Keep Your Kids Healthy this Winter!

It’s so easy to want to hibernate during the winter time to keep your kids safe from cold and flu season. Trust me if it was an option, I would be doing it! But it’s not an option so as moms we have to do our best to keep our family’s immune system as strong as it can be. We all know eating right is the key to staying healthy but there are other things you can do to boost your immune system.

1. Go outside in the sun – A lot of people think you can get sick from the cold. But the truth the cold boosts your immunity and staying inside spreads germs. So spend time outside to pick up natural Vitamin D from the sun. If not you will need to supplement with Vitamin D. There are some foods that are high in Vitamin D including fish (salmon, oysters, herring, mackerel, sardines and oil packed Tuna), eggs, mushrooms, milk, salami, and ham.

2. A spoonful a day of Black Elderberry syrup– My doctor swears by this. We started taking this after my husband got the flu last year. When you feel the signs of a cold, take two tablespoons of this (1/2 tablespoon for kids) a day. It surprisingly works.

3. Take Cod Liver Oil – This has been a popular supplement for many years. Cod Liver Oil contains high levels of Vitamin A and Vitamin D. Just one spoonful gives you tons of what you need to fight off a cold.

4. Eat more garlic – Garlic is a superfood that boosts your immune system. Even taking garlic capsules can help.

5. Drink green tea, or other teas – Why not keep warm in the winter by enjoying a little tea during the day. Green tea and chamomile tea are said to strengthen your immunity.

6. Exercise – Exercise is good for you at any time. Even when you are sick, or feeling a cold coming on, it’s a good idea to go for a walk to do some yoga. Going outside for a walk with give you the exercise you need and expose you to the Vitamin D rays of the sun.

Finally as with all advice you will hear about healthy living, avoid processed food and soft drinks. Foods high in refined sugars or high-fructose corn syrup have no value to your system and just weaken it as you try to battle a cold or the flu.