Runny Nose

We all know what we should be doing to stay healthy. Whether or not we actively practice said prevention is a different story. Sometimes we just need to be reminded of what we already know. Following is a collective list of ways to prevent catching a full-on case of this year’s  flu:

1). Wash your hands. It’s so simple, but yet nearly impossible to do enough. We don’t need to go overboard, but if you are someone who constantly rubs your eyes (ahem), or unconsciously rests your chin on you hands, chews your nails, etc,  you are mainlining every single germ you’ve picked up throughout the day. Keep hand sanitizer in your purse, at your desk and in your car.

2). Take your vitamins. In particular, vitamin A, C, D, and Zinc.

3). Eat a healthy diet. Sounds easy enough, right? Apparently this means 7-9 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables a day, avoiding  sugar and those refined (yet yummy) carbs, and of course, limiting alcohol intake.

4). Get enough rest. For some, this is no problem, for other’s, if only. Doctor’s say 7-9 hours a night is not only beneficial, but necessary.

5). Manage your stress. Chronic stress suppresses your immune system. Regardless what your stress management plan is (relaxation techniques, working out, meditation, shopping, massage, etc) have a plan ready so you can break the stress cycle. Chronic stress also adds to rapid aging…no thanks!

6). Consider a flu shot. Do your research first (shot vs. nasal spray), however many doctors say this is the number one step in flu prevention.  

So nothing that you already didn’t know, right? Sometimes we get so busy, we forget that back-to-back fast food lunches are slowly chipping away at our immune system. Or a dinner party where we have two plus glasses of wine may fast-track us straight to the flu (the nerve). And vitamins. Even if we take a multi, sometimes we need a boost to fight off anything viral which might be knocking on our immune system’s door. And for the love, wash those hands. It’s amazing how many times your hands touch your eyes, lips, and nose without you even knowing it. Go in good health this season.

Seems this year’s Halloween costume trends are going to be focusing on the ’80′s. With the recent passing of the King of Pop, you can imagine how many sequined-gloved MJ’s will be fishing Skittles out of your candy bowl. Have to also imagine we’ll see some (good and otherwise) versions of Farrah and Patrick Swayze along with a variety of tell-tale, jet-black-slicked-back do’s with the accompanying ‘stache of Billy Mays.

Of course there will be the classic costumes (always good for the kiddies) along with plenty of in vogue vampires, werewolves and zombies, but wouldn’t it be nice to bring something slightly different yet semi-relevant to the table this year? Granted, whatever you come up with will more than likely already have been done and/or is currently in the works, so knowing the following ideas are only “kinda” fresh, let’s put on our thinking caps and see if we can come up with some more…

10 Kinda Fresh Costume Ideas (courtesy of my friend, TV):

Idea #1: Maybe a twist on MadMen? 60′s are always good, but picking key moments from the series to focus on might make things more clever. For example, Peggy when she was concealing her pregnancy or the Englishman Guy after the lawn mowing incident.

Idea #2: The Generalissimo from 30 Rock. Nuff said.

Idea #3: The Real Housewives (and their other halves)…take your pick: Orange County, New York, New Jersey or Atlanta. Seriously some good pickins.

Idea #4: Hank Moody. But only if you memorize 10 Hankisms and have them ready to fire off at any given moment. (Californication….dur).

Idea #5: Dexter. Super obvious (and definitely done), but man, you can do this one good. Be sure to personalize it so it’s not so “out-of-the box” serial-killer ready.

Idea #6: Top Chef. Not necessarily talking about Tom, Padma or the other judges, but rather those colorful and memorable contestants (and oh the fun you can have with temporary ink and kitchen utensils!).

Idea #7: Pushing Daisies. I know, the show is cancelled, but fun idea to be someone who can momentarily bring someone (or something) back to life. And the pies from the Piehole?? Run with it!

Idea #8: Speidi. I know, I know, we HATE them, but really, seriously, they give us SO much to work with. His horrid style, her horrid singing career. Hard not to do it.

Idea #9. Carrie Prejean. Let’s not forget all of the good ammunition she’s given us this year.

Idea #10: Piggy Flu. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It will be everywhere, but still, it’s going to be one of the better costumes this year if done right. Oh the swine-abilities!

Ok, your turn. GO! Don’t be shy. Comment away with other costume ideas. Your neighborhood and your annual Halloween party will thank you for any additional ideas.

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Don’t cry little girl (I know I am), here are twelve reasons to embrace the changing weather and shorter days:

1 ) Sweaters. It’s time. Bring out those favorite, snuggly threads to pair with jeans and boots. And with all of the fun new styles and colors, you can’t help but feel glad the weather has changed.

2 ) Pumpkin Spiced Lattes. Need I say more?

3 ) Crisp Afternoons. It doesn’t last for long, but the subtle chill that quietly fills the air while still being treated to those deep blue skies and rich, warm yellow hues from the fleeting sun on a Sunday afternoon; unforgettable.

4 ) Red Wine. No better time to revel in those big, bold Cabs, heady Zins and jammy Syrahs. Bye bye light beer, chilled white wine and gin and tonics. See you in the spring.

5 ) Guilt-free weekends. No need to beat yourself up if you aren’t hiking, swimming, camping, kayaking, working in the yard or going a million miles an hour to maximize the sunny days. When the sun is gone, it’s long gone so you can lounge and read, watch movies, knit, etc., without feeling the thumb of summer pushing down on you non-stop.

