The other day I went to the doctor to get my yearly checkup and I noticed that the waiting room was full of people who were sick and had caught some kind of virus. I cringed and immediately reached for my bottle of sanitizer because I do not like to get sick! As a mom, when I get sick the household gets really chaotic (how many of you moms feel that way) and I truly do not get to rest that much, so I must do my best to stay well!
I’m glad to say that thanks to Target, I can spearhead those nasty viruses floating in the air and do my best to stay healthy and well — especially during this time of the year when the flu and stomach bug are so widely spread. Once again, Target is hosting a huge giveaway basket featuring some of their best products to help you and me and all the other mothers out get healthy and hopefully stay healthy!
So, what’s included in the giveaway basket?
Up & Up Hand Sanitizer: up and up™ Hand Sanitizer kills 99.99% of germs that can make you sick. This convenient alternative to soap is effective without water and can kill germs anytime, anywhere throughout the day. The vitamin E and moisturizer leaves hands feeling
smooth while protecting you from common germs.
Up & Up Zinc and Vitamin C Supplements: up & up™ Zinc and Vitamin C Supplements help support immune system and antioxidant health, which is vital for the body to stay strong and healthy. Increasing Vitamin C and Zinc intake will help keep your body strong and increase its ability to fight off common colds.
Aloe Tissues: While using tissues is necessary during cold and flu season, they often leave your nose and skin feeling irritated. Aloe Tissues are soft and smooth on the skin, so reaching for tissues all winter long will not be painful.
Lysol Anti-Bacterial Wipes: Lysol® Anti-Bacterial Wipes kill cold and flu viruses that can be found anywhere in your home. Simply cleaning surfaces in your car, at work or at home with the disinfecting wipes will make a huge difference in helping to stop the spread of germs.
Archer Farms Freeze Dried Fruit: Archer Farms Simply Balanced Freeze Dried Fruit is a convenient alternative to fresh fruit. Keeping a supply of the Freeze Dried Fruit on hand is an easy way to ensure you are getting enough nutrients to ward off sickness. The wide variety of Simply Balanced Freeze Dried Fruit is available year-round, as they are always in season.
Archer Farms Pure Green Tea: Drinking Archer Farms Pure Green Tea is recommended to support your overall health. The high concentration of antioxidants found in green tea can help reduce your risk of a wide range of diseases, including simple bacterial and viral infections.
Archer Farms green tea is organic and Fair Trade Certified to ensure that you are getting the maximum amount of disease-fighting antioxidants possible.
Up & 
Up Throat Lozenges: up & up™ Throat Lozenges provide quick cough and sore throat relief. The throat lozenges temporarily stop coughs that can cause throat and mouth irritation during the cold and flu season.
Target is dedicated to providing convenient and affordable products, services and expert advice to help moms stay well and meet their new year’s resolutions. You can talk to a pharmacist, receive a flu vaccine, shop for workout apparel such as the C9 by Champion gear, and stock up on all of their well-being essentials, all in one store. Additionally, Target’s expanded fresh food options and its Archer Farms Simply Balanced brand make it easier– and tastier – for all of us moms to choose better-for-you meals, snacks and beverages.
Enter to Win
One 5 Minutes for Mom reader is going to win this huge health and wellness giveaway basket! To enter, leave a comment letting us know your best tip for staying healthy during the cold and flu season.
This giveaway will end on January 26th and a winner will be chosen by random.org and announced in our weekly Around the Blogosphere post.
5 Minutes for YOU to read, relax, & connect with other moms. We're here to inspire, encourage & empower you.
{ 277 comments… read them below or add one }
I think the best way to stay healthy is to keep encouraging our kids to wash their hands.
My best tip is to wash your hands often, take vitamin C daily and get enough sleep.
I actually take advantage of those anti-bacterial cleaning cloths the grocery store supplies and we clean our cart before we start shopping. It’s made a big difference!
Eat well and exercise! When your body is happy it fights of viruses better!
Make sure to take your vitamins and wash hands regularly
We eat Cutie oranges here all winter long. They are yummy and fun for kids, plus you get the added vit. C.
