>U Mom Knows Best: colds
Showing posts with label colds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label colds. Show all posts

5 Supplements That You Need For Cold And Flu Season

 This cold and flu season is brutal, with so many people sick. The germs are everywhere and hard to avoid. The best way to stay well is by building a strong immune system. Keep reading to discover some products that help your immunity.


 Catching a cold is no fun. From a sore throat and congestion to a cough that will not stop, being sick is no fun. We will do anything to avoid getting sick from avoiding sick people to wearing a face mask. Avoiding the germs that make us sick is a hard thing to do. 

 The simple fact is people are contagious before they start showing any symptoms. So one must take a proactive approach to not becoming sick. One needs to develop healthy habits to keep their immunity system strong. So when the cold and flu germs enter the body, your body can fight them before they can make you sick.

 If the germs do make you sick, a body with a healthy immune system will make the length of the sickness shorter. 

Healthy Habits For Winter Wellness

The best healthy habit to stay well is washing your hands. Following proper hand-washing techniques is one of the best things that you can do during the cold and flu season. Other healthy habits are daily exercise and following a healthy meal plan that is rich in fruits and vegetables. Sleep is important and so is managing stress as lack of sleep and stress weakens your immune system. 

6 Healthy Habits For Winter Wellness

~ Washing your hands

~ Daily Exercise

~ Healthy Diet

~ Sleep 

~ Avoid Stress

~ Using Supplements That Boost The Immune System

Supplements That Build Up The Immune System

 Along with following healthy habits, one needs to take wellness supplements to protect their body against the dreadful viruses that make you sick. Vitamin C and elderberry syrup are good supplements to take during cold and flu season. People also use zinc and a daily multivitamin but many other supplements can help keep your immune system strong.

 Through my research of immune-boosting supplements, I discovered some immune supplements. These natural products have immunity benefits against the common cold and other illnesses. So keep reading to discover some supplements that may help you avoid catching the cold and flu germs.

This post contains affiliate links

1. BareOrganics Marine Super Greens Powder

This Super Sea Greens from BareOrganics is formulated with 3 super green seaweeds ~ kelp, chlorella, and spirulina for a boost of beneficial nutrients. These three superfoods deliver essential fuel for your body with unique micro and macronutrients to keep you feeling your absolute best.


When your body is feeling its best, it is able to fight off those germs that make you sick. Seaweed has many benefits and one of those benefits is gut health. A healthy gut helps the immune system. This Super Sea Green powder mixes easily into a smoothie or a glass of juice. You can even mix it into oatmeal or yogurt. The Marine Super Greens is vegan and gluten-free. BareOrganics packs this superfood into a reusable jar that is BPA-FREE and dishwasher-safe. 

Buy BareOrganics Marine Super Greens Powder

2. BareOrganics Immunity Superfood Water Enhancers

 This delicious water enhancer from BareOrganics contains vitamins B & C and superfoods ginger and turmeric which may help boost the body's natural defenses. The convenient stick packages are easy to mix with hot, or cold water. You can even mix the powder into sparkling water, juice, a smoothie, or your favorite beverage.


The water enhancer contains no added sugar and is vegan and gluten-free. The drink powder has a delicious orange tangerine flavor. The drink packets are easy to take on the go and are perfect for traveling,

Buy BareOrganics Immunity Superfood Water Enhancers 



3. ZYN Immunity & Recovery Drink

 Hydration is important for immunity and these  ZYN Immunity & Recovery Drinks have immunity-boosting ingredients. Each delicious drink contains 200mg of Curcumin equal to 15 turmeric roots, 100% of the daily value for Vitamin C and Zinc.


Turmeric root is scientifically known to be a potent antioxidant. Turmeric also promotes a stronger immune system and rapid recovery from illness. This delicious plant-based drink comes in a variety of flavors and contains no sugar.

Purchase ZYN Immunity & Recovery Drink 

4. PEAK REVIVAL-X Sulforaphane+ 

 Sulforaphane is a powerful supplement that comes from broccoli. This supplement is loaded with antioxidants and other healthy benefits. Antioxidants are awesome for immune health. 

PEAK REVIVAL-X Sulforaphane+ also has other healthy benefits like cellular health, cognitive function, liver health, and overall vitality. This powerful supplement features a whopping 5000mcg of real, activated, lab-verified sulforaphane.


