What's the Buzz November 2008
The official E-Newsletter of Bee Well Kidz
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Days are growing shorter, the weather is growing colder, the Christmas ads have begun and flu shots are being offered everywhere. This issue of What's the Buzz will discuss the pros and cons of the flu shot, natural flu remedies and a hearty, healthy vegetarian split pea soup recipe.
Enjoy this issue of What's the Buzz?? and please let us know if there are any topics you would like to see in future issues.
Bee Well,
Naomi Richman
CEO and founder, Bee Well Kidz
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In This Issue:
The Flu Shot: Pros and Cons
Natural Flu Remedies
Veggie Split Pea Soup
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The Flu Shot: Pros and Cons
Google has come up with a way to track the flu. "Google Flu Trends" uses search terms to determine where people are getting the flu and to notify the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With this information, docs and hospitals have time to ramp up their supply of vaccines, antiviral meds and antibiotics for "associated infections". (The flu is viral). This new real time information also gives parents a head's up when the flu is coming to town. (Usually just after Santa.)
So, what do we do with this data? And more importantly, should we vaccinate our children. For parents of children under six months the answer is clear. NO. The flu vaccine is not recommended for infancts under six months. As for the rest of us, here are the pros and cons.
PROs
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) claims that:
1. 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu
2. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications; and
3. About 36,000 people die from flu.
4. The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each year.
In addition and if, in fact, the flu shot prevents the flu then:
5. There may be a better chance your child will not get the flu and feel really icky or worse.
6. There may be a better chance you will not have to miss work
7. There may be a better chance your child will not spread the flu to you, your family, his daycare and your neighbors.
And the CONs:
1. The majority of people who are hospitalized and die from flu complications are over 85 years old.
2. The shot hurts
3. There are some serious and not-so-serious side effects that may arise from the flu shot including:
A. Soreness, redness and swelling at the site of the shot.
B. Low grade fever
C. Body Aches
D. Difficulty Breathing or Wheezing
E. Hives
F. Weakness
G. Fast Heart Beat
H. Guillian-Barre Syndrome
I. Weakened Immune System
J. Unknown or unreported effects.
4. Unpublished trial safety data
A. In the US, the pharmaceutical companies only have to publish data with favorable outcomes.
B. There is NO reliable vaccine related complication data on the net. But there are reports of significant immune related illnesses following flu vaccinations.
5. The flu vaccine may still contain thimeresol (mercury).
6. There are no reliable vaccine trials showing that, in fact, the vaccine prevents the flu.
7. The vaccine may lower your child's immune system short term while she is dealing with the vaccination at a time when the flu is going around.
These are some of the pros and cons. The short answer is that there is no right or wrong answer. Parents need to weigh their options to determine the best course of action for their children and families.
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Natural Flu Remedies
Here are some traditional Chinese remedies to both prevent and treat the flu.
1. Miso soup with plenty of fresh green onion. Soybean paste (miso) has long been used to cool the body while inducing sweating for flu and pathogenic invasion. Green onions are another Chinese herbal remedy (called Cong Bai in Chinese) used to prevent and treat external pathogens.
2. Slice fresh ginger and simmer for 30 minutes. Add some honey and drink. (For infants under one, I recommend avage nectar as a sweetener - you can also just stick with the ginger.)
3. Chicken soup with plenty of garlic and onions. If your child eats rice, make rice with chicken broth instead of water and add garlic and ginger to the mix.
4. Slice garlic and onions and put in cheese cloth. Place in bed next to your child's face to prevent or treat the flu. (Should keep vampires away too.)
5. For infants who are still breastfed, mom can take any of these remedies, or combine ginger and green onion tea with breast milk and administer with medicine dropper.
Simply cooking soup with plenty of garlic and onions fills your house and your families lungs with strong antibiotic and antiviral properties. It is important that your child sweat, drink a lot of water and broth and get plenty of rest if he does get the flu. To induce sweating wrap him in blankets or briefly take her into a steamy bathroom. It is also important to avoid sugar and fruit juice at this time of the year as sugar weakens the immune system and creates inflammation. And remember, winter is a time to rest and rejuvenate, so take it easy on activities and let your children rest.
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Veggie Split Pea Soup
Soups are a great winter food. Here's one of my favorites.
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 yellow or white onion, chopped
3-5 garlic cloves, chopped
2 cups dried split peas, rinsed and sorted
8 cups filtered water
3 carrots, chopped
2 potatoes, chopped
2 tsp red miso
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried thyme
salt and pepper
- In a large pot heat oil over medium heat, add onions and sauté until translucent. Add garlic and sauté one additional minute. Add the peas, salt and water and bay leaf. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Dissolve miso in 1/2 cup water and add and stir well.
- Add the carrots, potatoes, basil, thyme and ground black pepper. Simmer for another hour, or until the peas and vegetables are tender.
Serve warm. Makes about 10 servings.
If your kids will eat it, add some kale or spinach in the last ten minutes. You can also add some cut up tofu dogs for a little different flavor.
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