I might as well be honest, and truthful. I'm a germophobe. A serious, card-carrying member of the don't breath on me, don't touch me, i don't eat everyones food, and of course don't touch that" clique. Not to be confused with a fear of dirt, but a fear of germs. If you happen to be in a kaiser facility and see a little lady with a scarf, jacket hood...or some other article of clothing over her nose/mouth...its me. and I'm trying not to breathe in everyone's coughs and sneezes. Hand washing in my house is a sport, a who can do it the longest, with the hottest water sport. When we come in the house from outside everyone must first wash their hands. The kids and I even change our clothes, and of course all shoes come off.

I wasn't always like this, nope...not at all. I used to eat french fries on the RTD bus...licking the ketchup off my fingers on my way home from school. I used to share drinks and foods with my friends but on January 25, 2003 that all changed. I had my first child. With all of me i vowed to her that I would do everything to protect her against everything that I could. 19 months later she was joined by her brother...same promise. Thanks to H1N1 thankfully everyone is becoming more diligent of germs and how to stay healthy. Now I don't seem so weird for wiping down shopping carts, carrying around alcohol wipes and demanding hand washing. Anyhow, I thought I'd share some other ways of staying healthy...protecting yourself and your family, now and forever:

Nutrition: What we put into our bodies is one of the number one ways we can protect ourselves and make sure that we live a healthy and long life. We're not just talking cold and flu's, we're talking about life long health. For now I will share what I have discovered what we can do nutritionally to protect and heal our bodies against viruses, bacteria and germs.

Immunity: One of the most important elements of our immune system is our white blood cells. Not only do they fight cancer (as if that is not enough) they also fight bacteria, viruses and germs. Just like you our white blood cells (who are you) fight better when they are better nourished. So what do you eat? Vitamin C, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin E, and Zinc.

Vitamin C: Perhaps one of the most popular of all immune boosting vitamins is a powerful antioxidant that protects against infection. Unfortunately our bodies don't store vitamin c so we need to be replenishing daily...throughout the day. Even if you were to intake a lot at once...a good amount would simply "flush" out of your body in a few hours.

Good Sources: Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruit, tangerines), broccoli (very high source...more than citrus), leafy greens, brussels sprouts, papaya (highest source), and bell pepper.

Beta-carotene: Another great immune boosting vitamin. Beta-carotene is an inactive form or precursor to vitamin a. Without getting too nerdy here...lets just say you need beta-carotene to get the much needed vitamin a. What is beta-carotene's role in your immune system? It increases the number of infection fighting cells in the body.

Good Sources: Carrots & carrot juice (higher concentration), sweet potatoes, pumpkins, squash, spinach, mango, papaya, apricots (apricot nectar), and tomato juice. Look for orange & yellow veggies and fruits. The skin pigmentation is an indicator of rich beta carotene!

Vitamin E: One of the least popular of all the great immune boosting vitamins...vitamin e is actually a wonderful immune booster. Its job is to boost immune cells and these cells produce antibodies that actually destroy bacteria and germs. people who consume a diet rich in vitamin e have a noticeably higher immune system.

Good Sources: Dark leafy greens (mustard & turnip greens, and chard are excellent sources; good sources are collards, parsley, spinach and kale), nuts (almonds are a good source), seeds (sunflower seeds are excellent sources as are pumpkin seeds), vegetable oil, bell pepper, brussels sprouts, papaya, broccoli, tomatoes, blueberries, and kiwi fruit.

Zinc: An essential mineral has recently gotten a lot of attention for its immune boosting capabilities. Simply put...zinc helps prevent a weakened immune system. Studies show that a great deal of immune cells depend on zinc for optimal function. I learned about zinc from my husband and his consumption of cold-eeeze, an over the counter "medicine" that is particularly high in zinc. Its suppose to be taken at the first sign of a cold/flu and should either prevent it or shorten the strength/duration. I can honestly say that I've seen this work for him a number of times and myself also.

Good Sources: Unfortunately for vegetarians, vegans or "flexitarians" zinc is highly found in red meats, pork, turkey and some seafood (oysters, shrimp, lobster). i've discovered great alternative sources such as: yogurt, lentils/chickpeas, nuts (cashews/almonds/peanuts), seeds (sesame, pumpkin, mustard), oatmeal, mushrooms (particularly crimini), summer squash, asparagus, broccoli, miso, leafy greens (spinach, swiss chard, collards), and green peas. Additional Nutrition/Supplements: In addition to these super immune foods. I've also used the following supplements with great success over the past 10 years or so.

