RECIPES 4 GOOD FOOD

THE ACT OF GIVING

2009-12-29T15:04:00.001-05:00

The Holidays and recent events have drawn my thoughts toward the Act of Giving. I'm not speaking about the exchange of presents or handing out donations... It's the giving of ourselves that has me doing a lot of soul searching. I have to look inward at the "Why's" I do the things I do. Because above all else, I need to be true to myself.

There are many gifts that we give:

The Gifts of the Heart which are love, kindness, joy, understanding, sympathy, tolerance and forgiveness.
The Gifts of the Mind being our ideas, dreams, purposes, ideals, principles, plans and poetry.
The Gifts of the Spirit of prayer, vision, beauty, aspiration, peace and faith.
The Gifts of Words when we encourage, inspire or guide.

I had to look really deep into my soul to understand "Why" I love others so much. It is often very easy to question other peoples motives, but the only way for me to grow as a person is to continually question my own.

Do I love others with the hopes of being loved or appreciated? Do I express sympathy and forgiveness because I need others to sympathize with my situations in life? Do I promote others with a hidden agenda? Hoping I get something in return? If so, then I am not truly Giving of myself. I would be requiring payment in the form of praise and adulation.

So why do I share my ideas and principles with others? Is it in the hopes of being esteemed for my knowledge? Why do I publicize and encourage others? Is it because I need everyone around to see what a swell person I am? Am I that shallow?

After much soul searching I came to a realization. I realized I AM Loved, by God, the only ONE who really matters. That Love allows me to freely Give love to others, without looking back or expecting anything in return.

I can be Genuine. I can be my silly, serious and goofy self! Somewhere down deep inside I found that putting the needs others ahead of oneself is the Heart and Soul of what it means to Give.

And I can walk away happy in the knowledge that I love people simply because I love them..I don't need the acclamation or praise.

In Fact, I think I would be a little embarrassed by it.

"Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts.

The only true gift is a portion of thyself." ~ Emerson

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2009-12-16T20:32:00.003-05:00

I've thought long and hard as to what Gift I could give to my Twitter Friends and to everyone who reads my blog! I decided that since this IS a Recipe Blog (sort of), I searched the internet to bring you 16 E-Books that I hope you enjoy. They are recipes from all over the world.

Simply click on the TITLE of the book to download your FREE E-Book!

	FREE E-BOOK ANCIENT CHINESE SECRETS This book has many classic Chinese recipes that I hope you enjoy. I have tried a few of the recipes myself, and I was very pleased with the results.
	THE ULTIMATE FESTIVE RECIPES 11 Free Recipe E-books Pierre Du Plessis Christmas cookies Christmas meals Pumpkin pie Holiday candy and fudge Banana recipes Cranberry recipes Orange recipes Peach recipes Pear recipes Persimmons recipes Pineapple recipes
	AERI'S KITCHEN Korean Cook E-book This cookbook is a collection of popular Korean recipes, each of which has its own full color picture, ingredient list, and directions for preparation. It is free to download and distribute in its unmodified entirety.
	The Mini Pizza Therapy Pizza Book by Albert Grande With The Pizza Therapy Pizza Book: You can discover to make incredible pizza from scratch as making pizza is an incredibly fun family activity. You don’t even need to know how to make dough! You don’t even have to make dough. Includes links to videos on how to make pizza and dough.
	INDIAN FOOD RECIPES A small collection of Meat based Recipes culled from the famed Chettinad in Tamil Nadu, South India. In India, Biryani – the aromatic rice is cooked along with equal portions of mutton spiced with exotic spices and cooked slowly – so that every morsel you eat has imbibed the flavor of all the ingredients. This recipe has been influenced greatly by the Moghalaya tradition and perfected over centuries.
	RECIPES FROM AROUND THE WORLD Wow what a huge list of recipes! With a whooping 505 page ebook, it’s an understatement to just say WOW to this free recipe ebook. The list of recipes alone are listed down in pages, ranging from recipes from Ghana, Sudan, Ethiopia, Morocco, Egypt, Portugal, East Africa, you name it you have it . Gathered from all over the world, this ebook is a great “adventuring” source of recipes for those who wish to try new taste and food both for themselves and for their love ones.

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND A JOYOUS NEW YEAR!

GIFT WRAPPING 101

2009-12-13T22:59:00.002-05:00

Proof positive that men really shouldn't be allowed to wrap Christmas presents ...

This is the time of year when we think back to the very first Christmas, when the Three Wise Men went to see the baby Jesus and, according to the Book of Matthew, "presented unto Him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh".

These are simple words, but if we analyze them carefully, we discover an important theological fact; there is no mention of wrapping paper.

If there had been wrapping paper, Matthew would have said so.

"And lo, the gifts were inside 600 square cubits of paper. And the paper was festooned with pictures of Frosty the Snowman. And Joseph was going to throweth it away, but Mary saideth unto him, she saideth, "Holdeth it! That is nice paper! Saveth it for next year! And Joseph did rolleth his eyes. And the baby Jesus was more interested in the paper than, for example, the frankincense."

But these words do not appear in the Bible, which means that the very first Christmas gifts were not wrapped. This is because the people giving those gifts had two important characteristics

They were wise.
They were men.

Men are not big gift wrappers. Men do not understand the point of putting paper on a gift just so somebody else can tear it off.

I attempt to wrap gifts, but because of some defect in my motor skills, I can never completely wrap them. I can take a gift the size of a deck of cards and put it in the exact center of a piece of wrapping paper the size of a regulation volleyball court, but when I am done folding and taping, you can still see a sector of the gift peeking out.

If I had been an ancient Egyptian in the field of mummies, the lower half of the pharaoh’s body would be covered only by Scotch tape.

