Here in Saskatchewan, we went from glorious sunny autumn days to cold, rainy ones almost as soon as school started. If anyone was in any doubt as to whether or not it was fall yet, the weather has certainly settled that! And between the colder temperatures and the exposure to so many more kids (and germs) every day, my boys’ health is at the top of my mind.
Luckily, a few simple tips, tricks and techniques help me treat those inevitable sniffles quickly and efficiently when my boys show signs of getting sick. These are my top four methods for fighting off the first stages of a cold:
Tea and Honey
My boys are both huge fans of tea, and since a hot cup of green or herbal tea is full of antioxidants and also helps sooth a scratchy throat, it’s a great choice for fending off a cold. Add a bit of raw honey for its anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and I have a delicious drink that also helps my boys feel better fast.
Plenty of Rest
Zackary and Benjamin are completely different when it comes to sleeping. My oldest son, like me, is a restless sleeper and sometimes stays awake for as long as two hours once the lights have been turned out. My youngest generally falls asleep within fifteen minutes of being tucked in. But both boys will often head to bed early or even fall asleep in the middle of the day when they’re not feeling well. Sometimes beating a cold is as easy as letting them sleep all day so that their bodies can heal.
Homeopathics and Tinctures
Most of the time, my boys’ initial symptoms aren’t severe enough to warrant giving them a strong medication as treatment. That’s why I love using more natural solutions during the first symptoms of illness. Orange Naturals Cough+Cold for Kids contains Echinacea, Thyme, Licorice and Chamomile to help fight off infection and soothe symptoms of illness. And Cough+Cold Night for Kids is an ideal way to make sure that my boys aren’t kept up by irritating coughs so that they can get the rest they need.
Vitamin C
Plenty of Vitamin C can be enough to stop a cold in its tracks at times, so adding more to my boys’ diet is a must if they’re starting to cough or sniffle. Zackary and Benjamin both love mandarin oranges, so I make sure to have plenty in the fridge during winter. And since broccoli, cauliflower and red pepper are all great sources of the vitamin too, a simple plate of raw veggies and dip is a fun and delicious way to boost their Vitamin C intake!
To help your kids feel their best heading into fall, Orange Naturals is offering a fabulous giveaway just for you! One lucky Mommy Kat and Kids reader is going to win a prize pack containing ND Shake For Kids (chocolate), D Drops for kids, Probiotic Powder for Toddlers Through Teens, Focus for Kids and Sleep Tight for Kids, a $110 total value! To enter to win, just leave a blog comment with your favourite back-to-school health tip!
For more help avoiding colds and flues this year, make sure to check out the O Natural newsletter! It’s packed with articles, recipes, tips and advice to help your family make it through the winter feeling great. And if you’re wondering which Orange Naturals product might be best for your kids, visit the Orange Naturals Facebook page to ask your questions and get expert advice.
Of course I know that as hard as I try, my boys are sure to get one or two colds this winter that we won’t be able to fight off early. But quick treatment of those first symptoms can work wonders the majority of the time. Stock up on a few cold-fighting essentials now and be ready to fight off germs fast this winter so your family can get back to having fun!
Orange Naturals BTS Giveaway
Disclosure: I am an Orange Naturals Mom Ambassador. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to Orange Naturals opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own.
Wash hands, wash hands, and wash hands ( you can’t say it enough. lol).
Eat healthy snacks,do an outdoor activity and wash your hands throughout the day
Improve herd immunity — keep up to date on vaccinations.
to use their elbows to cover their sneezes
Wash hands regularly and keep tissue in their pockets for sneezes.
Wash your hands properly…warm water, scrub for at least 15 seconds.
I try to make myself a fresh, vitamin-packed fruit/veg juice in the morning (when im organized, that is!) and give him a portion while he’s munching on breakfast, as well. We also make sure to wash anything that comes home from daycare regularly, along with washing hands before and after leaving the play room.
You can never wash your hands too often!