Immune Boosting Tips - A Guest Post

Immune Boosting Tips for Cold and Flu Season

Before the dreaded cold and flu season starts, it is best to start building up your immune system. Let us look at some great tips for boosting your immune system to prepare for the cold and flu season. These tips will also work once the cold and flu season are in full swing. 

When people think of immune boosting foods, they generally think of foods they do not like or know their children will not eat. However, just because it is healthy does not mean it will taste bad. Nor, does it mean you will have to “fight” with you kids to get them to eat it.

Of course, we cannot overlook the fact that toddlers and preschool age children do not like the taste of a lot of foods. However, we do have a few sneaky ways of getting those foods on to their plates and down the hatch without them even knowing it that I will share with you!

Vegetables

All green leafy vegetables have immune boosting properties as do broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans. Luckily, cheese (low fat is best) is also a healthy food that should be included in your diet year round. Most children love cheese, therefore one of our tips to get your child to eat their immune boosting healthy vegetables, especially broccoli and cauliflower, is to add cheese to it. If your child is a real picky eater try using other vegetables to give the cheesy main vegetable a face. Give the vegetable a little hair using string beans, peas for eyes, a carrot nose and a string bean mouth. If you are only preparing one vegetable, then just cut or dice small pieces for the eyes, nose and mouth of the same veggie. Children do love colorful food, something to keep in mind.

Fruits

Fruits are great immune boosting foods and most children and adults like them. Try to serve fruits that are high in vitamin C. All of the berry fruits are great too as they are loaded with antioxidants. These not only boost the immune system, they also fight off toxins, and germs that enter your body, keeping you healthier. 

Of all the berries, the blueberry and strawberry are the most powerful. Strawberries can be dipped in low-fat cool-whip as a snack, breakfast or dessert. Blueberries are wonderful in whole grain pancakes. If you or your child is not fond of blueberries or strawberries, you can put them through the food processor and mix them in the batter. 

Super Foods to Help Prevent Colds and the Flu

Sweet potato, mushrooms, garlic, lean beef, and chicken soup all top the food list for immune boosting foods to prevent the common cold and flu viruses. If you can get a few of these foods into your daily diet, your immune system will be happy and thriving and busy at work preventing colds and the flu.

Cold and Flu Fighting Hygiene Tips 

During cold and flu season be sure to take your daily vitamin and mineral supplement. Have bottle of Echinacea on hand, if you start to feel under the weather follow the directions on the back of the bottle for dosages. Echinacea is a wonderful cold and flu-fighting supplement.

Always carry a small packet of tissues with you, hand sanitizer, and try to avoid opening public doors with your bare hand, use a tissue. If you get the sniffles or body aches, allow your body to rest, this will also help keep your immune system working well.

Tammy Mahan has worked in the healthcare field for over 20 years. In her free time, she contributes articles to Healthline.com. 

Find Great Herbal Mood Enhancing Products at HerbalCity.com

Guest post by Ray F

When planning a fun night out, you want to be sure you are planning a truly memorable night. From deciding who is going to planning the perfect place to party, a fun night out requires a little bit of effort. Once you've made the big plans and you are figuring out the tiny details that will make your night out really fun, you need to think about mood enhancing party favors. If you want to find a wide selection of herbal mood altering products that will add something special to your night out, you need to visit Herbal City LLC.

When you visit HerbalCity.com, you will be welcomed by a wide selection of herbal mood enhancing products that will make your night out extra fun. At HerbalCity.com, they have mood altering smoking products, party powders, and other unique herbal mood enhancing products that are certain to kick start your night into full gear. Some of the herbal mood enhancing products available on HerbalCity.com include Madhatter, King Kong, Funky Monkey, Caution, Joker, and Hysteria! If you are looking for the best selection of affordable and fun herbal mood altering products, you must visit HerbalCity.com.

There is no other website that offers such a great selection of herbal mood enhancing product than HerbalCity.com. On this website, they offer herbal mood enhancing incense, potpourri, powders, and pills that are created naturally. The herbal mood enhancing products available on HerbalCity.com will be certain to liven up any night of fun you have planned. If you really want to give your fun night out that little extra something that will make it totally memorable, visit HerbalCity.com. This website offers a great selection of fun herbal mood enhancers that will be certain to make your night out something to remember.

Team Isaiah - Guest Post

Hello World,

My name is Jennifer and I am a struggling work from home mom of 4. I have 2 wonderful daughters and 2 wonderful sons. My children are my life and they are great and intelligent kids.

