Battling Seasonal Cold & Flu the Natural Way

It is that time of year again and if you have children you know what I’m referring to, the cold and flu season has arrived! As I sit in a cafe surrounded by families I can't help but notice the number of snotty noses, coughs and sneezes all around, but how can we protect ourselves against it and if we do catch a cold, what can we do to fight it off as quickly as possible?

So what can we do to decrease the chances of picking up a nasty bug without locking yourself away in an airtight house? I’ve found that juicing daily with a high quantity of fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants, vitamin C, and consuming foods high in the fat soluble vitamin D3. Vitamin C can be found in many fruits and vegetables including sweet peppers, kiwi, oranges, strawberries, cantaloupe, broccoli, pineapple, mango and kale just to name a few. Goji berries are also a delicious snack and are a rich source of Vitamin C.

Get out in the sunshine, it is the very best source of D3! We tend to cover up ourselves and our children up, whether its lathering in sunscreen or covering in clothing and the result is a lack of exposure leading to low levels of vitamin D3. Obviously I'm not advocating laying in the sun sizzling away, but I do regularly wait a bit before suncream application, the amount of uncovered sun exposure that optimises each persons vitamin D3 levels varies according to skin type, time of day and season.

Vitamin D3 is linked to the absorption of calcium and also regulates phosphorus levels, in addition Vitamin D3 is linked to a strong immune system and as a result it is a highly effective way to avoid the flu or common cold. So where can we find it besides in the sun? Vitamin D3 is found in fish oils, fatty fish, salmon, mushrooms and in particular portobello mushrooms, cheese and eggs. Many breads, cereals and dairy products are also fortified with D3 and some olive oils, check the labels.

Adding Chai seeds to your daily smoothies can optimise hydration and a hydrated body is less likely to catch those nasty bugs. When we are well hydrated our bodies are able to transport nutrients around our bodies effectively and ensure that bugs cannot easily become established.
At this busy time of year it can be tempting to shortchange our systems of the sleep we need, ensure your get the rest your body needs to recharge after a festive filled day!

Immune Booster Smoothie
In your juicer:
1/2 pineapple - skins
3 kiwis
1/2 bag kale
chunk of ginger root
Then pour into blender
add:
1/2 an avocado
1 mango
10 strawberries (or berries of your choice)
Blend together and enjoy!

To increase your Vitamin B3 levels why not try a portobello mushroom burger with some spice homemade salsa and guacamole?
Spicy salsa:
-finely chopped tomatoes, white onion, fresh coriander tossed with fresh red chilli, olive oil, sea salt and cracked pepper.
Guacamole:
blender 3-4 avocados with olive oil, lemons, coriander, tomatoes, sea salt and cracked pepper
Grill your mushrooms in a little coconut oil and toast a bun of choice before building a yummy nutrient rich meal.