Don't Do 'Normal'

The leaves started to fall and while some people were admiring their decent and jumping into piles raked together, you were dreading the constant "cold" you KNEW you'd have for the next few months. Now that you're finally better, the trees are starting to bloom and the flowers are rising from the cool ground. Instead of appreciating their awakening, you start sneezing and coughing. You start to ask yourself "Why have I been sick all winter?" "How come my allergies are getting worse every year, I've never been allergic before." "I guess this is normal?" Well...it's not! This way of life has become the new normal but it is anything but. Normal is described as something typical or expected and though it appears that "sick" is becoming more expected, it should NOT be normal, and YOU can fix it. Why are we getting so sick? Because our immune systems are being compromised. What are we being compromised by? Oh I could go on forever about why, but we'll save that for a rainy day. Today is sunny and beautiful so let's keep the positivity going by talking about 3 EASY delights to add to your day to reverse the erosion. 

First up, my #1 favorite addition, honey! Not the corn syrup labeled as honey you get at the grocery store, not even the one labeled "real" honey(this honey has been over processed and has lost most of it's nutrients and usually contains no bee pollen). I'm talking about the good stuff...from the farm down the street or your friendly ⇉local⇇ beekeeper. When you purchase local honey, you are not only supporting your community but you are getting strains of bee pollen that are local to your area which helps build your immunity to their flowers which in turn helps those boogery allergies stay away! Studies have also shown that a daily dose of raw honey raises levels of health-promoting antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants help block free radicals in the body that cause disease. It also boosts the immune system, acting as a preventative against any number of debilitating diseases. Honey contains polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that help stave off nasty colds and even cancer; add one tablespoon of honey to your daily diet via your favorite warm tea, circled over your morning grits or even just by the spoonful! 

My second favorite and probably the easiest way to boost your immunity is to smile! Really? That's it?(You don't even have to BE happy!) When you smile, your body naturally relaxes. When you are relaxed, your immune system is able to function optimally, helping to fight off colds and flu. It is also a double duty remedy as when you smile, you naturally make everyone around you smile and happy so you are helping to heal others while healing yourself; no matter how you're feeling today, try to smile at everyone you come in contact with. Especially that coworker that complains all day about their workload but doesn't do any work! 

The last and most tasty(according to me) way to boost your immune system is to incorporate garlic into your diet. One clove contains 5 mg of calcium, 12 mg of potassium, and more than 100 sulfuric compounds -- powerful enough to wipe out bacteria and infection. Raw garlic is most beneficial for health, since heat and water inactivate sulfur enzymes, which can diminish garlic's antibiotic effects. Cut or crush your raw garlic and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before you use it, to start and complete the chemical reaction that produces allyl sulfide; the compound known for all of it's miracle properties. I personally love to eat raw garlic on it's own or even mixed with a spoonful of honey(double tummy whammy) but if you're not that bold than a great way to get your daily raw garlic in is to make your own salad dressing. Add apple cider or red wine vinegar and oil to an empty jar, add dijon mustard, your garlic after 10 minutes, salt/pepper and shake what your mama gave you. It's so yummy, a gazillion times better for you than store bought/bottled dressing and it will insure that you're getting more veggies in your diet by having more salad. Share your amazing garlic and honey recipes in the comments for others to try!

If you are like me and have absolutely no time to find local honey and don't want stinky hands all day than kill two birds with one stone and check out the lovely Blythe's Bounty for an incredible tonic of Elderberry and Rose Hip, local honey already included!! This syrup will keep you and your wee ones healthy all year round with multiple immune boosting ingredients. 

Go out and smell the flowers, you deserve it ✌