Health Tip of the Month (finding ways to heal naturally using animal-free/cruelty-free methods):

Are you staying well?  Natural Remedies at Jersey City Vegan's website along with a great selection of other links to natural, vegan remedies: http://jerseycityvegan.com/tag/natural-remedies/  Note: wearing gloves in public may seem extreme (this is suggested on Jersey City Vegan's website). Alternatively, make sure you don't touch your face when in public (ie: strive to get out of the habit of rubbing your nose and eyes in public and don't touch your mouth or the inside of your ears.).  Wash your hands as soon as you get home or before dining at a restaurant.  When washing your hands in a public bathroom try not to touch the handle of the faucet.  Use your elbow for a simple swivel one handle. Or if it is a twist one consider turning on the hot and cold knobs with paper towel over them.  Don't touch the handle to the door on the way out if you can avoid it (more germs on a door handle in a public bathroom than any other door knob/handle anywhere)! Use a paper towel to touch the handle on your way out or with some handles you can manage to use your elbow instead. Push doors on the way out is ideal, but often not available.  Rethink where you put your hands. It doesn't matter if you wash your hands 20 times a day (not good for your skin anyway).  It is how you use your hands and what it touches.  Remember that!  Good hygiene can help prevent the onset of colds and flus.  Interestingly, if you and everyone that lives with you gets in the habit of washing hands as soon as you get home, the same hygiene protocol no longer applies.  Rubbing your eyes in the sanctuary of your own home is totally fine. Unless, of course, you got a sick family member or friend living with you at the time.  The right hygiene protocol can lower your chances of getting sick, but regardless- most of us get colds on occasion anyway.  Natural and vegan remedies are, fortunately, always available to help us through our discomfort.