Sulforaphane+ is designed to support your body's natural defenses, helping you achieve optimal health and well-being. By incorporating Peak Revival-X's Sulforaphane+ into your daily routine, you can:

• Boost your immune system

• Support healthy cellular function

• Promote detoxification processes

• Enhance cognitive function

• Improve skin health

Purchase PEAK REVIVAL-X Sulforaphane+ 



5. Power Life High Impact Plant Protein

 One would not think of protein powder being good for immunity but it is, especially when it is loaded with plant-based ingredients. Protein is always talked about for recovery, sports performance, and body shaping, but one of its most vital roles is to support immune function. Research shows that a protein deficiency can significantly impair immune function and increase our susceptibility to infectious diseases.

 Power Life High Impact Plant Protein contains plenty of complete plant protein as well as Chromium, Aquamin® Marine Algae, and vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is an immune booster vitamin and Marine Algae contains 72 trace minerals that also help support the immune system. 

Click on the photo to buy Power Life High Impact Plant Protein and save 10%

Power Life


Keep Safe This Cold & Flu Season With Kid Friendly Soaps & Sanitizers

This cold and flu season help your children properly wash their hands with some fun kid-friendly soap and sanitizers.

This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I received samples of the following products

 It's cold and flu season again and many parents are still struggling to get children to properly wash their hands. So these new soaps and hand sanitizers will make hand-washing fun for kids! So they will want to wash their hands and may just spend more time scrubbing away the dirt and germs off their hands. From soap tablets to color-changing soap, there is a fun array of soaps and hand sanitizers that will not only leave kid's hands clean but will also give them a fun tactile activity.

 As a parent to five kids, I know the frustration of getting kids to wash their hands. You hear them in the bathroom after they go potty and you never hear them turn on the water to wash their hands. So you are constantly reminding them to head back to the bathroom to wash their hands. This is after they have placed their germy hands on the bathroom doorknob. I still have to remind my teen boys to soap up and wash their hands. 

 Or they come home from school or outdoor play and they do a quick hand washing that does not meet the proper handwashing technique of sing happy birthday 2 times. So you send them back to the sink to lather up with soap once again. You want to keep your kids healthy during cold and flu season. Handwashing is one of the many ways to take care of all those nasty germs. If only there was an easier way to get kids excited about cleaning their hands!

Natural Products That You Need For Cold & Flu Season

Kid-Friendly Soaps & Sanitizers

 I have discovered some amazing products that might just get your children excited about using soap and water on their hands. These kid-friendly soaps and sanitizers will not only clean their hands but they will also wash away many of the germs that cause them to be sick. From color-changing soap to scented hand sanitizers, these handwashing products will keep kids scrubbing longer and make it fun to wash the dirt off their hands.

 Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty just introduced a brand-new line of soaps and sanitizers that combine Crazy Aaron's amazing color technology to make handwashing a fun experience for kids. These color-changing kid-friendly soaps and hand sanitizer are made with gentle and effective ingredients. So kids will want to use these fun products to get the germs off their hands.

 Give children an extra reason to wash their hands! Created using Hypercolor technology, Crazy Arron's color-changing natural foam soap is a blast to use. Watch as it changes from blue, pink, or green to white in your hands to let kids know when they have thoroughly scrubbed. The soap rinses clear and smells terrific, too! The Color Hand Sanitizer encourages kids to sanitize their hands with a colorful creation. Made from top-quality ingredients, this fresh gel features layers of colors and shimmering glitter. The fun designs on the bottles encourage kids to pick them up to kill the nasty germs that make them sick. 

 From the award-winning brand WeCool, a leader in the slime and arts & crafts categories, CRAZY CLEANZ 20 Second Soap is a portable soap that will encourage kids to lather up. These individually wrapped soap tablets can be used at home and on the go. Kids will have fun adding water to the tablets to create a fun way to wash their hands. The 20 Second Soap uses no harsh chemicals and does not irritate the skin. Each package is filled with a variety of shapes that kids can use at home or at school to wash the dirt and germs off their hands.

 Crazy Cleanz 20 Second Soap is powerfully formulated to kill bacteria & germs on contact within 20 seconds of handwashing. Crazy Cleanz 20 Second Soap makes hand washing more fun!

