Call me an opportunist. When I hear about the possibility of avian flu (aka “H5N1”) crossing the seas to invade North America, the first thought that comes to mind is, “How is the ol’ immune system doing?" A similar thought occurs when I hear about anthrax, terrorism, cancer or “Mad Cow Disease” (well, maybe I did “steer” away from beef). It’s an opportunity to take stock and focus on the health of our immune systems. We stand a much better chance of dealing with the various kinds of viruses, bacteria, pathogens and toxins that continually circulate in the air we breathe and food we eat.

• There are a number of herbal formulas that will strengthen your immune system. Astragalus is a premiere immune strengthening herb that is found in many formulas. There are also very effective formulas that can help fight off a cold or flu in the early stages. There are stronger formulas that have anti- viral, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-toxin properties. Consult with your local D.O.M or LAc. to find out which formula best suits you.

Give yourself a “dry brush”massage every morning. Using brisk, circular motions, gently brush off dead skin cells on every part of your body and then jump into a cold shower for 2 minutes.

• Avoid eating cold foods or beverages that weaken your “ministerial fire”. This fire fuels all the processes of your body.

• Qi Gong is well known for it’s ability to strengthen the immune system so come to a Wild Goose Qi Gong class (your first class is free!) to learn some new ways to build your vital energy.

• What do you give a sick goose? A “tweetment”.

• Last but not least, care for your immune system by minimizing sugar, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, stress, and poor eating habits and make sure you get adequate rest, sleep and exercise. Don’t wait for an opportunistic virus to knock on your door.

For current and helpful info about “Avian Flu”, go to NPR’s website: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php? storyId=4988710

This column offers "knowledge" from a variety of sources; knowledge re-lated to choices we make personally and globally, and not commonly available through our popular news media. I invite you to write me with your own "Did You Know", questions or comments.

THAT: Doctors might be better off washing their hands with yoghurt instead of relying on antiseptic soap-scrubbing, according to a new discussion paper by a UCL (University College London) researcher. Professor Mark Spigelman, of the UCL Centre for Infectious Diseases and International Health states “...when we wash our hands, we could actually be killing off harmless com-mensals to the extent that we leave space for other bacteria, such as MRSA strains, to settle. Perhaps we should be thinking about using probiotics and even dipping our hands after thorough wash-ing into a solution which contains harmless bacteria, which could then colonise our skin and prevent pathogenic bacteria from set-tling on it." (www.ucl.ac.uk/ media/library/yoghurt)

THAT: “Intense multitasking can induce a stress response--an adrenaline rush--that when prolonged, can damage cells that form new memory; in this instance, chronic high-stress multitasking can be linked to short term memory loss.” (Shellenbarger. S. 2003, March 1, "Multitasking makes you stupid, studies say" The Wall Street Journal)

THAT: Caffeine is a nervous system stimulant. Caffeine causes adrenal glands to secrete adrenaline, the hormone that your body depends on during emergencies to elevate your heart rate, in-crease your respiration and blood pressure for a rapid fight-or-flight response. When coffee is over used, the adrenal glands can become exhausted. If caffeine sensitivity has diminished and more and more coffee is required to get the “buzz”, the adrenals are showing signs of exhaustion. (Excerpted from “Coffee-It’s Time to Avoid It” by Stephen Stiteler, LAc. O.M.D.)

THAT: A small study conducted at Seoul National University show-ed that 11 of 13 birds infected with “bird flu” recovered within a week of being fed kimchi. Kimchi is fermented cabbage with garlic and peppers, similar to sauerkraut. Sauerkraut and kimchi both share "lactic-acid bacteria" which could explain the positive re-sponse; however garlic has also demonstrated anti-infective pro-perties.

A wonderful blend of spices, cashews and carrots, I have been making this naturally sweet, anti-oxidant rich, belly pleasing soup for many years--from Mollie Katzen's "Moosewood Cookbook". This recipe serves 6-8 folks and takes 20-30 minutes to prepare.

Ingredients:

2 lbs carrots
4 cups of water
1 Tbsp butter or oil
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp freshly grated ginger
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp @: cumin, ground fennel, cinnamon, allspice, dried mint
3 - 4 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 cup lightly toasted cashews

1) Peel and trim carrots and cut them into 1- inch chunks. Place in a medium - large saucepan with the water, cover, and bring to a boil. Lower heat, and simmer until very tender (about 10 -15 minutes).

2) Heat the butter or oil in a small skillet. Add onions and saute over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, salt and spices. Turn heat to low and continue to saute for another 8 - 10 minutes or until everything is well mingled and the onions are very soft. Stir in lemon juice.

3) Use a food processor or blender to puree everything together (including the toasted cashews). You will need to do this in several batches. Transfer the puree to a kettle and heat gently just before serving. If desired, pass a small pitcher of buttermilk for individual drizzlings.

Who needs the Bahamas when you can fly united in your own living room? Learn the graceful, flowing movements of Wild Goose Qi Gong and earn “rapid rewards” of relaxation, vitality, and great health! Your first class is free so your only excuse is "couch potato syndrome" which can be cured in this class as well.

WILD GOOSE QI GONG

When: Wednesdays (ongoing) 7:00-8:15 pm
(holiday break Dec. 28 & Jan. 4)
Where: Bouldin Creek Movement Studio (next to El Mercado)
1310 S. First St. #200
Cost: $52 month $15 single class
First class free to new students.
Register: Call 374-9800 ext 2

QI GONG FOR WEIGHT LOSS & MANAGEMENT

Begin the New Year with this fun and informative class. Learn 10 Qi Gong movements from the “Dragon’s Way” and other exercises that benefit your metabolism and the organs involved in digestion. In addition, you will learn about the energetics of various foods and how to choose the best foods for your constitution. A mini consultation is included with the course.

When: Jan. 11 - Feb. 22
Wednesdays 6:00-7:00 pm
(Jan. 11 -- free intro class)
Where: Bouldin Creek Movement Studio (next to El Mercado)
1310 S. First St. #200
Cost: $130 course -- $20 single class
Register: Call 374-9800 ext 2

COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHER IS SHY IN FRONT OF PEOPLE

Joslyn Baker, a seasoned photographer, is the director of Soluna Studio, an independent commercial photography resource. Joslyn is most comfortable behind the camera which sometimes seems to be permanently fixed to her eye. Food, travel and simply being outside in the natural world are among her passions. She can often be found paddling her kayak on local lakes searching for raptors or migrant avians. In addition to photography, Joslyn dabbles in watercolors on Sundays.

Joslyn’s commercial experience covers a variety of industries, including catalog and products for advertising, architecture, food, industrial, technology and travel. From Fortune 500 companies to local and regional businesses, Joslyn’s client roster contains such well-known names as Bennigan's, Hilton Hotels, Safeway, Shell Oil, Big Red Sun and the Texas Commission on the Arts, just to name a few. To see industry- specific photography or to request a project quote, please go to www.solunastudio.com or email Soluna Studio at howdy@solunastudio.com or call 512.773.5530.