staying healthy

Winter time is always my most dreaded time of the year. While I love the holidays and playing in the snow, it means it is the time for sickness to go around. I am not an advocate for the flu shot, so my family and I take precautions in other, natural ways to keep us healthy. I want to share those with you to hopefully help you through this season!

1. Wash your hands! This is so simple to do. It is the friction of washing your hands that removes the germs. So sing yourself "Happy Birthday" or "A,B,Cs" 2 times through to make sure you are washing long enough.
2. If your ears are hurting, take a couple of ounces of olive oil and throw in a fresh garlic clove. Heat this baby up for 20 seconds in the microwave. Let it cool just a bit to warm. Using a dropper (best) or a Qtip (be gentle and careful!) drop or place the oil into your ears. You can keep it in there with cotton. Gently massage the outside of your ears and from under your earlobe down the side of your neck. Do this a few times a day and the pain will go away! Never save the garlic oil for later. Always make fresh. Garlic is an antioxidant with anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties. If you try this, it will decrease the inflammation and pain even if you do not have an infection.
3. Drink warm fluids. The best is to warm up some water and put lemon and/or honey in it. If you like tea, try some lemon or ginger tea. These have anti-bacterial/anti-viral properties that are great for fighting off bad germs.
4. If you find that you have a sore throat, gargle a few times a day with salt water. Salt draws the moisture out of the area where bacteria likes to set up shop. It is also useful for drawing the moisture out of swollen tissue so the inflammation goes down.
5. For a cough, take a teaspoon of honey or a honey stick! Honey is an anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal. Just be sure not to give this to children under the age of 1.
6. Neti pot- this is the rinsing of your sinuses with salt water. Be sure to use a pre-made packet or make your own! Mix 1/8 to 1/4 tsp of non-iodized salt into 8 oz of warm filtered or distilled water. Do this a couple of times a day to prevent bacteria from staying in there and growing.
7. Good old chicken soup or broth also has some anti-bacterial properties that will help you feel better sooner.
8. Get plenty of rest! You need 7-9 hours a night to stay healthy, so if you are feeling rundown, increase your sleeping time.
9. Drink lots of water. Keep your body hydrated so it can keep fighting against the yucky germs out there!
10. Take a good quality vitamin C supplement. This will give your body needed nutrients to fight against bacteria.
11. Take a good quality probiotic to keep your digestive system running well. By adding more good flora to your gut, you improve your chances of remaining illness free.

Be well!