Easy Cold Remedy: How I beat my cold in 1 ½ days [PLUS Secret Immunity Boost recipe!]

The easy, go-to, easy cold remedy you NEED:

OMG everyone is sick right now. My colleagues, my family, my friends. This lingering cough, achy tired feeling, needing to sleep when we just don’t have the extra time, it’s so not fun.

I looked back on my blog posts in the past few years and funny enough, immunity always comes up this time of year. Yes, it can be the cold weather and hectic schedules, but what I think is most interesting is THIS is the time we want to be “getting after it”. It’s a new year! We have new goals! New action items to focus on! And a new tissue box definitely wasn’t on that exciting NEW list.

I think the truth of it is that our bodies need a little more time to *slowly* ease into the new year and our new intentions. To linger a little longer in the relaxation of Christmas break and find some time for ourselves, even in our never ending pile of stuff that needs to get done.

And I’m not immune to this wave either. Last week I woke up Sick (with a capital “s”). We were in the middle of my move, and a big program launch and about a hundred other things. Instead of fighting it and forging ahead I listened to my own advice – I leaned into the need to hide under the covers a teeny bit longer post vacay, and I took the day to really REST. The result? I woke up feeling better the very next day. Sickness took me out for 1 ½ days – and that’s it.

So here’s what you can do to ease a little more gently into the new year (and give your immune system a likely needed boost):

• Put some time on the calendar when you can truly rest. Getting sick is often a signal that we need to slow down a bit and cross a few events or to-dos off of our list. Move some things around on your calendar (and start saying “No!”) and your body (and your immune system) will thank you.
• Prioritize your gut health!  What does gut health have to do with staying healthy (or getting sick)? 70-80% of your immune system is in your digestive system. The gut is often the first entry point for exposure to pathogens (bad bacteria and virus’ that can cause disease); therefore your gut immune system needs to be thriving and healthy in order to avoid illness. My top two favorite gut healthy foods are sauerkraut and bone broth.
• Load up on immune boosting foods and spices. In my *free* immunity guide I share a TON of foods and spices that you can add in to naturally boost your immune system. I also love this simple and surprisingly delicious winter tonic recipe from my book Go with Your Gut.

IMMUNITY BOOST from Go with Your Gut

This drink is designed to hydrate, soothe, and strengthen your gut, which is actually the cornerstone of a healthy immune system.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 inch fresh turmeric root, grated
• 1 inch fresh gingerroot, grated
• ½ orange, juiced
• ½ lemon, juiced
• 1 teaspoon raw local honey
• Pinch of cayenne pepper

Directions:

• Combine all the ingredients in a blender and mix. Serve and enjoy!

Last week I was lucky enough to visit with one of my favorite magazines, Marie Claire, and share these awesome immunity tips – click here to watch that fun video!

Watch my segment on Immunity on Marie Claire’s video series #TheFix.