On the other hand, if you give my wife a 12-inch square of wrapping paper, she can wrap a C-130 cargo plane. My wife, like many women, actually likes wrapping things, If she gives you a gift that requires batteries, she wraps the batteries separately, which to me is very close to being a symptom of mental illness.

My point is that gift-wrapping is one of those skills - like having babies - that come more naturally to women than to men. That is why today I am presenting gift-wrapping tips for men:

Whenever possible, buy gifts that are already wrapped. If, when the recipient opens the gift, neither one of you recognizes it, you can claim that it’s myrrh.
The editors of Woman’s Day magazine recently ran an item on how to make your own wrapping paper by printing a design on it with an apple sliced in half horizontally and dipped in a mixture of food coloring and liquid starch. Think they’ve had way to many Rum balls!
If you’re giving a hard-to-wrap gift, skip the wrapping paper! Just put it inside a bag and stick one of those little adhesive bows on it. This creates a festive visual effect that is sure to delight the lucky recipient on Christmas morning. Your wife: "Why is there a Hefty trash bag under the tree?" You: "It’s a gift! See? It has a bow!"

In conclusion, remember that the important thing is not what you give, or how you wrap it. The important thing, during this very special time of year, is that you save the receipt.

Original post: http://www.bestcleanfunnyjokes.info/index.php/site/comments/gift_wrap/

12 HOLIDAY CLASSICS

2009-12-08T18:11:00.000-05:00

Away in a Manger! Away in a manager is always the first carol that children are taught. Away in a Manger was originally published in 1885. The publication of Away in a Manger was in a Lutheran Sunday school book and this created the misconception that the lyrics of Away in a Manger were actually written by Martin Luther himself. The author is unknown. The music to Away in a Manger was composed by William J. Kirkpatrick in 1895.
Deck the Halls! The music to Deck the Halls is believed to Welsh in origin and was reputed to have come from a tune called "Nos Galan" dating back to the sixteenth century. In the eighteenth century Mozart used the tune to Deck the Halls for a violin and piano duet J.P. McCaskey is sometimes credited with the lyrics of Deck the Halls but he only edited the Franklin Square Song Collection in which the lyrics were first published. The first publication date of Deck the Halls is 1881. The author is unknown but the words are said to originate in America.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen! God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen was first published in 1833 when it appeared in "Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern," a collection of seasonal carols gathered by William B. Sandys. The lyrics of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen are traditional olde English and are reputed to date back to the 15th century although the author is unknown.. It is believed that this particular carol was sung to the gentry by town watchmen who earned additional money during the Christmas season. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen continues to be enjoyed. The lyrics to this simple carol are reputed to be one of the oldest carols.
Good King Wenceslas! The words to the carol "Good King Wenceslas" were written by John Mason Neale and published in 1853, the music originates in Finland 300 years earlier. This Christmas carol is unusual as there is no reference in the lyrics to the nativity. Good King Wenceslas was the king of Bohemia in the 10th century. He was a Catholic and was martyred following his assassination by his brother Boleslaw and his supporters, his Saint's Day is September 28th, and he is the Patron Saint of the Czech Republic. St. Stephen's feast day was celebrated on 26th December which is why this song is sung as a Christmas carol.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing! “Hark the herald angels sing” Christmas Carol was written by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley founder of the Methodist church, in 1739. A sombre man, he requested slow and solemn music for his lyrics and thus “Hark the herald angels sing” was sung to a different tune initially. Over a hundred years later Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) composed a cantata in 1840 to commemorate Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press. English musician William H. Cummings adapted Mendelssohn’s music to fit the lyrics of “Hark the herald angels sing” already written by Wesley.
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear! It Came Upon a Midnight Clear was written by Edmund Hamilton Sears in 1849. The carol started life as a poem written by its author who was a minister living in Massachusetts at the time. The music for It Came Upon A Midnight Clear was composed by American musician Richard Storrs Willis in 1859 who was inspired by the words of the poem.
Joy to the World! The words and lyrics of the old Christmas carol 'Joy to the World' were written in 1719 by Isaac Watts (1674-1748). The father of John Watts was a Non-conformist and so extreme were his views that he was imprisoned twice. His father's influence over Isaac was demonstrated when he choose to attend Nonconformist Academy at Stoke Newington in preference to a University. Watts was ordained as a Pastor of an Independent congregation. He wrote many hymns and Carols and was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree by the the University of Edinburgh in 1728. The music to the carol is by George Frederick Handel (1685-1759)
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree is a traditional German Carol. The author of the lyrics are unknown as is the composer of the lyrics. The tradition of bringing a tree inside and decorating it with candy, baubles and bells was started in the nineteenth century and is immortalized in the carol O Christmas Tree lyrics.
O Come All Ye Faithful! The text to the Carol O Come All Ye Faithful was originally written in Latin (Adeste Fideles) and was intended to be a hymn, it is attributed to John Wade, an Englishman. The music to O Come All Ye Faithful was composed by fellow Englishman John Reading in the early 1700s. The tune was first published in a collection known as "Cantus Diversi" in 1751. In 1841 Rev. Frederick Oakley is reputed to have worked on the familiar translation of O Come All Ye Faithful which replaced the older Latin lyrics "Adeste Fideles".
O Little Town of Bethlehem! Rector Phillips Brooks (1835-1903) of Philadelphia, wrote the words to O Little Town of Bethlehem in 1868, following a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He was inspired by the view of Bethlehem from the hills of Palestine especially at night time hence the lyrics of O Little Town of Bethlehem. His church organist Lewis Redner (1831-1908) wrote the melody to O Little Town of Bethlehem for the Sunday school children's choir.
O Holy Night! The words and lyrics of the old carol 'O Holy Night' were written by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure in 1847. Cappeau was a wine seller by trade but was asked by the parish priest to write a poem for Christmas. He obliged and wrote the beautiful words of the hymn. He then realised that it should have music to accompany the words and he approached his friend Adolphe Charles Adams(1803-1856). He agreed and the music for the poem was therefore composed by Adolphe Charles Adams. Adolphe had attended the Paris conservatoire and forged a brilliant career as a composer. It was translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight (1812-1893).
Silent Night! The origin of the Christmas carol we know as Silent Night was a poem that was written in 1816 by an Austrian priest called Joseph Mohr. On Christmas Eve in 1818 in the small alpine village called Oberndorf it is reputed that the organ at St. Nicholas Church had broken. Joseph Mohr gave the poem of Silent Night (Stille Nacht) to his friend Franz Xavier Gruber and the melody for Silent Night was composed with this in mind. The music to Silent Night was therefore intended for a guitar and the simple score was finished in time for Midnight Mass. Silent Night is the most famous Christmas carol of all time!

