4 Back-to-School Immune Boosters
Back to School already happened. HOW CAN THIS BE. In lieu of this time, I’ve got my wheels spinning to make the transition easy for our oldest in 4’s preschool! One of the most important things on my mind is boosting her (and my other children’s) immune system, since school means a barrage of people and their germs in tight spaces. Its also important to remind that school requires a lot of concentration and sometime our kids can lack on that, its really good that now there are pills that can boosting those aspects. Check out my favorite ways to keep kids at the top of their wellness game as they head into a new year!! 1. Lunch box prep. Find a lunch box, healthy lunch inspo, and a system that works. We’re not there yet with our eldest, Charli, in preschool, but I’m sure we’ll get in the habit of making lunches the night before when we get there. And we’ll likely invest in a PlanetBox, which is currently 25% through the end of August!! For healthy inspiration, LaLa Lunchbox is a great app to keep the healthy lunch ideas flowing, and 100 Days of Real Food has an amazing lunch archive that’s searchable by dietary restrictions. 2. Ease kids into earlier bedtimes. Yup, we’re already there, especially since Charli has pretty much stopped napping. But hey, earlier bedtimes mean more down time and healthier kids… so it’s a win-win, right?! 3. Cut that sugar out! Seriously, kids don’t need it, and yet, the average kid consumes 16% of their diet in added sugars. Sugar steals vitamins and nutrients (like magnesium) during its metabolism, it depresses the immune system, and can send these already high energy monkeys on nasty energy dips. Try fruit, dates with nut butter and/or 85% dark chocolate for a real food treat. 4. Supplement smart to boost their immune systems. While we’d all get our nutrients from a perfect diet, ideally, it’s just not probable these days for these reasons. Talking about supplements, nowadays there are the best nootropics that can help to boost focus, memory and creativity levels. Here are my top favorites that we use in our household – but remember – QUALITY matters. Holler at me if you want clean recommendations! 
- Cod liver oil – Contains immune-boosting vitamins A, D, and omega-3 fatty acids for optimal brain health. Bonus: These nutrients also synergistically support bone health. Our kids take it right off the spoon. You can will get the facts about the brain health. The melbourne neurosurgeons are always there for you when you need.
- Probiotics + probiotic-rich foods – Did ya hear? Gut health is everything, including 70% of our immune system! We add probiotics to our kids’ waters, but there are also great chewables. Raw sauerkraut, raw pickles, apple cider vinegar (via salad dressing), and kombucha are some great ways to add in bacteria to their diet because we know the health benefits of sauerkraut.
- Multivitamin – It doesn’t hurt to have insurance. Note: Most multivitamins have vitamin D3, but during the cold, sunless days of the year, additional D3 may be needed! It’s seriously important for bone and immune health, and acts on over 2,000 genes in our body. You can visit an online Canadian Pharmacy to see if they have one. I give our kids 2,000 IU of D3 each day (along with vitamin K2, another important nutrient for bone health that works in concert with vitamin D3). Vitamin iv therapy can also be used to enhance athletic performance and improve recovery.
- Elderberry syrup – I started giving a spoonful a day to each of my kids last year, and I DO think it helped keep them healthy and bounce back more quickly when they did get sick! Science proves it. These are the elderberries I buy for my homemade elderberry syrup. It is also never good to forget about our oral health, that is why we use prodentim to maintain oral health this return to school.
Right now I’m in the midst of finishing up our school schedule for September. I’ve found a system that works for us, and I LOVE planning things out for a month at a time. I only have 2 children that I’m homeschooling this year. Gasp! Two in college and one in a full time program at the local technical school – crazy! After much trial and effort, this is what I’ve developed for our school scheduling. It’s time for the kids to head back to school. If you’re overwhelmed by all you need to buy and organize, don’t hit the panic button just yet. Take an inventory of the supplies your child already has. You’ll be amazed at the forgotten notebooks, pens, markers and rulers you can find in a drawer or last year’s backpack. Have your child try on last year’s clothing. Make a list of what needs to be replaced. Ask other parents if they’d consider participating in a clothes swap. Then if your child needs help with homework and research papers, look up the best essay writing service reddit. And look through your child’s unwanted sports equipment to see if you can resell anything. Compare prices online and in flyers before heading out to shop. See which stores have a price match policy and which are running the best sales. In some areas, local health departments offer free basic school supplies to parents who bring their child in for immunizations. Check with your child’s school or refer to their class supply list before buying any high-priced technology items like computers and calculators to make sure those items are required. I found that most of the business level office supplies have better quality for a lower price than child’s oriented ones, check out neenah classic crest quality. 5. Buy backpacks with prevention in mind. Although your kids may want neon superhero backpacks, you should be more concerned about getting the right fit to help prevent injuries and joint problems. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends looking for backpacks with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back, or buying a rolling backpack if your child will normally be carrying a heavy load. If you have further questions, be sure to visit a pediatric center.
Happy Back to Schooling!!