My youngest son Isaiah was diagnosed with PDD-NOS (recently diagnosed with Asperger’s at the age 4) and Sensory Processing Disorder at the age of 2 ½. Although I knew there was something wrong with him since the first day I held him in my arms it took 2 ½ years for someone to listen to my plea and help him. 

Before he began to attend an exceptional children’s preschool, he was receiving in home therapy seeing a speech, occupational and play therapist once a week. When he turned 3 in December of 2010 that is when his life began to change for the better, because he was accepted at a wonderful school. Before going to this wonderful school my son was very antisocial, he would barely put two words together, he had unusual attachments to objects, could not start or maintain a social conversation, communicated with gestures instead of words, preferred to spend time alone, rather than with others and had many of the other classic signs. Since attending this school my son has made a huge improvement in his life. Isaiah can communicate with words, he has friends and likes to play with others, and his attachment to objects has diminished. Isaiah is not the same child, it amazing how much the school has helped him.

One of things that Isaiah loved and still does is Mickey Mouse. Before he could talk he would love watching Mickey Mouse on T.V. eventually he learned about Disney World. Once he began to talk clearly he would talk about meeting Mickey Mouse. His dream is for all of us to go as a family to Walt Disney World and for him to meet Mickey Mouse. I have planned to take him 2 years ago but we could not save the money and then again I aimed to take him this year but we simply cannot afford it. I am hoping that there is some kind hearted people who would donate to a great kid.

Isaiah has been through so much in 5 years it’s incredible his strength and courage. This past October we walked in Concord North Carolina for Walk Now for Autism Speaks in his honor.  The picture above shows him taking a picture with his tribute trail poster, and proudly wearing the t-shirt that I designed (I am a website and graphics designer by trade, but I don’t make a steady income, with that being said my husband had to go back to work he has been out of work for over 2 years with a back injury he received working at Wal-Mart. He does not make a lot so everything goes to bills no extras to save for this trip or anything extra. I am trying to do other things to bring in extra income nothing is panning out). He is a very smart and loving boy and last August he was placed in a regular pre-k program with 17 other students. Prior to this his class size was only 9 including him because they felt he could not handle it. To see him interacting with others and actually be able to have a full conversation with him has been a God send. There are many things we all take for granted, no one wants to hear their child is different, but I am truly blessed to be his mom. He has taught me more in 5 years then I could have ever imagined. We are aiming to have him go to a regular elementary school for Kindergarten please pray and keep your fingers crossed. 

I am hoping that with your help that we can take him to Disney this July before he starts Kindergarten. The money will be used for our housing, transportation, food and tickets for all 6 of us to the park. 

Thank you so much for reading this and please share his story with all your family friends and co-workers.

Please make his dream come true!

Thank you!

Jennifer

http://www.gofundme.com/Team-Isaiah

Office Décor

Contributed by Vickie Tyson

My boss asked me to go to Expertsatellite.com to get satellite television in our waiting area. I’m a secretary at a fairly new doctor’s office, so I’m asked to do things like this a lot. When I first started, I was asked to go buy the furniture, curtains, decorations etc for the office. When I took the job, I expected to make appointments and answer phones, not decorate the office. I’m not complaining though, I actually enjoy decorating, especially when someone else is footing the bill. The waiting area for children was the most fun I think. I have yet to have my first child, so I went crazy when decorating that area. I decided to do a space theme and hired my sister to do the mural. She is truly gifted, so it turned out perfect. My second favorite part of the room is the rocket shaped sofas that I found. My boss still can’t believe how amazing it looks. I’m starting to think I should get a job decorating and leave my secretary days behind me.

American Idol

Post contributed by Noah Schmidt

I have not gotten into American Idol this season. I usually only get into it if I start watching it from the beginning of the season. When this season started we were in the middle of switching cable providers, so I did not watch the first week. Then we got satellite TV from tvbydirect.com, so I started recording the show each week. When I finally found the time to actually watch the show, I found myself fast-forwarding through the episodes and not really enjoying it, so I decided that I will try again next season. I am impressed that the show has been successful for so long. I thought that the show would end when Simon Cowell left since he was the most memorable judge on the show. However, I really like the judges that they chose to replace Simon and Paula. Steven Tyler is my favorite judge on the show now. I think that he is genuinely a nice person and that he cares about the contestants. I think that Jennifer Lopez also cares about the contestants. Maybe I can get into watching the show next season.