The best tip is to wash your hands with soap and water frequently.
Frequent hand washing and lots of trash can emptying (from all the kleenex).
hand washing and healthy eating….but with a sick hubby and son I think its only a matter of time…
One of my best tips is to use saline nasal spray. It keeps the nose moist so it can do one of its jobs…keeping out the germs.
mattschmunk at gmail dot com
Wash hands and bring hand sanitizer with you when going out; so many public surfaces harbor germs.
I get plenty of sleep in the winter. It’s easy to do, what with the constant darkness. Also, I drink a lot of hot tea with honey. I don’t know if this really helps, or just makes me feel good.
Hmm- I guess my best secret is to make sure and get your sleep! It’s hard with children but everybody is better off with a good nights sleep.
My best tip for staying healthy any time of year is lots of thorough hand washing ヅ *Thanks* for the giveaway!
My best tip is “don’t touch your face until you wash your hands”!
My best tip is to wash your hands alot during the cold and flu season. My son and I do this as soon as we walk in the door each day.
Plenty of rest, lots of fruits and vegetables and wash, wash, wash your hands!
Well, this sounds silly but getting exercise, rest, and good food helps. The best tip is teach your kids to sneeze into their elbow instead of their hands. We taught all our students that and boy did it make a difference in sick days.
My best tip is to take care of yourself as you already should – eat healthy food, get enough sleep, etc. When you’re already healthy, you’re less likely to catch things going around (or if you do they’ll be shorter.)
Spray remotes and doorknobs with Lysol.
Two items: Washing hands frequently and taking vitamins.
I have to agree that handwashing is one of the most important tips, especially when coming home from school or other public places.
Frequent handwashing is certainly very important. I also think that eating a nutritious diet if leafy greens, whole grains and healthy proteins does great wonders in keeping our bodies strong enough to fight of germs!
Daily doses of Vitamin D seem to help.
Frequent hand washing for myself and the older kids. Chasing down my little ones with wipes and kid friendly sanitizer
I use hand santizers alot when out an about,,I l always clean buggy handles when shopping,do not want to catch someone elses germs
vlbelk(at)hotmail.com
We wash our hands frequently and use lots of hand sanitizer.
My best tip is to practice handwashing techniques with the whole family, and take vitamins.
I take zicam or airborne immediately at first symptoms of cold so it doesn’t last as long!
Always take your vitamins and use lots of hand sanitizer.
Diligent hand washing is the best way I know to stay healthy.
My best tip is to eat clementines! I recently read that you get 50% of the the daily Vitamin C you need from one clementine.
Make sure you wash your hands often and get plenty of rest each night
bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com
My best tip is to take vitamins, wash your hands and just take care of yourself in general (exercise, eat right, get sleep).
mnsteph[at]gmail[dot]com
Wash hands and do not let dirty hands touch face.
I wash my hands allot this time of year.
My best tip is to wear a hat or earmuffs to keep your ears warm!
Definitely a combination of vitamins, hand sanitizing and dressing appropriately!
I all ways take allot of vitamin C during the winter time, seems to help.
Sleep is good
I swear by drinking a lot of orange juice…..I think that has helped me keep healthy.
My best tip for staying healthy through the cold and flu season is to dress appropriately for the weather; take vitamins and to wash my hands before touching my mouth.
lots of Lysol
Lots of water, lots of sleep, daily multivitamin.
Keeping up activities and exercise I think helps keep up our immunity during the winter months.
twittered target giveaway
Antibacterial is my best friend, I keep it on my belt loop with one of those little holders from bath and body works. I also take Zinc and Vitamin C everyday as part of my daily supplements. If I even start to feel sick I down some Airborne and take two Halls Vitamin C tablets
making sure me and my kids wash our hands and use hand sanitizer when using public bathrooms and buggies at grocery stores especially! also i take vitamin c everyday
Eat Well, Exercise and Get 8 hours of sleep.
You should get plenty of sleep & take your vitamins every day.
