Welcome to Autumn!

I hope you are enjoying the cooler weather and the approaching holiday season. October also comes with an increase in colds for many people especially if you have small children who put their hands and mouths on everything! Here are some great ideas on how to reduce your family's risk of colds this fall and a handy DIY cough syrup to keep in your fridge just in case. Remember if you do get sick, you can set up an appointment with me here: Book Now.

1. Wash your hands!! This is the best way to stay healthy. Teach your kids to wash their hands before eating or drinking as well as when they change activities for example when you come back in from playing outside. Wash your hands too…remember you are role modeling behavior for them and once it becomes a good habit, it will stick with the whole family so the germs don’t! Research shows that hand sanitizers are not as effective as plain water hand washing for the flu virus so washing your hands in the sink is still the best way to avoid disease.
University of Minnesota

2. Sugar feeds microbes. Practice healthy diet habits including a diet low in sugary treats and high in vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. I don’t recommend a low carb or keto diet for everyone but I do encourage you to look at the number of sneaky sugars that you take in from processed foods and diets high in carbohydrates like pasta, starchy vegetables, and fruits.
Virology Blog

3. Probiotics have been shown to help prevent colds and flu, especially in kids. Research shows that a daily probiotic reduces the number of antibiotic prescriptions needed by 50%. Probiotics are contained in yogurt, kefir, tempeh, miso soup, kombucha, kim chi, and sauerkraut. I recommend adding a probiotic supplement daily through cold and flu season for all members of the family! We have some great ones available at the birth center and I am available to offer advice on which might be best for you.
Science Daily

Homemade Cough Syrup:

Honey - Honey is a great cough suppressant in adults and children over 1-year-old
(equal to many cough syrups when researched).
Mayo Clinic

Here is a honey cough recipe:

Slice one-half yellow or white onion thinly into a bowl
Slice 3-5 inches of ginger thinly into the bowl
Pour local honey over the mix.

Cover and let sit for 6-12 hours.
Separate the honey from the onion.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of cinnamon and shake. (Add more cinnamon to boost the flavor for kids!)

Use the syrup when needed: 1 teaspoon for kids and 1 Tablespoon for adults as needed. (You can use the onions in dinner for a savory-sweet taste.)