This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Fellowes for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
We are smack in the middle of cold and flu season, and natural ways to help build my families immunity and avoid germs is certainly been on my mind!
Here are the 7 main ways we have been fighting colds, allergies, and flu viruses. So far so good this year!
1. Green Smoothies
Lately I have been adding yogurt to our go to our go-to green smoothie recipe. We use coconut milk yogurt. It helps build good gut flora. A healthy digestive system is critical to a healthy immune system. You must be able to absorb the vital nutrients that the body needs.
2. Vitamins
We love Shaklee around here. The kids chewables are great. My girls take a multi-vitamin and extra vitamin D specifically for immunity. I have been setting my phone alarm to remind me to remind them to take their vitamins! I love how it allows me to name the alarm, and give each specific alarm a specific tone. Consistency is key when taking supplements.
3. Immunity Building Soup
We enjoy lots of soup during cold and flu season. It is a warm and comforting way to get my kids to eat their vegetables!
Here are 2 of our family’s favorite soup recipes:
Cleansing Chicken Vegetable Soup
French Lentil Soup
4. Elderberry
I am new to Elderberry, but have been SO AMAZED by it. I used it during my battle with an infection after surgery, and amazed my doctor with my bodies ability to keep the infection at bay in just the skin area. Because infection did not go all througout my body (like expected) they were able to go ahead with reconstructive surgery and get rid of all infection which was contained in a very small area.
Elderberry syrup tastes amazing. We get it from our local health food store. Take a couple teaspoons a few times a day throughout the days when you feel worn down or a cold coming on. I’ve done this several times with my family and it seems to stop the dreaded cold in its tracks. A sore throat turns into nothing the next day. I know many people who use it coupled with Vitamin D on a daily basis througout the cold and flu season as an extra insurance to stay sickeness free.
5. Washing hands
I make sure I encourage my family to wash their hands. Key moments are when my girls get home from school, before their afternoon snack; after using the restroom (of course); after blowing ones nose; and before eating meals.
6. Wiping down surfaces
I usually just use vinegar and water as my main cleaning soloution. If there are lots of cold and flu viruses going around, or if any of my family members are sick, I make my own natural disinfectant.
7. Fellowes AeraMax technology air purifier
Fellowes AeraMax™ DX-55 is another thing that I am new to, but I am sold! I care much about the food my family eats, but have just recently been thinking about the air quality that they inhale. Indoor air is 5 times more more polluted than the air outside, and 90% of Americans spend more time indoors than outdoors. This is very true for my little ‘homebody’ family! We love our home time.
Airborne germs and viruses can spread further than you might think. Some flu viruses can spread up to 6 feet away, even without a cough or sneeze to propel it, where they can live up to 24 hours! Ew.
I tell this to my kids to motivate them to wash thier hands! It works. Maybe too well…I now have a little germaphobe!
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A few reasons why I love the Fellowes AeraMax™ DX-55 air purifier:
~it is ultraquiet
~it automatically monitors the indoor quality of air and adjusts the fan accordingly
~no more stuffy noses and sore throats when waking up
~uses a true HEPA filter, which removes 99.9% of airborn particles, including germs, viruses, allergens, dust, mold, pollen, ragweed, pet dander, and cigarette smoke.
~the LED lights on the machine clearly let you know what the machine is up to…when it is purifiying and when it is done, or when the filter needs changed.
~it is portable. I can move it from on daughter’s room to another.
~it is sleek-looking. I do not find it obtrusive.
~it is easy to find. You can buy the Fellowes AeraMax technology at BestBuy.com. Prices start at $189.99.
~it not only works for cold and flu season, but helps my girls allergy and asthma during allergy season.
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What are your favorite ways to stay well during cold and flu season?
Have you ever considered an air purifier?
Jennifer
February 12, 2014 at 6:33 pmGreat post! But please tell me you don’t agree with getting a flu shot. Putting poison like that into your body, with your history, and during this time of year, is dangerous! I’m a healthy adult and still wouldn’t get a flu shot. I’m just surprised to even see that on your blog. You’re usually all about the natural, healthy and effective options.
Amy Bowman
February 13, 2014 at 6:39 pmJennifer–honestly, I don’t know my exact thoughts on the subject. I have done extensive reading and still don’t know my thoughts. I did not get the flu shot this year. I am about healthy, natural, and effective options, yes…but I am also very much about combining that with what the medical field has to offer us, too, when appropriate. Drugs did, after all, save my very life as a stage 3b cancer survivor. I try to take as honest and as balanced of an approach as possible, and there are times I don’t know where I personally stand. The above is a sponsored post and part of the requirements of the post was mentioning the flu shot. That is why I wrote “ask” about a flu shot. I want people to be asking questions and make their own decisions. You can read more about my thoughts on the flu shot at a post I wrote a year ago titled “To Flu Shot or Not To Flu Shot” Thanks for reading and thanks for your concern for my health! I do appreciate all opinions whether I whole heartedly agree with them or not. Discussion is very welcome.