Alicia Silverstone's Blog, page 29

Cashew-Macadamia Cheesecake With Salted Caramel Sauce

Two hours north of NYC is the Catskill Animal Sanctuary, a refuge for more than 4,000 farm animals since 2001! The Sanctuary also hosts an education center that teaches visitors why and how to lead a compassionate vegan lifestyle – from cooking classes to summer camps to educational lectures. In an effort to share their wisdom and tasty recipes with the world, staff Chefs Linda Soper-Kolton and Sara Boan have interwoven more than 100 recipes with stories about the farm’s resident chickens, pigs, cows, and horses in their 2019 cookbook Compassionate Cuisine. This book aims to share delicious, healthy, comfort food with a compassionate outlook that will make a difference in our lives, the lives of animals, and the planet!

Here is an excerpt from the cookbook! If you make this drool-worthy cheesecake please fill me in on the comments below!

–

Cashew-Macadamia Cheesecake with Salted Caramel Sauce

by Linda Soper-Kolton and Sara Boan

Makes 1 (9-inch) cheesecake, or 12 to 14 servings

No one should have to do without cheesecake—ever! Smooth and rich, this cheesecake boasts compassion and nutrition as two of its main ingredients, something regular cheesecake can’t do. Macadamia and cashews blend beautifully to create a creamy base. And is there anything a chickpea can’t do? In this recipe, chickpeas create a dense texture and a complex taste that you wouldn’t get with nuts alone. A simple graham cracker crust works beautifully (Nabisco’s regular graham crackers are accidentally vegan), as does the gluten-free version that uses ground almonds and a little granulated sugar. The light, crumbly crust takes only minutes to make. The filling needs only a blender to create. And the salted caramel is optional, but more than worth it.

Allergens: Contains nuts and ingredients that may contain soy

Special Equipment: Blender, 9-inch springform pan

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust

1½ cups graham cracker crumbs, from about 9–13 crackers, depending on the brand

6 Tbsps vegan butter, melted (or 6 Tbsps

melted coconut oil and ⅛ tsp salt), plus more

for the pan)

Gluten-Free Almond Crust

1½ cups almond flour or almond meal

½ cup granulated sugar

¼ tsp salt

6 Tbsps vegan butter, melted, plus more for the pan

Filling

1 cup raw cashews, soaked for 2–3 hours in water, drained

1 cup unsalted macadamia nuts, soaked for 2–3 hours in water, drained

1 (15.5 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 (15.5-ounce) can regular coconut milk

1 cup maple syrup

¼ cup fresh lemon juice

2 Tbsps apple cider vinegar

2 ½ Tbsps cornstarch

1 Tbsp tahini

2 tsps vanilla extract

¾ tsp salt

Salted Caramel Sauce

1 cup brown sugar, packed

6 Tbsps vegan butter, cut into chunks

½ cup canned coconut milk

2 tsps vanilla extract

¼ tsp coarse salt

To Serve

Flaked salt (optional)

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°F. Trace the bottom of the springform pan onto parchment and cut it out. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment circle and lightly oil the sides with butter. Line a baking tray with parchment and place the pan on top; this will make clean up easier.

To make the crust, break the graham crackers into a food processor and blend until finely ground. Add melted butter and pulse until the mixture resembles wet sand. Empty the crumbs into the springform pan and firmly press them evenly into the bottom and up the sides.

To make the filling, place all the ingredients in a high-speed blender. Blend, while scraping down sides occasionally, for about 2 minutes, or until completely smooth and creamy. There should be no gritty texture in the mixture.

To assemble the cake, pour the filling into the springform pan. Set the oven rack in the bottom position. Place the pan on a baking tray lined with parchment and put in the oven. Bake for about 50 minutes. If you notice the top is browning too much, place a piece of foil over the top of the pan without touching the filling.

