COVID-19 Update
Katie Dean, March 13 2020
Artwork by Sara Shakeel
Like most across the globe,
we are following the coverage of the COVID-19 Virus and adhering to recommended preventative measures to stay healthy. I'm also taking a moment to write a personal note to you, our customers and beloved supporters during this time.
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As a brand, we will continue to stay true to our mission of bringing you little rays of sunshine across our social media, emails and website in hopes to put your mind at ease, make you smile and remind you of all the beautiful things in life.
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This is said in no way to belittle the precautions or severity of what the world is going through but it is also important to focus on the good. The world needs artists and their creativity to bring joy in any way possible to daily life right now.
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There are a lot of small businesses hurting right now (to be totally transparent we are one of them feeling the economic turmoil). Many of our Spring events have been cancelled already and most likely all will be canceled soon, which is devastating but the right thing to do. We have lost thousands of dollars already not including the future lost income that we depend on to keep the lights on and bills paid.
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We will make it through this but I am calling on anyone who can help to please support your local small businesses in any way you can. Whether that’s leaving a review on your favorite product, placing an order, buying a gift card for future use, or engaging more with social posts by leaving a comment or sharing with friends - all of these things help more than you know.
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Lastly, stay positive and healthy! Wash your hands thoroughly, boost your immune system (recommendations from my Mother, Dr. Ann Auburn below) and keep your spirits high - laughing helps so put on a good comedy film or TV show during your social distancing. :)
Thank you for reading & for continuing to support us in all the ways that you do.
Love, Katie Dean
Founder | Designer
IMMUNE BOOSTERS
Comments
Dr. Ann Auburn
March 31 2020
Dear Katie,
Thank you for caring about others and sharing your positive “glass half FULL” attitude with your followers! I guess it runs in the family…from great grandma Mable, to Grandma Crystal, to me, you and your brother!
It’s true that it’s scientifically proven that love and laughter increase immunity, that is, actual immune markers in the blood go up with a positive experience or attitude. And the opposite happens with negativity, stress or bad experiences, low immune function and inflammation – yikes! So even if you have to work at it, the positive approach always makes our health better.
Along with that, everybody should do their best to keep in the following:
1. Reduce or eliminate sugar from your diet. One of my general rules is to avoid white foods (sugar, rice, potatoes), the starchy stuff, especially the processed type or just too much of even the complex carbohydrates.
2. Minimize cow’s milk products, which increase respiratory mucus (ask any professional singer!).
3. Eat real food, lots of veggies, and avoid processed and fast foods, which have more chemicals and create more inflammation, stressing the immune system. Organic, in most cases, is best, or at least non-GMO, which will reduce chemicals from pesticides and herbicides.
4. Drink clean water- 60-80 ounces per day. It’s the universal solvent and helps cleanse the kidneys and remove wastes from the body. Hydration is also super important, especially when the immune system may be challenged.
5. Exercise. Do ANYTHING you can, whether it’s a few minutes or an hour. Movement is good. It helps blood flow,lymphatic flow, production of hormones and neurotransmitters.
6. Avoid modern wheat, and reduce gluten containing grains, but don’t eat a bunch of gluten substitutes that are just as starchy or worse. Just eat less grains. We don’t need them at all, but if you eat them, eat a human portion! That’s a 1/3-1/2 cup, or 75-100 calories, 1-2 servings per day. If you do decide to eat wheat of some sort, get the ancient grains type and organic if you can. And sour dough bread, the real fermented type, is better, because it breaks down the gluten somewhat, having less negative consequences. But again, that’s not a 1/2 or even a 1/4 loaf of bread, just a slice.
7. Moderation and mindfulness is key. Remember, eat to live, instead of living to eat is a better approach to healthy nourishment.
Best of health to everyone!
Ann M. Auburn, DO
Family Practioner and Integrative Medicine Specialist