Every home needs ongoing maintenance to function reliably 365-24-7. Left unattended, systems have the capacity to fail. The same is true of our bodies. These foods play a major role in keeping your body “up and running,” and were provided by a colleague from our Greenwich, CT, office:

Vitamin C – Citrus Fruits/Greens: Foods high in vitamin C (grapefruits, oranges, tangerines, sweet red pepper, broccoli, strawberries, kale, and kiwis) can increase white blood cell production, a key to fighting infection.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a key fat-soluble vitamin to regulate and support immune system function, including nuts, seeds, avocado, and spinach.

Vitamin D – Sunshine, Fish & Eggs – Vitamin D (salmon, canned tuna, egg yolks, and mushrooms) is essential to immune function and helps regulate the body’s immune response. 13-15 minutes of sunshine three times a week works, too.

Antioxidants – Green tea is packed with antioxidants that have been shown to enhance immune system function. It also contains amino acids that may aid in the production of germ-fighting compounds in your T-cells, which reduces inflammation in the body and helps fight infection.

Beta-Carotene – Root Vegetables & Greens – Beta-carotene (Carrots, spinach, kale, apricots, sweet potato, squash, and cantaloupe) converts to vitamin A, which is an anti-inflammatory vitamin that can help your antibodies respond to toxins, such as a virus, and are all great sources of beta-carotene. It’s a fat-soluble vitamin, so consuming foods with healthy fats will aid in absorption.

Probiotics, Gut Health & Immunity – Yoghurt, Kombucha, Sauerkraut, Kimchi, Pickles, Tempeh (Fermented Soybeans), and certain types of cheese contain live cultures, also known as probiotics, which are thought to help stimulate the immune system to fend disease.

Garlic – T-Cell Booster – Garlic contains compounds that help the immune system fight germs in a variety of ways, by stimulating cells important to fighting disease and helping to regulate the immune system. It helps boost the production of virus-fighting T-cells and can reduce the number of stress hormones your body produces which can help your immune system function.

Zinc – Shellfish, Poultry, and Beans – Immune system cells need zinc to function as they are intended. Zinc is a mineral that our body does not store or produce. While oysters have the highest food content of zinc, there are several other options (crab, clams, lobster, and mussels), poultry (chicken or turkey), red meat and beans, cereals and some breads, but the best absorption comes from animal-based foods.

Vitamin B-6 – is essential in the formation of new and healthy red blood cells and aids in maintaining the lymphatic system. Chicken, turkey, cold-water fish (salmon and tuna), chickpeas (traditional hummus), bananas, fortified breakfast cereal, and nutritional yeast are great options.

Water – Hydration & Immunity – Water helps produce lymph, which carries white blood cells and other immune system cells through the body. Think cucumbers, watermelon, and celery or a cup of green tea with lemon, watermelon, cucumber, or mint-infused water for an immune system powerhouse beverage.

À votre santé!

Another reminder about English ivy, an invasive species that strangles and kills trees, like this one in West Cambridge. It’s our local kudzu, all too evident in Cambridge, Belmont and Somerville, taking over gardens and climbing trees. At the beginning of the climb, the roots can be pulled from the trees; once securely attached to the tree or wedged within the interstices of the trunk, the thick stem at the bottom of the tree needs to be sawed to destroy the vines.

We all have different interpretations of privacy, sort of pro-Alexa or not. Recently I read that when you make a call and are placed on hold, you can’t hear the person on the other end, but sometimes they don’t turn off their mic and can hear you and whatever is being said in your house. Additionally, while you are on hold, some companies listen to your background activities/conversation for data collection. Discomforting, isn’t it?

Try hydroponically grown salad greens—they really are good. Whole Foods carries a brand called Lef that is pesticide free. Unlike the usual salad greens, these greens taste fresher, last so much longer, and don’t get wet, soggy and spoiled in a few days. Also, I suspect the chance of getting contaminated leaves is far less.

I love grilled cheese sandwiches—they’re my favorites with sliced tomatoes. Instead of using butter on the outer slices, add olive oil/evoo to a skillet—I use a generous amount—and fry your sandwich in the heated olive oil. The first time you try it, you’ll notice the difference; afterwards and considering the benefits, I’m quite sure you’ll happily adopt.

