One of the key things to staying healthy this winter is to watch your diet and get enough sleep. Hopefully by following some of the other suggested ideas below they may help get you through the winter season without any major cold like sicknesses.

Eat a Variety of Coloured Fruits and Vegetables

Filling your plate at least half with a variety of vegetables is a way to get a good source of antioxidants to help protect the body. Sweet potatoes, red peppers, broccoli, beets etc. are great sources that can either be steamed, stir fried, roasted, made into soups etc. Colourful fruit such as blueberries, oranges, apples etc. are good sources but eat these in moderation as they are still a source of sugar. Even though it is natural sugar, one can overload if they eat too many.

Keep Your Fluid Intake High

Drinking tea is an excellent way to keep hydrated in the summer however we tend to not drink as much fluid in the winter because it isn’t as hot out. Clear broths, tea and water help to carry nutrients through our bodies. They may also help to clear waste and toxins, aid in digestion and help to regulate our body temperature. Green tea is thought to have powerful antioxidants and immune boosting properties. Other teas such as Rooibos and herbals teas are great non caffeine alternatives that work the same as green.

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins A, C and D have been shown to help support our immune system and provide antioxidants. Zinc is thought to have properties in it to help relieve sore throats. Gargling with sage tea may also help with a sore throat.

Probiotics

Probiotics help to keep our healthy bacteria in our gut in good supply. Studies show that 70% of our immune system resides in your gut so keeping it strong and healthy are key. Kombucha which is a fermented tea, sauerkraut, kimchi and kefir are cultured foods that are a naturally occurring source of probiotics. Taking probiotic pills are a sure way to get a good supply.

Herbal Immune Boosting Powders

Echinacea is thought to increase the number of white blood cells to fight infection. It is also thought to help us fight our colds quicker. Astragalus is another herb that may help boost our immune system. This herb is one of the important herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce cortisol (our stress hormone). Check out our single herb shelves to buy these powders for your smoothies.

Less Stress on our Minds & Body

Trying to keep a positive attitude, making time for meditation, exercising, eating healthy non processed foods and getting enough sleep are some of the ways to reduce stress in our life. Eating healthier foods that are not full of sugar will give us more energy and keep our immune system more efficient. If you are currently putting sugar in your tea and want to cut back or eliminate it all together, there are a number of flavourful tasting teas to try that you won’t miss having your sugar. Ask our staff for customer favorites. Buy a number of 10g sample bags to find one you like.

Easy Smoothie mixes to boost your immunity.

Use approximately 1 tsp. per cup of smoothie. Mix equal amounts of herbs and store in an airtight glass container.

Immune Booster #1

Astragalus, Echinacea, Gingseng

Immune Booster#2

turmeric, Echinacea, Maca, Astragalus