Wednesday, February 8, 2012

'Tis the Season

So it's time in the season that we are about sick of being sick!  Bring on the warm weather! :-)  Many people are dealing with so many illnesses right now.  It is heart wrenching to see everyone go through it, not to mention how miserable it makes everyone feel and how much it interrupts life.  I just got two notices from my daughters classroom that there are multiple children with strep throat and pink eye in the class.  Good news for us, we've never had strep throat, and I don't think this year is going to be the year.  I don't have to worry about those notices.   How is it that I don't have to obsess about the germs and worry constantly that my kids will contract things from other kids?   I don't say this to boast at all, I share it because I want you to be able to find the same success!  Last year I shared some helpful info in this post.

There are many factors as to how well a family will resist severe illness.  But one major factor in determining how many viruses we catch is DIET.  Yes, I know, you hate to hear that word.  It seems like it should be much more complicated than that.  But it really isn't!  Think of this...what we put into our body affects the health of our body.  And certain substances and foods actually lower our immune system's ability to function.  So if we feed our bodies with nutrient-dense foods, then our immune systems will be strengthened.  If we are eating processed, non nutrient-dense foods, then there is nothing to help strengthen our bodies' defenses.  I heard someone once compare the inside of our bodies to a pond.  If the pond is dirty, it becomes a swamp and attracts bugs and all kinds of ugly things.  If the pond is clean, the bugs will stay away.  They are simply not attracted to the clean environment.  Same with our bodies.  If my inner terrain is healthy and "clean", it will not attract the same amount of viruses as someone's inner terrain that is unclean and unhealthy. 

There are other steps in addition to diet that will help.  (Vitamins, exercise, etc.)  But diet alone will eradicate a good part of the illnesses.  If the thought seems overwhelming, just do one thing at a time.  The change will not happen overnight...we have been getting milder illnesses as the years have gone on by the small changes we have made each year.  But for a first step, try, for example, taking the sugary cereal out for breakfast.  If that's too big of a step, start to combine sugary cereal with a less sugary cereal.  It takes a while to change the taste buds.  Then start eating less-sugary cereal with fruit on top.  And, ultimately, replace the processed cereal with a true, bonafide, whole grain like oatmeal!  The biggest thing to remember is that it starts with YOU, the parent, or the mom.  You will start to change your own diet, and the family will follow in time.

Here's to a healthier 2012!!!!!!