my mind otherwise). With much luck, we made it through the night until my husband came home this morning (took over for a little while to give me time to rest and recuperate) before beginning throwing up himself. We called my son’s school to let them know he wouldn’t make it in today.

When I Recover ... (Source). — *When I Recover … (Source).*

What a way to spend the weekend! To be held hostage by the Stomach Flu. At least we are still alive and we are getting much better. I started disinfecting the house and as soon as I am 100% on my feet, I will be sanitizing the kids toys and deep cleaning the carpets. As of now we will stay hydrated and make the most of our day.

According to Health.com, we should try to avoid drinking too much plain water, or beverages like soda or juice that contain sugar, but not enough of the right electrolytes, says Dr. Rogg. Putting water into your body without adding electrolytes will dilute the electrolytes that still remain in your body, Dr. Rogg explains, while taking in sugar without salt can make your diarrhea worse. WikiHow suggests to make your own oral rehydration solution if you’re struggling to stay hydrated or you can’t leave the house to buy an electrolyte solution at the pharmacy. Mix the following, and drink as much as you can:

4.25 cups (1 litre) clean water
6 tsp (30 ml) sugar
0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) salt

Also, according to the website wtsp.com, ‘Stomach Flu’ could be caused by your refrigerator. The article, which you can read here, recommends to check out your refrigerator and make sure it is at 40 degrees or below, to follow safe food handling at home to prevent deadly food poisoning.

Click here or here to figure out if you are suffering from Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis) or Influenza.

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By JM Perez

Health and Wellness Inspire Life Lessons People

Kindness for Longevity

By JM PerezOctober 8, 20132 min read653 views

I love my neighbors. They are all wonderful, especially the original ones. I am so grateful to live here and be surrounded by beautiful individuals who constantly surprise us with their generosity. The older couple living across from our home are a blessing and such a joy to know. They are available and when needed, quick to help. They are inspiring and when not physically present, encouraging and advising.

My neighbors are a beautiful couple in their late seventies. They look so much younger (at least twenty years younger) all thanks to the choices they made on a daily basis and which they are making still. One doesn’t have to go all out to make someone else happy. Little things, acts of love and kindness have a way of making the heart flutter and leap for joy. This morning as I opened the mail box to collect yesterday’s mail, I found a nicely sealed gift. At that particular moment, I felt so loved and appreciated. I smiled as I knew who put it there since it wasn’t the first time. For a year and a half now, they have randomly filled our mail box with Greeting Cards for all occasions, Collectors Calendars, gift wraps and bags, coupon booklets for Power Tools, rare Vintage pieces and not too long ago, a large Bats fabric favor bag for the kids to go trick or treating.

I know the positive effects of this morning will be passed along to someone else in the form of another act of kindness or simply a genuine smile. As I sit here typing, I am thinking about returning their kindness and I know exactly what to give them. Kindness is one of the best feel good remedies which pays itself over and over again.

The following are some effects of Kindness (learn about other positive effects here):

Makes us feel good
Helps us become a better person
Promotes a feeling of well-being
Promotes compassion
A sense of achievement and belonging
Softens the heart and keeps it healthy
Helps us see the World through new lenses
Gives us an opportunity to know others
Being Kind makes you happier, thus, increases your longevity
Kindness is a gift that keeps on giving.

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” – Mother Teresa

Genuine Kindness is free. Choose to be kind and bless someone’s day to start a chain of endless positive actions.

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By JM Perez

Health and Wellness Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening High Desert

Flowering Pomegranate

By JM PerezMay 20, 20132 min read2K views

I found profound peace and joy last weekend in the garden. I put on my gloves once to plant an onion which had sprouted in my fridge. I spent the rest of my time walking, admiring new blooms and meditating. Gardening is therapeutic and being in the garden, standing still in the midst of my plants always uplifts my Spirit.

Last year while shopping at Lowe’s, I bought a Pomegranate tree to honor my Mother, who loves its fruit. She would wake up every morning and off she went to the store to buy ripe pomegranates. She spent hours, lovingly making me Pomegranate juice when I was pregnant with my Son. It can be quite a tedious process especially when extracting the seeds is done by hand. She even had to wear gloves and ‘special clothes’ since pomegranate seeds and juice stain everything they come in contact with.
Pomegranate are high in anti-oxidants, they are a great source of potassium, fiber and they are rich in vitamin C.

