Two Delicious Ways to Support your Immune System this Holiday Season

This holiday season will look different for many of us. With the intent to keep ourselves and our communities safe, it will be a more of a quiet celebration. For myself, I am imaging an evening of twinkle lights, hot cacao and some fun Christmas movies. Did you know that you can watch movies together but apart on Netflix?

As we all do our part to keep each other safe, remember to prioritize your nervous system and your immune system. Below are two easy, accessible and delicious ways to do just that:

Reishi Hot Cacao

A seasonal and medicinal hot cacao that I brew regularly in the winter months is this reishi hot cacao.Reishi or Ganoderma lucidum is one of my favourite medicinal herbs, although more accurately it is a mushroom. It is a powerful support to the immune system and is also a grounding herb that can calm the nervous system. It seems to be a fitting herb for this holiday season in particular. It is also safe for kiddos!

Ingredients:

2-4 tsp Reishi powder

6 tbsp cocoa powder

Honey to taste

0.5 tbsp ghee or coconut oil

2 cups hot water or steamed milk OR 1 cup water and 1 cup milk

Dash of cinnamon, cardamom and salt

Method:

1. Warm the milk in a small pot on the stovetop or boil the water in kettle
2. Add all ingredients to a blender
3. Blend for 30 s -1 min until frothy
4. Pour into glass and enjoy

Note: If you do not have a blender, just leave out the ghee or coconut oil and mix on stovetop until warm and gently boiling.

If you like this idea but are feeling a little time-pressed this holiday season, you can also purchase a mushroom hot cocoa mix here

Fire Cider Recipe (modified from Rosemary Gladstar)

Right around the winter solstice, I tend to be brewing my second batch of fire cider. If you missed all of the fire cider hype on my Instagram earlier this season, now is a great time to catch up! Fire cider is a traditional herbal tonic that is brewed in the fall and winter months. It is essentially a blend of antimicrobial foods and herbs in a base of apple cider vinegar and honey. Without a doubt, it is one of the easiest ways to partake in kitchen-based herbal medicine. Take a look at the recipe below and there is a good chance that you may have most of these ingredients hanging out. Why not turn them into something that is equal parts tart, spicy and sweet? Oh, and it is also an amazing immune support.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup fresh grated horseradish root

1/2 cup chopped onions

1/4 cup chopped garlic

1/4 cup or more of grated ginger

1-2 cayenne peppers, fresh and chopped

ACV

Method:

1. Put contents into a mason jar
2. Cover with ACV by 3-4 inches
3. Place a plastic lid on the jar as the vinegar will act as a corrosive to metal
4. Store in a sunny spot and shake the jar once a day
5. After 3-4 weeks, give it a taste and see if it is to your liking; if it is, strain out the herbs
6. Place in a labeled glass jar and store in the fridge. It will keep for several months.

Use:

– Take 1 shot glass every day dilute with warm water

• Take 3-4 shot glasses per day if feeling unwell
• Can also add to: roasted veggies, soups,

If you need further direction, check out this video for a step-by-step guide.

Enjoy and stay cozy and safe this holiday season!