 Crazy Cleanz also makes fun portable hand sanitizer that kids can attach to their backpack so they will always have a way to sanitize their hands wherever they are. The Crazy Cleanz hand sanitizers are colorful and make killing the germs on kid's hands so easy. 

 Crazy Cleanz Hand Sanitizer is made of a unique formula of 62% Ethyl Alcohol that is powerful in helping reduce bacteria on contact yet gentle for use on delicate hands. Suitable for all ages of children and adults.

"Pikotaro," the YouTube sensation who brought the "PPAP" song (“Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen!”),  is back – with a new version of his famous song to promote proper hand-washing as well as a new hand soap, PIKOWash! This hand and body soap creates a rich lather to cut dirt and grime on the skin. The soap contains olive oil to gently moisturize the skin. So kid's skin will be clean and smooth. 

 Pikotaro's newest video will promote proper handwashing in a fun and engaging way. A portion of all sales of the PIKOWash soap will be donated to charities for children. I love that the soap comes wrapped up in a fun package. 

  SPLATZ, the first innovation from One Fun, are eco-friendly bubbles of pure hand soap that literally SPLAT! when kids squeeze them underwater. Developed by an entrepreneurial designer (and MOM) and two Harvard/MIT scientists using a patent-pending formula and made in the USA with all-natural ingredients, these irresistible balls of fun change the way kids think about washing their hands.


Which fun product will you be buying to encourage your children to wash their hands?

Washing the dirt and germs off your hands is just one of the many steps to keeping your family healthy during cold and flu season. So equip your sinks with some fun and colorful soap products. You may just have to tell your kids to stop washing their hands so often, not! That would be a wonderful problem to have. Teach your kids at a young age that handwashing is a good thing.










Natural Products That You Need For Cold & Flu Season

Be prepared for this cold and flu season with natural products. 

 Products mentioned were received as samples from companies that I met at Shiftcon and Wow Summit.

 The weather is starting to get chilly here and I am not happy about that. I hate it when I have to close the windows in my house and have to start wearing more clothes. I am a shorts and tank top kind of gal and hate when I have to start wearing pants. The other things that I dislike about the change of seasons are it gets dark way too early and the cold germs that my family is exposed to. So that means I have to make changes in my schedule, like running later in the day, as I hate running in the cold. Running in the cold affects my asthma and that makes me cough up a lung. The cold weather also means it is time to stock up on natural products that protect and help my family with cold and flu season.


Check out these 10 tips for exercising with asthma

My favorite cold and flu season products
 I have some favorite natural products that are always in my pantry and cabinets for cold and flu season. These are my go-to products that help keep my family healthy and some also help my kids with cold symptoms if they catch a cold. I would love to say my kids are never sick but unfortunately despite my best efforts, those germs still attack my family. My kids do have a few colds but I have discovered that eating healthy foods, exercising, and some natural supplements have helped them get well quicker. l also praise frequent handwashing to help keep the germs from attacking my kid's immune system. Since germs are also airborne, I also stock my fridge and medicine cabinet with natural products that help my kids feel better and get over their colds faster.

Teaching Kids About The Importance Of Hand Washing 

This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Honey syrup
 When my boys are not feeling well and they have a sore throat or cough, I reach for a delicious-tasting soothing honey syrup to help my boys feel better. My boys like the taste of the Manuka honey syrup and it helps them feel better. As a parent, I know if the supplement does not taste good, they will not take it. So half the battle is always getting my boys to try the syrup. I recommend having your kids taste the natural product before they get sick that way they will cooperate better when they are sick. My boys gave 2 thumbs up to this grape and orange-flavored soothing syrups and they really enjoyed the soothing pops. I had to hide the honey soothing pops so I would have them on hand when my boys have a tickle in their throat from the common cold.


Cold & Flu Honey Lemon Ginger Tea

  My boys love drinking tea when the weather gets cold and I always stock my house with ingredients like lemon, honey, and ginger so I can make an amazing tea that has the healing powers to relieve cold symptoms. My Cold & Flu Honey Lemon Ginger Tea helps soothe a sore throat while also helping to clear the mucus gunk from the nose. This delicious tea also has ingredients in it to strengthen the immunity system so I encourage my boys to drink it daily. I keep a batch of premade Honey Lemon Ginger Tea in the fridge so my boys can drink it over ice or warm it up for a soothing warm drink that is great at night. I find that warm tea always helps my boys relax and that makes it easier for them to fall asleep. Did you know that Manuka Honey is known to support digestive and immune health? This delicious honey also helps to soothe coughs and sore throats so I encourage my boys to add honey to their tea and other things like yogurt and oatmeal.



