11/15

How To Prepare For Cold & Flu Season

What’s better than being reactive? Proactive. This is especially true about your health. Every year when the weather starts cooling down, colds start heating up. There is never a good time to get hit with the sneezing, fatigue, and body aches; so give your immune system a boost! Even when you feel the symptoms coming on, it’s not too late. Say no to over-the-counter medicines that just mask the symptoms! Take an immunity shot, instead.

So, what’s in an immunity shot? Everything that’s going to either A) get you back to your old self or B) keep you from feeling sick in the first place.

Carrots

The beta-carotene, vitamin A, and anti-oxidants in these orange beauties are AH-mazing for your immune system. Plus they add a little natural sweetness into the mix.

Garlic

Even if you’re not a fan, hear me out. Garlic is known to be nature’s anti-biotic. It’s anti-septic and anti-fungal and will help wipe out any bad bacteria lurking.

Ginger

Not only is ginger a natural cure for nausea, but body aches too. It’s anti-inflammatory properties make the shot extremely soothing. (Must be the fresh kind!)

Lemons

This fruit is a Vitamin C powerhouse! They also balance pH levels, which is important during these cold and flu months.

Cayenne Pepper

This pepper is a powerful immune booster. It’s full of antioxidant and inflammatory properties as well as Vitamin C. It warms you up inside (in a good way!) I like sprinkling this pepper into warm water with a lemon while sick, too.

Turmeric

Another great spice with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. I also feel that it makes the cayenne pepper punch less intense.

Raw Honey

Raw honey contains enzymes that actually kickstart the immune system to get to work. Add it to your shot, tea, or eat a spoonful alone.

Make it apart of your routine and make these shots weekly. Pair it with a cup of herbal tea for maximum “feel-good” vibes. This recipe will make 6 one oz. shots.

4 carrots
2 lemons, peeled
Large sized piece of ginger
2 cloves of garlic
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
Pinch of cayenne
1 teaspoon raw honey (optional)

Juice/blend together and pour into 1 oz. glasses (I used shot glasses!) Store in the fridge to take later or grab on the go.

Need more immune boosting options? Check out some of my favorite links:

How You Glow | Tumeric Tonic // PopSugar | Ginger Shot // Goop | Strawberry Gingersnap Smoothie