It seems like this time of year my family (and basically every family we know) gets hit with some serious sick bugs. One of the worse seasons I can remember lasted for more than a month.
I won’t get too much into the gory details. Suffice to say that it was a stomach bug/flu that hit everyone, except for me, for over a week at a time (some of us multiple times). It. Was. Awful.
And it was somewhere around the moments I was alternating between rubbing the back of my 21-month-old while he slept on the bathroom floor and trying to comfort him as he woke and scream-cried while throwing up into the sink (all while my 5-year-old was left to fend for herself with a bucket on the couch downstairs) that I realized there must be a better way.
Clearly, my complacency that had developed from having sickness-prone kids for my first 5 years of mothering was not serving me well now.
We went through a similar episode another year where all three kids got terrible infections, the baby and the 4-year-old ending up with pneumonia, follow a few weeks later buy a stomach virus that lasted for 12 days (per kid!).
Something needed to be done to help build up our family’s immune systems. So I researched. Both on the web and by reaching out to friends. Today I’m sharing what I’ve found with you in hopes it will be helpful.
First, on the advice of a trusted friend we’ve started:
Kids’ Immune-Boosting Daily Regiment
- This Elderberry syrup
- These Gummy Probiotics
- These Vitamin D Gummies (my kids love Franklin the turtle)
Also, I am not a medical expert, so please consult your pediatrician before starting a similar regiment for yourself or your kids.
Second, I’ve got some new recipes up my sleeve to help us combat sickness all-together and to quickly show it the door when it does show up.
Here are 10 of my new favorites…
Master Immunity Booster Smoothie via The Awesome Green (top left)
The pure beauty of this smoothie will have you jumping to blend one up at the first sign of a sniffle.
Ultimate Cold Killer Shots via Fermented Food Lab (top right)
The perfect thing for any parent who faces a day of feeling awful while still having to take care of the kids (because there really are no sick days from parenting).
Homemade Elderberry Syrup via Free People Blog (bottom left)
Like I said above, elderberry is now totally a thing at our house. If this syrup recipe doesn’t go down well with the kids, be sure to see the gummy recipe below.
The Ultimate Immune Boosting Soup via The Healthy Maven (middle right)
A great vegetarian-friendly option for those missing out on the much-touted benefits of bone broth.
Cold & Flu Fighting Gummy Snacks via Oven Love (bottom right)
Our contributor, Natalie’s, post on making homemade veggie/fruit gummies was insanely popular here on MPMK. This is the immunity-boosting version (which your kids are sure to love just as much).
Immune-Boosting Honey Infused Garlic via Don’t Waste the Crumbs
The author of this post put if very nicely when she wrote of the garlic honey combo, “A seemingly odd combination, but once you hear about the ways these two foods can boost your immune system – and how you can turn potent garlic into somewhat of a tasty treat – I know my two favorites will soon be yours too.”
Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Tea via Nourish Your Wild Side
Tea is an absolute must when feeling under the weather and I especially loved that this one promises to taste yummy even to non-tea-drinkers.
Lemon, Cayenne and Ginger Tea via Food.com
This one will also warm up my perpetually freezing appendages- sold!
Apple Immunity Cocktail via Daily Bites
I’m thinking of adding this one to my morning routine based on the author’s claims that doing so will help your metabolism and add a little pep to your step along with helping out with immunity.
Immune-Boosting Paleo Smoothie Bowl via Paleo Grubs
What kid (or mom for that matter) is going to say “no” to a healthier version of a bowl of ice cream? This one is your ace in the hole if all else falls.
*Post contains affiliate links
More on Fighting Germs from MPMK
Stocking the Kitchen for Cold & Flu Season
Colorful Smoothies & Juices to Kick the Winter Blues
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