Get plenty of sleep- it will help your immune system stay strong!
magickalblessings26{at}yahoo.com
My tip is to make sure that you wash your hands all the time!
deb55106{at}gmail{dot}com
My tip is to drink plenty of water stay hydrated.
melisa0072 at gmail dot com
Make sure to get yiur eight hours of sleep each nite
Take all your vitamins!
Twitter: longwait4bella
January 14, 2012 at 6:33 pm
We eat healthy, use hand sanitizer and drink lots of water.
This is wonderful…just what the doctor ordered!
Change out hand towels and pillowcases frequently.
Wash your hands allot & get plenty of rest also.
I am a big fan of the hand sanitizers especially if you have to touch public things.
I take ColdFX as soon as I start feeling under the weather.
I make sure that the humidifier is on a lot. We wash our hands a lot and drink water. When I am out with the kids I constantly have the alcohol free sanitizer.
One helpful tip is to get a flu shot. It truly helps
My tip is to wash hands more often and get plenty of rest.
Get plenty of sleep, exersise and stay hydrated.
I wash my hands, sanitize my tooth brush, and drink plenty of water and juice.
drink lots of water and wash your hands a lot. I also like warm orange juice
Have the kids wash their hands when they get home from school.
LOTS of hand washing!
I wash my hands often and sanitize.
Wash your hands frequently and get plenty of rest.
Definetly hand washing and I prefer soap and water. Sanitizers are good in a pinch but we like the old school method for the most part. I also change toothbrushes frequently and always after one of my kids has been sick.
I wash my hands often, drink plenty of water.
Sleep as much as possible!
wash hands, don’t touch face, exercise and get sleep
Wash my hands often, and use paper towel when turning off the water and open the door in public restrooms.
Dress warm when going out into the cold.Always wash your hands and use sanitizer as much as possible
amasfuntime at yahoo dot com
My best tip is to wash your hands frequently. Keep hand sanitizer on hand for when soap and water are not available.
Always wash your hands & don’t touch your face!
GET 8 HOURS OF SLEEP EVERY NIGHT
My best tip is to wash your hands frequently and if you feel a cold coming on, try to take it easy.
stay away from sick people!
Frequent Hand Washing and Flu shots
WASH YOUR HANDS !!!
shebebes@yahoo.com
wash your hands frequently and keep warm!
brittneydejajason at gmail dot com
Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables to keep your immune system strong.
Get lots of sleep and wash your hands often!
Take at least 2,000 IUs of Vitamin D each day, and eat plenty of fruits & veggies!
I’m a firm believer in elderberry as an immune booster – we haven’t been sick in years
getting plenty of sleep
With 7 children at home Iam always making sure we are washing our hands to keep the germies away.
Pets can get sick in the wintertime too: Make sure all outdoor pets that you care for have a warm place to sleep.
best tip for staying healthy during the cold and flu season to get rest and wash your hands often
I wash my hands often and take zinc and iron and vitamin c during cold season. Knock wood, I’ve had several snotty, sick students but have remained cold-free thus far! Whew!
Plenty of sleep and hot baths
Wash hands often!
My best tip for staying healthy during the cold and flu season is to get adequate sleep. Thanks for the giveaway!
My best tip is to get plenty of rest every night.
I make sure I take my every day vitamin. And I take extra C also.
I eat things with a lot of Vitamin C in them and also eat garlic now and then. Miss_slytherin[at]live[dot]com
My tip is to not share drinks with your family members.
I’m @dianetowin
Constant hand washing
hales@usa.com
i wash my hands alot and so does everyone in my house. and we also always cover our mouths when we cough..
kadia3 at yahoo dot com
Frequent handwashing works great.
hand washing
Working out tends to keep me from getting sick, not sure why that is but I like it!
Get plenty of rest.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Always wash your hands and get enough sleep!
We wash hands several times each day.
i try to drink lots of water, take vitamins and extra vit c
We try to eat healthy meals, take a daily vitamin, get plenty of sleep and wash our hands frequently.
abfantom at yahoo dot com
wash your hands and use hand sanitizer
I wash my hands and use sanitizer on a regular basis, it can try you r hands out too so I use the antibacterial hand lotion as well. I try to keep away the germs so I can fend off the cold from the source
My wife all ways use’s the wipe things in the stores to sanitize her shopping cart.
vitamin c
lots of sleep and echinachea tea
My tip is to look after yourself: get lots of sleep, take time for meals, and steer clear of sneezing coughers!
