When the whole family is fighting a cold.

We’re not sick and we’re not planning on getting sick. But you know that about-to-get-sick feeling? A little scratch in your throat or an ache in your back? We’ve got a plan to fight it this winter.

What I’m doing: 

Taking a lot of Emergen-C — 1 to 3 packets a day.
Taking probiotics —  I got this brand at Whole Foods.
Washing my hands or using hand sanitizer throughout the day.
Wiping down my phone and laptop keyboard regularly.
Sleeping as much as I can with a three-month-old baby.

What we’re doing for Elise and Tristan:
Not much. Humidifiers in bedrooms and, for 22-month-old Elise, a healthy diet. Oh, and breastmilk in the eyes for both kids if I notice that their eyes are gunky. Here’s why. You may think it’s gross but it really works. Since we’re on the subject of gross, have you heard of the Nosefrida? I use it on both kids to clear their nasal passages to prevent sore throats and ear infections.

I talked to Jasmine this morning for some additional advice. She’s the wellness consultant here in Chicago that I worked with to go dairy free. Here’s what she recommends to ward off colds and flu:

- A smoothie for Elise with frozen strawberries (high in Vitamin C), spinach (high in iron), non-dairy milk and protein powder. Since Elise isn’t dairy free I just used yogurt and a little orange juice instead. Yogurt has plenty of protein. If your kids take liquid vitamins you can sneak them in here.

- Vitamin D3 for me. About 4-5,000 IUs per day.

- Vitamin D3 drops for Tristan, which he should take anyway since he’s exclusively breastfed.

- A detox bath! Warm water with 1/4 c of Epsom salt, 1/4 c of apple cider vinegar and 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide. Soak for 15-20 minutes. This is definitely a non-research-based remedy that your Grandma would recommend but it has worked for Jasmine and her daughter.

- I asked about me taking zinc to prevent a cold. There’s actually a home test to determine if you’re deficient in zinc. Jasmine also mentioned that pumpkin seeds are high in zinc. Perfect! I have a bowl of roasted seeds on my counter. I found this list of top 10 foods high in zinc. Dark chocolate is also on the list!

- I also asked about Vitamin C for kids. There’s a brand that sells a supplement but it’s an easy vitamin to achieve through diet. (See smoothie above.)

So, what do you do to prevent colds and flu?

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. This information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.