GIVING WITH WISDOM

2009-12-03T11:04:00.002-05:00

I'm the type of person who would gladly give anyone the shirt off my back. I always have been. I am all too familiar with poverty and doing without and my soul aches when I see someone in need.

But I am also the type of person to act without thinking. This has, on many occasions, resulted in a dangerous mix.

With the current decline of the economy and the hardships people are now facing, I have the tendency to be a little TOO Charitable. I forget that sometimes "Showing someone How to catch a fish, is Much better than giving a fish to them."

The desire to help others should be one of the fundamental elements of our makeup. But we should always use wisdom in making decisions as too "HOW" we are going to help.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE GIVING MONEY:

Has this person shown a repeated misuse of their resources?
Do they project a constant "pity me" attitude instead of seeking ways to improve their condition?
Does this person consistently fall back into the same routine after being helped?
Is this person suffering from addiction? Alcohol, Gambling, Drugs or Frivolous Lifestyle

If the answer is "Yes", then perhaps taking the time to help them understand the cause(s) of their misfortune would be a greater help than simply handing over cash. In these instances: The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own. ~Benjamin Disraeli

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN GIVING MONEY:

Is this person in a situation which they have no control?
Will the money you give have a lasting or long-term benefit?
Does your heart tell you that the money you give will be used wisely?

If the answer is "Yes", then give all that you are able. These are times when a little financial support can actually turn a person's life around.

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it" Proverbs 3:27

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN GIVING:

Food, Water, Clothing, Shelter, Transportation are all necessary in this and every age. These are life's staples and should never be denied. The man on the street corner with a sign saying "Will Work for Food", if you're able, stop and offer to take him to the grocery.

Bake a pie and take to the elderly lady down the road. Donate last years garments to a Mission serving the poor. There are many ways to give.

SOMETIMES IT JUST FEELS GOOD:

Then there are times when you just feel compelled to give, then by ALL MEANS, give all you can. There are forces in this world that we don't understand, sometimes our Spirit (subconscious) is more in tune with these forces, and denying aid to someone in these instances not only hardens our hearts but causes others unnecessary distress.

Acts 20:35

"In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive' "

I hope each and everyone of you have a

Wonderful and Joyous Holiday Season.

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING

2009-11-25T11:05:00.003-05:00

To kick off this Holiday, I felt it only appropriate to begin with offerings of Thanksgiving to the One who has blessed us and kept us throughout the year:

A Thanksgiving Day Prayer
Lord, so often times, as any other day
When we sit down to our meal and pray
We hurry along and make fast the blessing
Thanks, amen. Now please pass the dressing
We're slaves to the olfactory overload
We must rush our prayer before the food gets cold
But Lord, I'd like to take a few minute more
To really give thanks to what I'm thankful for
For my family, my health, a nice soft bed
My friends, my freedom, a roof over my head
I'm thankful right now to be surrounded by those
Whose lives touch me more than they'll ever possibly know
Thankful Lord, that You've blessed me beyond measure
Thankful that in my heart lives life's greatest treasure
That You, dear Jesus, reside in that place
And I'm ever so grateful for Your unending grace
So please, heavenly Father, bless this food You've provided
And bless each and every person invited

THANKSGIVINGS FROM TWITTER
Tattookat1 I'm thankful for my family and friends! I'm also Thankful that I worship a loving God!
glo_sings Your friendship, another day of life to enjoy it and so much more to thank God for than yesterday...
NikkiBadass my amazing family.
justd2004 my miracle girls.
sunyg My kids who amaze me everyday! Amazing friends and wonderful furbabies!
BillZucker I AM THANKFUL FOR MY AMAZING "TWITTER FAMILY"
PHILIPGRANGER I'm Thankful for my wonderful live full of family and friends...And of course my TWITTER FRIENDS!!!
AriaaJaeger I am thankful to be spiritually awake, spiritually evolved to the understanding that the consciousness of LOVE is all that matters! I am thankful for the fullness of life, that mine is a heart after Gods, I am thankful 4 Creator and the gifts poured out on me.
TweetThisBabe I'm thankful for many things.. one being TWITTER, for without it , I wouldn't have gotten to know many of you whom I love! Hugs
_stevewoods I am thankful for every positive, loving person in my life, reminding me gently that I must, too, be ever thankful...

THANKSGIVING PROMOTIONS

2009-11-24T12:41:00.000-05:00

USING A HOLIDAY FOR SALES PROMOTIONS

The now famous Macy’s is a department store which began on 34th Street in New York City. What began as a retail promotion in 1924, Macy's Parade has become and integral part of Thanksgiving with over 3 million in attendance and over 45 million television viewers.

The first parade was held on Thanksgiving Day, 1924. Blatantly promoting the upcoming sales, it was christened “Macy’s Christmas Day Parade.” There were floats and bands and featured live animals from Central Park Zoo.

FAT THURSDAY TO BLACK FRIDAY?