My Sister

Authored by Rickey Combs
My sister has been totally useful since I started talking about buying a house and it’s mostly because she’s a realtor. I love that I can go to her if I have any questions and she’s constantly coming to me with unsolicited – but good – suggestions like “Ambit Energy for your home” and “hire someone to do the lawn instead of doing it yourself!” I am really close to her since we’re so similar in age and I know that it’s only a matter of time before I find the perfect house. She’s going to want to help me move in and decorate and all that, I’m sure, and I really appreciate that she’s willing to give up her free time to make my living situation as good as it can possibly be. Sharon’s always been really selfless and I’m just lucky her chosen profession is something that benefits me in the long run, you know what I mean? I’m glad she’s not a garbage collector or something!

No Reservations

This guest post from Josue Nichols

I have started watching more TV since I switched from cable to direct tv. One of my new favorite shows is Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations on the Travel Channel. For someone who loves food and travel, this is the perfect show. First off, I absolutely love Anthony Bourdainand his snarky and sarcastic sense of humor. He can laugh at himself, and some of the crazy things that happen when you are in an unfamiliar place, and that makes the show fun. Another great part of the show is that he doesn’t always go to traditional travel locales. I’ve seen him do shows in Korea, various spots in Eastern Europe, and the Midwest. I like the fact that I get to see places I might never want to go to, but nonetheless, find it interesting to learn about. He will also eat pretty much anything that is put in front of him. The show isn’t as extreme as some of the other gross out shows, but they definitely push the envelope when it comes to eating local delicacies that might be seen as weird. I would definitely recommend that you check it out if you get the chance.

Mystery Shows

Guest post of the week by Bradley Guthrie

I really like mysteries, always have, so when I got Direct tvI started looking for shows that would totally feed that addiction. I think my favorite ones currently are Unsolved Mysteries (who had any idea that show was still on!?) and there’s one called Cold Case that’s also pretty cool. I like the shows that are sort of like CSI but they’re real life, and they often have an actual resolution, which is gratifying. I don’t really get scared even though I live alone and I feel like maybe in a previous life I was supposed to be a detective or something. My friends all think I’m really weird when they come over and I’m watching some show about a horrible murder but what can I say? It’s just what entertains me and I think that’s what TV is all about at the end of the day! I like the creative and intellectual aspect of figuring out a crime and I don’t feel bad about watching something like this rather than, like, Jersey Shore.

Beach Trip

Contribution by Stevie Kirby

We got to the beach almost every summer and this one’s no different. We’ve already planned out the whole week and I found us a great place at the Outer Banks to stay at where we can be sort of off the grid but still close enough to restaurants and things that the kids won’t get antsy. Somehow every year when we plan a vacation it ends up being a whole nother job for me – who would have guessed the mom would have to do all the work, huh? This year my husband made me a list trying to be helpful and it had things on it like “call ALLhomesecurity.com” and “cancel the newspaper delivery.” It’s like he thinks I don’t plan our vacation every single year! Anyway, I’m excited to get out there and leave all the stress here behind. I just started a new job and that’s been a lot on top of the already big responsibility of being a mom and wife! Vacation is calling my name and it’s coming up soon…

Sharon Osbourne (A Guest Blogger Post)

Thanks for the article from Glenda Hanson

You know who I have really come to like? Sharon Osbourne. I know crazy right? When did she become an actress and judge? Who would have guessed that a wild woman that married Ozzy Osbourne would become a gracious lady who is helping decide who has the best talent?

Well that is who she has become. I think she presents herself with great character and poise. She is always so well dressed and her makeup is always well done. She does wear more makeup than I would care to wear but on her, it looks great. Her critiques of the contestants seem right on. I was watching her on my satellite tv, that I got after getting http://www.directstartv.com, last night and her display of emotions when that young girl sang was so real. It made me feel like I was there as I cried along with her.

I wonder where I can find out who does her hair? I would like to get some tips to make my hair look that. I like the color and the style. Although I think I may keep it a tad bit less red. That may look funny on my darker skin. But who knows, maybe it wouldn't. I will have to ask my hair stylist what she thinks.

Two and a Half Men - A Guest Post

Thanks to Erich Emerson

Now that I have more free time on my hands, I've started watching Two and a Half Men on CBS via direct.tv. I first heard of the show because of the latest Charlie Sheen scandal where I was amazed to see he still had a TV show. Living overseas for a few years definitely takes you out of the loop of American pop culture. Anyway, I decided to check it out after learning it was a highly regarded show that had even won some Primetime Emmy Awards. It has quickly become one of my favorite shows to watch -- I especially enjoy all the little sound ditties.

