Make Your Own Needle Free Flu Shot

This recipe can help you prevent of fight off all kinds of infections and viruses.  It is so beneficial that whenever my daughter gets sick she asks for it.  It has been called many things; Fire Cider, and Master Tonic to name a couple.  I like to call it the Flu Shot because I keep it handy during flu season. 

We like to go to the local Farmers Market to collect the ingredients. 

 Here is what you will need:

2 Cloves of Garlic (anti-viral, fungicide, immune stimulant)*

1 Whole White Onion (same properties as garlic, THEY are from the same family)*

1 Ginger Root (Digestive aid)

1 Horse radish (stimulates blood flow, diuretic, antiseptic, stimulant, clears nasal passages)

1 Gallon Apple Cider Vinegar (MANY USES!!!!I use the organic kind) 

Combination of Hot Peppers (Serrano, Jalapeno, Habanero etc.)

Glass Container (I used one of those alkaline water jugs but did not like the tiny spout when it was time to drain.  Next batch will be made with a wide mouth spout)

Cheese Cloth (to strain your batch)

Gloves (Trust me wear the ENTIRE time)

Funnel (to do what it does J )

Mason Jars (I bottled about 9 jars when it was done steeping)

TIME  (2weeks to steep)

It is very simple.  You grate all the ingredients ( I use the food processor) and place them in your glass container.  When you are done chopping and grating and putting them in the jar, you are going to pour the apple cider vinegar in the container.   

You will steep this mixture in a dark place for two weeks, shaking it up once daily.  I stored ours in a paper bag under the sink.  Remember that light can kill the medicinal properties in this mixture so keep it dark!!

I read that you are supposed to do this on the new moon and let it steep through the full moon.  During the new moon the earth has more of a gravitational pull and it will pull out the medicinal properties better.  We did our first batch to the new moon; I really liked getting back to nature so I think we will continue that tradition.   

Above is the finished product.  I have also used the containers that the organic apple cider vinegar came in.  I like using the mason jars though cause then I can give the tonic out as a gift. 

WARNING!!!!  This is extremely HOT and takes some will power to get it down.  You only need to take two shots a day.  My daughters call it Devil Juice, but NEVER hesitate to take some when they are not feeling well.

Disclaimer:  This is good to have in your arsenal of prevention but does not take the place of a doctor visit or anything like that.  Oh yea, I am suppose to say this too - THIS IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES, IF YOU ARE SICK O SEE YOUR DOCTOR.  

 

6 Things I Know About the Healthcare Marketplace

6 Things About the New Healthcare Market Place

Two major things happened today.  The government shut down and the new healthcare Marketplace opened.  Two pivotal events on the same day in America, that’s nothing new to us westerners.  We learn to go with the flow and just complain about it on social media.  So this morning when I read on Facebook that the shutdown had happened I got up (yes I check my FB in bed…no judging) got ready for my day and left.  When I got to work we were being inundated with phone calls about the market place and how the shutdown would affect us (I work at a non-profit that gets federal funds), we got so many calls that I had to do a lot of research in a short amount of time.  Here are some of my findings.

The below three dates

A. October 1, 2013 (TODAY or yesterday, or last month) - The marketplace opens

B. January 1, 2014 – Health Insurance coverage can begin

C. March 31, 2014- Open enrollment ends

Don’t Rush to Apply

If you currently are currently insured either through your employer, Medicaid, Medicare or have Veteran Benefits you need not concern yourself with enrolling.  You can still go to the website, create an account and poke around to see if there are better deals out there. 

Sidenote: you can also see if you are eligible for Medicaid through the website. 

Ok, rush to apply

You can be charged a fee if you fail to obtain health insurance.  You can also receive help from the government through two different ways.  They can either pay you through a tax credit or they can pay the insurance company directly. They will not pay it all, but they will pay an ok portion.  Check out this calculator to find out how much in a subsidy you would be eligible for.

What Services are Mandated to be Covered?     

Preventative Care

Wellness Services

Mental/Behavioral Health

Laboratory Services

Chronic Disease Management

Pediatric Services including Oral Health and Vision

Substance Abuse Disorder Services

Maternity health & New Born Care

Hospitalization

Emergency Services

Ambulatory Services (inpatient & outpatient)

Laymen Terms Benefit Explanation

The days where insurance providers sent you a 500 page booklet with 9 point font explaining your benefits are GONE.  Under “Obamacare” providers MUST explain their benefits package in simple terms that can be understood easily.  They also must include a glossary of terms.  Looks like all that fine print is getting the heave ho. 

What Will Out of Pocket Costs Look Like

This will be different for everybody.  Your best bet is to get an estimate of costs by either making an account on the website or going to the Keiser Foundation’s page to calculate costs.  Important costs are your deductible, your co-insurance, (which is the portion you're responsible for after the deductible is covered) and your out-of-pocket maximum, (which is the maximum amount you pay each year before insurance kicks in and covers everything afterward).

There you have it, those were the six things that stuck out to me the most.  I hope this helps some in the crazy days ahead.