9 ways to get well during cold & flu season

croupy sad baby

In my community it seems there is always something germy passing among the small kids and families.  It just seems to be a fact of life.  I'm not a germaphobe (nor am I a clean-freak, perhaps the two go hand-in-hand?) but of course, we like to stay healthy and not experience illness if at all possible.  Of course, it isn't always that easy. Just recently, we had a round of croup with the youngest one of our brood, and here is what we tried to help him get better.

Humidifier
Photo Credit

1. Clean up the diet. It's sort of hard to "clean up" a breastfed baby's diet that much, but I tried to give him homemade chicken broth if possible, mix coconut oil into his pureed fruits or veggies, and focus on giving him foods with lots of Vitamin C.  Fermented cod liver oil, which contains Vitamins A & D, is extremely helpful, but go easy with little ones.  If you're really still struggling, remove grains & sugars from your diet, and load up on the probiotics.  
2. Saline spray & suctioning. By far, this goes on the list as one of the LEAST favorite activities for a baby, but putting a salt water solution up their nostrils and sucking out the mucus with a nose bulb helps clear their nasal passages and allows them to breathe better.  Just be prepared for a few tears.
3. A humidifier with a few drops of essential oils like Tea Tree or Eucalyptus.  We ran the humidifier every single day for about as strong as we could to help moisten the air and to allow nasal drainage.  
4. Homemade vapo-rub.  I made a recipe very similar to this one last year and I have used it on the feet and chest.  
5. Oil of Oregano can help relieve congestion, among many other benefits. Be careful to dilute it in another oil like olive as it is VERY strong.  (Thanks to JMK for this recommendation.)
6. Colloidal Silver works for so many things. You can take it orally or even spray it in your ears for ear infections.
7. Elderberry Syrup is an absolute necessity in your medicine cabinet for colds & flu.  It's loaded with antioxidants and tastes yummy too.  If you give it to a child under one, make sure the formula you have does not contain honey.  
8. Homeopathy: See my post on what to stock in your medicine cabinet for specific remedies.  Our favorites around here are Aconitum, Chamomilla, Pulsatilla and Byronia Alba.  
9. Chiropractics: Whenever we're coming down with something, a quick visit to the chiropractor often helps as there is probably something out of alignment. Chiropractors can be especially helpful with childhood ear infections.  When Gabe's ears were inflamed several months ago, we saw our chiropractor 3 times in 4 days, and Gabe improved rapidly.  

runny noses are no fun

How did these work out for us?  Well, Gabe had croup for ~6 days (the longest bout we'd ever experienced for either child), and naturally broke his own fever the last day, and then was over it.  I think the fever was the last straw, and once he got over that, the croup was finished.

There are no doubt many other things you can do try to try get over the common cold or typical fall & winter illnesses. What are your tried-and-true home remedies?

Quiet on the home front

If there's such a thing as ying & yang (or ebb and flow, if you will), then it seems like this summer is having its perfect share of it.  In June I couldn't stop talking -- blogging was all my rage.  But in July, even with the busyness of the first half of the month, I haven't had quite as much to say, and I also feel like I have little to show for it.
My camera lens is acting funky (perhaps because Mia was playing with a bit too much) and so there are no new pictures to upload unless you take what's on my iPhone.

Right before our trip to Captiva, I mentioned I was experiencing stomachaches on a daily basis.  Since we've returned from the trip, those have unfortunately been a mainstay. :-\  It has been quite troubling for me to figure out the culprit, especially when I'm not in a mood to limit many of my cravings (baby needs food too)!  Over the last couple of days, I find the less I think about it, the better off I am, and so my stomachaches have decreased in intensity and frequency, thank goodness.  To the best of my knowledge, I've been avoiding gluten as well and that seems to help.  It's been hard to avoid dairy, but I've decreased my total intake of it for the time being.  I will be trying some peppermint oil to see if it will help with my nausea and abdominal pains, and I'll be bringing it up with my "health team" over the next few days as well.

Speaking of "health team," I start the first of my regular "growth scan" ultrasounds this afternoon.  The plan is to have an ultrasound once a month now for the remainder of this pregnancy.  When they told me of this plan at my 8 week appointment, the starting point of 24 weeks sounded like a long ways away, but tomorrow I'll technically be 24 weeks and here I am today anticipating my first "growth scan."  It's always fun to see the little guy and I know he's moving as he's been quite active in the womb, sometimes jumping up and down, or pushing me in funny places that aren't as comfortable, but it's generally a reassurance that all's well.