Best tip is good old fashioned hand washing
Hand washing and covering your mouth when you sneeze.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
Hand washing and vit.C
hand sanitizer
Wash your door knobs! I feel like doorknobs are literally the doorways to our health, and if they are kept clean, I can stop germs in their tracks!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Twitter: My
January 17, 2012 at 3:23 pm
I wash my hands before eating
What a great giveaway! I would love this!
Wipe down all touched surface with antibacterial wipes at the end of the day
lots of plain old hand washing! and anti bacterial lotion when we’re out…
plenty of rest
get rest and don’t overdo it
nannypanpan at gmail.com
washyour hands and use hand sanitizer
My tips are common sense. COVER you mouth,wash your hands & if you sick STAY away from other people.
Wash your hands often, get enough rest & eat well.
I make my own elderberry syrup (recipe from Mountain Rose Herbs)
My tip is to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly
Wash! Wash! your hands and drink plenty of water
We all get flu shots to stay healthy and of course wash our hands often.
smchester at gmail dot com
washing those hands
I think the best way we can stay healthy is by simply washing our hands often.
wash your hands thoroughly
Twitter: womenwwin
January 21, 2012 at 12:06 am
Grocery stores have hand sanitizer pumps by the carts– use it!
Keeps hands washed and surfaces sanitized as much as possible.
lots of hand washing
wash your hands often
Stay hydrated and drink a lot of water!
alittlepieceofheaven777(at)yahoo(dot)com
Take a good amount of Vitamins, always wash your hands and get enough sleep.
Thanks for the chance!
I try to use hand sanitizer as much as possible. I also wash my hands before every meal!
Hand Washing, Hand Washing, and more Hand Washing !!!
Constant hand washing is most important! Thanks so much for the fantastic giveaway!
Renee Walters
Bored2quickly@hotmail.com
I get enough rest, eat healthy, fresh food, take supplements and avoid crowds.
Avoid stress and get lots of rest.
lazybones344 at gmail dot com
I always have tons of Hand sanitizer with me, and we wash our hands alot
lola_violets_2010[at]yahoo[dot]com
Wash, wash, wash
My biggest tip is to eat as well as you can and keep your sleep schedule as regular as possible.
We stay healthy by eating lots of fruits and vegetables and always washing our hands
Wash, wash, wash your hands
We wash our hands often and use hand sanitizer when we can’t wash.
wash your hands
wash all remotes,phones and doorknobs to get rid of germs
I try to stay healthy by getting a flu shot (and using lots of hand sanitizer).
Get fresh air and some time outside of stuffy rooms!
wolverina401 at gmail dot com
Wash your hands.
kid.ra1nb0w (at) gmail (dot) com
I take alcohol or Clorox wipes in my purse to clean grocery cart handles before I touch them. They are just germ havens extraordinaire.
chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com
Drink lots of fluids and take your vitamins!
My best tip is to sanitize the most commonly touched surfacers often
My best tip is to wash your hands frequently.
eating lots of fruits and veggies
My biggest tip for staying healthy is to eat a good diet filled with fruits and veggies and try to eat foods in a range of colors. this might sound silly, but it gaurantees that you are eating a wide range of vitamins and nutrents.
washing hands often
vmkids3 at msn dot com
My best tips are Wash Your Hands, Stay hydrated and take vitamin C
Definitely get a flu shot, but also to sanitize the little washed places…doorknobs, remotes, light switches.
Wash your hands regularly!
freebiegoddess03@aol.com
Wash your hands, use hand sanitizer and bundle up when you go out
Wash your hands often!
have a yearly flu vaccine
Lots and lots of hand washing! haha. That’s the ultimate trick.
I alwaYS GET A FKU SHOT
my best tip is to wash hands alot
Hand sanitizer! Haven’t been sick since I started using it.