To make the salted caramel sauce, place the sugar in a small, heavy-bottomed pot. Heat over medium-­high heat, while stirring occasionally. As the sugar heats, it will begin to melt and darken. When that starts to happen, you’ll need to stir it more frequently. Once the sugar is completely dissolved, remove the pot from heat and stir in the butter. When the butter is melted, place the pot back on the heat and stir in the milk. Cook, while stirring, until the mixture just starts to bubble. Keep cooking for about 1 minute after the initial boil, then remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and salt and set aside to cool.

The cake is done when it is mostly firm to the touch around the outer perimeter with a slightly less done center. It will firm up further when cooled completely. Remove the cake from oven and let cool on the counter before putting it into the refrigerator to chill for several hours or overnight.

To serve, cut slices and place on plates. Drizzle with salted caramel sauce and sprinkle with flaked salt. Extra caramel sauce can be stored in a sealed container for up to one month.

 

Excerpted from Compassionate Cuisine: 125 Plant-Based Recipes from Our Vegan Kitchen by Linda Soper-Kolton and Sara Boan, with permission from Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. Copyright 2019 by Catskill Animal Sanctuary. Photographs by Alexandra Shytsman. https://casanctuary.org/

 

A Happy Thanksgiving Feast

Over the years, we’ve gathered quite a number of great Thanksgiving recipes and treats to cook up for the holiday, so here’s a quick list of options for your kind Thanksgiving feast.

This was my 2010 Thanksgiving Day menu. It was a very large crowd that year, I decided to prep as much as I could in advance and buy some pre-made. It turned out to be a yummy meal.

Still stuck on your menu for this year? Here are some more suggestions:

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If you just aren’t able or don’t want to cook this year, here are some of my favorite picks for restaurants in the LA and New York areas. I’d call beforehand to make sure they are serving up a Thanksgiving Day menu.

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And when the feasting is over and you feel like you may have indulged a little too much sweetness (it’s bound to happen), you could try my detox soup recipe. It’s light and healing. And you might also want to try this Cure-All Tea.

Top Photo: JHS

Romanesco and Maitake Mushrooms With Crispy Capers and Garlicky Mayonnaise

Inspired by what was fresh at the Farmer’s market, this savory and delectable dish of maitake mushrooms and romanesco could be enjoyed as a side or on its own as a filling main course. Featuring crispy capers and garlicky mayonnaise, you’ll want to ready your cast iron pans and get to cooking. Featured in this video are me—the Mama chef—and 2 little peanut sous Chefs, Bear and Isabelle!

Romanesco and Maitake With Crispy Capers and Garlicky Mayonnaise3-4 baby Romanesco heads (or one big one)Olive oil1/2 a small shallot1 clove of garlic1/2 lemon3 large maitake mushrooms1/4 cup water2 tbsp shoyu

Crispy Capers

3 tbsp olive oil2 tbsp capers

Garlicky Veganaise

1/2 cup veganaise2 cloves of GarlicJuice of one Lemon1/2 cup Parsley

Blend together and serve!

Start by peeling away the outer leaves of the Romanesco. Do not discard these as we are going to cook these up, and make them delicious. Waste not, want not! Cut the Romanesco into florets that are roughly the same size. Place them on a lined baking sheet, and drizzle with 2 tbsp of the olive oil – toss around to coat. Bake at 400 for 25-30 minutes.

Chop up the Romanesco greens. Add 1 tbsp of olive oil to the skillet, and sauté over medium heat. Add 1/2 a small shallot diced, one clove of garlic and sauté until onions are translucent. Finish with the juice of half a lemon.

Over high heat, add a few tablespoons of olive oil into a saucepan. Once the oil is hot, add the capers and crisp up for about 5-7 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon.

Cut the maitake mushrooms into 1/2-inch-thick pieces. Add 1 tbsp of olive oil into a skillet and over medium high heat, start searing the mushrooms. After about 5 minutes add 1/4 cup water if needed to stop the mushrooms from sticking. Sauté for another 3- 5 minutes and add tbsp of shoyu (good quality soy sauce) -then cook for another 2 minutes and they are done! Squeeze lemon on top.

Top the Romanesco greens with the maitake mushrooms.

