Goodbye Winter Germs

 It seems like all of my friends are sick or have sick children. This winter is brutal!  I thought I'd share what I give to Lily (3.5 years) to keep her happy and playing and germ free!  Her colds last 1-2 days with this regimen and Adam and I don't catch them. I actually haven't had a cold all winter!  (I have my own battles though). :)

Here is a list of the products we use, what they are for, and how we use them:

• Source Naturals Wellness Children's Immune Chewable- These are a blend of herbs that boost immune system function.  We noticed a difference in how quickly her colds would pass when we started using this product!   WHEN- Breakfast and Dinner
• Garden of Life Vitamin Code Kids- This is a whole food multivitamin.  We choose whole food vitamins rather than synthetic vitamins.  WHEN- Lunch
• Ultimate Flora Kids Probiotic- Probiotics are so important since the immune system begins and ends in the gut.  We choose this brand because it's a yummy chewable tablet and is refrigerated (aka better quality).  WHEN- Lunch
•  Young Living Thieves essential oil diluted with organic coconut oil- Thieves oil is amazing for fighting germs.  We rub this on the soles of her feet after germ exposure or when sick before bed.  Why the soles of the feet?  There are more pores on the bottoms of your feet than anywhere on your body so it is better absorbed.  Plus, there are vita flex points on the soles.  WHEN- Bedtime      Please contact me for info on ordering Young Living oils!
• Young Living Thieves essential oil diffused in living room and bedroom- Thieves oil kills germs in the air and disinfects the home when others are sick (Adam had the flu and we diffused this a few times a day... Lily and I did not catch it!  Magic!)
•  Homemade Elderberry Syrup- This is a yummy syrup made from elderberries, honey, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.  Incredible for the immune system and overall health.  1 tsp daily and 1 tsp every few hours when sick.  You can also buy store bought elderberry syrup at health food stores. I use THIS recipe.
• Warm Lemon Water- Lemon water is incredibly detoxing and balances the pH in body so it can function better.  WHEN- Morning
• Kefir- This is a yummy cultured drink full of healthy bacteria for your gut.  It tastes like a yogurt smoothie, but has many more probiotics than yogurt.  Find it at any store near the yogurt.  WHEN- 1/2-1 cup daily.  Lily looooves her kefir after her afternoon nap.
  
  
  

Here are some other tricks that keep her healthy- 

• Epsom Salt baths for detox when sick- Just put in a 1/2 cup in a warm bath.  Soothes achiness too.
• Peppermint essential oil for fevers- Dilute with olive oil or coconut oil and rub on the back of the neck and top of spine.  This is also a cure all for headaches. 
• Whole foods diet-  Lily eats lots and lots of organic fruits and veggies.  Food is medicine. 
• Fresh juice- We juice almost daily- our favorite is apples, beets, spinach, kale, carrots, lemon juice.
• Positive attitude!!!!  Laughter and prayer and LOVE.  It is most healing. <3

Before writing this, I didn't realize how hard we work to keep our girl healthy!  I hope some of these suggestions help your children too...and you too!  Happy winter!!!