My youngest has a deppressed immune system and as I type is sick for the fourth time this month – I know it all – if only others did. #1 KEEP YOUR KID HOME IF THEY ARE SICK!!!!
# hand wash, hand wash and then hand wash some more. #3, never touch your face, ever, for any reason – my dd always washes her hands right before she eats as well as soon as she gets in the house (we all do this) #4 my youngests fav, raw honey and lemon (the real fruit here not concentrate) in hot water, she loves this!
there you go, way more than one, but my kiddo has made me an expert
We stay healthy through eating healthy diet that is high in vegetables and fruit as well as exercising.
Echinacea and herbal teas when we start to feel punky.
Wasing hands regularly
I tel My Kids wash your hands often , hands out of eyes and mouth
and cough into your sleeve not your hand!
We wash our hands regularly, and we take the herb Nigella Sativa in the mornings.
My best tip for staying healthy is to wash your hands frequently and avoid contact with those who are sick.
Twitter: I
January 25, 2012 at 11:02 am
Wash your hands!!!
wash your hands
wash hands
Wash your hands frequently. Also eat healthy and get enough sleep so you’re not run down.
i wash my hands alot. drink lots of water and take vitamin C
Wash your hands!
Best tip would be to wash your hands.. the flue virus usually enters your body through your eyes or nose and rubbing them with your infected hand is a culprit!
xxbeccaannxx@gmail.com
Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. Thanks for the giveaway.
The best tip for staying healthy…wash your hands! don’t be scared of handsanitizer, it is your friend, and lysol door handles, light switches. cell phones, and remote controls.
I always keep the fridge stocked with orange juice! Vitamin C is a great way to keep colds away
I carry hand sanitizer in my purse and use it often. I have also been teaching my boys that they don’t have to touch everything when we are out and about-that is how germs are spread.
My tip is to clip travel size hand sanitizers to my childrens backbacks and lunch boxes so they can keep their hands germ free all day.
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
Wash your hands a lot!
I stay away from sweets.
My best tip for staying healthy during the cold and flu season is to take a couple grams of vitamin c at the very first sign of illness. I’m also a huge believer in breathing in steam’; I think it prevents a lot of sinus problems.
I eat a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits. I also make sure that I clean all surfaces with a anti-bacterial cleaner. I also open the windows a little each night as I think the fresh air helps when it is so hot and stuffy inside.
use lots of germ-x and lysol wipes
This year the weather is fluctuating so wildly that my best advice is to dress warmly, even when the weather’s warming up. Letting your guard down and going around without a coat, mittens, whatever, might not pay off if you catch a bug. I also think eating lots of Vitamin C (or drinking it) can’t be a bad idea.
By eating healthy and taking vitamins
For my family, it’s getting our flu shots, and taking a fun walk 3 times a week. This keeps us active and healthy!
If possible during epidemics I avoid crowds at stores, ballgames etc. ! Thanks!
Dress warmly (avoiding pneumonia) and stay away from people who have the flu! Sounds simple, but it really helps. I always drink a cup of hot water with half-a-lemon squeezed into it every morning – this can also be used in tea.
Wash hands and disinfect surfaces.
The best way to stay healthy is to wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
My tip to stay healthy is to wash your hands constantly and keep them away from your face.
Twitter: L
January 25, 2012 at 10:29 pm
The best tip I have is to make sure to sanitize things and keep your hands washed!
michedt at yahoo dot com
Get plenty of sleep, eat plenty healthy foods and keep hydrated
I recommend getting needed sleep, eating healthy, taking a immunity boosting product, and washing hands often during cold and flu season. reejen at comcast dot net
Wash your hands frequently
My best tip for staying healthy during the cold and flu season is lots of hand washing
The best tip honestly is to wash your hands often with soap and water.
My best tip for staying healthy is to eat right, get plenty of sleep, drink herbal teas, eat citrus and stay away from unhealthy people.
Make sure to eat healthy – fruits and veggies to get in your vitamins and antioxidants the natural way! Extra vitamin C doesn’t hurt either!
Drink lots of water and vitamin-C!
Thanks for the giveaway.