Plate the roasted Romanesco florets, and sprinkle with the crispy capers and a big dollop of Garlicky veganaise!

Romanesco Photo by Steven Lasry on Unsplash

My 7 Favorite Supplements for Supporting Immunity

It’s hard to believe we’re in November again. But the cooler weather is upon us, and with that, the reappearance of cold and flu season and of course COVID. Immune health is important year-round, but it’s especially critical this time of year. These are my best supplement recommendations for supporting immune health and staying well! Read on for my tips.

Can supplements really power up your immune system? 

The short answer? 100%. Immunity may be an invisible force field of sorts, but it comes from within us, not something we put on externally. And the only way we do that is by taking care of our bodies. 

This means eating healthy foods most of the time. Fall and winter are the times for indulgence, of course, and it’s perfectly fine to have that pumpkin spice latte if you want on occasion! But opt daily for whole foods: whole grains and beans, fresh vegetables and fruit (as your treat!).

Rest is also incredibly important. (Read about what happens to me when I’m not rested properly here.) If we’re not rested, we’re stressed, whether we realize it or not. A lack of proper rest can weaken our immunity and make us more susceptible to all kinds of illnesses, not just colds and the flu.

Immunity supplements

Of course, some foods are more nourishing than others. That’s where my supplements come in! Everything I co-create for myKind vitamins is made from whole food ingredients. These vitamins are not like the rest. These are certified organic, non-GMO verified, and all food-based. There are no synthetic chemicals, fillers, or binders. 

And that matters. Think of your body as a computer, but the code it reads is whole food nutrition. Everything else just scrambles the machine up. Give your body the best and it will be the best. These whole food supplements can help.

1. Oregano

Oil of oregano may sound like a pizza topping, but it’s actually one of the most revered immune foods around. It has been used for centuries to support immune function and fight infections, thanks to its unique compounds Carvacol and Thymol. We take care to use only certified organic and Non-GMO verified oregano extract to avoid harsh chemicals and corn alcohol. I use this one when I’m feeling like I may be on the verge of coming down with something or if I am feeling vulnerable to getting sick.

Check out my oregano oil here.

2. Elderberry

Even the strongest immune system can struggle with seasonal challenges such as a cold or flu. Elderberries can help. They are packed with minerals such as iron, potassium, phosphorous, and copper. Elderberries also contain vitamins A, B, and C, as well as proteins and dietary fiber, along with beneficial organic compounds that function as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents in the body. There are studies to back up its benefits. People have been using elderberry since ancient Egypt. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, also swore by it. Plus, my gummies are just so yummy and so is the elderberry syrup! We also have an elderberry sleep blend that helps immune function and promotes sleep. It’s also a good one for kids, too. 

Check out my favorite elderberry gummies, here.  And elderberry syrup, here.

3. Vitamin C 

Vitamin C is a cold and flu season staple for a reason. It helps support immune function and fight stress—a leading cause of weakened immunity. I love MY vitamin C sprays because they’re super portable and taste great. Vitamin C is water-soluble, meaning we need to replenish it regularly. These organic sprays make it so easy to do that. These blends are made without any artificial ingredients or chemical preservatives, as with everything in the Mykind organics line.

Check out my favorite vitamin C sprays here. 

4. Sleep Sprays

Whether you’re already in the throes of a bug or are keen on keeping them at bay, resting is the most important step to a rapid recovery. But sleep can be hard, I know! Give your body the rest and de-stress it needs so you can be your healthiest. This R&R sleep blend is one of my favorite products. It’s a calming blend of L-Theanine as well as calming herbs including lemon balm, chamomile, and hibiscus. It’s gentle yet potent. 

I take the pills when I need a bit extra and use the sprays more regularly. But both are great! 

Check out my sleep spray here.

And these sleep pills here.

5. Cough and Mucus Syrup

Okay, so it got you. If you’re fighting off a cold or the flu, congestion is one of the worst parts of it—and it can linger, too. I really love this blend of herbs to help reduce congestion and get you back to deep, calming breaths in no time. This syrup blends elderberry along with other powerhouses like ivy leaf, echinacea, and zinc. Soothes everyday throat irritations and helps clear mucus when coughing.

