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Toddler Cold Remedies

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It has been a vicious 4 weeks in our home. The change of season has brought a lot of beauty, fall treats & fun things to do, but it has also brought with it a collection of colds, stomach bugs & other viruses. Let the passing around of illnesses begin. Until I can find a giant bubble on Amazon or matching hazmat suits, it is inevitable that we will continue to get sick as the cooler weather approaches.

This week our daughter was sick for the 3rd time within the past few weeks. She has had a rough run of it & so have mommy and daddy. The difference is we can take medicine to alleviate our symptoms. There are not many options over the counter for a toddler, but there are things that you can do to remedy your young one’s symptoms.

Fluids: Keeping them hydrated is essential. Fever, vomiting or diarrhea can cause dehydration. Give them water or 100% fruit or vegetable juices.

Rest: Our poor little toddler’s bodies are working so hard when they are sick that they need the extra sleep to get better. Of course as we all know, if a toddler does not want to sleep they won’t. Books, videos and cuddle time are a great way to get them to relax.If you are lucky they will doze off somewhere in between.

Garlic: When I was sick as a child, my father used to make me hold a clove of garlic between my teeth. He said that it had healing properties. Turns out he was right. I am not so sure if holding it between the teeth will work, but eating it certainly will. If your child has an appetite, add a little fresh minced garlic to their meal.

Vapor Rub: Vapor rub is wonderful for clearing a stuffy nose. Do not apply too close to the face. When our daughter caught her first cold I read that you should apply the rub to the feet instead of the chest.  I did it & then tried it on myself the next time I was sick. It worked great. Our daughter loves Vicks. She asks for it even when she is not sick, of course mommy has to say no.

Humidifier: Every home should have one of these. A cool mist humidifier can help ease many cold symptoms. Running one while they sleep can help the little one breath better and control coughs.

Honey: Raw honey has a number of health benefits. It can be used on skin ailments & it can be used to help cold symptoms. It is a great alternative to cough syrup. If your child is resistant to take a spoonful like mine is, sneak it into their juice or try a peanut butter & honey sandwich.

Ball Syringe: Have your child blow their nose as much as possible to clear out all of the mucus. Too much mucus can lead to post nasal drip which will irritate their throat more. Teach them not to suck it back in. If they let you, use a ball syringe to clear out the mucus.

Chicken Soup: Every mama’s favorite cold cure is hot chicken soup. Studies have proven that this is not just an old wives tale.

Popsicles: The frozen treats are fun to eat & will help sooth their little sore throats. Try to stick to bars that are 100% fruit juice.

Elevation: There is a reason that your child’s cough & sniffles always seem worse at night. Staying propped up will keep the nasal passages clear.

Don’t forget to give plenty of hugs, kisses & cuddles while your precious little ones heal.

Thank you as always for stopping by. Please follow us on Facebook as well.

This Sick Mom’s List of Favorite Movies

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When I am sick & in bed there are only two things I like to do, sleep & watch movies. I love movies. We have a large collection of them. I have so many favorites, it is sometimes difficult to know which one’s to pick. As I look through our collection of films trying to choose one, it got me thinking of my favorite movies of all time. In my sick haze I have compiled a list of some of my top picks. Incidentally, the movie I chose to watch as I type this in bed, is Adam Sandler’s ‘Bed Time Stories’. It did not make any of my lists but it is awfully cute.

Favorite Romantic Comedies

1. The Princess Bride  – This is actually my all time favorite movie. It has been ever since I a saw it in the movie theater when it first released in 1987.

2. Say Anything

3. 50 First Dates

Favorite Dark Comedies

1. In Bruges – If you have not seen this Colin Farrell movie about a hit man in hiding in Bruges, Belgium. It is a must see. My husband & I liked this so much we actually visited Bruges just to see all the landmarks in the film.
2. War of the Roses
3. Raising Arizona

Favorite Musicals

1. Grease – I love musicals but Grease tops the list with it’s good girl meets bad boy story line & catchy sound track.
2. My Fair Lady
3. Chicago

Favorite Feel Good Movies

1. August Rush – This has quickly become one of my new all time favorites. This is a beautiful story of an orphan who uses his musical prodigy to find his parents. I tear up every time.                               2. Legally Blond

3. Matilda

Favorite Dramas

1. Legends of the Fall – I love this movie about 3 brothers all in love with the same woman. My husband and I if we had a boy were going to name him Tristan, which was Brad Pitt’s character’s name in this movie.
2. Braveheart
3. The Departed

Favorite Comedies

1. Caddy Shack  – It was almost impossible to pick my favorite comedies because I have so many. There are so many great ones out there that I could quote & requote a million times but Caddy Shack definitely takes my top spot.

2. Tommy Boy

3. Billy Madison

Favorite Sci-Fi

1. Star Wars series  – I love Star Wars. I really do. I own them all.

2. ET  

3. Krull – It is super cheesy & old. The special effects are terrible but I still love this movie. I don’t care.

Favorite Action Movies

1. The Professional                                                                                                                              

2. Die Hard

3. Taken

Favorite Romantic Dramas

1. Titantic – The only movie that I have ever gone to the theater multiple times to see.
2. The Bridges of Madison County
3. The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Favorite Horror/Thrillers

1. The Shining – “All work & no play make Jack a dull boy.”
2. Scream
3. Identity

Favorite Fantasy Movies

1. All of the Harry Potter series – I love all things Harry Potter. The books are also included in my list of favorite books.
2. Big Fish
3. Stardust

Favorite Animated Films

1. The Little Mermaid – I think it is all about the music for me in this one. I know every song by heart. My girlfriend & I auditioned for a high school talent show with ‘Part of Your World’
2. Despicable Me
3. Brave

Favorite Classics

1. Gone With the Wind – I just watched this recently on Netflix & it is just as fantastic as I remember.

2. Sabrina

3. An Affair to Remember

Favorite Movies That I Am A Little Embarrassed About

1. The House Bunny – Ok, so Anna Farris plays a Playboy bunny who becomes a failing sorority’s house mother. It is silly & dumb but oh my god is it funny.
2. Romy & Michelle
3. Bring it On

These are just my personal favorites and opinions. They by no means represent the top movies according to the masses. If you do not see your favorites add them in the comments. I would love to hear your thoughts.

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Shepherd’s Pie Soup

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I don’t know where you all live, but where we are, it is freezing. With the cold New England weather also comes the flu, colds & an assortment of other fun viruses to bounce back and forth around our home.

My husband & daughter have been sick all week. The menu this week has been soup & vitamin C. Tonight’s special for my two sniffling loves is shepherd’s pie soup.

Shepherd’s Pie Soup

Ingredients:

4 cups of peeled & cubed potatoes

1 lb of browned ground turkey

2 7oz can of corn

1/2 cup chopped onion

5 tbsp of butter or margarine

5 tbsp flour

2 cups milk

2 cups of shredded cheddar

3 1/2 cups of chicken broth

1 tsp garlic salt

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 tbsp parsley

Directions:

Combine potatoes, onion & broth in large pot. Bring to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer & cover. Cook until potatoes are tender about 15-20 minutes. Add salt & pepper.

Brown ground turkey with the garlic salt, drain & set aside.

In a medium saucepan melt the butter medium low. When fully melted add the flour and stir until the flour is absorbed. Add milk slowly &  stir until smooth. Add parley & 1 cup of cheese & stir until melted.

Add the cheese mixture to the potatoes & stir well. Add the corn & the ground turkey & stir well again. Add the last cup of cheese & stir until melted.

Serve to your sick family while it’s still warm.

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Some goldfish swimming in the bowl for the munchkin.

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