Daily I..

OK... per request of a great friend I've decided to do my first informative post about a few things I do daily to keep myself and my little ones healthy. From the day Gracey was born I have given her daily probiotics. I believe that most all sickness and disease starts in the gut and one great way to combat this is to take probiotics. Probiotics will help with the following:

1. Immunity: Probiotics aid the body in breaking down nutrients to the right molecular size so that the immune system doesn't become over-reactive.
2. Improving mood: You have a "second brain" in your gastrointestinal tract. You have more nerve endings in your GI tract than in your brain. So when there's ineffective digestion, you can experience emotional and mental problems. With proper digestion, you can improve your mood and mental health.
3. Digestion: Probiotics help the efficient absorption of nutrients and help keep you from suppressing digestion during heavy exercise.
4. Elimination: Probiotics aid movement of food through your body.

I prefer the probiotics made by a company called Natren. I think they are the best and they are what I've used for my kids for years (it's called Lifestart). I have always noticed a difference in my kids when I have been faithful to give it to them everyday. They very few times they have gotten sick I have looked back and realized that I hadn't been giving it to them for a while (i had just fallen out of the habit or was out and waiting to order it....it's not cheap). It's definitely something I recommend for every child. It's a great immune booster and who doesn't want their kids to better fight off all the stuff they come in contact with everyday....face it, we can't protect them from every germ (I know, cause I've tried).

The second thing I do everyday is give them vitamin C and I know you are all saying "of course, we all do that". Well, try reading the label and see how many artificial colors or preservatives are in it. Also, check to see if there are any artificial sweeteners (sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame potassium/ace-K) in them. There are a few good brands out there. Natural Factors is one and it comes in different flavors, but I highly recommend Source Naturals brand. The bottle contains 250 chewable with 500mg vitamin c each. I give my oldest at least 4 a day and I give little man 2. Sometimes in trying to give our kids good things we overlook the unhealthy ingredients that are doing a detriment to their health. There are a few more things I do everyday that I will share on another post, as my friend Megan would stop me now in a conversation so she could ponder! Ponder away Megan!!

info: www.Natren.com - probiotics
you can order Source Naturals vitamin C the cheapest at www.vitacost.com