Wash your hands and eat a lot of garlic
I make sure to keep bundled up when going inside and wash my hands frequently.
wash hands
I emphasize washing hands and eating healthy foods.
Another good habit is emphasizing that … we stay home if we aren’t feeling well. It’s wrong to expose others besides the issue of having lower resistance and more likely to pick up something else.
Plenty of sleep, eat right, stay hydrated and wash those hands.
Always carry and use a hand sanatizer often.
we try to eat lots of fruits and veggies and use lots of hand sanitzer
wash your hands and cover your coughs with your elbow. If you use your hand, you are more likely to spread germs
My favorite tip is to wipe down the things that you forget are touched everyday by everyone (door knobs, light switches, remotes, computer keyboards, phones, etc.)!
kitty32504 at cox dot net
My best tip for staying healthy in the winter is drinking lots of water and taking extra vitamin C
Go out to eat less often during flu season. Kitchen workers need to work even when ill, and that gets passed on, unfortunately.
Wash your hand frequently.
cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm and wash your hands lots! nothing new, but the most effective things i have found.
marygardner49 at aol dot com
I try to wash my hands alot especially when I have been out in public places and stay away from people with coughs and sniffles.
chicken soup, rest, and water
I wash hands regularly and use hand sanitizer.
We always get pleanty of exercise, vitamin C and carry wipes or Germ x with us.
To stay healthy I use lots of Germ-x and spray Lysol around my house everyday.
I am all ways washing my hands at work & using a sanitizer also.
I try to get in a few good walks every week and I take vitamins & some C tablets too.
I use alot of vitamin c, chicken soup, and love.
Get enough rest and chill in front of the fire with a glass of wine- the natural remedy.
Lysol everything!!! And get some sleep;)
Dressing for the weather, eating healthy foods, and drinking lots of water
This is the third year I have taken the flu shot and I feel that it has helped me from getting the more serious flus that I used to get.
lysol spray,use tons of it
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
wash hands frequently!
jofo120 at yahoo dot com
I wash my hands and use a lot of hand sanitizer
Wash hands and disinfect
I don’t really believe in over sanitizing everything, but washing hands is still the best prevention.
Wash your hands. Makes a huge difference for me and mine!
Thanks for the great contest!
bahjeep@aol.com
Germs EWWWW
My best tip for staying healthy is getting enough sleep and taking vitamins!
blue65829 at aol dot com
Wash hands often, drink plenty OJ and get lots of rest.
Wash your hands frequently particularly before eating or after wiping your child’s nose and mouth.
wash hands often, lots of water and eat well.
My best tip for staying healthy is to get 8 hours of sleep and make sure you get enough vitamin C
CharlieGurl57 at aol dot com
How to stay healthy? Rule #1 – Wash Your Hands!
Take extra vitamins
Drink lots of water and take vitamin c w/zinc
Keep up with your vitamins and never touch you face
My Best Tip is to take lots of Vitamins & Supplements & Use Hand Gel fequently!
Wash your hands often
We take vitamin c drink plenty of water to stay healthy:)
I have kept my flu shots up to date and it has helped a lot! and i drink my vitamins…
Keep yourself from getting rundown. Get plenty of rest and take vitamin C. Thank you for the opportunity to win this.
Keep as much fresh air near you and disinfect everything
I use a neti pot daily to flush out my nose.
The best way to stay healthy during cold season is to wash your hands constantly and keep a bottle of sanitizer with you at all times.
Wash my hands often! Getting lots of sleep and drinking lots of water are also very helpful!
Hey guys i love the idea of this prize pack especially since we are in cold/flu season. My advice is to disinfect areas in your house where you and visitors touch the most example doornobs, refridgerator and pipe handles.
My best tip is if you get a cold or flu stay at home, rest and take medication until it has run its course.
Vitamin D!!
use hand sanitizer, especially when kids get home from school
Wash your hands frequently.
Always wash hands, and eat healthy!
My best tip, is to wash your hands alot! Also ,keep ypur hands away from your eyes and lips if you shoulod shake hands with someone and then wash hands again and use purell on your hands. Thanks for this wonderful giveaway!
wash your hands often, vitamin c and lots of sleep