I cannot believe it is a new year already!! Our family got hit with what I call the creeping crud … sneezing, sore throat, headache, congestion, hacking cough

It is almost epidemic in our area!

Natural remedies are my first line of defense when my family gets sick.

**Note: I am not a medical professional, just a momma who wants to keep her kiddos out of the doctor’s office. You are responsible for doing the research to determine if these remedies will be healthy & effective for your family. 🙂

I order all of my supplements through Vitacost. They have the best prices and super-fast shipping. Use my referral link to get $10 off your first purchase.

~Prevent it: I usually start preparing my family in late Fall by making sure we are taking our vitamins, eating healthy foods, and drinking lots of water. Everyone also gets a daily chewable acidophilus if the stomach bug is going around. Sinupret is a good immune booster to counteract upper respiratory illnesses. Because of the unusually warm weather and our busy schedule, I did not stay on top if it this year. Won’t be making that mistake again!!

~Catch it early: I have yet to read anything about homeopathic medicine that doesn’t sound slightly crazy, but I don’t care because it WORKS!! My medicine cabinet contains several Boiron products that I use as soon as symptoms appear, to lessen the effects of illness.

• Oscillococcinum at first sign of the flu – achiness & fever
• Coldcalm for congestion & runny nose (I gave myself & the girls this and we ended up with mild colds. The boys, who got sick first & didn’t take Coldcalm, were terribly ill & in bed for days.)
• Sinusalia works quickly to open up sinus passages and get rid of that over-the-eye sinus headache
• Chestal Honey Cough Syrup

~Burn it off: I do not give my kiddos medicine for a low-grade fever (under 102) unless they are in pain or uncomfortable. Fever is your body’s way of fighting infection.

~Honey & Cinnamon: both are antiviral and antibacterial – Mix 1 tsp raw honey with 1/4 tsp good-quality cinnamon and eat it by the spoonful, use it as a fruit dip, or stir it into hot tea. You can do this several times a day to head off a cold. (Local raw honey will also lessen the effects of seasonal allergies.)

~Ease nighttime coughing: To stop heavy coughing, spread a layer of Vicks VapoRub on the bottom of each foot and put on clean socks. Don’t laugh – it really works!!

~Soothe an earache:  Massage a few drops of garlic oil into your ear for almost-instant relief of an earache. Garlic is a natural antibiotic.

~Keep the air moist: I prefer a vaporizer, but a humidifier is a safer choice if it is going to be within reach of little ones. Our vaporizer has a little well on top that I fill with peppermint oil to help open sinus passages.

~Ease sore throat pain: My dad dropped off a bottle of Echinacea Goldenseal Propolis Throat Spray for Hubby to use. I haven’t tried it, but he had good results. Goldenseal is a natural antiseptic.

~Stay hydrated: Coconut water is a healthy alternative to sports drinks.  It contains potassium, minerals, and electrolytes.

These can all be found at any health food store. My Walmart even carries Oscillo and local raw honey. Since not everyone lives near these stores, I linked to Vitacost.  They have a great selection & low prices.  New to Vitacost?
Save $10 off an order of $30 or more through my referral link.

These are a few of the methods that we use to naturally fight off cold & the flu, but there are many more great remedies.

What are your tried & true tips?

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I got this in an email & thought it was worth passing along.

Be Cautious About Giving Info to      Census Workers

by Susan Johnson

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question is – how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.

Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.

REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.

While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON’T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.

AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION… No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org