As far as the other little one goes (yes, I mean Mia), I have to confess I've done a horrible job of keeping up with her baby book. I was quite good at it for the first year, but I don't know if I've taken it out since last fall to update it.  For shame!  It's a good thing we do have this blog, otherwise I might not recall with perfect detail when various things took place.
Anyway, she is a mighty force.  She often has loads to say and it's amazing how much her comprehension and ability to communicate with us has grown over the last few months.  Talking with her about things and seeing the understanding take place has really helped us explain things and deal with issues of discipline or correction.

Peter Rabbit Organic Fruit Pouches, from Amazon.com

She might also be going through a growth spurt.  That, or her decreased interest in coconut milk means she's trying to make up for calories.  She wants to eat all the time.  "Snaaaaack, mommy, snack!"  She loves these kinds of snacks:
and is quite a happy camper if she can have one.  There are varieties with vegetables mixed in, so I like having the option of giving her both when I can.
She requests turkey at the oddest of times, but hey, at least it's a straight up decent protein, so I don't mind at all.  And she's also learning the value of eating "one more bite" so that she can get whatever it is she really wants (cookie, peez??).
She's even taken an interest in cheese and it seems she might be growing out of her so-called dairy intolerance that she struggled with as an infant.  If so, that is a blessing and a relief.  Ice cream is just too stinkin' delicious to avoid all the time, although much can be said of what can be done with the right can of coconut milk!

And while drafting this post I decided I'd upload a few pictures anyway.  So sit back you all and enjoy!

Walking to the park - a workout for the both of us!

Playing with Peyton & Lily

...and they all look like they could be related (two of them are!)

relaxing with daddy

under a "beat-da" (blanket)

helping Mommy shop at Old Navy

Learning electric guitar at a young age

Hands-down Mia's favorite part of Busch Gardens

Shower!

"Come, Mommy, come!"

Playing with another little kid, Miss Lydia looks on

Monkey see, Monkey do

5 items I would have in my medicine cabinet

At baby showers, it is not uncommon for the expectant mom or set of parents to receive a goody basket full of baby ibuprofen or tylenol, diaper rash cream, gas drops or nursing cream.  In fact, I received all of these things and have at one point or another tried all of them, and was happy to not have to run out to the drugstore to grab them on a rainy night.

There are times though when the conventional treatments don't *work* or fix the problem like I would've liked, and thanks to a few friends, I have learned some different ways to treat certain ailments that may afflict your little one or other family members!

If I were to make my own all-natural/homeopathic goody bag for an expectant parent, here is what I would include, and why:

Aconite Flower, c/o Wikipedia

• Aconitum Napellus, aka "Aconite," is a homeopathic treatment that I buy in the little blue Boiron tubes at my local healthfood store and always try to keep it in stock because according to B.B.H., it's the best thing to give at the onset of any illness.  Cold, fever, sore throat, vomiting, etc., if given within the first 12 hours it can really lessen or reduce the impact of the symptoms.  
• Hepar Sulphuris Calcareum.  This is a great homeopathic treatment for the croup cough that is common in children under 5.  Aside from using hepar sulph, we'll use a humidifier in the room, and try to get as much rest as possible.  Using tea tree oil, lavender and the other essential oils on the hands or feet can help with croup, but try not to use both treatments at the same time.  Oils are powerful and can sometimes overpower the homeopathic treatment.  
• Chamomilla tablets are great for a teething baby; it's essentially the same herb in teething tablets you can buy at any drugstore or Target.  Sometimes we give Mia chamomilla when she's freaking out for no apparent reason; it's great for reducing agitation and fear in an unsettled child.  When a child is older, you could also try real chamomile tea.  
• Coldcalm can be used for cold and flu and similar to Zicam, is best when taken immediately and with greater frequency at the onset.  It is analogous to a conventional cold medication you'd buy at your pharmacy, treating a whole host of symptoms with various homeopathic ingredients. 
• Black Elderberry Syrup (technically I would keep this in my refrigerator upon opening) is wonderful for that persistent cough or reducing the duration of the flu.  One day when Mia was hacking in church services, a family friend came up and just said, "Black Elderberry Syrup, that's what you need for Mia."  We quickly picked some up on our way home and Mia's cough was gone within days.  Some studies have even shown that it can reduce your flu by 4 days!  It was also shown to be 99% effective against the Avian Bird Flu.  

