Winter wellness for the whole family
Is it just me or does it feel like EVERYONE is sick these days? Colds, flus, viruses... sniffles and coughs everywhere!
My whole family came down with a cold last week so I've pulled out all the stops and I'm fighting it with every tip and trick I know. I thought I would share my best cold and flu remedies so that you can keep you and your family healthy this season.
Optimize digestion. As all disease begins in the gut, it makes sense to start there. Sip hot water between meals (no snacking), only eat when you're hungry and have your main meal at lunch when digestion is strongest.
Food as medicine. Fermented foods like saurkraut, kimchi and miso feed your gut "good" bacteria and help keep your digestion in tip top shape. If you're run down or fighting something, lessen the burden on your system with warm, spiced, easy to digest whole foods.
Spice-it-up baby! Spices strenghten agni (the digestive fire) and therefore improve digestion. Since my boys have a pretty plain palatte, I get them to receive the benefits with spiced honey which they eat by the spoonfuls! Raw honey also strenghtens agni - a spoonful of honey keeps the doctor away! (spiced honey recipe below)
Rest to recover. These days I'm in bed shortly after my boys bedtime at 8pm and asleep close to 9. Longer nights mean we need more sleep. Follow earth's rythms and get to bed early to build up your immune system. Cut yourself off from work by 6pm and make time to relax and enjoy your evening.
Supplement. I like to use food and lifestyle before I supplement but sometimes you need to bring out the big guns. Everyone in the family is loading up on camu camu (provides more than 800% of your daily vitamin C requirements), curcumin (turmeric – anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-viral), probiotics (good gut bacteria) and ashwaganda (a rejuventive, anti-stress, and immune-building adaptogen).
Spiced Honey Recipe (relieves mucus, aids digestion)
- Add 1/2 cup raw honey to the cutting board.
- Add 2 Tbs. turmeric powder (you can dry roast it first in a skillet for added benefit).
- Add 2 Tbs ginger (builds agni), 2 Tbs cinnamon (increases circulation & expectoration), 1/2 Tbs clove, 1/2 Tbs cardamon powder and1/4 tsp black pepper
- Cut the spices into the honey with the knife until you have a smooth texture.
- Adjust spices for desired taste.
- Store in a small glass jar.
- Eat by the spoonful or add to hot water