KICK
in the TUSH Club™
is for light-hearted, low-cal
loving, nutritional friendly folks who crave mammoth portions
of food-facts,
recipes, art and inspiration.
Our Lady of Weight Loss ™®
is a division of Oy-Caramba! Ltd. November 15, 2004
Patron Saint of pestilence, plague, epidemics, rashes, skin diseases and influenza.
A bunch of germs were whooping it up
In the Bronchial Saloon.
The bacillus handling the larynx
Was jazzing a gag-time tune,
While back of the tongue in a solo game
Sat Dangerous Ah Kerchoo.
And watching his luck was his light of love
The malady known as Flu.
~ Cal Beacock
From The Pundit, published by International Save the Pun Foundation,
quoted in Reader’s Digest Jan 86
***
faToid
Flu viruses mutate easily, so new flu vaccine formulas have to be made up every year.
What is the flu and will it kill me? The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can be mild or severe and at times, it can even lead to death.
Statistics show that on average, in the United States, 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu (some years are clearly more virulent than others); more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from complications and approximately 36,000 people die!
How does the flu vaccine work? The influenza vaccine is made by first growing the influenza virus in eggs. It is then killed and processed to create the vaccine, which is then injected under our skin. Note: if you are allergic to eggs, you better tell your doctor fast.
Over the next two to four weeks, the body then produces antibodies to the virus. If you come into contact with the influenza bug, your body is set to attack and kill the virus before it has a chance to swing into full force. The vaccine covers the three most likely strains to arrive during the flu season.
What happens if you are either infected before the two to four weeks that your body is busy producing antibodies? What happens if you are attacked by one of the less likely strains to attack during the flu season? The flu shot is 80% effective, but that’s if it’s for the right flu, and the shot is administered at the right time.
Who should get the flu vaccine? And who should not?
The Center for Disease Control suggests that the following people get flu shots:
• all children aged 6–23 months;
• adults aged 65 years and older;
• persons aged 2–64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions;
• all women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
• residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities;
• children aged 6 months–18 years on chronic aspirin therapy;
• health-care workers involved in direct patient care; and
• out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children aged 6 months.
And the CDC suggests that the following people do NOT get flu shots:
• persons with a severe allergy (i.e., anaphylactic allergic reaction) to hens' eggs and
• persons who previously had onset of Guillain-Barré syndrome during the 6 weeks after receiving influenza vaccine.
Why is there a shortage, anyway? Chiron, a British Company, was scheduled to produce 46-48 million doses of the influenza vaccine for the United States. However, British health inspectors found unsanitary conditions in Chiron’s labs. Much of the supply was destroyed.
Since there is a shortage in flu shots, and those who might want to get a shot can not, the CDC suggests that you take the following precautions:
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. (Yuk!)
• Put your used tissue in the waste basket. (Please.)
• Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing with soap and water.
• Clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner.
What does Our Lady of Weight Loss say?
Natural flu busters are a good idea.
Green tea (see KICK #9) - Studies show that Green tea is a natural anti-viral and anti-bacterial remedy. It is natural immune system booster that may help you get you through this flu season (and it has been reported that it aids in weight loss).
Garlic (see KICK #38)- Long used as a natural antibiotic and antiviral, Garlic acts as a "mucokineti" agent. It alleviates congestion commonly associated with flu. Caution: Garlic is a blood thinner. Be sure to consult with your doctor if you are currently on an aspirin or prescription blood thinner regimen.
Vitamin C - Many studies have shown Vitamin C to boost the immune system.
Fruits and Vegetables (see KICK #16) - be sure to eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Water - drink plenty of it. Flush those toxins out of your body.
Righteous Recipe ~ LEEKY CHICKEN SOUP a.k.a. Grandma's New Age
Penicillin
2 tablespoons olive oil
10 medium leeks, trimmed, sliced and well-washed (approx. 2 cups)
2 large baking potatoes, grated
2 medium carrots, grated
1 bunch parsley, chopped
8 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
(They make some great brands now that are organic and low-fat in cartons.)
