When life gives you lemons...

 Source: Flickr (user Baldmonk)

 

What will you choose to do with them?

Whew, let me start off by saying that this week is rather tough.  I am currently doing the Master Cleanse diet until some time next week (thankfully not alone, though; my parents are on it as well).  The benefits are numerous, and I am eagerly anticipating seeing what results we come away with by the end (not to mention excited about easing back into a "normal" diet of solid foods!).

As far as exercise goes, I have been consistent, but taking the regimen easier since my energy levels, endurance, and metabolism are currently lower than usual.  'Been doing mostly walking and yoga, which can both be as light or arduous as you make them.

Because of this Cleanse and the changeable weather, I've been doing quite a bit of research on boosting my immune system.  Here are some great tips:

1. Drink your lemons.  Lemons are wonderful for restoring acid-alkali balance. Drinking freshly squeezed lemon juice in water, or adding it to tea, salad dressings (in place of vinegar), baking or cooking, helps maintain the body's internal "climate" at a pH which supports healthy bacteria instead of the viruses and harmful bacteria which thrive in more acidic environments. Apple cider vinegar is another great way to improve your body's alkalinity, but the taste of the vinegar isn't nearly as appealing as that of a lemon's.

2. Drink plenty of water.  This is extremely important, considering the fact that our bodies are made up of three-quarters water, and it is possible to lose a pint of liquid each day through simpling sweating and exhaling.  I'm sure you've heard of the "8-10 glasses per day" suggestion; but to break it down, you should be drinking: in daily ounces, half your body weight in pounds (i.e. Body weight in pounds, divided by 2 = number of ounces of water per day).

3. Eat plenty of protein. Protein plays a major part in maintaining a healthy body, mind, and immune system. Diets low in protein tend to be high in carbs, which convert readily to glucose, spiking blood sugar and stressing the pancreas and the immune system.  Meat, eggs, fish, poultry, and dairy products are the best sources of protein; however, if you are avoiding those, dried beans, vegetables, and grains also contain some amount of protein.  Peanut and other nut butters are excellent (and delicious) protein sources!

4. Give your body an herbal boost.  Hundreds of herbal supplements and tinctures exist to give the immune system additional support during the Autumn and Winter seasons.  I take a few drops of Lugol's Solution Iodine tincture daily.  Read up on that here, here, and here, for starters.  "Iodine is by far the best antibiotic, antiviral, and antiseptic of all time." - Dr. David Derry

5. Get a full night's sleep.   Everyone is different: your body may need anywhere from 6 to 10 hours of sleep each night.  Either way, make sure that you are getting adequate rest!  Sleep has been linked to balanced hormone levels (including human growth hormone and the stress hormone, cortisol), weight loss, clear thinking and reasoning, improved mood, and vibrant, healthy skin.  Depriving yourself of much-needed shut-eye is serious business... Night time is prime-time for your to repair cells and other vitally important functions!

 Source: Flickr (user Michelle)

All right then, I'm off to do some tea drinking and yoga stretching before calling it a night.