Probiotics And The Bad bugs

Happy Monday ladies. I have a ton of things on my mind this week, not the least of which is my health. I was at the U.C. Davis medical center the day they admitted a woman infected with the Coronavirus. She’d had no contact with anyone in China so had been shuttled between several San Francisco area hospitals before they finally tested her. I was there for routine things and to get established with as a new patient. I wondered why my new doctor walked in wearing a face mask. Yikes! I think she was nervous.

Bugs

There are good bugs and bad bugs but widespread panic isn’t necessary or smart. Simple sanitary precautions are. So now, in addition to my probiotics for gut healthI also added this stronger probiotic to boost my gut flora which has been shown to help strengthen our immune system.

Good night sleep

It’s suddenly too warm for our feather comforter but we keep using it because we love the cozy feeling of its weight. It ends up on the floor by midnight, then getting hauled back up around 5. Not very conducive for a good night’s sleep. I began looking for alternatives that add weight but not warmth. weighted blanket

I ordered this blanket in white (all our bedding is white) because it’s hypoallergenic, Oeko-Tex Certified (free of harmful substances & chemicals) and filled with non-toxic glass beads. I also ordered this organic cotton duvet cover (in white) for all the same reasons. I will report back on how much we love it.

Essential oils

I’ve been diffusing essential oils for years. I most often use lavender but I have a new favorite that I love so much I’ve been adding drops into my hand lotion. aura acaia sweet orange oil

Vitamin C

Here is a little peek into my nuttiness. My husband jokes that I’m obsessed with kumquats, and I am. I remember my dad eating them many years ago and not liking them, one bit. Now that we have two trees in the backyard I am addicted a convert. coconut yougurt with sliced kumquats and cocao nibsMy favorite breakfast is coconut yogurt buried under a mound of sliced kumquats and these cocao nibs. I ate that every morning for months until our trees were stripped and stopped producing. I was beside myself, seriously. I found a few small bags at Whole Foods last week but this weekend I hit the motherload! My husband’s going to commit me when these organic kumquats show up:) If he’s lucky I’ll make more of this kumquat marmalade, which is his favorite.

It really is the little things in life. Focus on what delights you. All we really have is today so go for the gusto and enjoy!

Have you picked up a bouquet of daffodils yet? They’re everywhere.

Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.

 

30 Comments

  1. Great tips, Jennifer! ( I too, love citrus oils for diffusing and dropping into my moisturizers and bath . . . Bergamot is also lovely on it’s own or with orange.) Wishing you and all of your readers good health and peace of mind during this stressful season of viruses.

  2. My poor hands. All this washing aggravates eczema, so they’re cracking and bleeding.

  3. I’m from Michigan and make kumquat marmalade every year when the kumquats show up in the stores. I have always loved kumquats and the home made marmalade is sooooo good. And it’s easy to make. Bon appetit!

  4. Love the vase and flowers. So cheerful! I have cacao nibs and almonds with greek yogurt every morning. I so look forward to it. I’ve been taking my vitamins but am starting to wean myself off the huge quantities. Vitamin C and magnesium are key for me. And vitamin D. Because Canada. I’m diffusing Frankincense and getting my sleep. I also keep hand sanitizer in the door of my car and use it when I’m out and about. I’m hoping that’s enough to keep illness away. Xx

  5. I’m going to check into the orange scent. I love the smell of citrus and just bought a huge bag of halos. I love these sweet little things and the smell when you peel one just says sunshine and outdoors.
    I live outside of town so I can usually find some flowers blooming here in the early spring. I love wild flowers and try to gather a small bouquet for the house. The lovely lavenders and yellows and pinks so refreshing to see at the end of Winter. It is in the seventies here for the next few days. Not worried about virus but we will stay away from crowds and stock up on a few things.

  6. Cindy Kline says:

    Unfortunately the mortality rate from the Corona virus is much higher than from the ordinary flu. You can’t compare the two.

    1. There are 7.5 billion people on earth. The coronavirus has killed 3000 of them. I am not going to panic yet.

  7. I am growing weary of the virus panic all over the news. The regular old flu that goes around every year has so far killed more people in this country than the corona virus. I have a friend who refuses to leave her house (in California) because she’s convinced she’ll catch it and drop dead immediately. Some common sense would be nice.

  8. beth byrd says:

    Thanks for the tips, Jennifer!

    Wash those hands! And, wash them the right way! No skimping here!
    I worked in child care for years, and if it taught me anything, it was to wash, wash, wash those hands.

    Vitamin C is good as well.

    And for goodness sake, if you are not feeling well STAY HOME!

    No need for panic, but common sense is really needed now.

  9. Hi Jennifer, today’s post is very interesting and informative. I ditto your comment about the simple things that we delight in. I have been reading my old book “ Simple Abundance” and enjoy it daily. I love Sweet Orange essential oil too! I am a believer in using essential oils topically and diffusing. My new go to source is REVIVE essential oils. Have you tried them?

