Weatherizing Your Body for Winter, Part I
Like it or not, the colder weather is upon us! It’s not my most favorite time of the year; in fact I get down right irate when it’s too cold outside. It’s damp and dreary, less hours of sunlight, no matter how many layers I wear, my bones get cold and then it’s no fun. If today is any indication of what we are in for, it's going to be a doozy! Every year, I mentally and physically prepare myself for the cold winter months. Want to know how?
Here is part 1 of my top 10 tips for weatherizing your body for winter
1. Eat in-season foods. Buy Fresh. Buy Local. - we’ve grown accustomed to eating all foods all year round. The truth is the food industry goes through great lengths to preserve foods for year round consumption. The reality is it’s best to eat what is in season. This includes hearty root vegetables such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, carrots and parsnips, beets, winter squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin. These dense and hearty foods are rich in carotenoids which gives them their lush color and are rich in antioxidants.
2. Take your vitamins. Let’s face it, even if we eat ALL of the seasonal foods we would still miss something, some vitamins and minerals aren’t plentiful in foods. While the aforementioned winter foods are rich in Vitamins A, D, E, C, K and all have immune boosting properties. It's important to take a whole foods based daily vitamin and mineral supplement to keep your body running smoothly and effectively
3. Incorporate immune boosting, antiviral herbs to your cold care toolkit, to use either as a tea, tea infusion, infused oil*, or essential oil* (*to be applied topically) are:
Echinacea is a general cure-all with antiviral and antioxidant properties. It promotes the regeneration of white blood cells. It also relieves pain and reduces inflammation.
Elderberry is used to treat respiratory illnesses such as cold and flu. It’s chemicals may help reduce swelling in mucous membranes, including sinuses and relieve nasal congestion.
Goldenseal can help prevent colds and kill bacteria. It has been shown to treat digestive issues and respiratory tract infections.
Olive leaf treats the common cold, combats disease causing microorganisms, and prevents viruses from replicating.
Licorice root relieves cough and sore throat. It also shown to be effective in treating influenza.
4. Be PRO-active with PROBIOTICS! Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, particularly your digestive health. In natural medicine experts believe disease starts in the gut. To stay healthy, keep the gut healthy. They help to balance the “good and “bad” bacteria to keep your body running smoothly. Probiotics can be found in pill form, fermented foods like kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, pickled beets, and miso soup.
5. Say YES to oils!
Fish oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, known to boost brain, immune, and cardiovascular health. It also supports healthy cholesterol levels, boosts your mood, helps to maintain strong bones, enhances your overall health.
Black seed oil: narrated by Prophet Muhammad to have relief of all diseases, but death. Science caught up to this with over 1,000 benefits of black seed oil. Ingest 1 teaspoon daily, in tea, straight, vaporized.
Stay warm and healthy my friends!