Black Elderberry
 My boys love the taste of black elderberry and I encourage them to have black elderberry gummies daily before the head off to school. When I notice my boys coming down with the sniffles or coughing, I then give them black elderberry syrup to help their immune system get stronger so their cold does not last more than a couple of days. I also take black elderberry syrup when my boys are sick so I can strengthen my immune system. That way I don't become sick. I love that black elderberry comes in so many different formulas and is a natural supplement that helps the immune system. It is a homeopathic medicine that is safe to use with kids.


Vitamin C
 Vitamin C is always a good supplement for kids to have year-round. The best way for kids to get their daily C is from fresh or frozen fruit. So I encourage my boys to eat oranges and strawberries during cold and flu season to keep their immune system healthy. When my boys are not feeling well, I then use a high-dose vitamin C supplement to boost their immune system so it can fight off the germs better. My boys love the taste of this vitamin C supplement and say it tastes like orange creme soda.  Vitamin C has been thoroughly researched and shown to help support the immune system. This delicious supplement can be used from 6 months of age so it is a great way to keep kids healthy during the cold and flu season.


Prebiotics and Probiotics
 Probiotics are great for the immune system so I give them to my boys daily. Probiotics help the digestive system too and they say that a healthy gut affects your whole body. I like to give my boys a daily prebiotic fiber supplement to improve the growth of helpful bacteria and decrease the harmful bacteria in their gut. I like using Regular Girl as it is a tasteless powder that mixes well into oatmeal, yogurt, juice, and even chocolate milk. So my boys get good bacteria for their immune system and it also keeps them regular in the potty department. So my boys do not experience school-time bathroom problems. Regular Girl helps my boys get their #2 done before they head to school.


CLICK HERE 
To Save Save 10% on Regular Girl with my coupon code MOMKNOBEST10

Regular Girl contains 5 grams of clinically proven prebiotic fiber (Sunfiber®), a perfect food source for the good bacteria in your gut. It moves through your system at just the right pace without the drag of creating excess gas or bloating. Regular Girl contains 8 billion active and clinically proven probiotics (Bifidobacterium lactis) that work in harmony with our Prebiotic Fiber, forming a union that maintains regularity and promotes wonderfully balanced intestinal health.

 Essential Oil Care
  I love using essential oils during cold and flu season. My favorite way to use essential oils with my boys is with an essential oil roll-on. My favorite cold & cough product naturally soothes coughing and provides a clearing aroma with a blend of essential oils. The essential oil formula contains 100% pure essential oils like Eucalyptus Oil and Tea Tree Oil and has a pleasant scent. This essential oil roll-on is easy to take on the go and I have used it while traveling. When I am having an asthma attack, I find that breathing in the aroma of the essential oils helps me to get some deep cleansing breaths in so I can clear the mucus from my lungs.


The power of echinacea
The use of echinacea for children has been researched for its ability to boost and support a healthy immune system. My boys enjoy the flavor of this easy-to-use echinacea supplement as it is flavored with a natural, sweet, orange essential oil. This delicious supplement can be used from 6 months of age so it is a great way to keep kids healthy during the cold and flu season.


Get Well Shots
 Most people have never heard of Moringa but it is a main ingredient in a delicious caffeine-free wellness supplement. The Get Well Shots contain the green superfood Moringa and a super berry called camu camu that is loaded with vitamin C and known to help strengthen the immune system. This small bottle packs some powerful immunity support and is so easy for kids to drink when they are not feeling well or on a daily basis to keep their immune systems strong. This dietary supplement is one of four plant-based supplements of the brand-new line of Green Tea Energy Plus+ wellness shots from Kuli Kuli!


Daily Immune Support Super Shots
   The power of elderberry is combined with pomegranate and beneficial cayenne in a caffeine-free tea base to give you a delicious daily super shot that will boost your immune system. I love that these super shots are packaged in eco-friendly glass bottles, making them great for the environment. This pretty purple shot is one of five different nutrient-dense wellness shots from Numi Organics that have functional ingredients in them. They are a convenient way to support your body during the cold and flu season.


