As we blast into the winter months everyone starts worrying about getting sick. SO quit worrying and start preparing to be well. Being harassed to get the flu shot? Read about the pros and cons at www.NVIC.org . If you are not interested in the shot and people continue to try to lay a guilt trip on you because “You endanger everyone by not getting it”. Simply ask these people “Did you get the shot? If it’s so effective than you should be protected, so why are you worried that you will catch something from ME?”
Then let them know you ARE strengthening your immune system by feeding it the things this important body system needs. Science now tells us 75-85% of the immune system is the good bacteria (also known as probiotics) in your intestines. These powerful living bacteria can be weakened by antibiotics, birth control pills, steroid use, and many other medications as well as coffee and a poor diet high in processed foods.
Along with lots of raw foods eat foods that have good bacteria in them: some yogurts(look at label), miso soup,kefir, sauerkraut, kim chi, some olives and pickles, tempeh, even high quality dark chocolate! These help replace probiotics on a daily basis.
But if you have been prone to illness, yeast infections, mood problems or in an environment that puts you in touch with lots of sick people (attention school teachers and nurses,etc!) or if you consume things that deplete your probiotics (see list above) than you really should take CAPSULES of Probiotic 11 or Bifidophilous. Start with 2 capsules once a day. If ill or at first sign of illness do as many as you can afford! At a lecture by a holistic doctor, Dr. Rodier, MD he was asked, how many? He replied “If my patient NEEDS it I have them take 20 capsules twice a day” So take plenty!
Have you heard the latest studies that show there is a nerve that runs from the gut TO the brain? It showed how the amount of probiotics in the gut affected the mood (and even weight). They found taking probiotics may be helpful for those with depression as well. Check out http://mercola.com and search for “probiotics, the new prozac”
Also consider adding one of the formulas that further supports the immune function in your body. Seasonal D3fense (with vitamin D3), is a great daily formula that gets rave reviews from people who tell me “It’s the first winter I did not get sick at all!!” Immune Stimulator is powerful help to take when you feel that first sign of illness and to continue till you feel 100%. A common mistake is not taking the herbs and vitamins for long enough. Usually people feel results with in hours if using the right dose, but do not stop right away! Use the program another day or two then start tapering down over the next few days. Be prepared to ramp it up if anything comes back.
Real Food Real Fast- Kale Sweet Potato Soup
2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion, diced, 2 cloves garlic, chopped fine 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, chopped fine 3/4 teaspoon turmeric 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 3/4 pound kale, tough stems removed, roughly chopped 1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes (yams), peeled and diced into 3/4-inch cubes 1 1/2 quart chicken or vegetable broth, 1 teaspoon salt fresh ground pepper, to taste, 1 cup canned unsweetened coconut milk 2 cups cooked brown rice
In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook down until tender and translucent, about five minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, turmeric and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, for about 1 minutes.Add the sweet potato chunks and stir. Add the chicken or vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Add the kale once the broth is simmering and submerge all of the leaves, helping them to cook down. Cook for about 20 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes have become tender.Add salt and pepper to taste. Lastly, stir in coconut milk, heat through and serve over a bed of brown rice.
Now that will warm your innards on a cold winter day! Have some of my favorite raw beet/carrot salad to bring in some raw nutrients in the winter at your other meal of the day and feel your energy SOAR
