During these first weeks of school, we have little control over the increased exposure to cold-causing bugs. What we do have control over is our susceptibility to these bugs. In early fall the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder. Cold autumn nights bring hints of winter with dry and cool air. Night heaters may dry the air even more and soon the mucous membranes in the sinuses dry out. When this happens the respiratory mucous membranes produce large amounts of reactive mucus due to the dryness. Seasonal pollens and pollutants can also act as irritants to the sinuses, which can cause excess mucus production. As excess mucus is produced this provides the perfect breeding ground for a viral or bacterial infection - thus cold and flu season. The number one precaution for keeping your kids out of the doctor's office is, don't let their sinuses and respiratory tract get dried out!

Q. As the father of six children, what insider tips do you have to share with other parents?

Keep sinuses moist with cool mist humidifiers at night during those early back-to-school days and keep them running right through the winter. My favorite technique to keep those mucous membranes from making excessive reactive mucus is ear oil. That's right - warm oil in your kids' ears while they sleep. Your local natural food store carries a variety of ear oil products. Preventively, from September to March I will drop warm (body temperature) ear oil in my kids' ears followed by a cotton ball while they sleep twice a month. If they catch a cold, I will use a garlic-based ear oil twice a day until they are well - usually a day or two. This again keeps the ears and Eustachian tubes well lubricated, moist, and infection free.

Q. What is the 3-season diet?

Kids do make mucus for a living and because of this we must be aware of the foods we feed them. Mucus-making foods like ice cream and cheese in the spring when it is naturally more wet and moist will only seed the breeding ground for a cold. The 3-Season Diet follows the intelligent harvests of nature. For example, squirrels eat nuts in the winter for a reason - they eat a high fat and protein diet designed to insulate us in the winter to keep us from drying out. In the spring we harvest dry foods like berries and grapefruits that naturally antidote the moisture and rains of spring aptly called allergy season. In the heat of summer we harvest cooling fruits and vegetables that keep us from becoming overheated and dried out at the end of summer. Eating more of what is in season is the basic premise of The 3-Season Diet, which reflects the three primary growing seasons and harvests.

Q. How do the dietary needs of children differ from those of adults?

Kids do not have iron-clad digestive systems; in fact they are much more delicate than adults ,which is more likely the reason why they tend toward tummy aches. Be careful not to feed them heavy foods at night like Mac n cheese and pizza on a regular basis. The digestive power is much weaker at night. Early dinners are way better. The later the dinner the lighter it should be. Instead of feeding them a sugary snack after school, feed them a healthy and substantial meal at that time when their digestive power is still strong - midday. Make sure they stay hydrated with water, not juice. If properly hydrated, a child's resistance to tummy aches and cold is greatly reduced.

Q. What should I look for when selecting a doctor for my child?

Most importantly you must find a doctor who you feel comfortable sharing all your concerns with. If you are interested in natural medicine, you doctor doesn't have to be an expert in that field but he or she must be open and supportive of your interests. Don't be afraid to ask them about natural alternatives - a recent survey reported that 52% of medical doctors use natural medicine for their own personal use. Best place to track one of these natural docs down is a referral from your local health food store.

Q. What Ayurveda principles do your children follow at home?

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