Its that time of year again BACK TO SCHOOL, I can’t believe it! Starting NOW I am incorporating some new and some old homeopathic and natural remedies to my kids daily routines to keep them as healthy as can be. I will share with you the old and new and hopefully you will try them to!
First things first, in order for our children’s immune systems to work properly we need to nourish their bodies with good healthy foods. So I am suggesting to all you moms, dads, and caretakers out there to first do a DIET CHECK! This is the first step to boosting the immune system. Start with making sure your child is eating the proper healthy food building blocks from good REAL food.
Your child’s diet should include plenty of pastured eggs, healthy fats like pastured butter, flax, olive oil, raw or organic grass fed full fat dairy, wild seafood, grass fed beef, pastured poultry, vegetables and fruits (preferably organic) and for those who eat grains prepare them properly by soaking first and choosing gluten free grains. Its best to avoid ANY and ALL processed food!
Without these sound health food staples in the diet the body will be constantly run down and it will be difficult to stay and keep healthy.
Keeping that in mind here are 5 more steps I am taking to boost brain power and keep my kiddos healthy all year round!
1. ESSENTIAL OILS!!
Oh My Gosh I can’t believe how amazing these concentrated bottles of gold are! I am diffusing essential oils in my house for everything! Thieves oil to clean the air naturally and keep germs away. Peppermint in the morning to arouse the senses and get everyone moving. Lemon and citrus through the day to keep me productive. Peace and calming blend in the evening during homework, and lavender scents running through the hallways before bed. Essential Oils are the REAL DEAL! They are an ancient homeopathic remedy with the power to heal and calm the body physically and mentally when used properly. But you MUST use a pure therapeutic grade that is of the highest quality. I use Young Living essential oils.
2. FERMENTED COD LIVER OIL/BUTTER OIL BLEND
Yes you heard that right fish oil and butter combined. Am I crazy? No I’m just giving my kids a concentrated dose of healthy fats to give them super BRAIN POWER and keep their brains focused and working at their highest potential! The benefits of giving your child these all-encompassing essential fat are endless. FCLO contains high levels of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K. These are super important in strengthening a child’s immunity and overall vitality. These fat-soluble vitamins help to absorb minerals from the food they are eating. FCLO contains omega 3’s and fatty acids DHA and EPA. These are essential for children’s brain development, intelligence, and vision. I use the brand Green Pastures from www.radiantlifecatalog.com
3. PROBIOTICS- GIVE YOUR CHILD A GOOD QUALITY PROBIOTIC (not those gummy things) AND PROBIOTIC RICH FERMENTED FOODS (raw sauerkraut, kombucha tea, or any fermented veggies).
Probiotics or “good bacteria” go to work keeping your child’s entire digestive system at its peak and working efficiently while boosting the immune system too. 80% of the immune system lives within the digestive tract. Probiotics will boost your child’s immune system to help strengthen their resistance to common classroom passed illnesses. A healthy immune system is key to overall health and beating common colds/viruses. Studies are also showing probiotics may have a protective effect against allergies. My kids enjoy raw sauerkraut so I try to give them this at one of their meals daily. Also they drink Amasai (cultured dairy) often and we mix that up with smoothies. We also supplement daily with Inner-Eco fresh harvested coconut kefir water. It is a liquid they take right off the spoon or can be mixed with water, very mild and no complaints!
4. COCONUT OIL
I am giving this to my kids daily. Usually either mixed into gluten free oats or melted right into a morning cup of tea. Either way I try to give them at least 1 whole Tablespoon daily. The benefits of coconut oil are truly endless. But for children it is a wonderful way to increase the amount of healthy fats in their diet, and is helpful in assimilation of fat soluble vitamins. Plus it can help fight infection and flu due to its antibacterial, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties
5. SLEEP the more the better!
Keep kids on a consistent bedtime. Interrupted sleep or not enough sleep can leave the body worn down and unable to resist sickness. Get kids outdoors daily and in the fresh air and be sure they are moving enough and this to will help them sleep at night. We stick to the rule of no TV during the school week (this helps get homework done efficiently and leaves free time for kids to play.) If your kids do use electronics be sure to turn off any TV, computer, ipad, etc waaaaay before bedtime and READ instead! This always gets my kids sleepy and they fall asleep easier.
It is NOT normal for kids to constantly be sick all winter with reoccurring coughs and colds. Take and incorporate my helpful tips to keep you OUT of the doctors office this winter and keep your kiddos going STRONG.
Giving the body the REAL food diet it needs and some extra natural supplements will help ensure that it can resist the pathogens that come its way. If your child does get sick don’t worry! These healthy suggestions I have mentioned above have been shown to reduce the duration of the illness!
Here’s to a great HAPPY AND HEALTHY school year!
Be well!
Susie R