Well whether we like it or not, winter is on it’s way which brings it’s share of bugs, flu’s and colds. To help avoid getting sick, it’s best to start preparing now before the season is upon us.
Our bodies, believe it or not, are actually designed to fight off sore throats and the sniffles. But the convenience of the modern day western diet has largely contributed to our bodies being rendered useless.
Add to this some other choices we make and our immune system ends up floundering out of balance rather than thriving and overriding competing bugs that wish to occupy gut space.
Things like:
Antibiotic Overuse
Poor dietary choices
Poor sleeping patterns
Over stimulation of our nervous system – tv screens, computers, mobile phones, ipads etc.
Thankfully there are some good choices we can make that are at our fingertips or at least can happen in our kitchen.
1. Fermented Foods – Making cultured veggies, fermented smoothies and cream fraiche are all recipes that are easy to make in your kitchen. All you need is some fresh veggies, a culture starter, some jars and a blender or food processor. The processor is even optional as veggies can be hand cut. A good quality yogurt can be made from kefir grains or from kefir starter. Fermented foods are packed full of beneficial bacteria to boost the gut with more of the good guys so they can fight back the bad guys.
2. Slow cooking a bone broth -Made from beef, lamb or chicken, a bone broth is rich and nutrient dense. It makes perfect bases for soups, sauces, gravies and stews. It aids a tired digestive system and gives the immune system a much needed boost in the elderly or the very young. A cup of bone broth in the morning and then again at night is best. To make bone broth well, it often takes hours or even days, that’s why a slow cooker is recommended. Make sure you pick bones that have plenty of thick cartilage and connective tissue.
3. Seafood – fatty fish like Salmon, mackerel and sardines are packed with Vitamin D, a nutrient that is key to optimal immune function. There are also many sustainable fish available with a little research.
4. Coconut oil – if you’re familiar with any of my other posts then you will know that coconut oil is a must throughout all the year but essential when it comes to preventing flus and bugs and you don’t even have to swallow it to get the benefits.
Swapping your usual oil for coconut oil in cooking – stir frying, baking or deep frying, coconut oil can be used in your every day diet to give you a daily dose.
Coconut oil lemonade – check out my article on coconut oil detox. The lemonade recipe can be used with a tablespoon of coconut oil daily as a preventative for any illness.
Using coconut oil topically – rubbing coconut oil into aching muscles, throats that are sore and even dripping into nasal passages to relieve blocked sinuses are all ways of using coconut oil throughout the cold and flu season.
Oil Pulling – By far one of the best preventatives for keeping your body free of bugs and viruses. See my article on Oil Pulling.
Remember try and put some of these tips into place as a preventative so as to avoid colds and flus this season. If not then you have a go to of natural remedies in the kitchen you can reach for.
Do you have any natural remedies for fighting back the winter bugs. Leave a comment or a question below.
Body Ecology Products can be bought from here for outside of Australia or purchase the book through Amazon.
For Australian residents you can go to yourdigestion.com. Remember to call  Anji 0415 992 494 and mention coconut oil post for a 5% discount on all purchases.
I have 2 preferred suppliers of coconut oil – either Banaban or from Kokonut Pacific
