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0 In health/ parenting

How to keep your kids healthy during cold and flu season

This post is sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cold and flu season is upon us and the Coronavirus pandemic continues to surge. Typically, the peak of it happens during the coldest of winter months December-January, right around the holidays. As a nurse and mom, I’m sharing some things you can do to keep your kids and your family healthy.

How to keep your kids healthy during cold and flu season

Get your flu shot! And any other vaccines your children may need. With the pandemic, us parents are stretched thin. Working from home, homeschooling, maybe you’re caring for elderly parents and with that, many kids have fallen behind on their preventative care and vaccinations. Or you may be afraid to take your kids to the doctors out of fear that may contact COVID-19. I know I myself have been trying to limit their exposure everywhere I can. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that keeping up with your child’s immunization schedule and preventative care is one of the easiest ways you can keep them healthy. Trust your pediatrician’s office to have safety measures and precautions in place to help prevent the spread of any viruses or disease. I encourage you to call your pediatrician to make sure your children are up to date or caught up on all of their routine immunizations. For more information visit https://bit.ly/HealthyChildrenAAP.
Remind your kids to practice frequent handwashing, cover their mouth when sneezing/coughing and avoid touching their face. Germs are spread by touching surfaces that are contaminated and then touching your face, or coughing/sneezing and then touching another object. Instill in your children washing their hands after going to the bathroom and before meals. Have them wash with soap and water for 20 seconds. Make it fun and choose their favorite song and have them sing it while they wash their hands.
Maintain a healthy diet and move your body often – This may sound simple and like something you already know but during the holiday season I think this gets forgotten. Eat your fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of water and take your vitamins. Teach your children to fill their plate with a rainbow of colorful fruits and vegetables as they contain the healthiest nutrients for your immune system. And if they fill up on healthy foods, they’re less likely to binge on the unhealthy stuff like sweets and treats. Make it a point to exercise for 20 minutes a day, whether it be walking, biking, dancing or just playing outside. Exercise has been shown to keep inflammation at bay and promotes circulation of the blood, including white blood cells which are your body’s defense against germs and disease.
Stay well rested – The holidays are a busy time of year with getting together with friends and family, and no one wants to miss out. I know I get FOMO. But if you’re feeling under the weather, stay home. If you feel tired, listen to your body and rest. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night to keep your resistance up and help you fight off any infection.
Limit stress – I know, easier said than done, especially during a pandemic. But research shows that stress and constant release of the hormone Cortisol weakens your immune system. Make it a point to take care of your mental health. Find one thing that you enjoy and do it for yourself each day whether it be having a cup of coffee in peace while everyone else sleeps or partaking in your favorite hobby.

Hoping you and your family stay healthy this cold and flu season! And if you haven’t already, call your children’s pediatricians to ensure they are up to date on their vaccines and well care!

November 22, 2021 By Nicolle

1 In back to school/ mom hacks/ parenting

7 time saving tips for a smoother morning for moms

This post is sponsored by Kleenex, Scott, Cottonelle and Viva but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

As August comes to end, it’s time for back to school and new transitions. This September will be a new transition in our family as well as we will be in our new home and Maxwell will be in a new daycare full time. With new routines comes crazy mornings trying to get everyone ready for the day and out the door on time. I’ve gathered some tips and hacks to help beat the morning rush and help for an easier transition for all.

1.) Prep the night before – pack lunches and lay out outfits the night before. That way in the morning you can just get dressed and take lunch boxes out of the fridge and pack in everyone’s bags. Let your kids help you too that way they can wear something they helped pick out.

2.) Buy all your home essentials online and have the house stocked – In the morning the last thing you want to have to do is be running around looking for more paper towels or toilet paper because the roll is empty. I buy all of my essentials online at Amazon and have them delivered to the house that way I avoid the stores and don’t have to lug all of the bulky items around and into the car with a little one in tow.

3.) On Sunday, prepare some easy breakfasts for the week – I’m all about food prepping! One of my favorite quick breakfast ideas is egg muffins. Super easy to make and everyone loves them! In a bowl I whisk a dozen eggs, some milk and salt and pepper all together. Add shredded cheese and some veggies or meats of your choice. (We love to do some chopped bell peppers, spinach and chunks of bacon). Spray a muffin tin with nonstick spray. Pour the egg batter into the muffin tins until halfway full. Bake in the oven on 375 for 15 minutes. Store in a ziploc bag in the fridge and pop in the microwave before eating.

4.) Pack bags and backpacks the night before – Have your kids be sure to pack all their school supplies and homework the night before. Little one’s gotta bring in Kleenex for the class? Pack that too.

5.) Wake up early – I wake up earlier than everyone else that way I can shower and enjoy my morning cup of coffee in peace and quiet. I crave that time in the morning to gather all of my thoughts for the day and embrace the quiet before the chaos starts.

6.) Make a playlist – Have your kids make a playlist with songs that they like that get them up and moving. Make it into a routine. When Taylor Swift comes on, they have to get dressed by the end of the song. Once Bruno Mars is done, they have to have finished brushing their teeth.

7.) Keep the car stocked – How many times have you gotten the kids out of the house and into the car and then noticed they have peanut butter or yogurt smeared all over their face? I keep things like Kleenex wet wipes in my car that way I can wipe my little dude’s face clean before going out in public.

Wishing you and all your little ones a fabulous school year!

And be sure to shop on Amazon to save $3 on all your Kleenex, Scott, Cottonelle and Viva essentials!

August 10, 2018 By Nicolle

6 In Baby/ health/ parenting

How to boost your baby’s health with probiotics

This post is sponsored by Evivo but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Have you ever heard the saying “it all starts in the gut”? It’s true. Your gut health is responsible for your overall health and wellness. As moms, we want to give our babies only the very best and protect them from harm. But have you ever thought about protecting your little one’s gut? I know when I was planning for the birth of our baby, I was busy researching the safest cribs, carseats, you name it but I never thought about baby probiotics and gut health.

The Importance of a Healthy Gut

Our bodies have a mix of tiny microorganisms (bacteria, viruses and yeast) which makes up our microbiome. This microbiome contains healthy bacteria which helps to push out any of the harmful bacteria therefore strengthening our immune systems and aiding in a healthy gut. More and more studies are showing that a healthy gut has been linked to fewer cases of allergies, eczema, obesity and diabetes. But how does one acquire a healthy gut?

Babies acquire their gut health mainly from mom. More specifically, babies acquire a healthy bacteria known as B. Infantis during birth as they pass through the vaginal canal and from breast milk. However, today 9 out of 10 babies are missing this healthy bacteria.

How Evivo Can Help Restore Your Baby’s Microbiome

Evivo is the only probiotic that’s clinically proven to restore baby’s gut and repopulate it with the good bacteria that are missing. During a clinical trial, babies who received Evivo mixed with breast milk had their gut 100% repopulated with healthy bacteria.

Once daily, just mix the contents of one packet with some breastmilk and feed to your baby in the syringe provided.

I wish I had known about Evivo sooner. For those who are new here and may not know our story, Maxwell was born via csection and we struggled with breastfeeding. Had I known about it sooner, I definitely would have used Evivo to help replenish his gut flora. But I must say, we are extremely lucky to have such a healthy, happy baby!