Beat the Winter Viruses with #Adult Essentials

This season is the perfect opportunity to spend lots of fun quality time with family, especially your little ones.
Ski trips, tobogganing, snowboarding, winter hikes along the beautiful trails, skating followed by a cup of hot cocoa.
Another thing that my family loves to do during this time of year is head out for a brisk walk around the neighborhood after dinner with home-made hot chocolate all cozy and bundled checking out the gorgeous Holiday lights up on the houses.  It's amazing how much effort our wonderful neighbors put into lifting the
holiday spirits with how they decorate their homes for this festive time of year.
Being a mom, what I've come to realize though is that the common cold virus has a knack for visiting intruding my home and all the members in it starting with the kids most often during this time of year.
This makes for miserable moments combating runny noses and sore throats and time wasted in taking in this beautiful season outdoors.

Prior to taking my daily vitamin, I use to get sick quite often.  Let's just say I have a poor immune system.
I would avoid any and all that have come in contact with a virus like a plague but now that I'm a mother, that's very hard to do.
I can't stress enough the importance a daily vitamin is in your lifestyle.  We think we eat healthy enough, work out, etc. but we are always lacking a little something and could use a little boost.

First and foremost, start your day with a decent breakfast and a multivitamin, making sure to have a decent amount of Vitamin C as well, either derived through orange juice or a similar beverage, or an additional vitamin if necessary. Ensuring that your body has the necessary energy and nutrients to fight against the germs that carry the common cold is perhaps the most important step in attempting to have a healthy, cold-free winter. Your immune system must be kept at its peak during these months in order to stave off more debilitating illnesses like the flu.
Stay nice and bundled up as an external defense and they say consuming a cup of black or green tea daily is good for their antioxidants.

The germs that cause the common cold are actually most easily transmitted through the hands, so it is very important to take the necessary steps to wash and clean your hands several times a day in order to reduce the risk of catching a cold when in public places.  I like to keep antibacterial wipes and/or hand gel in my car and my purse when heading out.

It is still entirely possible you will catch a cold this winter, but if you follow the above tips daily and avoid contact with sick people when possible, then you will have significantly reduced the risk of getting sick yourself.

You can check out Adult Essentials line of Vitamins here.
You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

You will be able to find Adult Essentials Gummies at any of your local pharmacies and grocery stores in the vitamin aisle.  If you're having difficulty, you can check here for a list of retailers that carry them.

They are a Canadian brand the understands our Canadian Winters and the creator is also a Mom, just like you and I. If there's a brand that I can trust, it's definitely Adult Essentials.

How do you battle the ugly winter Viruses?


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Disclosure: I am participating in the Adult Essentials Blogger Outreach program by ShesConnected.  I received a supply of vitamins and compensation in exchange for my participation in this campaign. The opinions on this blog are my very own.

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Our Fever Fright

The past few days has been a tumultuous, nerve-racking and very taxing time for me as a mother.

Motherhood is not easy but this is definitely one of those times where you learn how strong you are and can be under such pressure and stress.

It all started with the sniffles and runny nose.  Sure, I'm use to the minor colds here and there but this time it was different.

My 3 year old, Ava, then began to heat up... very quickly.  She became weak.  She stopped playing and saying her usual silly things and a million and one questions.

I knew then that this was not going to be just a cold.

That night may have been one of the most trying nights for me and my husband.

She came down with a high fever and when she started shaking with chills -- I pretty much couldn't stand it.  

Her beautiful porcelain skin then started showing prominent purple veins.
She also became somewhat nostalgic and then the vomit began.

I'm usually pretty calm and able to handle such things.  After all, she's had a fever, plenty of times in the past, and I've always handled them well.

But couple it with my advancing amount of pregnancy hormones and I was a total wreck.  

I've never seen her with chills before and that absolutely scared the heck out of me.
At one point, amidst the vomit, chills, non-stop painful crying from my little girl & the heat, I even found myself over the toilet throwing up.

She didn't take to the advil at all (threw up all of it) so we had to try and get her temps down naturally with a cool cloth on her forehead, stripped her down in cooler clothing and when her temps peaked, we gave her a warm sponge bath.

Thank goodness my sister quickly dropped by.  She was able to help me out for a little bit while my husband tended to clearing out all the massive heaps of vomit on the bed, floor and bathroom.

They seemed to help but of course, this horrible virus was at it's worse that night and attacking our little girl.

It's amazing though how our bodies work (no matter how little) trying hard to fight it. 

