Warning: Reading this article may
improve your health!
by Alexandra Jamieson, CHHC

It’s more than coincidence that cold and flu season comes right after our season of super-celebratory madness. The holiday season has already begun (I swear, I have seen the holiday decorations up in some stores!) and so has the over-consumption of food, sugar, and alcohol. We’re also more likely to get stressed out, travel more and sleep less during this time of year – no wonder we all get sick in January and February!

While the media stirs up fears of a really bad cold and flu season, you may ask yourself what you can do to help protect your family from the latest bug? Eating well and taking care of yourself and your family today will go a long way to preventing illness down the road.

Follow these guidelines for a healthy and happy holiday season:

• Whole Nutrition: a natural, seasonal diet that avoids excess, rich and sugary foods and chemical additives.
• Move: regular exercise increases your body’s ability to deal with stress and illness
• ZZZZ: make sure you’re recharging your batteries on a daily basis by allowing time for real, healing rest.
• Relax: be sure you have at least three methods of stress management under your belt (hot bath, massage, yoga or stretching, shoulder rubs from someone who loves you, reading and quiet, walks in the sun, journaling, etc.)

Besides these healthy lifestyle choices, you can choose to incorporate foods which will help to ward off illness:
• aloe vera
• artichoke
• chamomile
• chlorella
• flax seed
• garlic
• kale
• lemon
• spirulina
• tea
• turmeric

Cranberry Relish
An “old family recipe” updated for healthier holidays.

2 cups pure maple syrup
1 package frozen or fresh cranberries
1.5 cup golden seedless raisins
Half cup apple cider vinegar
1 large orange (Juice, pulp and grated zest)
1 teaspoon each cinnamon, ground cloves, ground ginger

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan, cover, bring to a low boil, and cook down for 10 to 15 minutes. You will hear the cranberries popping. Once the popping stops, lift the cover and stir once or twice. Serve chilled or hot. Store in refrigerator in an air-tight container for 2-3 weeks.

Yield: 4 cups

Alexandra Jamieson, HealthyChefAlex.com
Alex is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor and health supportive chef. Her upcoming cookbook “The Great American Detox Diet” will be published in June, 2005 by Rodale and was inspired by her fiancé Morgan Spurlock’s experience in the award winning documentary Super Size Me. For more information about her health counseling program and cook book, go to www.healthychefalex.com or write to her at alex_jamieson@yahoo.com.