As with all Sheen characters, Charlie Harper is a womanizing bachelor with a semi-successful career. Sound familiar? Jon Cryer plays Sheen's uptight brother Alan who has a son named Jake, played by Angus T. Jones. Alan and his son move into his brother's Malibu beach house after getting divorced from his wife Judith, played by Marin Hinkle. Other regular characters include Charlie and Alan's mother, Evelyn Harper, played by Holland Taylor and Charlie's housekeeper Berta, played by Conchata Ferrell.

They are mostly one-dimensional characters, but that works well in a sitcom as long as the writers can find clever ways to deliver that dimension without overusing it. That balance is clearly met on Two and a Half Men.

Cowboy Gets Online - A Guest Blogger Post

Thanks to Wm Rowe

I’ve owned a small shoe store in northern Michigan for over 30 years. When my wife and I first started the business back in the 1970s, it wasn’t necessary to take credit cards since most of our rural customers used cash to buy their cowboy boots. In the last few years, however, I’ve noticed a steep decline in customers who are willing to pay with cash and have lost countless sales when customers just don’t have the money on them.

I did some research this winter on different merchant account services available to businesses like mine, and I’ve finally implemented the Shoe Barn’s first ever credit card processor! My clients are going to be really happy I’ve made purchasing easier, and I’m pretty excited to bring my business into the digital age.

We’ve opened ourselves up to a whole new world of possibility, including creating a transactional website that offers our products nationwide. Can you imagine a man in California walking around in my handcrafted cowboy boots? I never thought I’d live to see the day!

Style New Year's Resolutions - A Guest Post

Guest post written by Claire Parks

I guess that lately I've kind of gotten comfortable in my personal style with my ballet flats, skinny jeans and cardigans. But when I looked through the pictures of myself over the holidays I realized just how boring and ho hum that look is and decided to make a New Year's resolution to change up my personal style.

I decided that I should try and transform my personal style by figuring out what all the celebrities are wearing and see if I can try and apply that to my own style. While I was doing that I came across some information about and chose to Getclearwirelessinternet.

One part of my style New Year's resolution is that I'm going to start wearing heels again. I have some really cute pairs but I got out of habit of wearing them. I think that just simply wearing those heels or some of my multiple pairs of wedges with my jeans and cardigans would be a nice way to liven things up. I just feel like I have so much better posture and more self-confidence when I wear heels or wedges.

My Fabulous NYE Outfit - A Guest Post

Guest post written by Sheila Stepusin

This year for New Year's Eve, my husband and I are throwing a big party at our house. This has been the first year that we've had an empty nest, so I helped keep myself preoccupied by planning this party. Also, we thought that it would be a nice thing for our kids to do to stay at home for this party instead of being out where drunk drivers are on the roads.

I've been doing a whole lot of the planning online and even found a DJ for the event a few weeks ago. While I was online booking him for the bash, I came across this website Clearwirelessinternetservice.com and read through it a little bit. After some careful consideration, I decided to sign up for a home internet package through the website.

For my NYE style, I found this really cute cardigan with sequins on it that I think is going to look really festive and perfect as a hostess outfit. Also, I don't get to wear sequins very often in my regular life, so I'm taking advantage of that NYE privilege.

Going to See Santa - A Guest Post

Content by Sol Rosales

My children always find the time to remind me that I have to take them to see Santa around the holidays. Once Thanksgiving is over, their immediately focused on their trip to see Santa. Sometimes I think they are more excited about going to see Santa than opening gifts on Christmas Day, ok maybe I won't go that far!

I take my kids to see Santa but every year we visit him in a different location. Last year I took them to the 4h center in Vanderburgh Indiana because it is free and my kids have more fun there than they do in places where I spend lots of money. I will probably take them there this year as well.

You get to take pictures of Santa and visit him in the workshop for a few dollars but it's worth it and even better is the display of Christmas lights that are set up every year. I also make sure that my kids are available to attend the dinner with Santa which was like only five dollars. My kids were so excited that they barely ate.

When me and my kids are out visiting Santa and taking pictures so every year I make sure I set my home security alarm from Home-alarm-systems.com/ so that our beloved things will be safe until we make it home.

Wedding Made in Heaven - A Guest Post

Thanks for the post from Deborah Kline

It was a windy August morning; my best girl friend, Shanna, and I decided to catch-up on this day. I knew she and Andy have been exclusive for about four months now. A knock was heard at the door, my friend ran to meet her mysterious guest. It was Andy. We sat for lunch and savored our food with some kind of deep meditation and silence. It was Shanna who finally spoke telling me of their upcoming wedding.