After that crazy ordeal, she rested calmly, began drinking some water, slowly ate some saltine crackers and bananas and then rested.

The chills did return afterwards for another 10 minutes and her temp did not go any lower, so we just continued what we were doing, prayed and hoped for the best.

She didn't sleep until 5am that night, I didn't sleep at all.

I'm sure some of you very experienced mothers will read this and think, "It was just a fever. They'll survive." 

Yes, we did survive, but it doesn't mean it was any less stressful.  

Fever IS an alarming thing when it happens to your child. We give medicine to bring the fever down as soon as possible, we call doctors, and we worry. But what is fever, exactly, and what is the best thing to do when it happens to your child?

You will usually be able to tell if you baby has a fever just by touching her. Her skin will feel very hot. You can feel her brow, her belly, or if she's younger than three months, feel her chest or back. 

Here are some great tips to help when you find yourself going through this (and believe me, you will).

Fever is actually a good thing. It tells you that your child's immune system is working properly and that the body is fighting off illness. When your child gets an illness, the white blood cells start fighting it. Sometimes they need extra help. So they send messengers, called interleukins, to the hypothalamus in your child's brain, asking for help. The hypothalamus then sends the body a message to raise the temperature. Heat kills much bacteria and this is the reason for the body's raise in temperature when fighting illness. The body's thermostat is raised and your child gets chills because shivering is the quickest way to warm the body. Fever begins.. When the body has heated enough and the thermostat is then turned down, your child sweats in order to cool down. The fever has broken.

Now, to take the scariness out of fever, this will explain some common fever worries.

WORRY: "A temperature of over 98.6 F (or 37 C) is a fever!"

EXPLANATION: Most doctors don't consider temperatures under 100 F (37.7 C) to be a fever.

WORRY: "Fever causes seizures!"

EXPLANATION: Febrile (fever-induced) seizures occur in only 5% of young children, and are caused not by high fever, but by the rapidness in which the fever comes on. Febrile seizures are not dangerous and do not cause lasting damage.

WORRY: "I have to keep my child in bed!"

EXPLANATION: Fever takes a lot of energy, so rest is helpful and will make your child feel better. However, it is not essential and if the child is happier up and playing, it won't hurt him/her to let him/her do so.

WORRY: "My child shouldn't eat when (s)he has a fever-- remember 'starve a fever'!"

EXPLANATION: Most kids aren't hungry when they have a fever to begin with. But if they are, keeping them from eating will not help the fever, and will only make your child feel worse! What you do need to do is give plenty of liquids-- water, juice, ice chips, jello, popsicles. Electrolytes are only necessary if diarrhea and vomiting are also present, or your child is sweating profusely. You can try pedialyte (they even have the freezer pop version if your child prefers a freezie).

WORRY: "The fever must be brought down as soon as possible!"

EXPLANATION: Fever can actually be left to run its course. It is fulfilling a job, after all. Fever is not dangerous until it gets very high-- above 102 F (38.8 C) at least. However, giving the child acetaminophen will make the child feel better.

(Note: Always take the advice of your pediatrician!)

TEMPERATURE

If you use a thermometer, her temperature will vary depending where you measure it. Here are the most common places to take a temperature: 

• Rectal temperature: The most accurate way to measure a temperature in a child under five years is by taking a rectal temperature. Clean the thermometer with cool soapy water, cover the silver tip with petroleum jelly, gently insert 2.5cm into the rectum. A fever is anything greater than 38 degrees C when measured rectally. 

• Under the armpit: Under the armpit (also called axillary) is a quicker place to test for a temperature at any age. Simply tuck a thermometer under your baby's armpit, with her arm down by her side. Your baby may have a fever if the temperature is greater than 37.3 degrees under the armpit. 

• In the ear: Another place to measure temperature on a baby is in the ear (also called tympanic). Be aware though thermometers for the ears are not reliable in babies under two years of age. In children older than two, a fever is anything greater than 38 degrees C when measured in the ear. 

• In the mouth: Oral thermometers should not be used until a child is five years old. A temperature greater than 37.5 degrees C orally (in the mouth) is a fever. 

What kind of thermometer should you buy?

You don't need to buy an expensive thermometer. Most are easy to use and have clear instructions. There are different types you can buy from your pharmacy: 

Digital thermometers are probably the best type you can use at home. They are accurate and beep when they are ready. They can be used for measuring temperatures under the arm. You can also check her temperature rectally. For an older child you can also test her temperature orally.

