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Dr. Susan Rubin is a dentist, holistic nutritionist and a mom of 3. She is the founder of Better School Food, a non profit advocacy group composed of health professionals, educators and concerned parents. Dr. Rubin has created food based educational programs for children of all ages as well as adults. Her approach integrates whole food and healthy lifestyle with the reality of living in our busy and often chaotic world.
Check out Dr Susan Rubin's website
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Yesterday, my hubby came down with something that could be considered the flu. Sudden onset, body aches and pains, chest pain, dry cough. It sidelined him to the couch and will probably keep him home from work for a few days. Is it the famous swine flu? Or just another garden variety bug that he caught from burning the candle at both ends? Does it even matter?
I thought I'd take this opportunity to share with you some of the strategies I use so that maybe, just maybe, the rest of my family won't get sick. And if they do, they won't suffer as severe an illness.
At the present time, it sounds like the new swine flu vaccine might be available too late to matter. Check with your pediatrician to see if he or she recommends having your child vaccinated for the flu. There is more we can do to prevent colds and flu than washing your hands and sneezing into your elbow as the CDC keeps telling us. Let's look at some things that you and your family can do for little or no cost.
SLEEP Consider for a moment that sleep is a nutrient that we need every day. Scientists have shown that sleep is when we grow and when we heal. Parents know this first hand with their kids. When you're sick, you sleep! Well, why not make sure you get adequate sleep BEFORE you get sick? This is one reason I've canceled all sleepovers this year. I want my kids home to sleep in their own beds at a reasonable time. Regular sleep hours are shown to be helpful in boosting immunity, and also in better brain function: retaining what you learn. Make regular, restful sleep a priority in your home and you'll have happier healthier kids to show for it.
SUGAR We all love sugar, some of us have real problems with it as it can act like an addictive drug for some. The bottom line is that refined sugar can deplete your immunity and can drain the body of much needed nutrients. I could show you all sorts of articles and studies to prove this point. The bottom line is, we all need to look at decreasing our consumption of refined sugar. Replace sugary drinks with water, preferably filtered, from the tap and you'll be saving loads of money and the earth ( all those toxic plastic bottles!). Take a good long look at how much refined sugar you and your kids eat over the course of a day or a week. Get conscious and cut back on the white stuff!
GOOD BUGS One thing that those who love to splash germ killers like Purell might not realize is that we consist of all sorts of microorganisms living together in harmony. You might be surprised to learn that the human body contains 20 times more microbes than it does human cells. One group of bacteria that I'm particularly fond of is the lactobacillus family of bacteria that lives in your gut. You can add to this happy family of bugs that helps your digestive and immune systems to work optimally by enjoying foods that naturally contain these beneficial bacteria. Miso soup, Kim Chee, Sauerkraut, Kefir and Yogurt come to mind. You can also take probiotic supplements. This is one thing I get my family going on when there is a flu bug like this swine flu flying around. I think of it as a tonic, a small action taken once a day that will make a big difference over time.
DE-STRESS Last but not least is about finding ways to decrease our stress levels. That may be a big ask in these trying times but is so, so important. Taking a regular walk, doing daily yoga, remembering to breathe (that one is a biggy, believe it or not!) and taking time to laugh every day. Reducing stress levels will help build up your resistance to illness.
Here’s to a healthy fall!
Check out Dr Susan Rubin's website
Recent Articles by Dr SuRu