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Heat the oil in a 6-quart pot over medium heat. Add the leeks, potatoes and carrots.
Sauté until softened, 5 to 10 minutes. (If you feel that you need more oil, try adding a bit of water instead.*)
Add the parsley, broth, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered for about 40 minutes or until tender.
Serve! Makes 6 Yum-Lite servings.
*Two tablespoons of oil = 6 teaspoons of oil.1 teaspoonof oil = 1 serving. Do you really need more?
* * *
Flush out the flu bug with a Ginger and Lemon Flu Bustin' Fluid.
Boil a pot of water; 6 to 8 cups
Add one teaspoon or sugar for each cup
(Remember one teaspoon of sugar is 17 calories!
Be sure to measure!)
1 to 2 1-inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced - depending on how much you like ginger.
8 to 10 lemon peel strips
6 to 8 green tea bags (decaffeinated, if desired)
Combine water, sugar, ginger, and lemon peel strips in a large saucepan. Bring to boil.
Reduce heat and let simmer for about 10 minutes.
Remove ginger and lemon strips with a slotted spoon and discard them.
Put the green tea bags in a teapot and add abovemixture.
Cover; let steep according to tea package directions. If desired, garnish with lemon slices. Makes 6 to 8 servings of Flu Bustin' Fluids.
Want to whip up another
dish?
Send Our Lady your
favorite recipe? Keep them easy, low-cal and FUN. If yours is used, Our Lady will send you a prize!
Fruitful Contest- In1975, the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest won an academy award for what fab actor who starred as a prisoner who is sent to an insane asylum. While there, this actor creates an environment, which gives his fellow inmates a sense of self-worth and a glimmer of happiness. Name the actor! Win a prize! The first to enlighten Our Lady wins an Our Lady of Weight Loss prayer card!
* * *
Last week's Fruitful query: What is the chemical symbol for Iron? Fe is the answer!
The first to enlighten Our Lady was Pat from Grand Rapids, Michigan! Thanks, Pat. Hope you liked your prize. return to top
Dear OLofWL, I love Our Lady of Weight Loss!!! A kick in the tush is a welcome message in my mail box! I need a hurrah - I had a gastric bypass 6 months ago & have quit losing weight. It is now back to dieting according to my doctor. I'm back on track with the right mindset & look forward to results. You are an extra tool for this difficult journey. Thanks for letting me request this hurrah & for the newsletter! ~ Gayla
Dear Gayla, What a lovely email. You made my day. I'm so glad you are back on track and that we are able to provide extra support. Believe me, gastric by-pass or not, weight loss is 90% mindset. I have to practice positive self-talk quite a bit. Please let us know how it goes. Permanent fat removal is a noble and brave undertaking! We're cheering you on (see below). ~ OLofWL
The Art of Weight Loss Group - As we enter the holiday season a.k.a. the food season, join with me in creative acts of Weight Loss Art. Class forming now!
Are you starting feel the pressure of the Holiday season? The family, the food, the temptation, the guilt. How to combat the food season? I've been crocheting cupcakes. This one is a prize winner, for sure!
The
KICK in the TUSH Club provides a weekly reminder in
the form of an Art-KICK for those who wish to anchor themselves
to their weight loss and/or health goals (or for those who
need to satisfy their craving for a quirky kick). It's fun,
fab and fat-free. Sign-up now (there's no charge). Click here! Our
Lady (Or send an email to: info@OurLadyofWeightLoss.com) and say, "YES!
I need a KICK in the TUSH."
Interested in reprinting the KICK in the TUSH or licensing the art?
Contact: info@ourladyofweightloss.co
For weight loss inspiration and motivation,
Our Lady of Weight Loss has been recommended by:
The New York Daily News
The Arizona Republic Newspaper
SKIRT! Magazine
Energy Express, Tribune Media Co.
Disclaimer: This column is for information only and no part of its contents should be construed as medical
advice, diagnosis, recommendation or endorsement by Our Lady of Weight Loss, Oy-Caramba, Ltd! or Ms. Taylor.
