Stay Healthy During Flu Season

Families everywhere are beefing up their immune systems and battening down the hatches to prepare for the onslaught of the flu.  Our family is no different - we take our health very seriously since my children all have special needs and various sensitivities.

There are many ways you can keep everyone healthy, all it takes is a little preparation and some basic supplies.

Here are my tips for staying healthy during flu season:

1.  Garlic Is Your Friend - You may or may not care for garlic in your food, but that doesn't really matter right now. The absolute best way to kill off an oncoming bug - or better yet, to prevent one in the first place - is by taking raw garlic. You can find garlic pills at various health stores but it's not necessary.  All you need to do is pick up some garlic at the grocery store and swallow 2 raw cloves a day when sick, 1 per day when preventing. If a clove is too large to swallow it can be cut into manageable pieces. Just think of it as your own homemade garlic pills.

2.  Coconut Oil - Virgin coconut oil can be used as not only an anti-inflammatory but also to fight infection. You can melt a tablespoon in a pot and swallow it or put it into a smoothie if the oil grosses you out. This fat is very very healthy and a great staple to have in the house.

3.  Green Smoothies - If you've never gotten on the green smoothie bandwagon now is a great time. These yummy drinks are packed with a punch - the more healthy goodness you add in, the better you'll feel. Green smoothies give long lasting energy, immune boosting benefits and are a super healthy breakfast or snack.  Throw in greens, berries, honey, flax seeds, coconut milk and coconut oil for one delicious treat.

4.  Exercise. Yes, I know. - It's so cold right now, and all I really feel like doing is curling up with my wool socks and a scarf and reading. Exercising feel like so much WORK. But that's exactly what those flu bugs are hoping we're thinking. Be committed to getting in some movement and action into your routine at least 3 times a week to keep your body the immune building machine it was made to be.

5.  Chill Out. - One of the best ways to keep the sicknesses in the house to a minimum is to keep the stress levels even lower.  Stress is directly linked to illness, and I can personally attest to the power of a healthy and positive mind. Your body wants to heal, so allow it to do its job by giving it room to breath, the soul kind of breathing, every chance you get.