It's that time of year when the weather is colder, the sky is darker and the air is moister.

Winter is here.

At this time of year I always ask myself what I can do this year to stay even healthier. It's a good question and one I want to encourage you to ask each year as well.

Eating well and having a consistent exercise regime are definitely great places to start. At the same time, it's a good idea to have a consistent and evolving overall health care plan and support team. One that fits your current life; stresses, relationships, and overall lifestyle.

In the next two months I'm going to be supporting you to help fine-tune your 2007 health care plan. As the New Year rolls in it's great to set new goals and intentions. In January I will be teaching my NUTRITION 101 workshop at Yoga Tree. Creating New Year's resolution is great but how do we implement it beyond the first 3 weeks of January? More on that later.

This month I want to focus on immune builders. Immune builders are great at this time of year. The social stresses of office parties, family gatherings and a packed schedule, along with the colder and damper days can often weaken our health.

Here are a few foods and remedies that you can easily add to your diet keeping you healthier this winter season.

GINGER
A natural immune builder. Ginger reduces inflammation, helps with nausea and is excellent for the heart and circulatory system. It also helps digestion. Ginger is also known to lower cholesterol levels, suppress herpes simplex virus, and help prevent the formation of blood clots.

I recommend using ginger internally in stir fries and soups. Make a hot fresh ginger tea. Just heat a cup of water, bring to a boil, lower to a simmer and add 3-4 fresh ginger slices. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes, add lemon and honey if you like.
To use externally, grate and place in hot water for a delicious and warming foot soak. Treat yourself to one this winter ….This will help your circulation and keep your whole body warm.

GARLIC
You've heard it before and its true- garlic is one of the best immune builders there is. Sometimes if I feel like I'm getting sick I eat it raw. I just unpeel it and eat it whole. If you dislike the garlic flavor another alternative is to take garlic capsules. Susun Weed, herbalist and health writer says "Herbalists in the middle ages relied on garlic to prevent infection from the plague, so it might keep us safe from the flu." Sounds like a good thing to have regularly. I also enjoy roasting garlic whole in the oven. When it's done, the garlic cloves just pop right out of the husk and can be easily spread on breads, crackers, vegetables or just eat then alone.

OREGANO OIL
Oregano is most commonly known as an herb in cooking. It wasn't until recently I learned that oregano oil can be used to treat almost everything in our body. Oregano oil can be taken internally as well as used externally. It has anti-viral, anti- fungal and anti-bacterial properties. It has been known to help the immune system in so many ways. Some include: indigestion, diarrhea, earaches, a variety of fungus and yeasts in the body such as athletes food and Candida . It also helps skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. It is also great for parasites and cell damage. Wild oregano is rich in calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, potassium, copper, boron, and manganese. Vitamins C and A (beta carotene) and niacin also are contained in oregano. As you can see it's loaded with good stuff. If you are taking a lot of oregano oil, one side effect is that it can disrupt the good intestinal flora. Therefore, I recommend using a good Probiotic to keep your intestinal walls healthy. I have two favorite brands, Reutri and Jarrow. Most people on the go like Jarrow because they make a brand that does not need to be refrigerated. (If you plan on traveling it's a great thing to keep in the suitcase). I find oregano oil and probiotics a great addition to anyone's health kit, especially during the winter and the holidays.

TURN TO HERBS
Herbs are great. They are non invasive, health supporters.
Most people turn to Echinacea and golden seal. Echinacea root has the reputation of supporting the immune system by increasing white blood cells and T- cells. Yet Echinacea is not the only herb we can draw upon. Many herbs are loaded with vitamins, minerals, proteins, phytoestrogens, and hundreds of protective phytochemicals that work to help you ward off the flu and colds too. Susun Weed recommends a great herbal infusion. Choose one herb: nettle, oat straw, red clover, comfrey leaf, linden flowers, or violet leaf. Place one full ounce, by weight (25g), of any one herb in a quart (1L) jar. A canning jar is best. Fill the jar to the top with boiling water. Screw on a tight lid. Let it steep for four hours, or overnight. Strain the liquid out, squeezing the herb. Refrigerate the infusion, where it will be good for 24-36 hours.

MAKE SOUP
Sometimes our immune system breaks down just by the mere fact that we are overeating in the winter and holiday months. Soup helps us feel nourished as well as satisfied and they are not heavy or too filling for our body. When I was growing up my dad would spend one Sunday making soup for the entire winter. He would make 3-4 different kinds, let them cool, put them in containers, label them and put them in the freezer. On nights he worked late or Sunday afternoons, we would pull out the soup of choice- steam some veggies and/ or some nice bread and voila…dinner!

SEAWEEDS are known to be a winter food in Chinese medicine. Supporting the winter element, they also support your kidneys, adrenals and reproductive organs. Seaweed is full of minerals.
They have an alkalizing effect on the blood and are filled with nutrients that support your hair, nails and skin. They also help reduce tension, improve circulation, ease menstrual and menopausal symptoms and relieve muscle pain and fatigue.

Sounds good for the winter –huh?

These are just a few tips to help jump start your "first aid- healthy food" winter kit.

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FRUITION FRIDAY "HAPPY HOUR"
Date: Friday December 14, 2007
Topic: Staying Healthy this Holiday Season

Need a place to unwind after a week's work? If so come join us for an evening of health. It's a great place to debrief from the week and set some healthy intentions for the weekend. This month we will focus on easy tips and foods to stay health this winter. Enjoy a healthy, organic snack and non alcoholic beverage while connecting with the Fruition community. Classes are taught by one of our FWH counselors.

WHERE & WHEN
Fruition Health
2120 Market St, Suite 201
San Francisco, CA 94114
6:30-8:00 pm

The investment for your health:
General Public $15
FWH clients: FREE! (it's included in the cost of your program)

Thursday January 17, 2008
ALL **NEW** Quick, Easy and Healthy Cooking Class

January 31, 2008- Eating with the Seasons- Winter-
We'll create a delicious feast of local, seasonal, organic foods that are nourishing and satisfying during the winter season. Highlighted foods include: sweet root vegetables, buckwheat, adzuki beans, and sea vegetables. We'll also explore cooking styles that will keep you warm and cozy during the cold and wet winter weather.

For more information check out http://www.fruitionhealth.com/popup_services_classes_cooking.html

To Register Call 415-552-8344 or
Email info@fruitionhealth.com

If you are inspired by the work we do at FWH or know someone who could benefit from our services call or email us today and learn more about our programs. Click HERE to tell us more about you and your health.

IN PERSON
San Francisco Bay area
And now is Santa Cruz CA, too!
http://www.fruitionhealth.com/services_local.html

PHONE PROGRAMS
http://www.fruitionhealth.com/services_longdistance.html

NEW SF GROUP PROGRAM BEGINNING
Tuesday January 15, 2008
Start the year out on the health track!

If you are wondering if the FWH program is for you, speak with one of our counselors for free. During your free initial session, we will review your health history in detail and discuss your goals. Then we will work together to design a program that focuses on your specific health concerns.
Call  415 -552 -8344 or email info@fruitionhealth.com

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