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Sunday, November 27, 2011

Winter Cold Remedy

Well here we go, the winter months. For some of you it might already be in the thick of cold weather and others of you are sitting pretty in 70+ degree weather all winter long. Regardless of your geographic location, the winter flu and colds make their way around the country. For my family we have a simple yet highly effective way to reduce the length of a cold and make sure a cold remains just a cold. Last year we were faced with an infant in daycare and without fail a cold turned into an ear infection. Then without fail, I got sick too. Double whammy! Well after 4 months of ear infections, I finally figured it out and the remedy really works! Colds stayed colds and we moved through them easier. VICTORIOUS!

Step One: Foot Hydrotherapy
This step is critical in healing faster and relieving respirtory congestion. Foot Hydrotherapy is a simpler treatment from constitutional hydrotherapy that optimizes circulation in the body, detoxifies and purfies the blood, and stimulates and enhances the immune system. There are different methods of Hydrotherapy, but this is by far the easiest for kids.

1. Soak your child's feet in warm water for 5 minutes (if child is young and especially under 12 months, skip this step)
2. Soak a pair of cotton socks in cold water, ring out water, and place on your child's feet. Cover the wet socks with dry wool socks or dry cotton socks if you don't have wool. Leave the cold wet socks on for 20-30 minutes. Turn on the TV or read them books to get them to sit down for 20 minutes.


Step Two:  Vitamin C, Echinacea & Elderberry
Hands down this is my favorite product, Sambu's Guard for Kids for my sick little one. This combination liquid vitamin consists of C, Echinacea and Elderberry. Vitamin C supports the body against daily stresses, while Echinacea is known to boost your overall immune system, and Elderberry extract helps support respiratory function and lungs - all of which your body needs while fighting off a cold or enduring the winter months. When my child shows symptoms of a cold I start using this immediately. I now carry a couple of bottles in the house at all times since I can't run down the store and pick it up any longer. Make sure your child is over 12months old before administering this supplement or consult your pediatrician.

Step Three: Clean out that nose!
Alright some kids won't let you use the little noses spray because they are kicking, screaming, and floundering around like a fish out of water. So in that case, turn the shower on in the bathroom, let it get really steaming and then go play a game in the bathroom with your child. That will move the mucus, but make sure you child does NOT have a temperature. Never steam a child who has temperature!

Monday, November 14, 2011

A daily mineral everyone in the family needs: Magnesium!

Alright, I have read about the benefits of omega's, vitamin D, vitamin C, but Magnesium, really? About a month ago, I received an email from Dr. Dale, founder & dean of the California College of Natural Medicine, about magnesium deficiency. I don't typically read every newsletter email I get,  but I was intrigued to learn more about magnesium since I didn't know much about it. While reading the article I noticed I had several of the symptoms for magnesium deficiency. That didn't surprise me because my eating habits have been sub par for the past couple of months since we started our process of moving across the country; though Ellery still eats extremely healthy.  Why can't I just eat what I serve my child? I guess that is another story another time.

If you don't know much about Magnesium, like I didn't, what I am about to layout for you might just blow your mind;at least it did for me. As I read more and more about the benefits and importance of Magnesium I was shocked I haven't been educated on it before! 

Why Magnesium? (In General)
The National Institutes of Health says, “Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis." That's a lot of functions and that's just a part of the list!

Here is the real kicker about magnesium - if you don't have enough magnesium in your body and you are taking other supplements such as calcium, vitamin D, etc., your body isn't getting the full value of those vitamins without having the correct amount of magnesium in your body. Think of it this way, magnesium is the foundation of your house of vitamins and minerals; without the correct foundation you can't build a strong stable house, no matter much you try.

Who needs it?
EVERYONE! Magnesium is a mineral your body needs for optimal health. And, unfortunately, the majority of Americans aren't coming close to their needed daily intake. The reason being: processed foods. As parents we know know life gets busy and it's easier to pop in a TV dinner or go through the drive through than take the time to cook a hearty meal full of protein, grains and veggies; which means we are getting the correct minerals and vitamins needed to maintain healthy - including the much needed magnesium. So much so, the National Institute of health reports that 60% of Americans are magnesium deficient and other experts report up to 80%.

Why you need it?
The Benefits of Magnesium for Children
  • Reduces hyperactivity (even those with symptoms of ADHD)
  • Aides with temper tantrums (terrible twos helper)
  • Helps children with Asthma (reduce swelling of airways)
  • Reduces stress/anxiety/depression

The best solution is to feed your children a well balanced diet of whole grains, greens, and fiber. Junk food depletes the body's magnesium storage. You can also add a multivitamin to your child's daily routine to support their balanced diet. Try Natural Vitality Kids Calm Multivitamin; it's all organic and is gives your body an extra punch of magnesium.

The Benefits of Magnesium for Parents (Us):
  • Reduces Stress & Anxiety (no parent ever get stressed, lol!)
  • Prevents osteoporosis/ bone loss
  • Prevents Heart Disease
  • Regulates high blood pressure (Hypertension)
  • Treats migraines, insomnia, and depression
  • Aides in preventing diabetes (along with balanced diet)
  • Reduces PMS/Hormone Imbalance
  • Relieves chronic body pains/Fibramalgia
  • Increases bioavailability of calcium
  • Prevents and reverses kidney stone formation
  • Lowers serum cholesterol levels and triglycerides
  • Decreases insulin resistance
  • Treats asthma and emphysema
  • Helps make proteins
  • Encourages proper elimination

Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency (Adults & Older Children): 

  • Body aches
  • Leg cramps
  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Restless sleep
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Muscle twitches
  • Chronic constipation
  • Insulin resistance
  • Severe PMS

How to Increase your Magnesium Intake
Remember changing your diet is always the better option than taking a supplement and talk to your doctor before making radical changes to your diet. But to get you started here are some magnesium rich foods to incorporate in your daily diet and recommended supplements:


Magnesium Rich Foods
  • Kelp
  • Green vegetables (like broccoli)
  • Whole-grain wheat, rice, oats, and ry
  • Almonds
  • Banana
  • Artichoke
  • Cashews
  • Brazil nuts
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Molasses
  • Brewer's yeast
  • Buckwheat
  • Peanuts
  • Beans, white, navy & black
  • Pecans
  • Tofu

Supplements
To learn more please vist:
http://www.nutritionalmagnesium.org

Eat healthy & Be well!!



Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Amazing Contest - Win $245 Worth of Baby Products, IPad and More!

My Blog is apart of the 25 days of GiveAWayz hosted by Coupon Cabin. Here is the deal, just click on the link above [CouponCabin’s 25 Crazy Dayz of Giveawayz | Win $245 of Organic/Natural Baby Products, Enter Below! ] and be directed to my designated page and learn how you can enter to win the grand prizes by Coupon Cabin, then scroll down and see how you win  $245 worth of Organic/Natural Products for your Baby from Raising Kids Healthy, sponsored by Organically Cute.com and Julabug.com. Prizes include: $150 Gift Card to Julabug, Four Organic Bibs from Organically Cute & Baby Care Products (Shampoo, Lotion & Bubble Bath) by Dolphin Organics.This is a great gift for a friend or for your baby! Entering my contest is super easy.

 
And get this, at the bottom of the page, there are links to 95 other blogs who are running contests in addition to Coupon Cabin. Click on their sites and see what they are giving away and enter to win on their sites as well. You have a lot of chances to win some great stuff right before the holidays!
Good luck Everyone!