Originally, September 24, 1869 was deemed Black Friday; a day of stock market catastrophe. The history of the day after Thanksgiving being the official start of the holiday shopping season. Parades celebrating Thanksgiving often include an appearance by Santa at the end of the parade, with the idea that 'Santa has arrived' or 'Santa is just around the corner'.

In the late 19th century and early 20th century, many Santa parades or Thanksgiving Day parades were sponsored by department stores. These include the Toronto Santa Claus Parade, in Canada, sponsored by Eaton's, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade sponsored by Macy's. Department stores would use the parades to launch a big advertising push. Eventually it had became an unwritten rule that no store would try doing Christmas advertising before the parade was over. Therefore, the day after Thanksgiving became the day when the shopping season officially started.

In recent years, Cyber Monday has become a busy day for online retailers, with some sites offering low prices and other promotions on that day. By 2005, the day had more significance and presumably used the first day back at work from the long Thanksgiving weekend to take advantage of such connections in the office to do online shopping. This year, many retailers are encouraging people to do their online shopping at home on Thanksgiving Day itself by offering their Black Friday sales online one day early.

Has THANKSGIVING lost it's significance? Has it transformed into a day of Parades, Football and Feasting that leads into a season of greed, lust and gluttony? A season of "doorbuster" sales, where people are trampled and killed? A season where charities and food banks are at their lowest lowest levels of the year?

This is my final blog of the THANKSGIVING Series. Something to consider, to ponder as this day approaches. Have we become a thankless people? We easily blame Big Business for commercializing the holidays, but we the consumers are what makes the Big Businesses Big.

I am devoting Tomorrow's blog to prayers of Thanksgiving.. Please, if you are reading this and are thankful something, leave a comment below telling what you are thankful for. Or tell me on Twitter so I can post your benediction..

Thanksgiving
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

--Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

THE THIRD PROCLAMATION

2009-11-23T12:13:00.000-05:00

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I wanted to take the next few blogs to reveal some of the lesser known facts about the holiday. And to present the changes that has taken place since it's beginning. This is the third blog of the series. Please see Sunday's blog, THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION.

In these blogs, you will notice a basic theme. Something that has been swept under the rug by most of the modern day celebratory traditions. See if you can find out what it is. Please comment below if you think you have the answer.

CHANGING THE DATE OF THANKSGIVING

   "I, FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate and set aside Thursday, the twentieth day of November, 1941, as a day to be observed in giving thanks to the Heavenly Source of our earthly blessings.
   Our beloved country is free and strong. Our moral and physical defenses against the forces of threatened aggression are mounting daily in magnitude and effectiveness.
In the interest of our own future, we are sending succor at increasing pace to those peoples abroad who are bravely defending their homes and their precious liberties against annihilation.
   We have not lost our faith in the spiritual dignity of man, our proud belief in the right of all people to live out their lives in freedom and with equal treatment. The love of democracy still burns brightly in our hearts.
   We are grateful to the Father of us all for the innumerable daily manifestations of His beneficent mercy in affairs both public and private, for the bounties of the harvest, for opportunities to labor and to serve, and for the continuance of those homely joys and satisfactions which enrich our lives.
   Let us ask the Divine Blessing on our decision and determination to protect our way of life against the forces of evil and slavery which seek in these days to encompass us.
   On the day appointed for this purpose, let us reflect at our homes or places of worship on the goodness of God and, in giving thanks, let us pray for a speedy end to strife and the establishment on earth of freedom, brotherhood, and justice for enduring time."

For 75 years after Lincoln issued his Thanksgiving Proclamation, succeeding presidents honored the tradition and annually issued their own Thanksgiving Proclamation, declaring the last Thursday in November as the day of Thanksgiving. However, in 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt did not. In 1939, the last Thursday of November was going to be November 30. Retailers complained to FDR that this only left 24 shopping days to Christmas and begged him to push Thanksgiving just one week earlier. It was determined that most people do their Christmas shopping after Thanksgiving and retailers hoped that with an extra week of shopping, people would buy more.

The new date for Thanksgiving caused a lot of confusion. Calendars were now incorrect. Schools who had planned vacations and tests now had to reschedule. Thanksgiving had been a big day for football games, as it is today, so the game schedule had to be examined.

Political opponents of FDR and many others questioned the president's right to change the holiday and stressed the breaking of precedent and disregard for tradition.

Many believed that changing a cherished holiday just to appease businesses was not a sufficient reason for change. Atlantic City's mayor derogatorily called November 23 as "Franksgiving."
In 1939, many governors did not agree with FDR's decision to change the date and refused to follow him. The country became split on which Thanksgiving they should observe. Twenty-three states followed FDR's change and declared Thanksgiving to be November 23. Twenty-three other states disagreed with FDR and kept the traditional date for Thanksgiving, November 30. Two states, Colorado and Texas, decided to honor both dates.

This idea of two Thanksgiving days split some families, because not everyone had the same day off work.

Lincoln had established the Thanksgiving holiday to bring the country together, but the confusion over the date change was tearing it apart. On December 26, 1941, Congress passed a law declaring that Thanksgiving would occur every year on the fourth Thursday of November.

A SECOND THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION

2009-11-23T10:34:00.000-05:00

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I wanted to take the next few blogs to reveal some of the lesser known facts about the holiday. This is the second blog of the series. Please see yesterdays blog, THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION.

The modern concept of Thanksgiving was brought about by a woman named Sarah Josepha Hale. Hale, editor of Godey's Lady's Book and author of the famous "Mary Had a Little Lamb" nursery rhyme, spent 40 years advocating for a national, annual Thanksgiving holiday. In the years leading up to the Civil War, she saw the holiday as a way to infuse hope and belief in the nation and the constitution. So, when the United States was torn in half during the Civil War and Lincoln was searching for a way to bring the nation together, he discussed the matter with Hale.