At first I wasn’t sure the plant would survive, but I am amazed at how well it adapted and now thriving. It turns out that these fruit-bearing deciduous shrubs grow well in the High Desert as they are drought-tolerant and can be tolerant of moderate frost. I have only had it for half a year and I can’t tell if it’s fruitless/ornamental or if it will bear fruit; I guess I will find out in the upcoming weeks. For now, I will just sit back and enjoy the lovely bright red flowers.

Click here to learn about the Health Benefits of Pomegranate
Click here to learn How to Make Pomegranate Juice
Click here to learn How to Clean Pomegranate Juice Stains.

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By JM Perez

Health and Wellness Weather Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening

Rebirth in The Garden

By JM PerezFebruary 28, 20132 min read503 views

After days of cold, high winds and dreary weather, the sun is finally coming through and I am able to get up, get out and get my gardening tools ready for Spring. I love new beginnings as it reminds me of a Rebirth in the Garden when Nature re-awakens and the plants suddenly become aware and start breathing. The days are getting slightly warmer and everything looks so lovely, even the unwanted weeds in the backyard.

The Sweet Almond Tree is starting to bloom. The Raywood Ash or Claret Ash Tree is budding (with wind-pollinated dark purple flowers opening). Daffodils, Daylilies, Violet Queen, Birgi® Lily, Belladonna Amaryllis, Hyacinth, Grape Hyacinth, Imprimis Bearded Iris, Tulips and other bulbs have been sprouting over the past few weeks.

I started weeding yesterday and I was amazed at how much I was able to accomplish. I have noticed that the best time for me to weed is a couple of weeks before Spring (when the soil is still slightly moist from rain and/or snow) and I always start early to have everything done before Summer (when brush fire warnings are high). Here in the High Desert we have a variety of weeds (most of which are Tumbleweeds) growing in our yards as well as the open land around us. It is much easier to pull them up when they are small because their thorns are still tender. As they mature, they break at their roots spreading their seeds on their way as they are driven about by the wind. Quite messy and dangerous. As funny as it is watching them spin around; it’s all laughs until a bunch of them end up in your yard, underneath your car or you get injured by the thorns.

Ideas for Tumbleweeds

Well, you know how the saying goes: “when you live with tumbleweeds, you end up finding uses for them.” Looking for decor ideas and unique inspirations for your Home? Check out how other people entertain themselves and or make a living using Tumbleweeds. I particularly like the Tumbleweed on Panel and the Living Tree Art.

Tumbleweed Ideas. — *Tumbleweed Ideas*: 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 6., 7.

How about Tumbleweeds to compliment a Flower Bouquet or to use as a lamp shade? Possibilities are endless.

*Twinkling Tumbleweeds.*
*Image Source: Sunset.com.*

Are you overwhelmed with the plants growing in your garden and can’t tell if they are weeds or not, if they are toxic or not, if they have healing properties or not? Are the plants looking so lovely that you are divided between keeping them or getting rid of them? You may find helpful information in the following links.

Helpful Weed Identification Guide (Print or Download a PDF file here).
Tips on Getting Rid of Weeds (Print or Download a PDF file here).
More Ways to Get Rid of Weeds
The Healing Weeds in Your Yard

Happy Gardening!

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By JM Perez

Fruits Health and Wellness

Delicious Exotic Fruits

By JM PerezJanuary 30, 20131 min read1.6K views

Fruits, hmmm! Don’t we just love them?
Well, I don’t know about you, but I enjoy them immensely and have been lucky enough to have eaten most of the following fruits. I have done some research and here is a list of the ones I remember.

Exotic Fruits. — *Rambutan, Lychee, Pitiya and Miracle Fruit.*

There are a lot more Exotic Fruits out there such as the Aguaje (fruit from the Moriche Palm Tree), Blood Oranges (California, Sanguinello, Tarocco, Italian, Australian, Moro), Blackfigs, Pineapple, Watermelon, Urucu (fruits from the Achiote Tree), Ugli, Citrus (Meyer Lemons, Yuzu, Finger Limes), Champagne Grapes, Coconut, Tamarillos, Cantaloupe, Longans, Mamey Sapote, Tamarind, Toddy Palm Seeds (from the Toddy Palm), Jambul fruit, Sapodilla fruits, and so much more.