  

  Black Elderberry, c/o Gaia Herbs

  
  

What I love about these remedies is that they are proven over time and have a greater track record than many of your typical over the counter remedies.  They have lasted over the years and stood the test of time, which gives me great comfort as a young mother treating a young child wondering, "Is this safe? Will this work? Am I hurting my child?"  

Whenever we travel away from home for days at a a time, I will often pack Aconite and Hepar Sulph in my bag, because it seems Mia always comes down with something when we're away from home (stress, fatigue, less rest usually accompany our travels!).  It's nice to know we have a quick way to treat the symptoms before they blow up into something worse.  

So the next time you're thinking about natural remedies for common ailments in your family, know that you can rely on many of the herbs and plants God has provided us on this earth!  

Happy homeopathy!

Disclaimer: Of course, I am not a medical doctor or a doctor of natural medicine, so if you have any concerns about you or your child's physical health before taking these remedies, please consult with a DOM, DNM or someone experienced in homeopathy.  There can be contraindications with herbs as well, i.e., if you are on prescription medication, nursing or pregnant.  /Concluding the "don't sue me" spiel.  

This post was also shared at Nourishing Newbie.

Happy Easter!

I guess Easter bunnies still come even when you've been sick, thankfully!

On the hunt with Uncle Luke

Mia and I were finally able to venture out today after a week of total crud-like feelings, while poor Greg, who muscled through it for our sake earlier in the week, was struck by the same beast late Saturday.  He's currently conked out on the bed.

"Distant" cousins, Molly & Mia,
both modeling "Millie's Bows"

better shot of babes, not of mamas
(Kristin & moi)

Getting to church this morning felt like a major milestone.  Aside from forgetting the crayons, Mia and I had everything we needed and made it through almost the whole sermon up until the last 10 minutes, when a desperate plea for an apple turned into laying down in the middle of the aisle.  Needless to say, I scooped the little one up and took her out for a chat (and maybe a bite of that apple).  

Dear friends & family of ours had graciously invited us over, no food required, for an Easter potluck and while I was bummed Greg could not make it, I was so glad to be back in the land of the living where Mia and I could socialize like normal human beings.  They even had a mini Easter egg hunt, which we had sorely missed the last two days for two different events, and Mia really really racked up.  Uncle Luke scored several assists.

slam dunk!

Even Caroline, my SIL's sister, graciously helped Mia.  Caroline definitely earned that hug she got from Mia at the end of the afternoon!

Caroline & Mia searching for the remaining eggs

Sometimes, it really feels like it takes a village, and I'm glad for the one we're in.  

Mia will be 2 on Tuesday.

Here's to stomach's settling, appetites returning, and health improving.  And another wonderful year with:

The Mia-Meister

Happy Easter, everyone!  Christ is RISEN.  

Not Our Week

"The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, Gang aft agley"

(The best laid schemes of Mice and Men oft go awry) - Robert Burns, To a Mouse, 1785

While Mia & I may not be mice, or men, our plans this week have gang aft agley.  Not sure if that's the right verb usage, but I think you catch our drift.

After Mia got sick Monday, we thought we were in the clear.  She wasn't necessarily eating normally the days that followed, but the rest of her schedule was normal.  And then Wednesday afternoon we both woke up from our naps (yes, I definitely took one too), I felt a little funky.  Funkier than I had been feeling.  Greg got home from work and I started throwing up.  I thought maybe it would be just a one-time thing and began to lay down.  However, less than an hour later, it started up again.
Greg started taking control of all the evening's activities and got he and Mia ready for bible class while I stayed back.  It was a good thing I didn't try to go, because for the next several hours I would be making quick runs to the bathroom to hug the porcelain throne.  Greg stopped by the healthfood store and picked up some necessities for me that would hopefully lessen the severity of my symptoms.  After he and Mia got home I began taking my little pellets and after a few more hours of stomach buggyness, it subsided and a bit prior to midnight I was able to fall asleep.