Check out my cough syrup here.

6. Turmeric Pain Relief

Scientists are only just beginning to glimpse the vast sea of benefits that turmeric possesses. One thing we do know for sure is that it can help reduce inflammation by supporting he body’s antioxidant response. Inflammation can be an early warning sign or a lingering symptom of a cold or flu. And given turmeric’s roster of other benefits, including reducing pain, it’s a great supplement to have on hand this season. Turmeric is such a versatile ingredient and we offer it in so many different ways. The gummies? They taste like apple pie! Our golden milk tea is so cozy and healing in the cold. They’re all great for pain relief, too.

Check out my turmeric supplement here.

7. Vitamin D3

Research has recently found that vitamin D plays a critical role in immune function. But not all vitamin D is made equal! The sun is the primary source for many of us, but some people can struggle to get enough that way. Supplements can help, but the right one is important. Instead of vitamin D2, which is common in vegetarian vitamin D supplements, we source a vegan vitamin D3, cholecalciferol. It’s a potent, active form of vitamin D that can help you stay strong and healthy all season long. These come in sprays or chewable. I’m personally in love with the chewable but many people swear by the vanilla spray!

Check out my vitamin D3 here.

 

My 7 Favorite Supplements for Boosting Immunity

It’s hard to believe we’re in November again. But the cooler weather is upon us, and with that, the reappearance of cold and flu season and of course COVID. Boosting immune health is important year-round, but it’s especially critical this time of year. These are my best supplement recommendations for boosting immunity and staying well! Read on for my tips.

Can you really boost your immunity? 

The short answer? 100%. Immunity may be an invisible force field of sorts, but it comes from within us, not something we put on externally. And the only way we do that is by taking care of our bodies. 

This means eating healthy foods most of the time. Fall and winter are the times for indulgence, of course, and it’s perfectly fine to have that pumpkin spice latte if you want on occasion! But opt daily for whole foods: whole grains and beans, fresh vegetables and fruit (as your treat!).

Rest is also incredibly important. (Read about what happens to me when I’m not rested properly here.) If we’re not rested, we’re stressed, whether we realize it or not. A lack of proper rest can weaken our immunity and make us more susceptible to all kinds of illnesses, not just colds and the flu.

Immunity supplements

Of course, some foods are more nourishing than others. That’s where my supplements come in! Everything I co-create for myKind vitamins is made from whole food ingredients. These vitamins are not like the rest. These are certified organic, non-GMO verified, and all food-based. There are no synthetic chemicals, fillers, or binders. 

And that matters. Think of your body as a computer, but the code it reads is whole food nutrition. Everything else just scrambles the machine up. Give your body the best and it will be the best. These whole food supplements can help.

1. Oregano

Oil of oregano may sound like a pizza topping, but it’s actually one of the most revered immune boosters around. It has been used for centuries to boost immune function and fight infections, thanks to its unique compounds Carvacol and Thymol. We take care to use only certified organic and Non-GMO verified oregano extract to avoid harsh chemicals and corn alcohol. I use this one when I’m feeling like I may be on the verge of coming down with something or if I am feeling vulnerable to getting sick.

Check out my oregano oil here.

2. Elderberry

Even the strongest immune system can struggle with seasonal challenges such as a cold or flu. Elderberries can help. They are packed with minerals such as iron, potassium, phosphorous, and copper. Elderberries also contain vitamins A, B, and C, as well as proteins and dietary fiber, along with beneficial organic compounds that function as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents in the body. There are studies to back up its benefits in immune-boosting. People have been using elderberry since ancient Egypt. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, also swore by it. Plus, my gummies are just so yummy and so is the elderberry syrup! We also have an elderberry sleep blend that helps boost immune function and promote sleep. It’s also a good one for kids, too. 

Check out my favorite elderberry gummies, here.  And elderberry syrup, here.

