Keeping A Good Immune System

Cold weather is making life miserable for everyone here in Central New York. Got to love the ice storm we had this morning, took about 20 minutes to clear my car off! When families get stuck in doors with a sick kid, things can get even more miserable.

Very often, parents complain that their kids got sick from another kids in class. What is a parent to do? Keep the kids home 24/7?  Have them live in a plastic bubble? I’m sure if I was back in school I would have loved staying home 24/7 but that may not be the case.

Here are a few simple ways to keep both parents and children strong even when everybody is sneezing around you according to FoxNews.com :

• Eat more wholesome snacks. Instead of eating and serving processed foods, try using more whole foods such as fruit, veggies, and grains.

• Be a good example. Don't give your daughter an apple, and then eat a candy bar in front of her. Practice what you preach.

• Eat more basil. Basil is a powerful herb that has been used for centuries to help mucus production. You can add fresh chopped basil to your tomato sauces, or use it in soups and stews.

• Say no to ice. Seems like a small idea, but it's key to building immunity, helping digestion and decreasing mucus buildup. When you guzzles down a cold drink (anything colder than room temperature) your body goes into shock mode.

• Get out and play. Having your kid play outside for at least 20 minutes after school is a great way to get them fresh air and get their bodies moving. The more kids sit around playing video games all afternoon, the less able their bodies are to get rid of toxins.

• Wash your child's hair before dinner. Having your child go to bed with wet hair, especially in the winter, weakens their immunity and often leaves them stuffy and clogged in the morning. Put bath time before dinner that way there is plenty of time for hair to dry. That’s why I shower in the morning!

• More sleep. Sleep is when we detoxify and recharge ourselves so our systems can properly perform the jobs they are supposed to do. Kid’s need nine or 10 hours of sleep every night. Good luck trying to get that for yourself!