100 Youtube Subscribers! Woohoo!

*doing the Cabbage Patch*

Thank you for subscribing to my Youtube channel.  I'm having so much fun making these videos and will continue to upload them weekly.

Much love to the genius who thought of voiceover, because I would never be able to complete a video with my three little monsters talking (or screaming) during every scene without it. LOL

My plan is to continue to use Youtube as a platform to show how fun, simple, and delicious vegan meals truly are.  

Is there a recipe you want me to make, or a topic you would like me to address on Youtube or on here (food related or not)?  Leave a comment below and let me know. Your feedback is very important to me. :-)

Do you know someone who is thinking about transitioning to vegan eating? Share this blog link or my Youtube channel information with them.  

Thanks again for all of your support,

Monique

 

If you haven't already, subscribe to my channel below. Thank you.

 

 

Flu Shot?

 

A few weeks ago I saw a sign in my neighborhood for free adult flu shots.

No one wants to be sick; especially when it consists of cold sweats, aches and feeling like you can't breathe. 

"Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. It is estimated that, on average, approximately 5% to 20% of U.S. residents get the flu, and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized for flu-related complications each year. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people." - CDC 

With numbers like that,  I can understand why so many people rush out for the shot.

I used to get the flu shot with the chipmunks yearly until I contracted the flu and realized it doesn't protect you from all strains.

 

Another consideration for me is that the flu shot isn't vegan yet. 

According to Mayo Clinic, you shouldn't get a flu shot if you're allergic to eggs because they're used in the incubation process (article on how chicken eggs are used).

I read a few articles about the government's plan to make the flu shot plant-based because it is effective and less expensive.

Being vegan or not, getting the flu shot is a personal decision.

 

If you decide the flu shot isn't for your family, here are a few natural options to get through the season: 

*Tracye McQuirter's Concoction

Tracye recommends taking this at the first sign of a cold

2-3 big cloves of fresh garlic
1 small red onion
1 tomato
1 lemon
1-2 generous dashes of cayenne

Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Drink immediately. Repeat as necessary (and don’t forget the parsley!).

 

Hot Homemade Lemon Cough Remedy Tea

3 cups water

1 medium sliced lemon, with rind

2 medium sliced oranges, with rind

4 gloves garlic, smashed

1/4 onion, chopped

2 inch sliced fresh ginger root

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

agave nectar

Directions:

1)  Bring water to a boil.

2)  Add all ingredients except agave nectar, turn heat to medium and boil for 15-20 minutes.

3)  Strain through a fine mesh strainer.  I also take a spoon and smash pulp to extract as much juice as possible from all ingredients.

4)  Add 1 cup of the hot tea to a mug and add agave nectar to taste.

 

*Wheatgrass, spirulina (blue-green algae) and ginger root are excellent ways to build your immune system-Try these ingredients in smoothies

*Consider purchasing a ceramic net pot to combat congestion-Here's a great article on using one


Of course, the biggest preventable measure is washing your hands and keeping them off of your face.

 

Yay or nay to the flu shot? Let's discuss it. Follow me on Twitter.

Further Reading: A raw vegan's view on the flu shot