Homemade Elderberry Syrup In The Pressure Cooker
 If you have the time and want to make your own elderberry syrup, you need to check out my DIY homemade Elderberry syrup recipe. This elderberry syrup is made from dried elderberries in a pressure cooker or instant pot. This recipe allows you to always have the immune support of elderberry on hand so you can keep your kids well during the winter season.



Elderberry Cold & Flu Fighting Gummies

 Elderberries naturally contain A, B, and C and stimulate the immune system. These dried berries are naturally high in immune-boosting compounds that are specifically shown to help beat the cold and flu more quickly. So after you make your homemade elderberry syrup, turn the purple syrup into delicious Elderberry Cold & Flu Fighting Gummies. These delicious purple gummies will make it super easy to get your kids to take their immune supplements so their bodies can be prepared to fight off the germs that kids come in contact with. Your kids will think the elderberry gummies are a treat but you will know that they are a great supplement for the cold and flu season.


 These supplements are always in my pantry so I can make sure that my family is prepared daily to go out into a world that is loaded with germs. Other things that I do during cold and flu season is to make sure my kids wash their hands, eat healthy foods, get plenty of exercise, and get the proper amount of sleep. As a mom, I want to make sure that my boys can stay well during the winter and these health supplements have helped me do just that.

Twelve Tips To Get A Better Night Of Sleep



Natural Products To Keep Kids Healthy Year Round

Schools are a germ-infested place! Check out how I keep my kids healthy during the school year.


             

 For most people with school-age kids, the school year has started. The swapping of germs has probably begun and if you are like me, you are taking measures to keep your kids well and in school. It is not a good thing when kids are sick as that means you have to miss work so you can stay home with your kids. If you are a stay-at-home parent that means you have to stay home and rearrange all your plans. The simple fact is no one likes being sick and no one likes taking care of a sick kid. As a parent, we will do anything to keep our kids healthy.


 I have been doing this parenting thing for 29 years and I have learned over the years how to keep my kids healthy so their bodies can resist the germs that they face every day at school. My oldest kids are 29,25, and 19 (they are out of the house) and my youngest are 11 and 12. My youngest two boys seem to have fewer illnesses than their older siblings and I think that has a lot to do with healthy practices that I have learned over the years. I like to joke with my older three kids that they were the practice kids as I do things way different from my younger two boys. Things that I have done differently, I think are keeping my boys healthy and they have less sickness than the older kids.

Pack more than food in their lunch box

 Schools seem to be a breeding place for germs and I think the number one way that kids contact those germs is on their hands. Kids touch so many things at school that could be loaded with germs and it is nearly impossible for my boys to avoid touching germs. So the one thing that I stress to my boys is to keep their hands away from their faces as the face has several holes like the mouth, nose, and eyes that germs can enter. Then I remind my boys to wash their hands before eating. That way germs do not get on their food. In a perfect world, my boys would wash their hands before lunch but the teachers do not give them time to wash their hands. So I pack a little something extra in my boy's lunch sack.


 I pack travel-size safe hand sanitizer in my boy's lunch containers. That way my boys can easily wipe or spray away the germs. This safe hand sanitizer has plant-based ingredients that smell good so kids will want to use them. 


Wash hands often
 I am huge into handwashing as a way to keep germs out of kid's bodies. I know that frequent hand washing has kept my boys from catching all those colds that are being passed around at school. I have taught my boys at an early age the importance of handwashing and these are the best handwashing tips to teach kids at any age. My boys know that they need to wash their hands before eating, after using the bathroom, and when they come into the house after school or from play. Frequent handwashing gets those germs and dirt off kids' hands so they have less chance of entering the body to cause an illness.



My boys love black elderberry syrup 



 When my boys head back to school, I stock up on black elderberry syrup and gummies. My boys love the taste of this immune support supplement. So I give my boys black elderberry on a regular basis to keep their immune system healthy. If my boys complain of a sore throat or start coughing, I give them some extra elderberry syrup so they can get over the cold quicker. I love making my own black elderberry syrup and elderberry gummies. These homemade recipes not only save me money but it ensure that I always have a generous supply of elderberry products in the house to keep my boys healthy during cold and flu season. I loved that last month I was able to share some samples of black elderberry gummies with my friends.

Black elderberries are one of nature’s richest sources of pigments called anthocyanins which have a remarkable ability to stimulate the body’s immune system.



