Getting Healthy

Have you ever met the "sick kid" at school? You know the kid that catches everything that goes around. He misses lots of school. Always has a runny nose. You know you're near him when you hear that incessant cough.

Well, I have that kid.

Honestly, I cannot count how many times Tyler has been sick since Christmas time. We are in the double digits, I'm quite sure.

His weak immune system has eventually trickled down to the entire family. Our bodies are all exhausted from fighting each little bug that come in the house.

(If you're wondering why I haven't blogged as much lately, now you understand! I've had a sinus infection for nearly 2 weeks!!)

I consider myself a mom that is pretty health aware. I cook relatively healthy. I limit junk food and sweets. We do vitamins most of the time. Yet, my PA kid is not healthy!

Even though I know starting preschool will bring some of this on, I think we are beyond that at this point. I am concerned about the amount of antibiotics he has been on.

I think that the allergies and eczema he is constantly battling weaken his immune system considerably. My challenge has become how do I strengthen that immune system so that his body can fight every little bug that comes his way?

This summer I will be embarking on a bit of a journey to get him as healthy as possible in next 3 months so that his body is strong enough to have a healthier fall and winter once school gets under way again.

Here are some things I will be doing:

1. Keeping him home with me during the week, away from multiple children he might encounter in a preschool/daycare environment so his immune system can rest a little. (This does not include occasional play dates, zoo trips, park trips, etc. and church each week.)

2. Spend time outdoors, as I think there is a lot of healing just being outside in the sun (this will be limited somewhat due to his environmental allergies).

3. Eat mainly organic fruits and vegetables this summer. (I will be growing my own organic vegetable garden for some of these, the others I will get from our local farmer's market).

4. Incorporate multiple types of whole grains into his diet. (This will require lots of research on my part but the fact I have switched to more whole wheat is not doing the trick.)

5. Make sure he is eating several servings of both fruit and veggies each day. (This will require diligent menu and snack planning on my part...not a bad thing!).

6. Limit "junk food" to only a couple of times a week. (I think taking it out totally would backfire, but I can even make wise choices in the "bad" stuff I allow him to eat.)

7. Allergy proof our home, particularly his room, as much as possible.

I'm sure there are more things I should do but I think a list of seven is a bit overwhelming! I will be blogging about this. This will be a series throughout the summer each Wednesday that will be called "A Healthy PA Kid." I would love for others to join me!!