As parents, most of us do our best to teach our children good eating habits. We offer them a variety of healthy foods simply because this is what is best for their bodies. We teach them the importance of being healthy, not necessarily because we’re concerned about obesity, but because we want them to have a physically healthy body.

We try to teach them self-esteem and how to find and see the beauty within themselves. Because having an emotionally healthy body has a direct effect on their physical health.

But, is the media helping us with what we are trying to teach our children? I recently viewed this photo online. At first glance, I thought this was a picture of someone starving or suffering from anorexia. I was terribly wrong. This is a picture of an actual model wearing a creation from the 2007 Spring/Summer ready-to-wear fashion collection in Paris, France.

Is this a good example of what people should look like? The media is telling our children, by using models that are beyond thin, that this is what we should strive to look like. This is a dangerous message to our children, many of whom are too concerned for the way they look already.  

We, as parents, need to teach our children what healthy is, what healthy means and what healthy looks like. Because it certainly does not look like this. This is our responsibility. A responsibility that we cannot leave up to the media to teach.

As autumn arrives, trees provide a stunning display of color; plump pumpkins appear on roadside stands and in grocery stores…and advertisements for the flu shot abound.

A  major health insurance company in our state has been advertising free flu shots to members.  After hearing the advertisement at least a dozen times over the past week, I wondered if my husband, children and I should get flu shots this year.  Afterall, it’s very convenient that we are members of the healthcare organization offering the free vaccines. However, the common cold and chicken pox were the worst ailments to hit our household over the last six years. I found myself thinking, “We don’t really get sick much, do we really need flu shots?” 
In a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control, the majority of adults surveyed said they were not going to get the flu vaccine this year.  Of this majority, 43% indicated they didn’t feel the flu was a big enough health threat to them. The study also revealed that less than half of the children in the United States will have a flu vaccine this year.  
If you do opt for the flu vaccine, experts agree that it is still possible to get the flu.  

Whether you get a flu shot or not, it’s a always good idea to focus on some simple lifestyle and eating habits that can boost your immune system. According to FluHelp.org  we need to focus on simple behaviors that can naturally boost our immune system – getting plenty of sleep and exercise, drinking plenty of water and taking in plenty of fresh air.  They also recommend reducing sugar intake.

“Even small amounts of sugar can significantly impair your immune function, making you more susceptible to a flu infection. A large amount of sugar, such as the amount found in a normal can of soda, hurts your immune function for hours.” 
Foods and herbs also play a role in boosting our immune system.  For centuries, people have been using elderberry to boost their immune system and ease flu symptoms.  A research study from Hadassah University Hospital in Israel, found that extract from elderberry slowed immune-enhancing properties by increasing the production of cytokines, a key component in the functioning of the immune system.

Want to boost immunity the natural way? Check out our article, “Healthiest Foods on Earth”, and discover delicious ways to boost your immune system naturally.
 
So, how about you?  Are you going to get the flu vaccine this year? We want to know!

Funny viral tampon ad.

Got a camera? ModernSage.com is holding a photo contest.

Do pet owners really tend to look like their pets? If so, we’d like to see your picture. Sponsored by SundayColors.com, we are offering a prize package, for you and your pet, worth over $300!

All you have to do is take a picture of your pet with the respective owner and send us an email. It’s that simple! And there are only 2 weeks left…the contest ends October 15th.

Click here to enter today!