DIY Life

Oh, the weather outside is frightful. And, as it turns out, we're not faring well indoors, either. With an increasingly contagious flu on the loose, we need take important measure to keep our families healthy. Of course, in my home, flu has already taken over our lives and we're currently nursing four runny noses with eighteen tissue boxes. Because we don't like to pop pills every four hours, I thought it may be nice to research a few household remedies for our autumn aches. Want to join along? I've got eight surefire ways to beat the flu -- one herb at a time.*

1. Take Vitamin C to boost immune system and increase the number of white blood cells. However, be sure to get your Vitamin C straight from the source, rather than vitamins. Because the flu reduces your appetite, you're at risk for burning your stomach lining with a vitamin. (I actually burnt my stomach lining this weekend, and trust me, it's not an enjoyable sensation!).
2. Take Zinc lozenges to boost the immune system as soon as your symptoms develop.
3. Take garlic capsules to decrease the growth of the virus.
4. Make a homemade tea with the following ingredients:

* 1 tsp. bayberry bark
* 1 tsp. grated ginger root
* ½ tsp. cayenne powder
* 1 cup of boiling water

Let sit for 20 minutes, then enjoy.

5. If you experience a cough, throat and chest pain, dry mouth/lips and are thirsty, try Bryonia Alba.
6. Try Gelsemium if you have symptoms of chills, aches and/or fevers.
7. Nux Vomica is often used when a simple cold has develop into influenza.
8. Cat's Claw has been known to shorten the duration of the flu.

In addition, drink plenty of water, orange juice and hot tea. Avoid milk and dairy products, as they speed mucus production. And lastly, get plenty of rest! You'll be back to your healthy self in no time.

*IMPORTANT NOTE: Of course, it's always best to consult a doctor if you're feeling any of the above symptoms. Call your physician prior to self-medicating with herbs, as they could interact with your current medication.

For the last couple of days, the weather has been humid, without much wind to cool it off. It was hot enough outside that I had to split the lawn mowing into two days. I will not complain, though, as I will take the heat, sans humidity, any day of the year.

Unfortunately, it gets pretty hot in my house too, as we don't have much shade or air conditioning. It wasn't enough that I had cold water to drink: I needed something more to help cool down my body temperature. I wasn't prepared, but next time, you can bet I will be with these 6 simple frozen treats I can concoct myself.

I have occasion to work at a Catholic retreat center in the beautiful north Georgia mountains, adjacent to a National Forest. Over the Christmas break, in a bitter cold spell, one of the mobile homes used as temporary housing had frozen water lines (no one was at the camp to "drip" the water). We got the lines thawed by covering the suspect freeze points with plastic sheeting and using a "torpedo" heater (see Anna Satler's excellent post on using a hair dryer; unfortunately for us, the number of frozen pipes we had would have required 10 or 12 hair dryers and maybe half the power of the community!) to take care of business; it was a hassle but the situation was resolved with no need to replace broken water lines and shower drains. Our next immediate need was to insulate the area under the home, then skirt it to protect the insulating board. Keep reading, even if you don't own a double wide; this fix can be used for any structure that is raised above the ground -- a mountain cabin, wood shop, or any building which has water lines to protect.

The gallery illustrates the basic process; join me after the jump.

If the temperature is cold and you're not running water regularly, there is a risk that your water meter will freeze. This instructables post teaches us how to thaw a water meter. I'm sure some of you will see a subtitle with the word fire, and be that much more interested, while others would rather steer clear. The author warns that the instructions involve the use of fire, so make sure that you use appropriate caution, and only apply these instruction to a water meter. If you're still interested, read on for the materials, and check out the full post for the instructions and pictures.

What you'll need

1. Channel lock pliers
2. Vice grip Crescent wrench
3. Lighter
4. Newspaper
5. marshmallow
6. Stick
7. A friend to help out

You can fix this yourself unless the meter is actually cracked in which case you'll need to call the water company for a repair or replacement. In very cold conditions, it is suggested that you leave a very light stream of water running through the night to avoid freezing.

Depending on where you live, winter driving can be anything from an adventure to just plain stupid. If you are going to be out on the roads there are some car preparation and driving tips that are crucial. How to Winterize your Car.....and your Brain for Winter Driving outlines important tips, from preparing your car for the season to safe driving behavior and habits in specific conditions. Along with their tips, they have a supplies checklist for a vehicle emergency pack.

Vehicle emergency pack

1. Flashlight
2. Flares
3. First-aid kit
4. Blanket
5. Warm winter clothes
6. Bag of sand or salt (to use for traction if your tires get stuck)
7. Snow-brush, ice scraper and snow shovel
8. Wiper fluid
9. Paper towels
10. Food and water

You might already have some of these things in the trunk, but have a look through and make sure everything still works. Add the items you're missing and throw them together in a backpack. Hopefully you only ever need to go in there for some sand or an ice scraper, but if you do ever find yourself needing flares or warm blankets, it could save your life.

It's been a miserable year for allergy sufferers: everyone I know who has problems with ragweed, including me, felt sickly for months.

Now that it's almost December, it's just about time for everyone to come down with colds and flus. Many happen at this time of year, due to germs passed around during social gatherings and holiday shopping, nasal passage dryness caused by artificial indoor heating, and the indoor allergies that proliferate in colder areas during the winter.

Constant congestion can lead to sinus infections, which require a visit to the doctor, and antibiotics, to clear up (even if the initial illness was viral). But there's some simple maintenance you can do that will nip a potential sinus infection in the bud: rinsing out your sinuses, also known as nasal or sinus irrigation or lavage.

This may seem gross, but most people who try it find it extremely helpful. It clears out stagnant mucous and helps to moisturize your nasal passages. It's my number-one "Don't get sick!" tip. Find supplies, recipes, and instructions after the break.