[And let me interject here to say that Greg is an all-star daddy (& husband).  He knows his little one so well and knows just how to take care of her.  I think it all began the moment she was born when he tended to her right away and thus began their immediate bonding, plus the middle of the night feedings when he'd help out, and the times when I needed his daddy-daycare in place so I could take care of some things for me.  He has really learned what Mia needs and even though I take care of a lot of the household things, he knows just what to do with Mia--no questions asked!]

Thursday I woke up feeling weak & dehydrated.  My joints were achy and it confirmed that I must've caught some bug.   Greg took a sick day on my behalf and was basically a stay-at-home-dad for most of Thursday.  I did try to help out with a few things, but mostly relegated myself to the couch or my bed.  By Thursday night, after actually eating some dinner, I regained some energy, just in time for Mia to toss her cookies right before bed.  It seemed very familiar to what I had gone through Wednesday night, so both Greg & I were fearful that Mia was going to have a more severe reaction and barf the rest of the night.  However, she magically was spared my fate.  She hadn't had much of an appetite all day Thursday, but had her typical bottle of coconut milk before bed and that was what made a reappearance.
Should've known.

After that, and realizing we didn't know when this infestation would stop, and we still had at least a day's worth of prep to get ready for Mia's birthday party Saturday (and who feels like cooking, cleaning or baking after being stomach-sick?), we sorrowfully decided we needed to postpone Mia's 2nd birthday party.  Such a bummer because all the themed materials arrived Thursday (can anyone say Easter?) and seeing as Easter is this Sunday, all these supplies will seem a bit out of date now that the party's postponed.  However, this seems to be in the best interest of our family & our guests.  And maybe we'll just have to come up with another theme!

trying a smoothie pop /
 birthday boxes in the background

Well, even though it's been a less than ideal week, we're going to run a few quick errands to get out of the house.  Greg is back at work today, and to keep Mia and myself from going stir-crazy we're going to return the library books I've renewed twice, and stop by Pier 1 to see if they'll let me exchange a curtain panel that's just a bit too long... and see if they have any nice spring wreaths for the front door (late but not too late).

Here's hoping the sickness is gone.  As I've been jokingly telling everybody else, take a probiotic on our behalf.

And like Mandy says on their blog, Sign Language, Rachel Coleman from Signing Time is awesome.  Wish I would've grabbed the $10 DVD sale this past Wednesday.  We've been watching a lot of "Ti' Ti'" this past week ... 



Alright, that's all for now.  Stay well, dear friends!

didn't see that one coming...

Mia has been waking up about once per night for the last week or so.  If I go into her room she stops crying for a minute but then cries for daddy persistently.  Instead of wrestling with her for what feels like forever, usually Greg will come in and help get her settled back to sleep. Lately if she's woken up and I can't settle her, I try to go back to bed myself, but by that point my brain is so awake it's gotten really hard for me to settle.  There have been a few nights over the last week where it's taken me an hour to get back to sleep.  

When this ended up happening last night, I lay in bed planning Mia's birthday party.  It's this coming weekend, at our house (EEK!) and I have felt so unprepared.  I have a theme, and a few ideas, but I hadn't thought through all the logistics.  Where for that? What for this? And how?  But after thinking through a lot of the options and getting some suggestions from friends, I've come up with a plan and just this morning ordered a bunch of the supplies from Oriental Trading Company.  Their items were quite inexpensive but unfortunately I got hit with a shipping charge :-/.  Oh well, ain't nothing a coupon code ($10 off) can't help. 

Well, after figuring all that out during the wee hours of 2 and 3am, I was hoping Mia would "sleep in" till past 8 (as she has been doing just a bit lately--so nice).  Well, instead she was up at 6:45 crying for daddy.  I went into her room and was shocked at what I saw.  There was throw-up all over her bed and down her (white) PJ shirt.  Uh-oh.  As soon as I said, "Oh no Mia, what happened?" She stopped crying and said, "Yeah."  That's sometimes her response to our questions; it doesn't always make sense but it's funny.  

She had had 1.5 hot dogs last night at dinner, some canteloupe and watermelon, and a few bites of popcorn.  It was a "big" dinner, but she didn't eat a lot at lunch, so we figured she was legitimately hungry.  However, maybe she was overfull.