So, on October 3, 1863, Lincoln issued another Thanksgiving Proclamation that declared the last Thursday in November (based on Washington's date) to be a day of "thanksgiving and praise." For the first time, Thanksgiving became a national, annual holiday with a specific date.

"The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth."

THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION

2009-11-22T10:16:00.000-05:00

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I wanted to take the next few blogs to reveal some of the lesser known facts about the holiday. In these upcoming blogs, you will notice a basic theme. Something that has been swept under the rug by most of the modern day celebratory traditions. See if you can find out what it is.

We all know the story of the Pilgrims, and that Abraham Lincoln was credited with signing the bill to make Thanksgiving a National Holiday. But did you know that George Washington wrote the first THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION?

“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted' for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have show kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3rd day of October, A.D. 1789.”

TREK OF LIFE

2009-11-07T11:24:00.001-05:00

   I've always been a big fan of STAR TREK.
   Yes, I know many people think it is lame and it has been the object of comical parodies, ridicule and silly jokes. But with the soon to be released STAR TREK movie, I began to think about the "Why's"..
   Why did I (and still do) like it so much? What value and purpose did it truly serve? Besides being a "Wagon-train to the Stars", what made it so different that it compelled me to watch week after week?
   About 7 years ago there was a book entitled "All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Watching Star Trek" by Dave Marinaccio. It was filled with cute remarks and cliches, some anecdotes about living and why you should never wear a Red Shirt. But apparently, I got a little more out of the show than the book gleened over.

Here are just a few things I've learned from Watching STAR TREK.

Everyone has an important role to play in this life. No one is insignificant or without worth.
No matter what your current position in life is, what you say or do affects the lives of others.
Each and every person has the right to live their life as they wish. Without judgment. Leave the judgment to a Higher Authority.
Always try to stay calm in a crisis. Thinking things through without letting emotions cloud your reasoning results in a much better outcome.
Listen to those around you. You may gain a new perspective on your circumstances.
Claim responsibility for your actions. Never blame others for your shortcomings.
Put the welfare of others first and foremost in your life, without seeking compensation or reward.
Draw close to those around you and develop friendships that will last during hard times.
Answer the Distress Calls. If someone is in need, be there for them.

And finally, the sweetest and most endearing phrase ever televised:

"I Have Been, and Always Shall Be... Your Friend!"

Live Long and Prosper;
Gary

EXPLAINING A PASSION

2009-11-05T16:50:00.000-05:00

25 years ago, a little girl was born. She came into this world having a heart riddled with holes and a missing chamber unable to pump the blood through her small body. She was immediately transported via ambulance to the nearest airport and Medevaced by helicopter to Columbus Children's Hospital for emergency surgery and an extended 6 month stay in the Neo-nadal Intensive Care Unit as well as weekly follow-up visits for the next year that consisted of blood work, EKG's and a battery of other tests.

__________________________________________________

I was 21 at the time, my wife Patti was 20, and that little girl was our daughter, Nikki. We were working part-time jobs, making minimum wage and raising our two preschool boys. We had no idea that our daughter would be born with a congenital heart defect. And we had no idea the impact it would have on our lives.

Because of our daughter's condition and our lack of sufficient income to make 320 mile round trips, we decided to move to Columbus to be closer to her. We finally acquired an temporary apartment through the Salvation Army, allowing me 3 months time to search for a new line of work.

Needless to say, work was avoiding me like the plague. One day here and two days there was not enough to support our family. We were forced to apply for food-stamps. The food-stamp program would not allow us the full amount we were entitled because we were living in a low income facility. So, by the end of the second week, the groceries were depleted and I was forced to seek assistance by going to local Food Banks and Pantries.

We would sit in line, sometimes for 2 or 3 hours, before we were called up to collect our small bags of goods. Always dealing with shortages of their own, the pantry would give us a variety of canned vegetables and soups, spaghetti (no sauce), day old bread and occasional pastry, powdered milk, powdered drink mixes (no sugar), and canned meat which made up our only source of nutrition.

And even with the assistance of the pantries, there were many, many times that we prayed the boys would eat their fill before the food was gone, hoping for the leftovers because neither Patti nor I would eat until we were certain the kids were taken care of.

So many times, I would leave the room, not showing my tears because I would hear my wife's belly rumbling with hunger while she was feeding our boys. So many times I felt like a failure because I wasn't able to provide for my family.

I know how easy and how fast life can throw you a curve ball. I also know what poverty can cause a person to do. I have stolen condiments from restaurants and the hospital cafeteria so our children could have sugar in their kool-aid or ketchup and mustard on their spam sandwiches. I have has brazenly walked into the women's restroom, jimmied the lock containing feminine napkins and stole them for my wife's needs.

I have smoked partial cigarettes from public ashtrays and rummaged through dumpsters hoping for anything I could find. I have smiled and waved at the grocery clerk as I exited the store with pockets full of baby formula that I had not paid for.

It was a constant battle between my conscience and the needs of my family. I know the mental pressures of dealing with poverty and failure and how it could lead many to drugs and alcohol as a means of escape. The only thing that saved me of a similar fate was the underlying dedication to my family.

For nearly 2 years, we struggled with poverty, depression, anxiety and worry. I was a beggar and a thief to feed my family. I was a liar each time I was nearly caught. And above all, I was ashamed. Ashamed of what I was forced become in order to keep my family together and to survive.

But today...I am thankful. I am thankful that I have never forgotten those days. or what it feels like to go hungry. I am thankful for all the lessons learned during that time. I am thankful that my family stayed together. But most of all, I am thankful because I know in my heart that I am forgiven and that now I am in a position to possibly save someone else from going through what my family had to deal with. Or at the very least, help them make it through.

