Its cold and flu season … just in case you hadn’t heard about it in the news … and I’m surrounded by people in various stages of sniffles and coughs, and plenty of people who have been down a few days and recovered.

With all this going on I’ve been thinking about how to fortify my immune system the low crap way.

So I started blending up a small clove of garlic with my morning smoothie.  I don’t do it every day …  just the days that I wake up with a little tickle in my throat (which is a sure sign my immune system is under serious strain.)

I’ve discovered over the years that when my body needs a garlic boost I am not bothered by the unpleasant smell normally associated with eating raw garlic. When I start to smell garlic coming through my skin, then I know that the garlic has done its job in fortifying my immune function and I won’t eat it for a few days.

If you really don’t like the taste of garlic in your smoothie (its actually quite subtle) then you can take deodorized garlic tablets (1 or 2 per day is plenty) and achieve the same results. Remember though, processed garlic tablets are not low crap … what with all the packaging and processing that goes on to make them.

Garlic is worthy food medicine to keep on hand. It has antibiotic and antiviral properties and it is excellent for both preventing and treating respiratory conditions such as colds and flu. While you are keeping away colds and flus you will also be doing your heart good as garlic will lower cholesterol. Be aware though that garlic is a natural blood thinner; so use caution if you have a bleeding disorder or are using pharmaceutical blood thinners.

Fresh raw garlic is truly low crap, self-packaged goodness.

These days a lot of people ask me what I think about the much talked about coming flu season that is predicted to disrupt society.

Almost daily I’m asked if I am going to be vaccinated against H1N1 or the seasonal flu.

More than daily I receive emails warning about some grand conspiracy purporting to use the flu vaccine to spread disease, not prevent it.

Let me start by telling you what I think about all the hype around H1N1. Its a flu. Some type of flu virus moves throughout communities every year … always has … probably always will. Some years are worse than others. These days our community is global, so there are a lot more people who could potentially be carriers of the virus.

Am I going to be vaccinated against H1N1 and/or the seasonal flu? No. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. I believe vaccinations are a personal decision based on personal circumstances and beliefs.

There are risks with any decision. Do your own research. Check in with your own inner knowing. And don’t let anyone bully you to get, or not get, any vaccine.

And please do me a favour. Once you have made your decision, don’t go around bullying other people to make the same decision you’ve made.

What about all those conspiracy theories that are floating around? In my opinion they are about as amusing as all the mainstream media hype. I don’t forward those emails.

Only time will tell if my beliefs, my immune system, my lifestyle choices and my efforts to reduce stress in my life, will protect me from this winter’s flu.

Whatever happens, I am fully committed to continuing my exploration of a low crap lifestyle, and will dedicate the next few weeks to talking about how a low crap diet can shore up your immune system and increase your chances of enjoying a comfortable, flu-free winter.

To get started check out these past posts:
Ten ways to clean up your diet 
Eating clean
What’s so bad about junk food?
Carrot Ginger Garlic Soup
7+ servings of fresh produce … no fork required
Fresh Ginger Root Tea

My kitchen is never without fresh ginger root … especially at this time of year when the seasons are changing and I know a long, cold winter is not far away.

You may know ginger for its endearing ability to quell queasiness and aid digestion. You may even know about ginger’s ability to warm the body from the inside out and ease the pain of arthritis.

What you might not know about ginger is that when its boiled up, then combined with honey and lemon, it can quite literally stop a cold or flu before it starts and allow you to get on with your life, instead of having to succumb to three days of feeling miserable.

For me, Ginger Tea is one of those “wrap my hands around the mug and close my eyes” kind of tea.

I love to drink it on days when morning has come way too soon and I find myself stumbling around in the kitchen wrapped in a blanket, unwilling to let go of my bed.

Or those nights when a chill in my bones and scratch in my throat threatens to spoil weekend plans.

I especially welcome Ginger Tea at that beginning stage of a cold or flu … when I can’t warm up and my ears are popping and my throat hurts and I just feel darn miserable.

Fresh Ginger Root Tea is easy to make at home. You simply boil sliced ginger root in a pot of water and serve with lemon and honey.

Fresh Ginger Root Tea is
- dairy free
- gluten free
- vegan

Ingredients
4 – 10 slices fresh, organic Ginger Root (You will need to experiment with how much ginger you use. Some people like a strong Ginger Tea with a sharp bite; other prefer a more subtle ginger taste.)
2 – 4 cups filtered water
Fresh Lemon wedges, one per cup
Honey to taste

Directions
1. Place sliced ginger root and water in pot with lid.
2. Bring to a boil, then cover pot and reduce heat.
3. Simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Pour into a mug. Add lemon wedge and honey to taste.