1.  Avoid processed  sugar – I do this on a daily basis, but I REALLY do this when I feel a cold coming on since sugar weakens the immune system.

2.  Soak your feet – Another thing I pretty much do daily. It’s such a relaxing and detoxifying habit. I add some of my herb soak salts to very warm water and let my feet soak for about 10 minutes.

3.  Moisturize your feet – After a foot bath is the perfect time to put a therapeutic balm on your feet and some nice comfy socks.  Some of my favorite balms to use include Buddha Nose’s  I Booster Salve and Waxelene (“The Petroleum Jelly Alternative” with SO many uses). I notice I always sleep especially well when I do this before bed.

4.  Sleep well  – There’s nothing like high quality sleep to help you overcome a battle with a bug. I think the advise of 7-9 hours seems about right, but everyone is different.

5.  Consume lots of hot liquids – Green tea, plain hot water with fresh lemon juice and homemade chicken soup are my favorites.

6.  Eat garlic – I always love to eat garlic, but I definitely up the ante if I’m not feeling well. Garlic is nature’s antibiotic.

7.  Have some honey – Another superb natural germ fighter. Add a teaspoon to tea for a sore throat or a tablespoon to the juice of one lemon for a natural cough remedy (see previous post).

8.  Oil your nostrils – It sounds weird, but it’s an excellent way to keep germs out of your nose. To prevent your nasal passages from getting dry just put a little olive oil or sesame oil on a Q-tip/clean finger and coat the inside of your nostrils. This is an especially good practice before traveling on a plane.

9.  Keep the heat down – I am very big on not putting the heat too high during the winter because I hate how it makes my sinuses feel dry/stuffy.  I prefer putting on another layer of clothing before cranking the heat up to anything above the low 70s.

 I really hope these recommendations help you during cold season and throughout the year. Be well! :) ~Annie

Honey mask: simply apply a thin layer of honey to clean skin and leave on for 10 minutes. You’ll be happy to know that this is one mask that is actually very easy to rinse off with warm water.

{via}

So if you have a cough (or sore throat) try taking a tablespoon of honey before bed. If you’re wondering which one to choose, I think they’re all great, but I really love the taste of Orange Blossom. Also, when it comes to allergies and the immune system, you’ll get the most benefit from local honey aka the sweet nectar produced by the busy bees in your hood!

The study: Children age 2 and older with upper respiratory tract infections were given up to 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) of honey at bedtime. The honey seemed to reduce nighttime coughing and improve sleep. In fact, in the study, honey appeared to be as effective as the cough suppressant dextromethorphan in typical over-the-counter doses. {full article}

1. Garlic (a natural antibiotic & antibacterial)
2. Honey (no germ can live in honey!)
3. Lemon (See use for #2 & 3 here – Nature’s Cough Syrup)
4. Ginger (great for inflammation & circulation)
5. Spices (like Turmeric and Cayenne Pepper, which are both believed to kill cancer calls among other benefits so clearly they’re excellent for you in general!)
6. Herbs (like Thyme)
7. Sea Salt (great for gargling)
8. Veggies (lots & lots of all kinds, especially the deeply/brightly colored ones to keep your immune system in tip top shape!)
9. Fish high in omega-3s (such as 2 of my favs – wild salmon & sardines)
10. Tea (White, Green, Black – in the order of their antioxidant levels from highest to lowest – and herbal teas. Hot liquids are where it’s at this time of year)

“Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.” ~Hippocrates

Be well my fabulous readers!

{via}

{via we heart it}

• If you want to avoid high sugar content just go with plain! Even the plain varieties naturally have 12 g of sugar. The sweetened have up to 35 g!
• Greek yogurt, which is much thicker, can contain up to twice the protein of a non-Greek brand, but it has less calcium.
• Yogurt contains probiotics, which is healthy bacteria. Probiotics are linked with a healthy digestive system and a stronger immune systems.
• Do not drain out that top watery layer! That liquid is pure protein (specifically whey protein).
• Some of my favorite additions to plain yogurt: a drizzle of honey (a prebiotic which encourages the activity of probiotics), walnuts, fresh berries, sliced banana, and wheat germ.
• Since yogurt has probiotics, a lot of people that are lactose intolerant do not have issues with consuming it!

Photo Credit: Stonyfield Farm

 Here are some coupons & discounts from one of my favorite brands: Stonyfield Farm

Anytime a sore throat or cough strikes this is definitely my highly recommended and research-proven, drink of choice!

Mix:

• juice of 1 large lemon
• 1-2 tbs of honey
• splash of hot H20

*Make sure to sip, not gulp, this sweet and tart, restorative concoction!

• 1/2 cup of mild, all natural liquid hand soap or shower gel
• 1 tbs of honey or sugar
• 1 egg white
• 1 tbs almond or jojoba oil *optional (Good for dry skin)

Pour the mixture into the bath as the water is running. Enjoy your homemade bubble bath!

Combine:

• 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 Tbsp Honey (preferably raw)
• 8 oz water

Take 2 -3 times per day.

**Honey should not be consumed by infants up to one year old.