That is why I am so passionate about feeding the needy, about helping the less fortunate and why I was driven to promote the food drive to the point of spamming. That is why I make no apologies for "Over-Tweeting".. And that is why I took down the FOOD DRIVE Blog.

Some hungry, homeless person could very easily take shelter from the cold at the local library...use the computer to look up Food Banks, Food Pantries or Food Drives and see the terrible comments left by uncaring, selfish individuals. I've been in that position and I know it could put some people over the edge.

So to those of you who can only ridicule and run down the less fortunate, I pray that you never see a day of hunger or a time of need. Because I don't believe you could handle the words you tossed being thrown back in your face. There are still people who care and there are still people who are willing to give, so the work will go on.

PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD

2009-10-26T18:38:00.003-04:00

My Aunt was the epitome of propriety. Her home was always kept spotless. Meticulous care was given to every nook and cranny of her tiny house, so that not a speck or mite of dust could ever be found. That is why, as a child, I passionately dreaded each time we would go over to her place. Shoes, coats and hats were removed at the door. Any child that was visiting would not be allowed to play outside for fear of bringing foreign materials such as dirt, leaves or grass into her pristine dwelling. She was also very demanding when it came to dining.

Proper etiquette was to be observed at dinner or you would be firmly asked to leave the table. With pressed napkin draped purposefully across the left thigh, there would be no talking outside of the occasional request to pass a roll or condiment with the exception of asking permission to leave the table. Which, to an active young boy, was the highlight of the meal.

To this day, I cannot tell you the content of her meals or how they tasted. I DO, however, remember always being hungry when I returned home.

I was graced being raised by astute grandparents. They understood that all food, in it's infinite varieties, should be explored and enjoyed. Food was meant to be appreciated, to be something a person could look forward to. And to a child, food can be a wonderful adventure.

I made volcanoes out of mashed potatoes, and my grandmother would pour the lava gravy over them. I had to eat them before the lava poured over onto the unsuspecting vegetable natives on the island of my plate. I could be a dignified Brontosaurus, fork in hand, devouring the broccoli forest. Or a Massive T-Rex and ravage a chicken leg. As a sailor, I could captain a fleet of oyster crackers in an ocean of tomato soup.

It is through this "playing with food" that I broadened the horizons of my palate. I look forward to experiencing different flavors and textures with excitement. Food is Fun!

In our home, there is never a celebration, get-together or Sunday dinner without the spontaneous "Ice Cube down the back".

Or people competing to see who will be "Wishing on a Wishbone". And, yes, there is an occasional "Food Fight". So, if you are like my Aunt, be forewarned that when you come to dinner expect the unexpected ....especially if we are having cake!

It looks like everyone enjoys a little cake in the face... Including Connor Guilford, the Adorable son of a dear friend of mine on Twitter.. Kym Guilford !!!

MY FRIEND BILL ZUCKER

2009-10-21T20:08:00.002-04:00

I want to take today's blog to write about a wonderful man. He's funny, warm and very talented. His name is BILL ZUCKER. singer, songwriter, musician and creator of hit political parody: THE TARP SONG (I Want Some Tarp)!

Bill recorded the song at Audacity Recording in Hollywood Flordia. The song “I Want Some Tarp” a powerful political parody song has become an overnight Internet sensation, it’s YouTube Music Video drawing over ten thousand of views a day and hundreds of comments in the first weeks since it was posted.

I would also like to promote my friend's Newest Hit: "TWITTER SONG" is a Funny Parody By Bill Zucker about Computer Addiction to Twitter Facebook and MySpace. A Definite MUST SEE!

Thank You Bill For All the Laughter! Keep 'em Coming!

You can find Bill at Twitter.Com/BillZucker. Or at www.BillZucker.Com.
Tell Him how much you like his music and tell him Gary sent you!

Gotta love a man with TARP!

A TIME FOR HEALING

2009-10-19T18:21:00.000-04:00

Wounds can come in many forms that do not include physical harm. Harsh, abusive words can leave a person emotionally distressed. The loss of a loved one can cause spiritual heartbreak. Failure of the educational system to provide instructional aid can cause a person to suffer mental trauma for many years.

The people of New Orleans have suffered a type of wound that I can only perceive in the darkness of my worst nightmares. The total loss of everything I hold dear. Flood waters destroying all the possessions I had hoped to pass on to future generations. Washing the ink from photographs of family and friends. The family Bible lying on the sludge covered floor, it's pages lifted from the binding and scattered throughout the house.

The video tapes of family celebrations and birthdays ruined. My grandfather's chair where I rocked my own children to sleep..demolished. Even the house itself, where I had labored so many years to make it a home, swept off the foundation. Gone.

How would I handle wounds that are so deep that all I had left to me were memories? I can't answer that. I can't fully comprehend the loss and devastation these people have suffered and continue to deal with.

All wounds need time to heal. It's a given fact. From a crying child's scraped knee on the playground to the unfortunate victim of broken bones and lacerations from an automobile accident, all wounds need time to heal.

But the healing process can be sped up dramatically with appropriate care and attention. An understand ear, a gentle smile...someone there to lend a helping hand...would go a long way to advance the process. Being there for each other is the heart and soul of our existence. To help each other along life's travels. To reach out to those in need. And to heal the wounded.

I can visualize a page of our Family Bible, reaching up out of the mud, issuing a plea for the people.

    "Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'
    Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'
    And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.'"

NATIONAL POPCORN POPPING MONTH

2009-10-17T14:19:00.001-04:00

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL POPCORN POPPING MONTH

For more than 25 years, October has been celebrated as National Popcorn Poppin’ Month; however, it became "official" in 1999, when then Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman proclaimed October as National Popcorn Poppin’ Month.

While every day is a great day for celebrating popcorn, we chose the month of October because of the popcorn harvest which takes place each fall in the Midwest. Each year when the new crop is harvested, it reminds us popcorn will always be the naturally fun snack for the entire family. Popcorn Poppin' Month is the perfect time to celebrate popcorn.