3. Vitamin C 

Vitamin C is a cold and flu season staple for a reason. It helps support immune function and fight stress—a leading cause of weakened immunity. I love MY vitamin C sprays because they’re super portable and taste great. Vitamin C is water-soluble, meaning we need to replenish it regularly. These organic sprays make it so easy to do that. These blends are made without any artificial ingredients or chemical preservatives, as with everything in the Mykind organics line.

Check out my favorite vitamin C sprays here. 

4. Sleep Sprays

Whether you’re already in the throes of a bug or are keen on keeping them at bay, resting is the most important step to a rapid recovery. But sleep can be hard, I know! Give your body the rest and de-stress it needs so you can be your healthiest. This R&R sleep blend is one of my favorite products. It’s a calming blend of L-Theanine as well as calming herbs including lemon balm, chamomile, and hibiscus. It’s gentle yet potent. 

I take the pills when I need an extra boost and use the sprays more regularly. But both are great! 

Check out my sleep spray here.

And these sleep pills here.

5. Cough and Mucus Syrup

Okay, so it got you. If you’re fighting off a cold or the flu, congestion is one of the worst parts of it—and it can linger, too. I really love this blend of herbs to help reduce congestion and get you back to deep, calming breaths in no time. This syrup blends immune-boosting elderberry along with other powerhouses like ivy leaf, echinacea, and zinc. Soothes everyday throat irritations and helps clear mucus when coughing.

Check out my cough syrup here.

6. Turmeric Pain Relief

Scientists are only just beginning to glimpse the vast sea of benefits that turmeric possesses. One thing we do know for sure is that it can help reduce inflammation by boosting the body’s antioxidant response. Inflammation can be an early warning sign or a lingering symptom of a cold or flu. And given turmeric’s roster of other benefits, including reducing pain, it’s a great supplement to have on hand this season. Turmeric is such a versatile ingredient and we offer it in so many different ways. The gummies? They taste like apple pie! Our golden milk tea is so cozy and healing in the cold. They’re all great for pain relief, too.

Check out my turmeric supplement here.

7. Vitamin D3

Research has recently found that vitamin D plays a critical role in immune function. But not all vitamin D is made equal! The sun is the primary source for many of us, but some people can struggle to get enough that way. Supplements can help, but the right one is important. Instead of vitamin D2, which is common in vegetarian vitamin D supplements, we source a vegan vitamin D3, cholecalciferol. It’s a potent, active form of vitamin D that can help you stay strong and healthy all season long. These come in sprays or chewable. I’m personally in love with the chewable but many people swear by the vanilla spray!

Check out my vitamin D3 here.

 

The Comfiest, Cutest Eco Loungewear

With so many people working and schooling from home now, who needs restrictive clothes when sweatpants exist on earth! I personally live in loungewear regardless, and have searched far and wide for the most flattering, comfiest, and—of course—most sustainably made loungewear out there. I want to share my favorites with you!

My favorite sweatshirt is from Mate The Label.  The fit is absolutely perfect. It’s soft, comfy, and I really like the muted tones it’s available in. Mate is 100% organic cotton, and made in LA. I love their joggers, tees, and dresses too. Trust me, you will never want to take this sweatshirt off. Mine is Charcoal, but the clay, pear, pink, latte, amber are all perfect choices. These all make great gifts for the cozy lovers in your life, too. Tell the Santa sent it!

Vintage Pullover in Clay, $108 @matethelabel.com

Vintage Pullover in Charcoal, $108 @matethelabel.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also really love these easy joggers Mate makes.  They are so comfy, and I like wearing them with my Mate tees, or a tank top.

Ali Pant, $138 @matethelabel.com

Another Mate favorite is this thermal waffle knit top! This is the beautifully designed thermal you’ll live in all fall and winter. It’s warm and decadently cozy – a perfect pairing to a good pair of jeans.