  10. I flew home from a vacation yesterday and I have never seen a plane so clean from passengers sanitizing all the surfaces! You are correct when you say that widespread panic is not necessary, but it’s always good to consider various ways to stay as healthy as possible. As a nurse, I’m all about the scientific evidence when ingesting or using anything advertised to improve our health because there are lots of bogus and possibly harmful tricks available, tempting us to buy products. But, I do love the spring fragrance of orange, the beauty of daffodils, and I have never eaten a kumquat, so thanks for sharing!

  11. I love my duvet! Every spring I have to get used to sleeping without it. I’ve been tempted to try the silk duvet. Please do a review on the glass bead duvet! I think the weight gives one a secure, cradled feeling allowing them to drift off.

    I always carry hand sanitizer and wipes in my purse. And, I practice frequent hand washing. I still got a cold after returning from my recent trip. I might need to up my gut flora. Sounds awful, doesn’t it? I think, at this time, we should limit our possible exposure by staying home more and avoiding crowded venues. Not always possible…. like your hospital visit.

  12. What a great post this morning. It truly is the little things in life that matter. Sometimes when we do the small things carefully, we find the large things are less overwhelming.
    I will definitely be trying the orange essential oils. And, I will be on the lookout for those beautiful daffodils!!

  13. Pat Dickerson says:

    Jennifer, what weight blanket did you order? I will be interested to know how well you like it. I have been considering one for a while. I enjoy your post, thank you for sharing.

  14. Here’s an interesting quote: “The coronavirus can be dramatically slowed or stopped completely with the immediate widespread use of high doses of vitamin C. Bowel tolerance levels of C taken in divided doses throughout the day, is a clinically proven Antiviral, without equal.” Dr. Andrew W. Saul. We’re taking rosehip C (which kills coronavirus) and upping our vitamin D3, and taking iodine(which is also and antiviral). Prevention is so important!

    1. I have upped my vitamin C as well. I didn’t know about the D3 connection but do take a capsule everyday.

    2. According to fact-check.org:

      However, a meme circulating on Facebook quotes a deceased doctor as saying, “I have not seen any flu yet that was not cured or markedly ameliorated by massive doses of vitamin C.”

      That meme was posted by Andrew Saul, who also goes by the moniker, “The Megavitamin Man.” Saul wrote in his post, “The coronavirus pandemic can be dramatically slowed, or stopped completely, with the immediate widespread use of high doses of vitamin C.” But there is no evidence that vitamin C can have an impact on COVID-19.

      There are no vaccines or antiviral treatments that are recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus, according to the CDC. Patients, however, can receive supportive care to treat their symptoms.

  15. Connie Haines says:

    I, too, love orange essence in products. Ole Henriksen foaming face wash is my go-to for gently cleansing + enjoying the scent of orange. As to health and sanitizers, it is a source of dispute in our home as well. My husband is a retired physician, and his opinion is that the overuse of all these sanitizers may create a backlash of sorts, to where people will not properly develop resistance to the otherwise common bacteria we face daily. He believes a simple soap and water approach is good. For me, I am never without a squirt of sanitizer. As a mother and former teacher, I would rather err on the side of caution.

    1. I’ve read those theories too. My immune system isn’t that strong to begin with so I’d rather be extra careful.

  16. Kumquat Marmalade!!
    Jennifer can you share your recipe!! ????
    Please!
    Great post! Stay well!

    1. The recipe is linked to the word Kumquat Marmalade! Click it

      1. Thanks, sorry I missed that!

  17. Donna Nance says:

    This is a very timely post, given the current health news. I upped the probiotics that I have been taking daily on advise of my gastroenterologist. Ironically, she is from China. My youngest daughter is in food service and she told management they needed a hand sanitizer station next to the sink as well. Wash, then sanitize also. Intelligent precautions are always a good idea. Why would one not want to stay healthy? Have to check my essential oil stash for orange oil.

  18. Lisa Gauthier says:

    Garden of Life probiotics are the best! I have taken them religiously for 15 years. Worth the cost, good health is priceless.

    1. I agree. I was surprised and thrilled to find them less expensive on Amazon.

  19. Good precautions! I am a bit (ha!) of a clean freak. I was at Lowe’s this weekend, and when I walked by the ‘flu’ display, I already owned it all. LOL.

    Orange oil sounds wonderful. We were able to open a couple of windows in the Midwest yesterday on a warm(er) sunny day and it felt marvelous! Come on spring!

  20. Vicki Mikola Dack says:

    I drive my hubby nuts cause hand santizer is everywhere — purse, car/van console, out-door patio table, and even “his” garage! And anti-bacterial wipes….thats another story in itself!

  21. Paulette Levy says:

    If you have your health you have all you need! I strongly believe this! And, including things in our life that bring us joy and happiness is a great start…..I too love the orange oil aroma….like spring. Smells so fresh!
    And….wash our hands!

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