Get my homemade DIY recipes for Black Elderberry Syrup and Black Elderberry Gummies

Homemade Elderberry Syrup In The Pressure Cooker
https://www.momknowsbest.net/2018/02/homemade-elderberry-syrup-in-pressure.html

Elderberry Cold & Flu Fighting Gummies
https://www.momknowsbest.net/2018/02/elderberry-cold-flu-fighting-gummies.html



Check out this natural alternative to cold medicine

 My boys do get fewer colds than their older siblings but they still do get the occasional cold despite all my efforts. Sometimes germs are airborne and these airborne germs can travel 15 to 25 feet in the air. As my husband who is a health inspector quoted " I can sneeze from the kitchen and those germs will travel quickly over to you." So when my boys do catch a cold, this mom makes them a natural alternative to cold medicine. This delicious lemon ginger tea soothes my boy's throat and helps clear all the gunk from their sinuses. The healthy ingredients in this cold and flu tea have germ-fighting immunity properties like vitamin C from the lemons. Even honey and ginger help support the immune system. So I like to drink this tea frequently in the winter to keep my body healthy. My boys love it when I make a pitcher of lemon ginger tea and store it in the fridge so they can enjoy it cold. The tea works best when it is warm for colds but can be enjoyed cold for immune support.

  Other things that I do to keep my boys healthy during cold and flu season and throughout the school year are feeding them healthy food and making sure they get plenty of exercise. My boys know that eating fruits and veggies will give them vitamin C which is good for fighting germs. They also know that healthy bodies need exercise. I like to think of exercise as the body heating up to zap the germs. My boys also drink plenty of water to stay well. My husband says I drink water like a fish but I rarely get sick so that water must be good for my body.

What healthy things do you practice to keep your kids healthy?

Natural Ways To Prepare For Cough And Flu Season

Natural strategies if your child gets sick

       Article provided By Bill Sears, MD, America’s Pediatrician. Products provided by Sambucol

 No parent likes to see their child sick. Having a sick child to care for can disrupt your day. If you are a mom who works outside the home, that means you have to take time off from work to take care of the sick child. If the child attends school, they are not able to attend school. You as a parent get little sleep as you tend to the child and the child is just plain miserable. So I would love to share some tips that I received from Bill Sears, MD. I had the pleasure of being able to meet Bill Sears, MD in person last fall at a Moms Meet Wow Summit and he is a man with lots of experience as a pediatrician and a parent. Bill Sears, MD is noted for his science-made-simple-and-fun approach to family health and believes that a healthy diet and natural products are best for kids when it comes to kids and colds. So enjoy an article that he wrote and I hope you get some great advice for keeping your kids well.



Natural strategies if your child gets sick

 There’s never a convenient time for your child to get sick. While missed school (and work!) days are going to happen, there are steps you can take to minimize them. As a pediatrician and a parent, I’m eager to share strategies to support their immune system so they’ll be less likely to get sick in the first place. I’m also including simple ways to address your child’s cough and cold symptoms that don’t involve medication.

My family loves Black Elderberry for coughs and colds
 When my child starts coughing he will ask for the Sambucol Black Elderberry syrup. 


 The best prevention strategy is a simple regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and good nutrition. Help your family maintain a healthy diet, packed with vitamins and nutrients including immune-boosting foods such as fish, citrus fruits and leafy vegetables, to help prevent the onset of illness. And stock up on items such as tissues, vitamin C, throat lozenges, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant spray. Keep them in one handy place to make illness prevention even easier.

Other strategies include:

 Wash hands often and properly: According to the CDC, hand washing is the most effective way to stay healthy. Teach your children to wash their hands frequently to help kill the viruses and bacteria they may have collected. Have them use regular soap and warm water to scrub their hands including the back of their hands, in between fingers and under nails for 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based gel if soap and water are not available. Remind your child to sneeze and cough into the crux of their elbow and to keep their hands away from their eyes, nose, and mouth.



 Disinfect to protect: Kids can touch and retouch more than 300 surfaces in just 30 minutes. You can help protect family members from picking up and spreading germs with their hands by spraying commonly touched surfaces and objects with a disinfectant after cleaning. Regular disinfection will help kill cold- and flu-causing viruses and bacteria before anyone in your family gets sick.