Elliot Thermal $108 @matethelabel.com

Mate also makes soft tees that are the perfect fit.  You won’t want to take them off! I have the green, and pink of this one:

Classic Crew, $64 @matethelabel.com

P.S. use code Alicia20 for 20% off anything from Mate the Label!

New to me is People of Leisure- an athleisure company with the greatest sets! They’re fair trade, sustainable, and also made in LA. They use deadstock fabrics, use minimal water in their techniques, and have very minimal waste. I like wearing this tie dye sweatshirt with fitted black yoga pants.

Daybreak Hoodie, $70 @peopleofleisure.co

P.S. use code Alicia20 for 20% off your purchase!

I like this waffle knit top from local LA designer, Eva Su! She has created a small collection of active loungewear that is sustainable, organic, and locally (to me!) made. I wear this top with leggings on hikes.

Zuma waffle knit, $66 @evabyevasu.com

Another great brand is PACT. I’ve posted about them before, but wanted to mention that they have a lot of cozy basics, and I love their kids line for Bear! The kids tees and sweatpants are the softest, sweetest things. Bear’s favorites are the blue and green tees, and the red sweatpants.

Shop Bear’s fave tees here, and his favorite sweatpants here!

..Happy Lounging!Xo,AliciaDISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Vegan Melt-In-Your-Mouth Pecan Pie

This is my favorite Thanksgiving dessert—a vegan pecan pie. Tahini gives it an extra creaminess, and the sweetness comes from barley malt and maple syrup. Enjoy!

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 45 minutes | Yields 8 servings

Ingredients

3.25 cup pecans
0.75 cup maple syrup
0.5 cup barley malt
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp arrowroot
4 tbsp roasted sesame tahini
1 pre-made pie crust or pie crust of your choice

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a food processor, mix until smooth all ingredients except the pecans.

Then add the pecans and process until the nuts are chopped and mixed with the other ingredients.

Pour this concoction into the pie shell. You can add extra pecans on top before baking for decoration.

Bake for 45 mins to one hour, until the top browns slightly.

Photo: Deryn Macey

Vegan Roasted Cauliflower, Leek, and Chickpea Pasta With Pepper Cream Sauce

I just can’t get down with that no-carb life. So if you, too, are all about comforting warmer meals then this post is for you. There’s no dairy required to get a creamy, yummy texture in this pasta dish.

Ingredients

1 head of cauliflower
3 leeks
5 garlic cloves
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
2 cups cooked chickpeas
1 lb. of pasta such as fusilli
1/4 cup chopped parsley

Roasted Pepper Cream Sauce

1-1/2 cups unsweetened non-dairy milk (soy, almond, etc.)
1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
1/2 cup cooked white rice
1 roasted sweet red pepper, skin and seeds removed
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1/2 to 1 cup reserved pasta cooking water

Method

1. Preheat oven to 425˚F.

2. Remove hard woody stems from cauliflower and chop into small florets. Remove outer stalks of leeks and slice into thin rings. Wash sliced leeks thoroughly in a bowl of water and let them float to the top. Scoop leeks out, leaving water and any sediment behind and drain well.

3. Toss cauliflower, leeks and garlic cloves with skins on in olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake on a sheet pan for 25-30 minutes until browned and fork tender. Remove garlic cloves to be used in the sauce.

4. While veggies are roasting, prepare the sauce. In a blender add milks, cooked rice, roasted red pepper, nutritional yeast, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper and blend until smooth and creamy. When garlic is done roasting, remove skins then add it to sauce and puree until smooth.

5. Cook pasta al dente in boiling salted water according the package directions.

6. While pasta cooks, pour sauce into a large deep-sided skillet and heat on lowest setting, stirring occasionally. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water then drain pasta and add it to the pan. Fold in roasted cauliflower and leeks and chickpeas. Add reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if necessary.

7. Remove from heat and fold in chopped parsley. Optionally garnish with lemon zest and/or toasted pine nuts.

Serve immediately. Keep leftovers covered in fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat with a little milk to loosen sauce and serve or serve cold as a pasta salad.