Home heating costs are expected to be sky-high this winter as oil prices continue to soar. Are you ready to fight back? One thing everyone can do is weather-strip windows and doors.

First, look for drafts and determine to what extent weather-stripping is necessary. In an old house like mine, it's pretty-much a given. In newer houses or homes that have been weather-stripped in previous years, check anyway. That's because cracks can appear anywhere at any time.

Not sure if you're feeling any airflow? Try holding a lit candle or match up to the spot in question. If the flame quivers, you'll know you have work to do! One determined couple recommends the following two-pronged method: one person holds the candle up while another stands on the outside blowing air from a hair dryer in the direction of the candlelight. Not a bad suggestion, huh?

A sneeze pushes air out of our bodies at 100 mph. That's a pretty alarming speed for a simple sneeze! Still, that explains why you wouldn't want to stop a sneeze that's starting. If a sneeze is on its way out, don't hold it in or plug your nose, you could really hurt yourself, and cause serious problems over time. Here is a great collection of techniques that stop a sneeze from coming on. Here are a few of the ones that stood out to me.

• Press your tongue firmly behind your front teeth. Hold it there.
• At the first sign of a sneeze, pinch the tip of your nose.
• With the tip of your tongue, tickle the roof of your mouth. The sneezing sensation will disappear in about 10 seconds.
• Think dark: Just as staring into bright light can make you sneeze, looking at a big dark area will help suppress the sneeze.
  

A sneeze at the wrong time can be embarrassing. Use some of these tips to avoid having a sneeze attach over Thanksgiving dinner or in an important presentation.

If you see a friend about to let one go, yell "pineapple" or some other random word. They might think you've completely lost your mind, but they will have forgotten about the need to sneeze.

For those who get cold sores or fever blisters, this is a dreaded season. Outbreaks are more common and dry uncomfortable skin seems to slow the healing process. Here are 9 ways to speed the healing and control the spread of these painful lesions.

1. Make sure you have a cold sore
   Confirm what you're dealing with so that you can treat it effectively.
   
2. Notice when an outbreak is pending
   The affected area will feel tender and sore. You will likely notice a small bump before an actual outbreak. If you catch the sore before it's completely erupted you'll have an easier time treating it.
   
3. Quarantine your sore
   Yes, that means no smooching. Keep the sore to yourself. Don't share drinks or dishes with people. Wash your hands well and avoid touching the sore.
   
4. Toss the toothbrush
   You could be reinfecting yourself, so get a new toothbrush and start fresh.
   
5. Take an antiviral medication
   Ask your doctor about medication that you can take to suppress outbreaks and stop from passing them on.
   
6. Take care of the fever
   Cold sores and fevers often go hand in hand, particularly in children. Monitor and treat the fever.
   
7. Ease the pain
   Over the counter creams and pain medication can help ease the pain. 10 minutes with an ice-pack or a whole milk compress will also do the trick.
   
8. Have patience
   Outbreaks typically take 2 weeks to subside. Picking at the sore will only agitate it and prolong the healing process.
   
9. Talk to your doctor
   If healing doesn't progress as you'd expect or if you are in particular pain, talk to your doctor. The doctor may recommend a vitamin B complex and amino acids.

That nasty looking cold sore is not going to compliment your new holiday outfit. Look your best and spare your date the awkward moment of rejecting your goodnight kiss by following these useful tips for quick healing and quarantine of the dreaded cold sore.

The changing season hosts a whole lot of cold bugs. Usually when children have sneezing and coughing in the middle of classmates and neighbors with colds, we assume they have the same. More often than not it's true, but sometimes these symptoms can get dismissed as a cold when in fact they are allergies. So, how do we decode these symptoms and figure out if it is something we need to deal with or just let pass?

Parents.com has this 10 question quiz that will help determine weather or not your child is showing the first sign of allergies or just battling a common cold. The questions range from which season they are most affected to the color of nasal discharge. The sound of your child's voice and the frequency of itching eyes and nose are also important clues.

Ultimately you'll probably know what you're dealing with, but if you are a little unsure this quiz is a great way to find out.

When most people think of camping they imagine a few nights of sleeping outdoors in a state or provincial park, hiking during the day, and roasting marshmallows and drinking by the fire at night. To others this sounds like a poor excuse for "roughing it," and they are not at all satisfied by regular camping. Some people want extreme survivor type experiences where they are actually battling the elements and challenging themselves to the fullest, both physically and emotionally. If you're one of these people, your season is coming. Start planning now for winter snow camping.

Snow camping takes a lot more preparation, and carries harsh impacts for those who plan poorly. If you're planning on trying this out for the first time, it's wise to get some expert advice, especially when it comes to packing. This checklist is a great resource, listing off all the snow camping essentials. Each category has an abundance of items listed under it. It is a very thorough list so be sure to check it out in its entirety. Here are the main headings:

The last thing a DIY'er needs is to be held back by a nasty cold. Here we are at the close of summer, heading into a new school year and a new season of colds. Your children will bring them home from school, your partner will carry it home from work, and you'll notice every runny-nose child in a shopping cart, just waiting to pass it your way. Colds seem unavoidable, but they don't have to be.

LifeHacker pointed us to this Prevention article titled Stay Cold-Free This Winter. They list six simple things to can do to avoid catching a cold. I found the most interesting one to be the suggestion that we should carry our own pens. It seems simple, we avoid sharing all sorts of other things in attempts to avoid a cold. Still we often borrow pens from one another, or use common pens for things like signing kids in and out of school or into a doctor's appointment. Take a look through their five other suggestions. They are all simple, easy to do things that will significantly reduce your exposure to cold germs.

Try some of these tips along with washing your hands frequently, and teaching your children to do the same. Good luck dodging the upcoming cold season!