October is National Popcorn Poppin’ Month, a time to honor America’s favorite magical, munchable maize. You seldom need an excuse to grab a handful of these simple kernels of goodness, but a month long celebration gives you plenty of time and justification to try new recipes. Whether you make it sweet, savory or salty, plain or pumped up, you’ll join your fellow Americans in consuming some 16 billion quarts this year.

October is chosen because it marks the triumphant end to the labor of the spring and summer months. As farmers head into the fields to gather the crops, families and friends gather to celebrate this beloved snack food.

Why do we love popcorn? How can we not? Popcorn is the fun food we eat when we’re happy. It’s the surprise food with “before” and “after” pictures that would make a Hollywood starlet cry for a makeover. It’s the science experiment food kids are entertained and educated by as it miraculously changes from kernel to fluff in an instant, hard to soft, non-edible to edible. It’s the simple pleasures food that reminds us to slow down. And it’s the economical food costing mere pennies per serving.

Popcorn also is a whole grain, which makes it a good-for-you food. As a whole grain, popcorn provides carbohydrates and fiber to the diet and is naturally low in fat and calories. That’s good news for your waistline. It’s an ideal in-between meals snack because it satisfies, but doesn’t spoil your appetite.

Yet when all is said and done, popcorn is simply a great tasting food. Surprise your family and friends with a popcorn treat today in honor of National Popcorn Poppin’ Month. For tasty recipes, fun facts, popcorn trivia and more, visit www.popcorn.org.

The Popcorn Board is a non-profit check-off organization funded by U.S. popcorn processors to raise awareness of popcorn as a versatile, whole-grain snack.

NINE POWERFUL IMMUNITY BOOSTERS

2009-10-10T21:52:00.001-04:00

   You can ensure your body and immunity run smoothly by rounding out your plate with plenty of colorful servings of fruits and veggies, plus 8 to 10 glasses of water a day, at the very least. The following ingredients can add extra flu-fighting punch to your winter meal plan.

Yogurt
   Probiotics, or the "live active cultures" found in yogurt, are healthy bacteria that keep the gut and intestinal tract free of disease-causing germs. Although they're available in supplement form, a study from the University of Vienna in Austria found that a daily 7-ounce dose of yogurt was just as effective in boosting immunity as popping pills. In an 80-day Swedish study of 181 factory employees, those who drank a daily supplement of Lactobacillus reuteri--a specific probiotic that appears to stimulate white blood cells--took 33% fewer sick days than those given a placebo. Any yogurt with a Live and Active Cultures seal contains some beneficial bugs, but Stonyfield Farm is the only US brand that contains this specific strain.
   Your optimal dose: Two 6-ounce servings a day.

Oats and Barley
   These grains contain beta-glucan, a type of fiber with antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities more potent than echinacea, reports a Norwegian study. When animals eat this compound, they're less likely to contract influenza, herpes, even anthrax; in humans, it boosts immunity, speeds wound healing, and may help antibiotics work better.
   Your optimal dose: At least one in your three daily servings of whole grains.

Garlic
This potent onion relative contains the active ingredient allicin, which fights infection and bacteria. British researchers gave 146 people either a placebo or a garlic extract for 12 weeks; the garlic takers were two-thirds less likely to catch a cold. Other studies suggest that garlic lovers who chow more than six cloves a week have a 30% lower rate of colorectal cancer and a 50% lower rate of stomach cancer.
Your optimal dose: Two raw cloves a day and add crushed garlic to your cooking several times a week.

Fish
Selenium, plentiful in shellfish such as oysters, lobsters, crabs, and clams, helps white blood cells produce cytokines-proteins that help clear flu viruses out of the body. Salmon, mackerel, and herring are rich in omega-3 fats, which reduce inflammation, increasing airflow and protecting lungs from colds and respiratory infections.

   Your optimal dose: Two servings a week (unless you're pregnant or planning to be).

Chicken Soup
   When University of Nebraska researchers tested 13 brands, they found that all but one (chicken-flavored ramen noodles) blocked the migration of inflammatory white cells-an important finding, because cold symptoms are a response to the cells' accumulation in the bronchial tubes. The amino acid cysteine, released from chicken during cooking, chemically resembles the bronchitis drug acetylcysteine, which may explain the results. The soup's salty broth keeps mucus thin the same way cough medicines do. Added spices, such as garlic and onions, can increase soup's immune-boosting power.
   Your optimal dose: Have a bowl when feeling crummy.

Tea
People who drank 5 cups a day of black tea for 2 weeks had 10 times more virus-fighting interferon in their blood than others who drank a placebo hot drink, in a Harvard study. The amino acid that's responsible for this immune boost, L-theanine, is abundant in both black and green tea--decaf versions have it, too.
   Your optimal dose: Several cups daily. To get up to five times more antioxidants from your tea bags, bob them up and down while you brew.

Beef
   Zinc deficiency is one of the most common nutritional shortfalls among American adults, especially for vegetarians and those who've cut back on beef, a prime source of this immunity-bolstering mineral. And that's unfortunate, because even mild zinc deficiency can increase your risk of infection. Zinc in your diet is very important for the development of white blood cells, the intrepid immune system cells that recognize and destroy invading bacteria, viruses, and assorted other bad guys, says William Boisvert, PhD, an expert in nutrition and immunity at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA.
   Your optimal dose: A 3-oz serving of lean beef provides about 30 percent of the Daily Value (DV) for zinc. That's often enough to make the difference between deficient and sufficient. Not a beef person? Try zinc-rich oysters, fortified cereals, pork, poultry, yogurt, or milk.