Ear thermometers can be very accurate and only take a second, but they are difficult to use correctly and are not accurate in babies less than two years old. They can also be expensive.

Forehead strips are less accurate as they show the temperature of your baby's skin, rather than her body. But they are quick and easy to use.

Soother thermometers are less accurate, and, like the forehead strips, you should double check the result with a digital thermometer.

WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR!

• If your child has a fever and shivering, this may indicate a bacterial illness - see your doctor if your child is unwell with this
• If the temperature is above 40.5 C or 105 F, she may have a bacterial infection. See your doctor if this high temperature persists or your child is unwell
• If the high temperature persists for more than 5 days, particularly if your child is miserable
• A temperature as high as 42 C or 107.6 F is uncommon but is dangerous if it persists at this level for any length of time, so seek urgent medical advice if your child's temperature is this high at any time.
• Your child shows signs of listlessness or odd, unresponsive behavior
• Your child has fewer wet diapers than usual and his/her mouth and eyes are dry (dehydration)
• Your child passes out or is difficult to awaken during sleep
• You are worried and feel you need to call the doctor-- never ignore your instincts!

TREATING THE FEVER

• Give the child plenty of fluids to keep from dehydrating!  Water, juice, ice chips, jello, popsicles are good. Pedialyte is great for electrolytes especially if they have been vomiting or have diarrhea.
• Keep your child cool by removing heavy clothing. Do not remove everything. Your child's body will find its own appropriate temperature if dressed normally. Dress lightly with a light blanket if necessary.
• If you want to medicate your child, give acetaminophen or ibuprofin only. Never give your child aspirin!
• To help your child feel better, you could try a spongebath. Use lukewarm water only-- NEVER USE ICE! A spongebath should only be given after the fever has broken (the child is sweating).
• A warm-cool cloth over the forehead or behind the neck is also a good way to soothe and bring down the temps
• Read to your child or watch a children's video together to distract her/him from his/her illness. Please do not use the video as a babysitter-- your child needs your love right now!
• Give TLC. Cuddle your child and affirm to him/her that (s)he'll feel better soon and that you're right there for him/her.
• Massage and music can be very soothing to a child. However, some children don't want to be touched when they are sick

DO NOT: overdress or completely undress your child. Let his/her body find its own temperature.

DO NOT: put ice water or alcohol on the child!

DO NOT: awaken your child to give him/her medicine. As long as your child's fever is not extremely high, sleep is more important!

**Always consult your pediatrician before taking medical advice!**

I hope this helps and most importantly, I wish your little ones a healthy and speedy recovery. 

Remember Moms, you're doing an awesome job. You're never, ever alone! We've all been there!

Take care!

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Mom's Tried & Tested Home Remedies

The one thing that I swear on are home remedies.  My mom has taught me to go natural most times and resort to medicine only when really needed. 

We all know of mom’s good old home remedies, and some people swear that they work. But do they really? Or are they just old wives’ tales? I decided to check out a few common home remedies to find out whether they actually work. I’m not a doctor, so the information I’m giving you is based on info I’ve found on the Internet. I just think it’s interesting to see which ones work and which ones don’t!

Chicken Soup for a Cold

Does chicken soup really help you feel better when you’ve got a cold? Does it help warm you up and feel comfy? Yes it does. And yes, this is one home remedy that works.

A study done back in 2009 proves that there is scientific data to back it up. It states that when chicken soup is added to a Petri dish full of inflammatory cells, the ability of these cells to move around and migrate was decreased. These inflammatory cells help fight infection but also cause inflammation which is responsible for some of the uncomfortable symptoms experienced with a cold.

So next time you or your family has a cold, bust out the chicken noodle soup!

Vitamin C To Prevent A Cold

My mom is always telling me to take Vitamin C and give to my family during the winter so we don't get colds. I always tell her that it won’t really help, but I do it anyways. Does it help?

Maybe. According to the Harvard Health Journal, doctors can’t really decide if it works or not. Harvard Health says that although many studies have been done on the subject, none of these studies were “well designed or conclusive”.

What I do know is that I chug the OJ when I'm sick and I always feel much better.  And this is minus cold meds too!

Coffee for a Hangover

I’ve always heard that a coffee will help with a hangover. Maybe because it will help minimize the headache and the feeling of exhaustion from drinking too much and staying out too late the night before?

No! Don’t pour a cup in the morning to fight off that hangover! One of the main reasons you have a hangover in the first place is dehydration, and coffee is only going to make that worse. What you need to do is get some rest, and drink lots of water. LOTS of water!