Greg put her in the bath right away while I started stripping her bed and rinsing stuff off in the sink (blech!)  She threw up a tiny amount one more time in the bath (so sad!) and since then, hasn't thrown up yet.  She's only had a little bit to eat: crackers, a couple ounces of milk, and a few pieces of banana.  She hasn't been super hungry yet, but she's already been rubbing her eyes this morning.

We're watching Sesame Street and taking it easy.  Here's hoping the yukkies are just a one time thing.  I have been *blessed* up to this point in that Mia has rarely thrown up in her lifetime.  Just a couple of times, usually a reaction to food or motion sickness in the car. Not sure what I'd do if she had a stomach bug.  

Here's a picture from a better time this past weekend.  We went out to eat and got yogurt after dinner.  It was a perfect night Friday night!

2 peas in a pod

Ponytails & The In Between

Behold, the first ponytail:

Ponytail shot

Mia's cute blonde hair has grown in quite a bit in the back, and after a nap or a car ride it's like Raggedy Ann Version 2.0, so lately we've been trying to pull it back into a little ponytail.  It doesn't always stay in long, but long enough to work out the tangly kinks!

Glamour Shot

Action Shot

We were invited to a family friend's house last night for a Fall Festival.  As fall arrives a bit late in Tampa, the timing was perfect because we were able to play outside in the late afternoon, eat as the sun set, and then roast smores later in the night over a fire pit.  All the kiddies had a great time...but Mia was not down with the group shot later on.

Group Shot / Night of Terror

Where's Elmo??

For now, we're just in the "in between".  Mommo was here this past week and came at a perfect time as Mia got sick Tuesday night and Wednesday and it was super helpful to have the day shift relief.
I tried something new this time when it came to Mia's cold.  As soon as Mia was showing signs of sickness in the middle of the night, I began administering 1 tablet of Aconite an hour throughout the rest of the day (up to 12/day).  By the end of the day Wednesday she was feeling better, and slept through the night and Thursday was like normal again! Aconite is a homeopathic tablet (super small) that you dissolve underneath the tongue.  I will be trying this myself if I start to feel sick soon.  I couldn't believe the turnaround, but from what I understand, as soon as you begin experiencing symptoms, you can start taking Aconite and it will work faster.  
Aside from that, Mia had a super fun time with Mommo bouncing balls, going on walks, taking care of her babies, and playing with her new purse.  As Mommo's reward, Mia can now say her name, "Mommo"!

Next up: The Cloth Diaper Demo & Thanksgiving prep.  In a quick turn of events, I'm hosting this year at our house.  I'm excited but want to be realistic about the expectations.  It is fun to have another event / project to work towards and it'll keep us busy!

Thank you, Julie & Julia

Well let me get to the bad news first so I can move on.  In the early waking hours of Friday morning, Mia woke up sounding like a barking seal.  If you've ever experienced this firsthand or had a family member who has, you know that's the calling card of croup.  Other symptoms include fever & cold.  Based on the internet's advice, I decided to take Mia for a "sick visit" to her pediatrician's office where he basically confirmed what I thought.  She has gained 5 ounces though.  Anyway, the regimen for croup is basically humidified air, a good face plant in the freezer, or a walk in the cool night air.  Since it's pretty hot here, a walk in the cool night air is basically impossible, but we do have a humidifier & a freezer, and we've been utilizing the former.

She didn't do super well the rest of Friday: restless and tired--very difficult to put to sleep.  But once she finally was out last night, she slept all night like she normally does.  Thank goodness!  She's doing better today and hopefully will get another full night's sleep tonight.  We aren't giving her much aside from plenty of liquids (and whatever remaining bmilk we have around here!), whatever solids she might tolerate, some hepar sulph (a homeopathic remedy for croup), and some Motrin here & there for the fever/pain relief.  


While Mia was abating her condition and actually sleeping last night, Greg & I watched Julie & Julia on Netflix on the Wii (kinda cool!)  While Greg fell asleep too, I rekindled my interest in things kitchen-related (family members across the United States are breathing a big sigh of relief) and am making a cake tonight.  Not the Julia Child kind (don't think I've ever actually attempted to master the art of French Cooking), but the modified recipe kind.  It's actually a modification of a Betty Crocker recipe as modified by her and the recipe I used to make Mia's birthday cupcakes!


