The flu worked its way through my house last week, so I spent a lot of time searching on CafeMom for ways to feel better—stat! Moms in the Green Organic Natural Simple Living group had some great suggestions for natural remedies to relieve cold and flu symptoms...

I just wrote about my 4 year old daughter's addiction to back rubs in Toddler Buzz, and now I really need a massage. Maybe it's because of the cat gene, that I always have tensed-up typist shoulders, or just that I find massages one of life's greatest pleasures.

My mother-in-law took a class once and learned how to do something called Indian head massages. I don't know if she was doing it right, but basically she grabbed my hair between her fingers and shook away. It kinda hurt, but left a tingling feeling on my scalp. Okay, so I loved it. I'm sick, I know.

I've also done reflexology, which is supposed to have some kind of wholistic healing benefit and may even bring on labor, but for me it was just a way to get someone to rub my feet. Purrrr ....

Many CafeMoms say they use Abreva to treat their cold cores, the very annoying and embarrassingly public form of herpes simplex virus 1. But it costs up to $18 for a teensy tube.

Other CafeMoms have found a much cheaper, natural method of shrinking the ugly sores on their lips and mouths: tea tree oil.

What is tea tree oil?

It's the essential oil extracted from the leaves of an Australian plant. Known for itsantimicrobial properties, it's been used for centuries by aboriginals to heal burns, cuts and wounds. And you can pick up a whole bottle for about $5. Some moms say it's also great for acne.

Ugh. This weekend I could barely make it through my jogging workout. I think the 90 percent humidity had something to do with it. But I also just felt tired. Not the "usual workout" tired, but the "I want to get into my bed and never get out of it" tired.

After reading this article, I'm wondering if maybe I don't have enough quercetin in my daily diet...

I'm writing this story about carpal tunnel syndrome because as I type this sentence my wrists are killing me and it seemed appropriate.

Now, I don't technically have carpal tunnel, which is when overworked muscles, tendons and ligaments compress nerves.

My problem is that my tendons and ligaments are too flexible, so my arms and hands have to work extra hard to keep in the typing pose. None of my nerves are involved. But the symptoms are the same, horrible pain and tingling in my elbows, wrists and fingers.

There's no cure, or treatment, or surgery that will work 100 percent to take away my pain. So I'm curious about a strange new carpal tunnel treatment called cupping.

Photo from The Ferris Wheel's Shop

But who wants to even start getting frisky when you head is pounding? Not me. So I found some other all-natural cures for a headache.

Spring is in the air and for me that means stuff is in my nose. Pollen, pet dander, dust, and who knows what else, all set off my allergies. I'm so sensitive that sometimes just playing outside with a dog (I'm a part-time dog walker) will give me a rash, watery eyes, and a runny nose (do I make you randy baby?). I take Zyrtec, Nasonex, and Benadryl as needed, but I'd never heard of nasal rinsing before. That is, until I was given a free sample.

Photo by ToXicReuX

I've heard of this before, but I never believed people really did it. And then I came across a post on momlogic where two new moms shared their recipes...

Annabelle holds Toast

I am in love.

Her name is Toast, and she's my 6-month-old mutt. She's half Maltese and half Shih Zu. I am not sure what I would save first in a fire: My iPhone or my dog. Definitely my dog.

I begged and pleaded for this puppy, and I'm glad my husband finally gave in. Toast--she is named after my favorite restaurant--is my sweet fur baby who never gives me lip and doesn't throw herself on the floor at CVS.

My dog is more than my little love, she's also good for my health.

Here are 5 benefits of having a pet.

I saw these people on Oprah yesterday who do extreme dieting. They believe they'll live longer by practicing the calorie restriction diet.

They eat the minimum amount of food to stay alive. Some eat just 1,000 to 1,950 calories per day.

The surprising thing is, Dr. Oz says this diet may work. These dieters may have found the fountain of youth. But my question is, without eating food, who would want to live a long time?

I love my food.