A month later, I was in this court room witnessing the union of this lovely couple. I felt very happy for my best friend, but at the same time, I felt a little pity for myself - of being alone and feeling vulnerable.

I left my home and since I just moved in the neighborhood, I have no one to watch my house for me. Luckily, I have a reliable home security system. I made sure I set my home security alarm from Securitychoice.com before I went to the wedding, and that made me smile - the reassurance that my home is in good hands.

I went back to watch my best friend's life transform into a more meaningful one, full of love. I enjoyed this evening of a lifetime. It was a sweet and wonderful day. It sure pays to be in 'good company' all the time.

Thankful for a Stranger? - A Guest Post

This guest post from Walter Horn

My favorite Thanksgiving TV special is from the King of Queens. I watch it on Satalite TV channels whenever it's on. The episode is titled "Thanks Man" which originally aired November 26, 2003.

In this episode Carrie and Doug invite their friends over to celebrate Thanksgiving. While the dinner is being prepared a stranger, wearing an eye patch, knocks on the door to use the telephone to get a ride because his car broke down. Carrie is immediately distrustful of him while Doug thinks he's harmless.

During dinner the gentleman stays on the porch waiting for his friend to pick him up. None of the guests are able to enjoy the dinner with the stranger on the porch. Carrie refuses to let him inside insisting he might be deranged and kill them all. Carrying his dinner plate, Doug gets up and joins the man out front. Little by little each guest follows. Finally, Carrie goes outside also. The stranger says he will need to use the bathroom before his friend picks him up. Carrie lets him inside and everyone stays outside. It's then that they realize the man robbed them and went out the back door. My favorite line is at the end when Doug says, "Told you he wouldn't kill us."

Homemade Lace Print Wrapping Paper - A Guest Post

Guest post written by Piper Brown

I think that it's just so much more fun to make my own wrapping paper for every occasion than to go out and buy some. I've actually been doing that for a while after I bought several roles of white paper a few years ago and pledged to myself that I would make my own for the fun of it. Actually, it's a whole lot cheaper to do it that way anyway.

I have a lot of craft supplies anyway, but I saw online not too long ago on one of my favorite craft sites that they were having a huge clearance on lace, so I knew that I could do something with it and bought up a bunch of it. When I was doing that I came across some Providence 4g INTERNET offers and decided to order one of them for our internet at home.

Once I got all the lace shipped to me, I still couldn't believe that I had gotten all of that stuff for so little money! I've always loved wrapping paper with lace print on it so I decided to kind of make my own by laying it down on top of the paper and then spray painting on top of it.

Albuquerque or Bust! - A Guest Post

Post contributed by Alvin Moreno

Each year, we gather with excitement in the land of enchantment. Dad makes the traditional roasted turkey that he slow cooks all night long. Mom creates her veggie trays and fills them with lots of fun veggies that all the grandchildren will love.

But what makes Thanksgiving different in Albuquerque? Well, for one, how many families around the country have enchiladas with their dinners or tamales. Yes, living in the great state of New Mexico had certainly added new tradition to the standard Thanksgiving meal.

As the car gets closer to the border of New Mexico, our mouths begin to water with anticipation at all the great foods we will be sampling along the way. Our minds begin to wonder about things we might have left behind that we need on our trip, like the cell phone, or did we lock the front door. Most importantly we remembered to set our security alarm at this website website, knowing that all of our memories and special things were protected and safe.

With each mile, the kids get more excited about seeing Grandma and Grandpa and all the hugs and joy that will be shared along the way. The miles of Thanks we all share for having one another in our lives. "Mom, are we there yet?" yelled from the back seat brings us back to reality that we still have a long road to travel and kids that can't sit still. It's Albuquerque or Bust!

Going to Town on this Turkey - A Guest Post

Guest post written by Sarah Davidson

I call the turkey that I made last year my dress rehearsal turkey because that was teh first time that I had ever cooked a turkey before, much less for a table full of my friends and family. It ended up being a little dry in the end and even though everyone ate a lot of it, I think that they did it just to make me feel better about it. I'm not making the mistakes making it I did last year.

I've been doing all my research for fixing a turkey and when I was looking for videos to show how to prepare it properly, I found the site clearwirelessinternet4g.com and after reading through it I decided to change over my internet to it.

I think that I have everything that I need to fix the Thanksgiving turkey and make it the best turkey any of my guests have ever made. Well, I at least want want to make sure that it's much better than the one that I fixed last year. I think I may buy a back up one just in case.