This week.....

• Spotlight on the Common Cold
• Isabel Hospice Doggy Dash Fundraiser
• Food Matters: Cosy Autumn Wild Rice Soup
• Celebrant Services
• Book Your Lindsey Fitness Classes 
• Lindsey Fitness Running Club Events

See you in Classes!

love Lindsey xxx

**Understanding the Common Cold: Causes, Transmission, and Treatment**

The common cold is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tract, primarily the nose and throat. It is one of the most prevalent illnesses worldwide, affecting people of all ages. Despite its ubiquity, the common cold is often misunderstood. This article aims to shed light on what the common cold is, how it is spread, and the best ways to manage and treat it.

 What is the Common Cold?

The common cold is primarily caused by rhinoviruses, although other viruses such as coronaviruses, adenoviruses, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can also be culprits. There are over 200 different viruses that can cause cold symptoms, which is why it is so common and why people can catch colds multiple times a year.

Symptoms of the common cold typically include a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, congestion, slight body aches, sneezing, and low-grade fever. These symptoms usually appear one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus and can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.

 How is the Common Cold Spread?

The common cold is highly contagious and spreads easily from person to person. It is primarily transmitted through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can be inhaled by people nearby, leading to new infections.

The virus can also spread through direct contact with an infected person or by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus, such as doorknobs, light switches, or shared objects like utensils or towels. Once the virus is on your hands, it can enter your body if you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

How to Treat the Common Cold

While there is no cure for the common cold, there are several ways to alleviate symptoms and speed up recovery:

1. **Rest**: Giving your body time to heal is crucial. Adequate rest helps your immune system fight off the virus more effectively.
2. **Hydration**: Drinking plenty of fluids helps thin mucus, making it easier to expel and keeping your throat moist. Water, herbal teas, and broths are excellent choices.
3. **Over-the-counter medications**: Decongestants, antihistamines, and pain relievers like ibuprofen or paracetamol can help relieve symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, and sore throat.
4. **Humidifiers**: Using a humidifier can add moisture to the air, helping to ease congestion and soothe irritated nasal passages and throats.
5. **Saltwater gargle**: Gargling with warm salt water can provide temporary relief for sore throats.
6. **Honey and lemon**: A mixture of honey and lemon in warm water can soothe a sore throat and reduce coughing.
7. **Vapour rubs**: Applying mentholated ointments to your chest and throat can help open up airways and ease breathing.

Prevention Tips

Preventing the spread of the common cold is as important as treating it. Here are some preventive measures:

• **Hand hygiene**: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing, or touching potentially contaminated surfaces.
• **Avoid close contact**: Stay away from people who are sick, and if you are sick, try to keep your distance from others to prevent spreading the virus.
• **Disinfect surfaces**: Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• **Healthy lifestyle**: Maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep to keep your immune system strong.

CONCLUSION:

The common cold may be a routine illness, but understanding its causes, transmission, and treatment can help minimise its impact on your life. By taking preventive measures and managing symptoms effectively, you can reduce the duration and severity of a cold, allowing you to return to your daily activities more quickly.

NEXT WEEK : We'll look at wat to eat and what to avoid when you have a cold

A Message from Frank the Vizsla ...... I Have news!

I am literally jumping for joy having reached the minimum fundraising target for the Isabel Hospice Doggy Dash! . Much thanks to some very kind donations and messages of encouragement from some lovely people- I would love to raise as much as possible of course.

I'm  will be completing a 3 mile run with my Mummy Lindsey  in November to commemorate the important work of therapy dogs at Isabel Hospice.

I have been training hard with runs every week with the Lindsey Fitness Running Club on Sundays and with my Daddy Gary on Wednesdays. 

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DONATIONS SO FAR, I AM VERY HAPPY AND WAGGY ABOUT THAT!

Love and licks in anticipation of any further donations big or small for our wonderful Isabel Hospice, thank you XXX

Isabel Hospice aim for 3 visits a week by therapy dogs a week. Each mile ran represents a smile a therapy dog puts on the face of a patient.

FOOD MATTERS >>>>

Cosy Autumn Wild Rice Soup

This Cosy Autumn Wild Rice Soup is made with fresh seasonal vegetables and greens, hearty wild rice, and a deliciously zesty, coconut milk broth

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 cups vegetable stock (or chicken stock)
• 1 cup uncooked wild rice
• 8 ounces  mushrooms, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 large (about 1 pound) sweet potato, peeled and diced
• 1 small white onion, peeled and diced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 (14-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk 
• 2 large handfuls of kale, roughly chopped with thick stems removed
• fine sea salt and freshly-cracked black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Sauté the veggies. Heat (an extra) 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil in a large heavy based pan over medium-high heat.  Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent.  Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.
2.  
3. Add base ingredients. Add in the vegetable stock, wild rice, mushrooms, carrots, celery, sweet potato, and bay leaf  Stir to combine.

Simmer. Continue cooking until the soup reaches a simmer.  Then reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes until the rice is tender, stirring occasionally

Add final ingredients. Add the coconut milk and kale to the soup, and stir gently until combined. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

Serve. Serve warm and ENJOY!

CELEBRANT SERVICES >>>>>

As many now know I am also operating as an Independent Family Celebrant, a role I take as both an honour and a privilege for the families I am entrusted to.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch or pass on my details if I may be of any help at a time of loss or of celebration to you or someoe you know.

Have You booked your sessions for October?

Fun, friendly, achievable workouts for all ages, levels and abilities - if you are new to exercise you'll be made very welcome .... or if you haven't been for a while it'll be a great welcome return - get in touch for your first session FREE!