So far, we've been blessed to have no had the flu (swine or otherwise), although our home has been visited by some nasty coughing and snottiness of late. It's very important to me, as a Mom, to make a point to be PROactive about sickness. Sometimes there's just nothing you can do about it--it's going to happen. But here are a few things I do to try and keep the flu bug away:
1. Say NO to sugar.
Did you know that sugar practically eradicates the immune system? Just wipes it out. Rendering your precious children defenseless to all the bugs flying around, just looking for a place to land! Consequently, my kids just don't get much of it (much to Grandmothers' dismay). I avoid sweet tea, and any fruit juice I give them is done so only after careful investigation of its label. Don't be fooled by "100 % juice". I'd much rather feed my kids a fresh orange than give them a sugary juice version. They love oranges and eat about two a day--apiece. Good things they've been on sale for 10 cents EACH at Wal-Mart.
2. Keep them home as much as possible.
Since my kids do not go to daycare or preschool, and since I will be fortunate enough to homeschool my kids, they are spared the "germ swapping" that most kids are subject to on a daily basis. If there's any way possible, I even avoid taking them to Wal-Mart. We may be hermits, but hopefully we'll be healthy hermits. They do go to their Grandma's almost every weekend and also to church 3 times a week. So it's not like they are under house arrest! :)
3. Vitamins.
Vitamin C! Lots of it!
4. Hand washing!
5. Plenty of sleep.
6. NO vaccines!!
Here is a very informative article that I received in my email this week, from Above Rubies, about preventing the flu. It's got LOTS of good information, and some things I have NEVER heard of but am willing to try. Take a look-see and please do share if you have used some of these remedies before.
Listen to this (from article):
COLD AND FLU FIGHTER
½ cup chopped onion
A whole bulb of chopped garlic
2 TBS chopped fresh ginger root
1 chopped jalapeño
Put all ingredients in a quart jar, cover with raw vinegar and let sit 4 - 6 weeks. Strain out vegetables and use 2 TBS. or more each day. If you do get a cold or the flu, take every hour. Serene gives her children 1 TBS. each day as a preventative.
Doesn't that sound positively delicious? I can just see the neighbors pouring out of their houses when my kids run screaming from our house! :) But it's worth a try I guess!
Anyways, check out this article! We can use all the help we can get to keep our kids healthy, naturally.
http://www.aboverubies.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=859:health-beat-the-flu-this-winter&catid=39&Itemid=63
