Does Chicken Soup Really Work against Colds?
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Chicken soup has been prescribed since the 12th century as a way to fight off illness. Jewish philosopher and doctor Maimonides used chicken soup to treat a variety of health issues besides the common cold, but he highly recommended it for colds and other respiratory illnesses. Chicken soup is also called “Jewish penicillin” because it has been used so often to treat colds.
Before this question can be answered, let’s look at what goes into a pot of homemade chicken soup. Recipes will vary but most chicken soup recipes will consist of diced chicken, chopped carrots, onions, garlic, egg noodles, bell pepper and seasoning.
If we look only at the items on this list, we see that chicken supplies the body with zinc, carrots provide beta-carotene, onions and garlic are considered to be strong antivirals, egg noodles provide selenium and peppers contain salicylates. Each of these ingredients has medicinal qualities which, when combined, may provide the body with nutrients it needs to fight off the common cold.
The medical community may not be able to agree on whether or not chicken soup can cure the common cold, but they do agree that there are positive results from eating it. Consider the following:
Tips to make a toddler’s room sustainable – Green Living Tips
(ARA) – Whether you’ve been taking steps toward green living or you’re a newbie and want to jump start your efforts and reduce your carbon footprint on earth, one area of opportunity is your toddler’s room.
Two interior design instructors from The Art Institutes share how to make your toddler’s room sustainable.
“Sustainability is a popular subject, and most experts in design agree sustainability has to be a way of living and incorporated into our every day,” says Kristina Held, interior design instructor at The Art Institute of Charlotte. “Wooden toys are a small investment and a good place to start.” Held recommends Plan toys or Haba toys which are wood and naturally antibacterial.
Wooden toys:
Even Kourtney Kardashian promotes wooden, sustainable toys as opposed to plastic toys on her “mommy blog.” Some of the top reasons to buy wooden toys:
* Conserve energy: It takes more energy and fuel to make plastic toys.
* Plastic toys are made with chemicals – and we all know how toddlers tend to stick toys in their mouths.
* Wooden toys are durable compared to plastic toys (you also don’t have to replace batteries).
Fabrics:
Consider bedding, curtain treatments and upholstery. “Think about choosing natural fibers such as linens and bamboo,” says Kelly Spewock, interior design department director at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. “Bamboo is the most popular at the moment, and it is also a renewable resource.” A blend of cottons with acrylic and rayon make great upholstery fabrics, Held says. Worried about the softness to the touch? Cotton textiles that are brushed are soft on toddler’s skin, and so are terry clothes made of hemp and cotton. Try to avoid dyes. Cotton is the best for preventing irritated skin and breakouts, and it is also easy to clean.
Repurposing furniture:
If you’re taking the room from baby to toddler-friendly, Spewock recommends repurposing your furniture. “Get creative by converting the crib into a bed by taking off the railings and use old wooden boxes as shelving,” Spewock says. Go the shabby chic route by sanding an old desk and painting it white or a pastel color. Then, remove some of the paint with a cloth for an old/distressed look and feel. Saw off half of the table’s legs to make a toddler-accessible play/work area, Spewock says.
R & M Mini Valentine 6 Piece Cookie Cutter Set Product Review
| R & M Mini Valentine 6 Piece Cookie Cutters Set |
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The Mini Valentine 6 Piece Cookie Cutter Set by R&M contains cute mini cookie cutters that you and your kids can use to bake your own Valentine’s cookie surprises. The set comes with six different and fun “love” shapes, such as: heart with arrow, heart, little bear, and flower.
They are made of high-quality plastic, but are best washed by hand in order to make them last for many years to come. The different cookie cut-outs are designed to keep their shape during baking, so you can decorate perfect hearts with arrows or bears to give to your special valentine.
Overall, these cutters are fun for making Valentine themed cookies. They can also be used for craft projects. I would certainly recommend having a set at home.
Germ hotspots to look out for during cough and cold season
(ARA) – We’re reminded time and again of the good health habits we should practice during the winter germ season – wash your hands, cover your cough and stay home when you’re sick. While you likely know these basics, you might not be aware some of the most common places germs tend to congregate and spread.
Taking proper care to kill germs after you come into contact with these germ hotspots can be one of the keys to staying healthy this season. The tricky part is many of these hotspots are places you encounter when you’re on the go and aren’t necessarily close to a sink. That’s where keeping a portable hand sanitizer handy like those offered from PURELL (R) can help.
The gas station and convenience store
When you’re pumping gas, have you ever thought about how many other hands have touched the same pump since the last time it was wiped down? A recent study confirmed that gas pumps are one of the filthiest items we encounter in everyday life. After you fill your tank, your next move should be to reach for that bottle of hand sanitizer in your car. And while cashiers typically work hard to keep their counters clean, it’s never a bad idea to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after exchanging cash or touching other common areas in the store.
The gym
Most health clubs go to great lengths to keep equipment clean and make members feel comfortable. But if you’re hopping on the treadmill right after someone else, it never hurts to use a sanitizing wipe, which many clubs keep readily available. Pay it forward by using another one when you are done.
Make over your boring breakfast with these tempting turkey recipes
(ARA) – Are you starting off your day with a bagel and a coffee … again? It’s easy for a breakfast routine to quickly turn into a breakfast rut. People often sacrifice a well-rounded breakfast that helps fuel morning activities and stave off hunger for a quick breakfast loaded with refined carbohydrates and sugar.
The goal is to strike a balance: find quick and easy recipes that balance carbohydrates – derived from whole grains, fruits and vegetables – with a lean protein. One protein to consider for breakfast is turkey, which is available in a variety of breakfast-friendly and often gluten-free cuts, including links, bacon and ground. Jennie-O offers many quick and easy breakfast recipes on SwitchToTurkey.com and jennieo.com. “It’s time for Americans to drop their soggy cereal, pudge-inducing pastries and boring granola,” says Barry Lynch of the Jennie-O Turkey Store. “The new year is a perfect time to start each day right with a convenient, protein-rich breakfast using turkey.”
To help incentivize Americans to start the day off right with a nutritious and complete breakfast, Jennie-O is kicking off a Breakfast Hall of Lame contest on SwitchToTurkey.com.
Now through Jan. 31, consumers who visit SwitchToTurkey.com can enter the contest by submitting a photo of their uninspiring breakfast or a picture of themselves with their breakfast. The person whose photo receives the highest number of votes by Jan. 31 will win the grand prize: a two-week stay at The Biggest Loser Resort, in either location: Mailbu, Calif. or Ivins, Utah. Complete rules are available on SwitchToTurkey.com.
Find recipes – including a breakfast burrito, breakfast pizza and sassy scrambled eggs with JENNIE-O turkey sausage links – as well as tips on safe handling instructions for turkey on the company’s website.
Introducing Toddlers to the Library
