California Educator

April 2016

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Allergy Smackdown B E C A U S E O F E L N I Ñ O rains, spring came early for many of us — along with allergy season. While over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants help, there are other ways to halt hay fever. Among them: Be proactive. Visit an allergist to find out what you're allergic to, then track daily pollen counts. That way, you'll know when to stay indoors, or when to wear a mask outside. Hint: Most trees pol- linate in the morning, so head out later in the day. Eat clean (and green). Avoid dairy, which produces phlegm. Load up on anti-inflammatory foods like deeply pigmented fruits and veggies. Clear the air. While you probably can't ask students to leave their shoes at the door, you can help clear out pollens, dust mites and mold spores with an air purifier. Flush your nose. Use a Neti pot with a solution of warm dis- tilled water and salt; see WebMD.com or MayoClinic.org and search "Neti" for instructions. Take a shower. Rinse off to remove outdoor pollens. Remove and wash clothes you've worn outside and wash bed linens and blankets in hot water weekly. Get stuck. Acupuncture has been shown to ease allergy symp- toms and reliance on antihistamines. Change the way you clean. Harsh chemical cleaners can irritate airways and make them more susceptible to allergies. Use green cleaners like vinegar and baking soda instead. For more allergy tips, see NEA Member Benefits at bit.ly/1UQRaRY. Planning for Summer Fun R E M E M B E R T H A T C T A has you covered when it comes to family fun, with discount tickets to movie theaters, Disneyland, Legoland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Aquarium of the Pacific, Gilroy Gardens, and much more. See ctamemberbenefits.org for details. Save at the Gym G E T T I N G Y O U R M O N E Y ' S worth out of a gym member- ship can be tough. Be smart before signing up: Do a test workout. Take advantage of the free trial. Go when you typically work out; try the classes and use the locker room. Know what you want (great yoga classes? swimming pool?) and what you don't need. Don't lock yourself in. The longer the contract period, the cheaper your monthly rate. Read the terms and make sure you can handle the commitment. A month-to-month plan or a contract that lets you opt out may work better. Beware the free session. The "fitness assessment" with a personal trainer is often just a sales pitch for train- ing sessions. Bring your friends. Many gyms have referral pro- grams that reward you for signing up friends. If you and a group of friends sign up together, you may be able to get a lower monthly rate for the whole group. Your busi- ness may also be able to negotiate a group rate. — Ryan Ermey NEA Member Benefits; content provided by The Kiplinger Washington Editors © 2016 14 cta.org YOUR WHOLE LIFE Tips and trends for a smarter, healthier you

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