Another thing that will help? A banana. Bananas are full of potassium, which is drained from your body when you drink too much.

Salt Water for a Sore Throat

When I was younger, I got sore throats regularly. My mom always told me to gargle with warm salt water (1/4 to 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt in a half cup of warm water). It did make me feel better, but did it really work.

Yes, this is one you can use. The salt water does provide relief and helps keep infections away.  It will also wash away postnasal drip, which often makes a sore throat worse.

What home remedies do you swear by?

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Moms Are Not Allowed To Get Sick!

As I sit here and type, I look around at the copious amounts of crumpled up tissue paper surrounding me, feel the burn from an abused nose, inhale the vapors rising from this perfect cup of mint tea with a splash of lemon and honey and take in the scent of Vicks Vapor Rub (officially my new “fragrance”).
Did I mention I’m also still wearing the same pajamas I have been wearing for the past 2 days. I know, gross, right?

This is probably the first time I’ve gotten up from my bed to sit at my desk and check some emails and get started on some blogging.  I’m not trying to complain to you but you realize more than ever when you are a Mom that it doesn’t matter how sick you are, you still have to try and function the best you can.  This is especially true when you have toddlers or infants.
My little 3 year old daughter has been super sweet with me being sick (she actually gets it) but at the same time, she won’t hesitate to pull at my hands to get up off the bed because she really needs something or come crying to me for big hugs when Daddy is just not enough for her.
We are Mom after all. Irreplaceable.

So, no sick days for us. We have got to suck it up as much as possible.
I’m pretty lucky because the past few days that I’ve been sick with this horrid flu virus, my mother was able to take a day off from her work to stay with me and care for not just me but for my daughter.
My husband also took a day off work today (hence the opportunity to get onto the computer).
A support system is honestly one of the most effective forms of medicine.
It gives you the rest you really need.

If you can’t get that break, which many of us hard-working mommies can’t most times, here are some really helpful tips, some of my own and some I’ve learned from others:

• Ply the kids with the TV for the day and camp out on the couch. You’re sick. Do what you can to create a comfort haven. Have Goldfish crackers and juice boxes at the ready for them, lots of liquids, soup, crackers, and tissues for you.
• If you’ve got a daughter old enough with an imagination, let her play “Mama” and have her fetch things for you that you’ll need throughout the day. She’ll love being a Mama’s Little Helper (as long as she’s actually helping you and not getting in the way).
• Let the kids make forts or dump all the toys in the playroom. It doesn’t matter that they’re making a mess today. Peace and quiet is what you need most. If the kids are playing quietly and you can rest, clean up later, when you’re better.
• Don’t worry about dinner or laundry or any playdates you might have scheduled. Cancel any plans you had. Your first priority today is getting better.
• Nap when the little ones are napping! Rest is essential to battling this virus.
• When hubby gets home, let him know he’s on his own for dinner with the kids. Better yet, have him take the kids out of the house for dinner. Chicken nuggets and fries haven’t killed anyone yet, or else they would have stopped selling them. Tell your husband the kids are all his for the rest of the night.
• Get yourself into a warm shower, slather on that Vicks Vaporub, put on some cozy PJs and then get into bed.

What makes it a tad more challenging for me when I get sick is that I am not able to take many medicines that help to nip the virus in the butt sooner because of the fertility medications.
I have to stick to everything au natural.  Which I’m not complaining about either because if you take care of yourself well, it’s just as effective as chugging down the Buckleys!

Another thing that I have learned is very important pre-sickies is to start (if you’re not already doing so) taking a good multi-vitamin to help boost your immune system, because face it, we don’t get the proper amount of vitamins daily that we really need.  PTPA winner, Adult Essentials, is a great for chewable & tasty vitamins.  They offer the first complete line of gummy vitamins specially designed for adults and are approved natural health products.

Another PTPA winner that you want to stock up on as soon as you feel those germs creeping in is Cold-Eeze, a common cold remedy in the form of zinc lozenges that works as a cold treatment, so you stop the cold, not just the symptoms.

Until you’re children are old enough to understand and care for themselves temporarily when you’re sick, this well-oiled machine known as Mama needs to do what she can to ensure she can heal quickly to be the best mom for her children.
And let’s not forget that prevention is key! Wash, wash, wash those hands every time you get back in from being outdoors, keep hand sanitizer with you and take a good multi-vitamin!
Be well.

Credits: visualphotos.com, realmomsguide.sheknows.com

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