The flu is here! The flu is here! Ok, so it’s not here as in “in my house (yet!)” BUT… it’s that time of year and we do have friends, family and neighbors who are already affected. If you haven’t seen it, you soon will.
So, what to do?
Get the vaccine? Don’t get the vaccine. It’s no big deal? Healthy people are dying. Don’t panic? I’m panicked already! These are my children we’re talking about. Ok, so those who know me know I’m not really panicked. I tend to under-panic if anything. Ya’ll… we’ll be fine!
I don’t want to get into a moral/legal/responsible/political discussion about H1N1 here, just want to pass along some info that I’ve been reading from a variety of blogs. We all know that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Many of these tips are for preventing the flu (or any virus, really) ahead of time in a natural, frugal manner.
- Important Ways to Protect You and Your Family from the Flu – Lylah shares some no-nonsense advice with the backing of Weston Price Foundation. My favorite quote from the article:
STOP FEEDING YOUR KIDS THE WHITE CRAP – BREAD, SUGAR, CEREAL LOADED WITH CRAP. YOU’RE DESTROYING THEIR GUTS BECAUSE YOU’RE TOO LAZY OR TIRED TO MAKE A HEARTY BOWL OF OATMEAL OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT TAKES TIME TO PREPARE. Phew, got that off my chest.
- Smockity Frocks loves her homemade, frugal Clorox Sanitizing Spray. It amazes me the things we’re talked into spending money for that we could make so easily!
- If bleach bothers you, Katie offers a natural cleaner that can be found Under Her Sink.
- Alyssa’s tips for Fighting the Flu the Frugal Way come from recent experience. Her children, including her sweet 5 month old baby boy, just went through a bought of H1N1.
- In Guarding Yourself From the Cold and Flu, Donielle first explains the difference in the two viruses. She goes on to offer practical ways to protect your family from illness.
What are you doing to protect your family (and your pocketbook) from the flu?
This post is linked to Frugal Friday.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
We very rarely get the flu (or get sick at all, for that matter) in our house. And I am very grateful for that.
Here are the preventative measures that we take:
* drink lots of water.
* exercise regularly.
* take vitamins.
* don’t get the flu vaccine.
* stay “in” a lot.
* breastfeed.
* avoid public childcare.
* wash our hands often.
* skip “well visits” at the doctor’s office.
I know all of those tips are not best for every family, but they work for our family.
Great post! The Football Moms were just talking tonite about an area team that has 28 members out with the flu. There are so many germs in those locker rooms, I hate to think of my son in there. Ick!
~Liz
Thanks for linking, Amy!
We now have 2 down with the flu. Hoping it won’t go any further!
I like when I hear people using good ole common sense when it comes to things like this.
Sometimes the simplest ways really are the best ways to do things.
All wise ideas…dd has some sort of bug right now ( and won’t sleep in her crib) but so far the rest of use haven’t gotten it. We’re washing our hands A LOT!
Thanks for the link love! I used lots of hydrogen peroxide spray on the bathroom when dd was throwing up breastmilk in the sink…
Katie
Thanks for all the tips and the links! We did get the seasonal-flu vaccine, but haven’t decided about the H1N1 vaccine. DH and DS both had a nasty flu last month, so they may already have immunity.
In addition to many of the “common sense” tips, we use hand sanitizers when we come out of a store. We still wash thoroughly when we get home, of course, but I think this helps, as well.
Oh…Amy ….thanks for adding my link. THIS is something so critical for women to take back and be in charge of.
As I’ve looked back over the years of my life and the complete trust I gave to MD’s – and the consequences of that trust – blind with no basis – I realize I’d been lied to on so many levels. Yes, many helped me through serious life infections that could have taken out my life – but so many just didn’t know what to do – so applied what was culturally acceptable.
My husband says that in these day – we need to be our own bankers, grocery store, and doctors – meaning – get understanding, research and take charge.
have a wonderful weekend! you’re awesome….lylah
thanks for the great information and links to more
I wrote about some of the greener ways you can fight the flu recently. Amazingly, it’s all about common sense!
I agree! Common sense coupled with doing a little research on my options is how I deal with the flu (colds, other illnesses) in my household. I’m happy to say that we’re really a very healthy family.
First, I do not do flu shots, seasonal or otherwise. That’s our personal choice, but I’d rather build up the immunity naturally.
Second, I am a firm believer in eating healthy, balanced diet. Lots of good fruits and veggies. Plenty of water. A hearty breakfast to start the day. Limit the processed junk.
Lastly, if we do get sick, I like to be prepared as your links suggested. I always stock up on my cold/flu kit every September before my kids head back to school (and all of those lovely new germs!). Tissues, pedialyte, vaposteam for the vaporizer, tylenol, bananas, yogurt, popsicles, soda crackers, chicken noodle soup.
Thanks so much for the mention, Amy! Hope my experience can help others avoid the nasty stuff this season.
Love the quote about the “white crap”! So true. Heh.
My son came home from high school today (my daughter is home sick with h1n1) and told us that school is canceled the rest of the week because of the flu. This is a high school with over 1200 kids and 52% were out today alone. Wow, we didn’t get the shot and don’t plan too. Both kids have hand sanitizer in their lockers to use in between classes and before lunch. We don’t go out like we used to either. Thanks for the posts on the flu!
@Valerie, Our school is having a hard time, too. 45 kids out yesterday, and our K-12 population is only about 170.
So far so good at our house. I’m going to post some more flu precautions tonight. Hope your daughter feels better soon!