Start the whole family on daily superfruit protection. Black elderberries are one of nature’s richest sources of pigments called anthocyanins which have a remarkable ability to stimulate the body’s immune system. The best-researched form is Sambucol, available in great-tasting pectin-based Gummies, which is the original black elderberry supplement used during cough/cold season for natural immune support.

My boys love Black Elderberry Gummies!
  I boost my boy's immunity during cough and flu season with Black Elderberry Gummies. 




Natural strategies if your child gets sick

 If your child’s cold symptoms are not interfering with his sleep or daily activity, then you probably don’t need to use medication. Often the most effective treatments for colds are “non-medical” such as nasal saline spray, hot steam and simply drinking plenty of fluids.

Cold & Flu Honey Lemon Ginger Tea is great for fluids



Think before you use medication 

This is also important to note because all bottles of cold and cough meds that have dosing labels for kids under 2 have been taken off the shelves and are no longer available. Manufacturers have also just declared that these meds should not be used in children under 4 years of age.



 The reason for this is two-fold: First, there have been a number of infants and young children harmed by accidental overdoses of these meds when a parent mixed different meds together OR gave too high a dose, this is the reason that the FDA decided to step in and make them no longer available. Second, there has been very little research done on young kids to prove that cold and cough meds are safe and/or effective. Even though they seem to work well and rarely cause any problems when dosed properly, the FDA felt it was prudent to put a hold on their use until further safety and efficacy data become available, and we agree.

Sambucol has a great taste that kids love


Some things you might try instead include:

Steam cleaning: For coughs, running noses and congestion, give your child steam, steam, and more steam. For infants and young children, turn the bathroom into a steam room with the door closed and the shower on full hot. Sit in there for 10 or 15 minutes. For older children, use a facial steamer or pot of hot water (carefully!). The steam will help loosen the nose and chest congestion and help your child cough it up or blow it out. Do this steam cleaning every morning and before bed, as well as during the day if possible. Clap the chest and back. While you sit in the bathroom steaming, clap on your child’s chest and back (where the lungs are) firmly (harder than burping) with an open hand. This helps shake the mucus loose so your child can cough it up better.

Sleep upright: If possible, encourage your child to sleep in a slightly upright position. This allows for easier breathing during sleep.

Clear out their nose: For older children, it is crucial to have them blow their nose several times during a steam cleaning, as well as frequently throughout the day. Getting out all the junk will help prevent this from turning into a bacterial infection. An alternative to steaming is to use a nasal decongestant spray to loosen up the nasal congestion before blowing it out. For infants too young to blow their nose, you can suction them out using a blue rubber bulb syringe.



Drink twice as much liquid as usual: This will help to thin secretions and prevent dehydration.

 If you choose to use medication to treat coughs and colds, do so only when the symptoms are interfering with your child’s daily life or keeping them, or you, awake at night. It’s okay to let your child cough several times an hour during the day. It is better for her to cough up the mucus so it doesn’t sit in her lungs. It is also better to tolerate a runny nose or some nasal congestion during the day if it isn’t bothering your child.

 Always contact your doctor if you have a gut feeling that your child is unusually ill, or if her symptoms worsen or don’t improve after more than four days. Persistent high fever, dehydration, severe cough with chest pain and shortness of breath, or a severe headache with a stiff, painful back-of-the-neck and persistent vomiting may be signs that something more serious is going on.

This mom loves that Black Elderberry comes in many forms 


About the author: 
William Sears, M.D. William Sears, M.D., has been advising parents on how to raise healthier families for over 40 years. He received his medical training at Harvard Medical School’s Children’s Hospital in Boston and The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, the world’s largest children’s hospital, where he was associate ward chief of the newborn intensive care unit before serving as the chief of pediatrics at Toronto Western Hospital, a teaching hospital of the University of Toronto. He has served as a professor of pediatrics at the University of Toronto, University of South Carolina, University of Southern California School of Medicine, and University of California: Irvine. A father of 8 children, he and his wife Martha have written more than 45 books and hundreds of articles on parenting, childcare, nutrition, and healthy aging. He is the co-founder of the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute for training health coaches, and he runs the health and parenting website AskDrSears.com. Dr. Sears and his contribution to family health were featured on the cover of TIME
Magazine in May 2012. He is noted for his science-made-simple-and-fun approach to family health.






