GO NATURAL WITH YOUR ANTIBIOTICS
Our world is becoming increasingly antibacterial with practically every office, medical facility, and school being equipped with dozens of containers of hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. While these products claim to be 99.9 percent effective at killing bacteria, the harsh chemicals dry out our skin, and over time, bacteria become more and more resistant to these agents. Doctors, too, are blamed for overprescribing antibiotics. As a result, we’re hearing more and more about “superbugs” — strains of harmful bacteria that cause severe illness and are not easily remedied by antibiotics. But you can still protect yourself and your family against illness- causing bacteria without resorting to harsh chemicals and medications. The answer is to go all-natural! Here are two options that are completely natural yet totally effective against the microorganisms that make us sick. RAW HONEY Most honey you find at the store has been pasteurized and filtered, rendering it far less effective when it comes to its antibacterial properties. On the other hand, raw, unfiltered honey is an incredible antiseptic. Even better than your average raw honey is manuka honey, which comes from New Zealand. Its antibacterial properties are potent enough that hospitals around the world keep it on hand to treat certain kinds of infections and burns.
If you get a cut, applying raw honey to the wound can keep out harmful, infection-causing bacteria while killing any existing bacteria. Not only does the honey help prevent infection but it can also help reduce healing time. Raw honey can also help alleviate internal infections, such as peptic ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori . Manuka honey is particularly great for this — just add some to hot tea or water and drink! OREGANO A study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences took a look at the effectiveness of oregano against bacteria. It turns out certain compounds in oregano — carvacrol and thymol — make it a strong antibacterial and antifungal agent. The study found that oregano was effective against salmonella as well as other harmful microorganisms and fungi that make people sick. As an antibacterial, oregano is most useful as an essential oil. In this form, it’s highly potent, meaning you only need a drop or two in a glass of water for it to have an effect. You can drink it, or you can infuse a couple of drops into some coconut oil and apply to your skin. However, be warned that because it is potent, it should not be used on a regular, ongoing basis. Use only when needed and only for a few days at a time — and never use it undiluted!
WANT TO HARNESS YOUR KIDS’ ENERGY? Try Some Indoor Rock Climbing!
While the temperatures climb a little this month, you might not be ready to take your little ones out for adventures in the great outdoors quite yet. Still, cold weather shouldn’t keep you from helping your kids expend all their built-up zest. A great activity you should consider trying this spring is indoor rock climbing — there’s no better way to harness your child’s energy than to strap them into an actual harness for a safe but exhilarating experience! In addition to providing both you and your kids an opportunity to strengthen your muscles, indoor rock climbing offers several other wonderful benefits: CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS Ascending a climbing route is a lot like piecing together a puzzle. Each move requires a constant, iterative decision-making process involving which move to make and the best way to make it. Then you just repeat
the process over and over again. Learning to solve problems, thinking for yourself, and making smart decisions are valuable skill sets for any individual, regardless of age. BRAVERY AND ADAPTATION Overcoming fear is an integral aspect of becoming an adult. Whether it’s fear of the unknown, fear of getting started, or fear of failure, all successful adults learn as kids that they must be courageous, bold, and daring in order to accomplish their goals. Encouraging your kids to leave their comfort zones and confront their fears will ingrain character and bravery. A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT For better or worse, climbing has a reputation as an extreme sport. While that’s certainly true of the sport’s elite professionals, most climbing is actually rather pedestrian. You can start by taking your kids to an indoor
facility, such as Ascent Studio Climbing & Fitness or the Greeley Recreation Center, and encouraging them to boulder, a type of climbing that refers to the area on the wall under 20 feet that climbers can use without being harnessed in. NECESSARY LIFE LESSONS In addition to teaching young climbers discipline and focus, spending time on the rock wall imparts important outdoor skills. Knot tying, map skills, compass skills, and camp craft lay the foundation of an outdoor education. Learning to read vertical rock makes basic route-finding easier. As they grow older, your kids may gravitate to kayaking, skiing, or sailing, but when their outdoor skill set begins with rock climbing, it’ll remain with them for a lifetime.
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