Check it out, it's really simple (and yummy!):  My comments are italicized.

• 2 cups flour (fresh ground organic soft white wheat)
• 2 cups sugar (I use only 1 1 /2 cups organic evaporated cane juice like Rapadura or Sucanat and then add 4 drops stevia) -- I used raw sugar, aka demerera--less processed & I like the taste)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I use organic Rapunzel brand cocoa powder - very dark and full of antioxidants) -- I skipped this, I prefer it without the chocolate
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups milk (I use fresh from the cow whole milk from a local farmer) OR for Mia I made it with rice milk as I was unsure of how she'd react to cow's milk
• 1/2 cup shortening (expeller pressed coconut oil works fabulous here)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs (I use free range eggs) or organic eggs

Bake in whatever size cake pans you want for 30 mins at 350°F.  Or 20 mins if you're making cupcakes.

Frosting:

• 1/2 cup deep yellow, grassfed butter, softened - I just used plain store butter
• 1/2 cup cocoa or carob powder (or 1/4 cup of each) - again, skipped the chocolate
• 1/3 cup boiling water
• 4 cups sifted, organic powdered sugar - cheaped out and used regular powdered sugar! :P
• 1 tsp vanilla

Mix powdered sugar and cocoa/carob.   Add butter, boiling water, and vanilla.   Beat with an electric mixer on low till combined.   Cool for a few minutes and then frost your cake.     Recipe will frost tops and sides of a double layer cake (9x13 pan).

I adapted the frosting by using a Food Network recipe courtesy of LPK, and made yellow frosting with lemon extract, red frosting with almond extract, and green frosting with mint.  The white frosting just had vanilla.  It was super good!  

In my opinion, the cupcakes were superior to what I might've been able to get from a store.  They were a bit more dense & heavy, but they had a really good taste & stayed moist for several days.  I chose to make Mia's cupcakes myself as I wanted to avoid several artificial ingredients (although the frosting may have backfired that desire!) and I wanted less dairy where possible.  A big shout-out to Mommo for helping with the last minute cupcake preparations.

Tonight, I am remaking this recipe, but with real cow's milk instead of the rice milk, and I'm not yet sure which direction I'll go with the frosting.  But I can say regardless, I'm really looking forward to chowing down on this cake!  And so is Greg.

And with that, it's Mia's bedtime.  Until next time...

Getting used to a new way of life

Since having Mia, my perspective on day to day things has had to change, adapt and evolve quite a bit.

Now that I stay home, I find the littlest things enjoyable, such as:

• walking outside to check the mail


• loading the dishwasher (especially when there's been a backup and all the dishes clouding the sink and countertop are spatially arranged in the dishwasher -- I guess you could say in some small way it exercises the tetris sector of my brain...didn't you know we all have one of those? Trust me, I was a psych major)


• making coffee, sitting down, and then enjoying that cup of coffee


• writing about 4,892 blogs in my head, when about .07% of those are actually published

There are certainly more little things I find enjoyable, but usually, and as illustrated right now, my mind is all over the place and it's hard to collect it all neatly in one place!


---------------------------------
In other news, we traveled for Thanksgiving up to Greg's parents' in north Nashville. I was a bit nervous about traveling to begin with, because we were to drive up the day before Thanksgiving, leaving early afternoon. It's normally a 10-12hr drive, kid or no kid, and the last time we drove up in July, it took so much longer! However, even though Mia woke up with a fever that day and some nasal congestion, she was a great traveler and we probably only stopped 3 times, making it in 11 hrs! Being upright in her carseat helped her nose to drain, and the fever broke over night. We found out Thursday that the fever was probably teething-related, as her first little bottom center tooth cut! What a girl.
Unfortunately, now we're all at some stage of sickness. Mia is still sick, with a croupy sort of cough and still some congestion. Greg already had the sore throat/congestion earlier this week, and guess what lucky person woke up with a sore throat today? Yes, moi. I thought since I hadn't gotten sick this past week I was in the clear. Guess not.

Well, I have a raspy baby rolling around on the floor crying for my attention ("Stop blogging mommy!") so...must get going.
PS: The picture of Greg & Mia is from the Grand Ol' Opry, which we attended Friday night!