Theraflu PowerPods For Cold & Flu Relief

No one likes to be sick ever!

        I was provided with samples of Theraflu.

  When you are sick, you are tired, weak and just plain miserable. It seems that even making a glass of tea can be a chore. Sometimes even taking medicine is hard. Now you can make a soothing warm drink and take cold relief medicine at the same time with a simple push of a button. These single pods make a tasty drink that offers amazing relief for your cold symptoms. The pods come in day and night formulas. So now all you have to do is press a button for cold relief.



About Theraflu PowerPods
Powerful relief for severe cold & flu symptoms ready at the push of a button.
Theraflu PowerPods turn your single-serve coffee machine into a cold & flu fighting machine. Unleash the power of Theraflu from quick and easy-to-use PowerPods and start relieving the symptoms of your severe cold or flu.

What Symptoms Do Theraflu PowerPods Relieve?
Theraflu PowerPods can help relieve your most severe cold and flu symptoms including nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, body aches, fever, and sinus congestion.


Practical Products For Healthy Kid Winter Survival



Be prepared this winter with these kid health products!


I received several samples to facilitate this post.

 Are you ready for winter? Most people get ready for winter by making sure everyone has warm clothes and making sure that the heater is working. While others think about all those germs and the miserable colds/flu that the kids are always coming down with. So they take the kids to the doctor for their flu shot and start thinking of ways to keep the family healthy through diet and hand washing. Everyone starts the winter thinking that this is going to be the winter that no one gets sick. Despite all the best practices, someone always comes down with a cold. So be prepared this winter with some practical products that you should keep on hand this winter so you are prepared for a sick child.

 Ten Tips For Keeping The Family Healthy

Vitamins are a must for winter survival


  Vitamins are a winter survival must-have in my house. When kids have the vitamins & minerals that their body needs, they are able to fight the germs better. My kids are picky when it comes to taking their daily vitamin and I have learned if it does not taste good, they will not take it. My boys like these Non-GMO Gummy multivitamins from Simply Natural Nutritionals. The delicious flavors of strawberry, cherry, and orange have 30% less sugar than other brands. My boys like that they do not stick to their braces either. These soft gummies are free of soy, nut, yeast, dairy, gelatin, salt, fish, egg, and gluten also!


Check out this Cold & Flu Honey Lemon Ginger Tea

Mommy my ear hurts!


  What mom wants to hear their little one complain about an earache? Not me and the last that I want is a costly doctor visit only to hear that it was just excess ear wax. Did you know that excess ear wax buildup can cause infection, earache, temporary hearing loss, etc? Not all earaches are ear infections and it just may be too much hard wax that needs to be washed out. If the child does not have a fever or other signs of a cold, then try the Wax RX Wash System before calling the doctor. My older son used to always complain of his ears hurting and after I washed out the ear wax blockage, the pain went away. This professional-grade ear wax cleaning system is easy to use at home with a super easy 3-step process!

My boys love Elderberry Cold & Flu Fighting Gummies

 A go-to winter travel must have kid product


 The last time I traveled, I experienced an incredible ear pressure pain in my ears. It started on the airplane and the pain was awful. It took a long time for my ear to pop, in fact, one ear had the increased pressure several hours after we landed. I wish that I had packed EarPlanes in my carry-on bag. These wonderful soft earplugs come in kid and adult size and can help kids with the pain and popping of air pressure while in-flight or with other pressures of the air. I will be using the EarPlanes on my next trip so I do not experience that awful pressure pain again in my ears. I like that they even have a strap with them so they do not get lost while on the airplane.


 This homemade elderberry syrup is great for cold/flu season!

A soft bunny will help kids rest when they are sick


 When kids are sick they need their rest and this cute Xander Bunny stuffed animal will comfort kids so they can rest. This soft plush bunny comes with a removable heating pack that is filled with Michigan cherry pits & lavender. The bunny provides warmth and the soothing scent of 100% natural lavender that helps kids fall asleep. This bunny is the perfect sick day companion and can also be used as a bedtime buddy year-round. Unlike some stuffed animals, the animal cover of the Xander Bunny can be hand or machine washed to keep it clean and germ-free. This adorable bunny also comes with a 100 % lavender spray so you can spray the relaxing scent on other items or in the air.

What are you must-have practical products for healthy kid winter survival?



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