Sweet Potatoes
   You may not think of skin as part of your immune system. But this crucial organ, covering an impressive 16 square feet, serves as a first-line fortress against bacteria, viruses, and other undesirables. To stay strong and healthy, your skin needs vitamin A. "Vitamin A plays a major role in the production of connective tissue, a key component of skin," explains Prevention advisor David Katz, MD, director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center in Derby, CT. One of the best ways to get vitamin A into your diet is from foods containing beta-carotene (like sweet potatoes), which your body turns into vitamin A.
   Your optimal dose: A half-cup serving, which delivers only 170 calories but 40 percent of the DV of vitamin A as beta-carotene. They're so good, you might want to save them for dessert! Think orange when looking for other foods rich in beta-carotene: carrots, squash, canned pumpkin, and cantaloupe.

Mushrooms
   For centuries, people around the world have turned to mushrooms for a healthy immune system. Contemporary researchers now know why. "Studies show that mushrooms increase the production and activity of white blood cells, making them more aggressive. This is a good thing when you have an infection," says Douglas Schar, DipPhyt, MCPP, MNIMH, director of the Institute of Herbal Medicine in Washington, DC.
   Your optimal dose: Shiitake, maitake, and reishi mushrooms appear to pack the biggest immunity punch; experts recommend at least ¼ ounce to an ounce a few times a day for maximum immune benefits. Add a handful to pasta sauce, saute with a little oil and add to eggs, or heap triple-decker style on a frozen pizza.

COURTESY OF: http://www.prevention.com/flu_immunity/

IT'S FLU SEASON...NOW WHAT?

2009-10-09T17:13:00.000-04:00

WHAT IS THE FLU?

   Influenza (flu) is a viral infection. People often use the term "flu" to describe any kind of mild illness, such as a cold or a stomach virus, that has symptoms like the flu. But the real flu is different. Flu symptoms are usually worse than a cold and last longer. The flu usually does not cause vomiting or diarrhea. Most flu outbreaks happen in late fall and winter.
   The flu is caused by influenza viruses A and B. There are different strains, or types, of the flu virus every year. The flu causes a fever, body aches, a headache, a dry cough, and a sore or dry throat. You will probably feel tired and less hungry than usual. The symptoms usually are the worst for the first 3 or 4 days. But it can take 1 to 2 weeks to get completely better. It usually takes 1 to 4 days to get symptoms of the flu after you have been around someone who has the virus.
   Most people get better without problems. But sometimes the flu can lead to a bacterial infection, such as an ear infection, a sinus infection, or bronchitis. In rare cases, the flu may cause a more serious problem, such as pneumonia. Certain people are at higher risk of problems from the flu. They include young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with long-term illnesses or with impaired immune systems that make it hard to fight infection.

DETERMINING IF YOU HAVE THE FLU

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and examine you. This usually gives the doctor enough information to find out if you have the flu, especially if many cases of a similar illness have occurred in the area and the local health department reports a flu outbreak. In some cases, the doctor may do a blood test or take a sample of fluid from your nose or throat to find out what type of flu virus you have.
Most people can treat flu symptoms at home. Home treatment includes resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking medicine to lower your fever. If you think you have the flu, your doctor may be able to give you medicine that can make the symptoms milder. But you need to start taking it within 2 days of your first symptoms.

PREVENTING THE FLU FROM REACHING YOU

   1. The single most important step you can take for flu prevention or to protect yourself from infections of any kind is to increase the amount of vitamin D in your body.Our society is severely depleted in adequate levels of vitamin D largely because we spend too much time indoors and don’t get enough sunshine. It is believed the reason that influenza becomes such a problem in the winter months is because we have less sunshine and thus less vitamin D in the body.
      You can increase your vitamin D levels by getting more sunshine without using a sunscreen - 15 minutes of sun exposure daily is considered adequate, taking a nutritional supplement or eating salmon, herring or cod liver oil. Besides being beneficial for flu prevention, vitamin D plays a crucial role in bone health and development, enhancing the immune system and preventing autoimmune diseases as well. Vitamin D should be taken now to build up immune health before the flu strikes.
      Most health experts are recommending between 2100 and 5000 IU’s for flu prevention goals. However, you should talk with your health care provider about which dosage is best for you.

   2. Going hand in hand with increasing vitamin D, washing the hands properly and frequently is equally important.The hands should be washed in warm water for at least 20 seconds. You should rub the hands together vigorously underneath the flowing water.Many people are not aware that the length of time the hands is in the water and the amount of friction when rubbing them together is much more important than the amount of soap for removing germs.
      If you’re in a public restroom, don’t use the automatic hand dryers. They have been found to spread germs.
      Do not use antibacterial soap. First of all, the flu is a virus, antibacterial soap kills bacteria, not viruses. It’s ineffective. Not only that, it’s dangerous and unhealthy. It will weaken your immune system and endocrine system, which could ultimately make you more vulnerable to the flu. It contains Triclosan, which is a toxic pesticide, a neuro-toxin that is linked to immune system and endocrine system damage. It is also believed that using antibacterial soap contributes to making resistant strains of bacteria.

   3. Keep your hands out of your eyes, nose and mouth. Avoid your face altogether as much as possible.

   4. Don’t eat sugar - sugar weakens the immune system and leaves you vulnerable to viruses, bacteria etc. Additionally, viruses and bacteria thrive on sugar.

   5. Boost the immune system with exercise and getting enough sleep. Eating lots of vegetables, taking high doses of vitamin C and herbs. These include common foods like garlic, citrus fruits, seafood and meats, and yogurt. Dietitians also suggest switching to vitamin D-fortified milk

   6. Manage stress with exercise, meditation, deep breathing exercises etc. Excessive levels of stress weaken the immune system.

   7. If you want to be extra cautious, you could take it a little further and consider not eating out while the outbreak is severe, limiting your time in public and not shaking hands with other people or washing your hands immediately after.