Surviving the Cold of Death

Well, our first week of sticking to the main things went fairly well, except that the main thing turned into "survive colds and coughs." This two-week cold seems to be going around, and I've passed the two-week mark but the kids are only at one week. I think I accomplished everything on my Essentials list one day this week, and we've managed to do school several days in a row despite mounds of kleenex.

Keeping those main things in mind helped me stay very focused the other days, except for Wednesday when I got side-tracked rearranging the kids' rooms. It was a project, I confess, and took up most of our morning, but in the long run I think it was worth it. (As a side note, you have no idea how strong your kids are until you ask them to move furniture with you!) Thomas loves to read books and he's kind of a loner so I often find him in his room on the rug with his blanket and a book. Since he is still in a crib he can't cozy down there with the latest NYT best-seller, so now he has a little reading corner. I ditched the bookcase in favor of metal breadbox full of books, and a big folded up comforter and some unused throw pillows makes it inviting for a two-year old. The other kids all try to squish into that spot throughout the day.

In light of the Death Cold (I really did think I might die of it on Tuesday, with the constant coughing and inability to lift my head off the pillow/couch/rug...just call me Anne with an E), I thought I would share the products that are helping us survive this season. 

 

This is the best Vitamin C I've ever taken and I can't say enough good things about it. There is so much research available on the benefits of higher doses of Vitamin C (especially in those with suppressed immune systems, something I'm dealing with), but sometimes it's hard on your stomach. Jigsaw has come up with a sustained release product and I've used it with no ill effects. Expect to see it on Oprah one of these days. And then let me know if it makes it there, because we haven't had any TV reception for the last five years.

We also take JuicePlus as an everyday, whole foods supplement. In addition to being a great product (I've taken it in place of a prenatal vitamins in the past), they also have an offer where you can add a child over the age of five for FREE. My kids love the gummies, and I love the free. Worth checking out...

This is a must-have. I've never tried Vicks, but this is probably a natural version of that, only I feel safe rubbing it on my child's chest and back, and under their nose. I applied it throughout the night when I couldn't sleep due to congestion, and it immediately opened up my airways. Amazing. I used to buy it at a little herb shop in Chattanooga, and was so happy to find it online (with free shipping)!

When regular tea hurts your sore throat too much, we find this really soothing.

This very odd Oprah endorsed product (so they tell me) has saved me from a multitude of ear and sinus infections (and rounds of antibiotics). It is a must have! I should have put it at the top of the list; if I was sick on a desert island and could only have one thing, this might be it.

Kimi, at the Nourishing Gourmet, has several suggestions for how to consume raw garlic. We tried the homemade mayo dip with raw garlic (and I added avocados) with tortilla chips, and I thought it was really good. My kids each tried one bite, and were not amused. Two of them gagged and cried and felt betrayed. You might see them on Oprah one day. But they probably consumed a half of clove of minced garlic that way. They are still hacking away, but I'm sure it was good for them!

And I would be lying if I didn't say that I consumed my fair share of guifenesin, but I stopped taking it after about a week and I can't say I noticed much of a difference.

Oh, and lots of both of these....