September and Sickness Go Together Like...

Peanut butter and jelly.

Bats and balls.
Bees and honey.

Fall weather usually brings out the creepy crawlies, and insects aren't the only bugs I'm talking about. Here are 5 easy ways to keep your household germ free this fall and winter!

1. Wash your hands. Frequently!
2. Don't use anti-bacterial soaps, gels or sprays.
3. Eat healthy foods and exercise.
4. Keep sick kids at home.
5. Drink immune boosting smoothies.

Wash your hands, it seems so simple, right? It's the number one doctor recommended way to battle bugs! Make sure everyone in your home is washing their hands long enough to kill off germs (at least one minute) by encouraging smaller children to sing the ABC song, twice. Older children can say the ABC's backwards for an added challenge.

Anti-bacterial = anti-germ? Nope, think again. Anti-bacterial soaps and gels actually kill off the body's natural immune fighters. They do indeed kill bacterias but they kill the good ones with the bad. Just try to avoid them for your best chance at staying healthy. My one exception to this rule, if you are out and a sink is not available then a wipe, spray or gel is better than nothing, but the sink and good old plain soap is the best option.

I've never met a single person that doesn't have more energy and feel better when they get 30 minutes of exercise. That's all it takes. Also, following the nutritional guidelines on the food pyramid is a great immune booster! Several of the veggies, fruits, and juices that help you meet the 4 servings a day recommendation are also natural anti-oxidants and can keep your family away from the doctor. If you need to grab a quick dinner out opt for the apples instead of the fries for yourself and your child! The saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" is more than just your average old wives tale. Note: apple juice doesn't count. In fact, there's little to no nutritional value in apple juice, even the 100% kind. It's a bummer.

This seems like a no brainer and the polite thing to do: your kid is sick and you keep them home. At some point or another, as parents, we've all complained about going to the store and seeing an obviously sick kid being toted along. Or, walking into church to see snot pouring down a child's face. But, I'm sure you've never taken YOUR sick kid to the store, right? Guilty as charged. We've all done it!!! It's also why germs spread like wild fire. If you can avoid taking your sick child out in public, then do it. It's better for everyone and really, home is where your kid wants to be when they don't feel well. P.S. a recent trip to the pediatric allergist for my 1.5 year old and I learned an interesting fact, most children under the age of four do not have seasonal allergies. Lesson: when your buddy says "oh, it's just allergies" about the liquid oozing from their 2 year old's nose, chances are it's not allergies. Time to say, ADIOS AMIGOS!

This last one is a proven at our house: Dr. Sear's Immune Boosting Smoothies! My twins caught everything under the sun one winter. No joke, my kids were sick for 3 straight months between the newborn baby and the twins. I was going insane and was at my ropes end when our pediatrician gave me a print out of this fantastic recipe by Dr. Sears himself. You can view my previous post about it here and grab the recipe too! I swear by this smoothie and we're kicking our blender into high gear again this month for the rest of the fall and winter! GTR tip: buy strawberries now and freeze them! Most stores and produce stands are having awesome sales on end of season strawberries, no need to pay winter prices!

Best wishes for a germ-free cold and flu season!