The debate about the SPF number with sunscreen continues and now Johnson & Johnson has informed us that Neutrogena, etc., are not safe to use. And to prevent staining, let your sunscreen dry before adding clothing.

Another reminder about English ivy, an invasive species that strangles and kills trees, like this one in West Cambridge. It’s our local kudzu, all too evident in Cambridge, Belmont and Somerville, taking over gardens and climbing trees. At the beginning of the climb, the roots can be pulled from the trees; once securely attached to the tree or wedged within the interstices of the trunk, the thick stem at the bottom of the tree needs to be sawed to destroy the vines.

Turns out that the healthiest squash—chock full of vitamins—is yellow/summer squash, according to On Health a publication by Consumer Reports. And if you like pumpkin seeds, also good for you, bake the seeds of acorn squash and other types of squash that have larger seeds.

The commercial spray cans of Pam, Canola oil, etc., all contain silicone. To avoid the chemical, add your oil of choice to one of the many styles of spray containers available for purchase.

Google says the batteries on Black & Decker dust busters can be replaced;  but I had no success finding a replacement. Hoover has a much more versatile product in a sleeker, more practical style, at a higher price, of course ($139.99 plus tax at Target)—don’t know if the battery is replaceable. With a 3-year warranty, the One PWR “dust chaser” has small attachments and promises to have twice the suction power of the usual dust buster. It takes up less space, even with the little attachments.

Approximately 90% of street noise gets into your house through the windows, let alone all of the cold air that gets into the house through windows, too. Check the insulation around the glazing; have better hardware installed. Storm windows are powerful insulators and often better than new double-glazed. Your interior will be more peaceful, especially if you live on a busier street, and you’ll be warmer during these frigid winter months.

Another reminder about English ivy, an invasive species that strangles and kills trees, like this one in West Cambridge. It’s our local kudzu, all too evident in Cambridge, Belmont and Somerville, taking over gardens and climbing trees. At the beginning of the climb, the roots can be pulled from the trees; once securely attached to the tree or wedged within the interstices of the trunk, the thick stem at the bottom of the tree needs to be sawed to destroy the vines.

Now that we are very much aware of health and sanitation, use the tip of a key, a pen or something other than your finger to press elevator buttons.  And when signing charge slips for purchases in stores, always use your own pen.

Wondering about the best SPF sunscreen to use on your face? A dermatologist’s advice on google is to use the sunscreen you like the most so that you will apply it before you go out. (Neutragena Ultra-Sheer clogs pores.) A terrific sunscreen for the face is Coola’s Classic Face Sunscreen, SPF 50. It’s expensive but is so lightweight that it lasts and lasts.

Water has an extraordinarily calming effect on most humans. Science tells us just looking at water relaxes us on a biological level. Seeing or hearing water triggers a response in our brains inducing a flood of neurochemicals that increase blood flow to our heart and brain.

P.S. Aquariums are good feng shui—and entertainment for adults and children.

Keep these mid-size paper clips in a kitchen drawer for handy access. These clips are terrific to use to secure any kind of opened bags of frozen vegetables, fruit, chicken tenders, etc., in the freezer – nothing spills out – or to keep open packages airtight on your shelves. They cost only about $2 for 12 of them at Staples.

Another reminder about English ivy, an invasive species that strangles and kills trees, like this one in West Cambridge. It’s our local kudzu, all too evident in Cambridge, Belmont and Somerville, taking over gardens and climbing trees. At the beginning of the climb, the roots can be pulled from the trees; once securely attached to the tree or wedged within the interstices of the trunk, the thick stem at the bottom of the tree needs to be sawed to destroy the vines.

Another reminder about English ivy, an invasive species that strangles and kills trees, like this one in West Cambridge. It’s our local kudzu, all too evident in Cambridge, Belmont and Somerville, taking over gardens and climbing trees. At the beginning of the climb, the roots can be pulled from the trees; once securely attached to the tree or wedged within the interstices of the trunk, the roots of the plant need to be sawed to destroy the vines.