5 new ways to avoid the flu this year.

If your household has been lucky enough to have avoided the flu so far this season, congratulations. Our home was hit last month and it was a miracle our marriage survived. Two sick and irritated adults in one home is enough to drive us over the edge. I am fairly certain our son carried the virus home from preschool, yet managed to avoid contracting it. Thanks, kid.

There is no fool-proof way to avoid the flu and we are all aware of the common ways to try to ward it off such as, wash your hands, stay away from sick people, get a flu shot, etc. But here are a five more ways that you may not have considered:

1. Eat Red and Green Hot Peppers. You can get 303% of your daily recommended vitamin C in just a half cup. That is three times the amount of an orange! Vitamin C strengthens the immune system by increasing the number and quality of white blood cells.

2. Avoid sugar. Sugar has the opposite effect of Vitamin C in that it impairs immune function. Viral cells love sugar and sugar slows down our white blood cells, which are necessary for fighting off infection.

3. Buy a new toothbrush - toothbrushes can harbor viruses and prolong the illness. Dental Health plays a vital role in our overall health. Think about it, our mouth is the gateway to our internal body.

4. Go heavy on the garlic. This wonder food has potent antiviral and antibacterial properties.

5. Eat Sweet Potatoes. Sweet potatoes are rich in Vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant and immunity booster.