Probiotics: The good bacteria you need. the body is made up of bacteria...of course not all of that bacteria is good for you but some of it actually is. "Good bacteria" helps your body protect itself and defend itself against the bad bacteria that we come into contact with daily. The way that most bacterias/virus/germs enter our body is through our gut...or intestines. This is where you need those good bacterias fighting for you and protecting you against the harmful stuff. I have heard that your intestines should be about 90% good bacteria. and the rest would of course be the bad stuff. The idea here is that the good feeds on and "crowd" the bad bacteria out. This is what you take to prevent and protect yourself against lots of "stomach" and intestinal bugs. Probiotics also help you "digest" your foods too.

I know these days you can't walk a quarter of a step in the super market dairy section without seeing probiotics somewhere. It seems like hype but it isn't. I have known about and have been taking probiotics since 1997 and my kids take 2 doses of probiotics daily. I take a high dose daily.

Echinacea: Another "popular" herbal/alternative "medicine”. Echinacea is wonderful for the immune system. It is a natural fighter against infections. While "anti-"biotics works against bacteria by killing them, echinacea works through your body by strengthening your immune system. It accomplishes this a number of different ways. It seeks out and destroys some virus in the body (like the cold and flu viruses), it prevents bacteria from secreting certain enzymes that allows the bacteria to penetrate the intestines and respiratory tract.

Although echinacea does so many things it should NOT be taken continuously...the best way of taking it is to take it in 2 week increments, particularly when your body is under high stress (good and bad). For example: Its great to take at the first sign of illness, or when you know you've been exposed to bacteria and viruses, and also when you know your more likely to get sick, say for instance the beginning of a new school year. The reason why it is recommended NOT to take echinacea continuously (although it technically won't harm you) is so that it doesn't loose its potency in the body or provide the bacteria/viruses to become immune to the "medicine."

Astragalus: A traditional Chinese herb is also great at improving immune health. It too works by stimulating the body to produce immune cells and is believed to have anti-viral properties. It is generally taken to help build up the immune system but isn't used during a current illness. I generally include it into my kids diet through supplements during the cold and flu season.

Oregano Oil: An amazing anti-viral, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic herb! This wonderful herb fights infections and strengthens the immune system. This is hands down my favorite "herb," I have personally seen it work for me and others. In fact my grandfather gave it to me back in 1995 when i came home from college with a cold/flu. I was feeling awful. My mother gave me some water with oregano oil in it, I took a nap and was feeling on top of the world when I woke up. Since then I have always kept a small jar of oregano oil in my cupboard and use it when I feel something coming on. I've read many articles over the years that have spoken to the benefits of oregano oil, including preventing e.coli, food poisoning, and other gastro-intestinal/digestive upsets. Do NOT use if your pregnant...and by all means...do NOT use a lot!

Sleep: Yep...good ole shut eye is as important to your health as anything that you eat or don't eat. If you don't get enough sleep then you are not arming your body with the restorative time it needs to heal and nourish. Did you know that when getting a flu vaccination if you don't get an adequate (8 hours) night of sleep you actually diminish the potency of your vaccination! Again our bodies build, restore, and regenerate when we sleep...so get adequate sleep! Whew! that's a lot huh? Everything that I have shared are things that I have been taking, using, and giving to my own children. Most of these things I have been taking for at least 10 years and my children have been taking these supplements all their life. So, you may ask, do we get sick? Yes, like most people we do get sick, but I will say that it is usually once every year or year and a half. When we do get sick it usually doesn't last longer than a couple of days and the severity is generally not too bad.

Now there is no title of “Dr.” in front of my name. I'm just a lady who is passionate about my family's health and I happen to like asking questions and doing tons of research. I do not turn my nose up or down to any sect of medicine. I see a traditional western Dr., I talk to herbalists, and I'm currently seeing an acupuncturist who is trained in traditional Chinese medicine & western medicine. All the supplements/vitamins that my children take their doctor also knows about and approves of and she is a traditional western pediatrician.

Our greatest riches are in our health...even with all the money, gold and material riches of the world...if your health is poor...your life is poor. I truly believe in the idea/concept of the body being capable of healing and nurturing itself. However it cannot be done on its own. We need to feed it properly. So take care of your body. and you will live a long and wonderful life!

About The Author: Kiandra Jimenez is a fellow YMIB Circle Sister, an artist, wife, mother, and a creative homemaker living in California. Visit her blog and be sure to check out her wonderful creations over in her etsy shop!