Four Flu Fighters & Immune Enhancers

**Four Flu Fighters &  Immune Enhancers**

I've been reading in the news that this year's flu vaccine might not be effective. It got me thinking of four natural ways to ward off colds and flu.

1.  Use a neti pot to cleanse your sinuses. (see picture above) Your sinuses are your immune system's first defense against viruses and bacteria. Cleansing the sinuses can prevent pathogens from moving deeper into the body.

2.  Take an ice cold shower. Although not palatable for everyone, this helps with blood circulation and apparently increases the number of disease fighting white blood cells.

3.  Increase Vitamin D. Getting a good dose of sunshine or taking a supplement gives an immune boost.

4. Brew bone broth - According to an old proverb, chicken broth can resurrect the dead. That sounds a bit extreme; however, the gelatin in bone broth heals the gut lining, it is easy to digest and assimilate and nourishes the skin, hair and nails. It is packed full of life giving minerals.

Bone broth is a super nourishing food that is delicious and satisfying during the cold weather months. As you may guess, I am an avant-garde cook and I vary the amounts according to what I have in the fridge and how much I want to make.

How I make bone broth in 3 Easy Steps

1.  Chop your veggies: Celery, Carrot, Onion, Garlic (sometimes I add cabbage)

 2. Grind and add your spices: bay leaf, mustard seed, cumin, thyme, cumin, nutmeg, cinnamon...

3.  Add the chicken (or other) bones and water.

Add one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and soak for an hour to pull out the minerals from the bones.

Bring to a boil and turn heat down & simmer on low for 8-24 hours.

When your broth is done add fresh or dried parsley and enjoy with some miso or salt to taste.