6 ) Comfort Food. Maybe not great for our waistlines, but it’s definitely time for cheesy mashed potatoes, home-made breads, thick stews, hearty pasta dishes, and all of those other carb-heavy, warm-you-up, make-you-feel-good-all-over dishes.

7 ) Accessories. Long scarves, sleek gloves, warm hats, even the use of a kicky umbrella from time to time. C’mon, we love the winter accessorizing.

8 ) Vivid Colors. Mother nature must know it’s a hard jump from bright sunny days and azure, blue waters to grey, so she treats us with the many shades of autumn through the brilliant turning of falling leaves and spectacular, buttery sunsets. Don’t miss either this year. You only get so many chances to enjoy and Greysville is right around the corner.

9 ) Healthy Skin. Granted we all look healthier with a touch of sun in our face and an overall dose of color infused in our pasty bodies, but exposing all of that skin to the harmful rays everyday (even under sun screen) isn’t as healthy as keeping it under wraps. Now’s our chance to let our bodies do a little repairing for next season.

10 ) New shades of pale. And to point 9 ), with our paler skin is our opportunity to wear bold colors to accent our blank palette. Bold lipsticks, striking scarves, a colorful clutch, a rich, warmer hair color. It’s all good.

11 ) Boots. Short, tall, ankle or otherwise. Bring ‘em on.

12 ) All things Cozy. Time to find your fuzzy slippers, extra-soft pj’s, flannel sheets and favorite throw. Snuggle up, buttercup. It’s going to be raining (non-stop) soon.

I’m sure you can come up with many more reasons to love fall (kids go back to school, football, etc) so feel free to share with the group. Can’t speak for everyone, but when you live in an area where the summers are consistently too short, it helps to remind ourselves (ie. me) of the good things we have to look forward to.

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1) When you are flying, stash 1-2 empty water bottles in your purse. You can easily fill them at the drinking fountain once you get past security.

2) Always lotion up your hands before you apply self-tanner. The lotion will help repel the self-tanner, so you don’t end up with freakish-looking tan palms.

3) If you color your hair and end up with something less than fabulous, wash your hair with Woolite. The mild detergent still has enough punch to strip out the yuck.

4) For sunburns, keep Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Body Butter on hand. It is super, super hydrating, has aloe to remove the sting and nourishes skin for up to twelve hours.

5) Keep a dryer sheet in your pocket to keep the mosquitoes away. Useful camping and in your own backyard.

6) Remedy a bad bottle of wine by making wine spritzers. Use half wine, half soda. For an extra bit of flavor, squeeze some lime in it.

7) Make everyday a spa day by adding cucumbers and mint to your water. Simply fill a pitcher with cold, filtered water and add thinly sliced cucumbers and sprigs of mint. The water will pick up the flavors almost instantly.

Got a smokey room? Put a bowl of vinegar out and it will absorb the smell.

9) For something spiritedly different, swap out club soda with champagne in your cocktail recipes.

10) Store your cheese in aluminum foil rather than plastic. It will stay fresh for a lot longer and keep the mold away.

Ten Ways to Keep Your Cool

1. Dress the part. Be sure to wear light, loose clothing. Channel your inner Panama chic and don light linen or cool Cotton. Don’t forget your feet. Sandals all the way to keep the piggies breathing.

2. Button down the hatches. Of course we’re all sleeping with doors and windows open at night. But during the day when you are gone, warm heat will pour in through any available means and all of your cool air will escape. Shut drapes and blinds and shut all windows. Make your home a tomb during the day, and an open-air pavilion at night and in the early morning.

3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Keep cool and liquid-filled with chilled, non-dehydrating drinks through out the day. And keep those meals small and frequent. This is not the time for large, protein-heavy meals that will stoke your metabolic fires, making your body heat up.

4. Two Words: Pulse Points.You know in the movies when the steamy actor holds up the sweating low-ball glass to his temple? Yeah, he’s cooling down those pulse points. Wrists are key, too. Chill with an ice cube or run your wrists under cold water, anything to bring the freeze to these key places (temples, wrists, back of knees) which in turn will lower your overall body temp.

5. Spritz. When it’s super hot, I always have a spray bottle filled with cool water so I can mist at my desk, on the couch, in bed at night. Particularly if you are in front of a fan, really does help.

6. The Ghetto AC. It’s old school, but whatever helps, right? Fill a large bowl with ice and place it in front of your fan. Your fan will circulate the cool air rising from the ice cubes.

7. Don’t forget the cross breeze. You’ve got to move that hot air through and out of your place. It is impossible to do usually, unless you open up opposing windows and doors (on the opposite sides of the house or office). Often this means opening your front door to the world, or to your neighbors. If privacy is an issue, prop the door open half way. You’ve got to get that air circulating through!

8. Calling Grandma. A hot water bottle filled with cold water and ice is going to be your best friend at night, I guarantee. Prop your feet, knees or head on top of this chilly pillow and you are going to understand the brilliance of this simplistic relic.  

9. Freeze your sheets. I know I know, sounds extreme. Throw sheets into your freezer until they are icy cold. It is well worth the effort when you climb into a cool bed.

10. Call your friends. (This tip is from HP, who hails from Hotlanta, so is an expert on surviving the heat) Surround yourself with your best friends–Ms. Mojito, Madame Martini, Senor Margarita, Miss Daiquiri, Mr. Vodka Tonic, and Sir Gin & Tonic. Being the lively bunch they are, undoubtedly they have more friends, but this is certainly a case of “love the one you’re with”.