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About Kaity

Kaity Farrell is a private chef, food blogger, artisan and mother based on the island of Nantucket, off the coast of Massachusetts. Her blog Fare Isle, focuses on seasonal, plant-based, whole food recipes that are easily accessible for families and anyone who wants to cook more plant-based meals at home.

Natural Remedies for When You Get Sick (Plus: How to Strengthen Your Immune System So You Don't)

One of the most frequently asked questions we get this time of year is, “what do you do when you get sick?” I remember asking Marliee (our co-founder) this question when I started learning about food as medicine, tossing the toxins and natural remedies years ago. I also remember wondering if switching to a non-toxic lifestyle would prevent me from getting sick as often. And it did!
However, like everyone else in the world, I still get sick at least once or twice a year (and so do my kids… sometimes more frequently). At first, I thought I must be doing something wrong. But then I learned that getting the occasional cold or virus can actually help strengthen and educate our immune system. In other words: catching a “bug” now and then is a natural and beneficial part of living a healthy lifestyle! That said, it’s still no fun to be down and out. So, here’s what we do to get through uncomplicated, occasional illnesses quickly, safely, and as comfortably as possible.Keep Your Immune System Strong

With summer over and school back in session, increased risk of exposure to cold and flu viruses is inevitable. Your best defense is to strengthen your immune system by reducing everyday stressors. Here’s how:

Use soap and water vs sanitizers to wash your hands

Soap and water do an excellent job removing germs, (instead of killing them, which is what causes them to morph into stronger germs), bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens without any unwanted side effects. We use Branch Basics Foaming Wash at home and the travel size when out and about.

Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash

#TossTheToxins

Common household products with harmful ingredients like fragrance, VOCs, SVOCs, formaldehyde and pesticides all take a toll on different aspects of our immune system (lungs, lymph, liver, etc.) causing vulnerability and more weakness over time. Thus, improving indoor air quality by tossing the toxins is one of the most powerful things you can do for your health. Learn more on how to do this in our #TossTheToxins free online course.

Focus on REAL food

This means tossing the toxins in your pantry and refrigerator! Avoid foods with harmful chemicals and eat as much organic, whole, unprocessed food as possible while minimizing packaged, processed foods. We’ll have more tips on what we eat when we do get sick coming up, but you can also dive into our Food section of the Branch Basics Learning Center to read more.

Reduce screen time at night to optimize sleep

Sleep is one of the most powerful remedies for supporting your immune system. However, the artificial blue light emitted from screens suppresses the production of our master sleep hormone, melatonin, resulting in less quality sleep. If you ever needed a good reason to reduce screen time, this would be a great one! For more ways to improve your sleep, see our article 10 Tips For Healthier Sleep.

What To Do If You Get Sick

Rest as much as possible: We know this is easier said than done when you have children, a job, and other responsibilities. However, research has proven that sleep helps enhance our immune defenses by helping certain immune cells attach to their targets.1 2
Plus, it’s the world’s best stress reducer and helps quell inflammation. Try to resist the urge to scroll through your phone, bring your work to bed or even binge-watch your favorite show during this time and just surrender your body to sleep.
Tip for new moms: If you’re sick with a baby, it’s essential to call in reinforcements! Ask your partner or a close friend/family member to stay with you so you can rest between nursing and feeding sessions. According to breastfeeding experts, nursing mothers produce antibodies to the pathogens they are exposed to which get passed along to their breastmilk (wow!). This is why it’s almost always A-OK to keep nursing when you’re sick (but if you’re unsure or hesitant, check in with your doctor, midwife or lactation expert). 3 Just make sure you’re drinking lots of fluids to keep up with you and your baby’s needs.

Get outside and get grounded

If weather permits, getting outdoors isn’t just helpful for increasing vitamin D levels, but other benefits as well. We believe in the practice of grounding (aka earthing), or walking around on wet grass barefoot. This simple form of nature therapy has a long list of scientifically-proven benefits for your health. To dig in more, we suggest watching this amazing documentary on the benefits of grounding!
Grounding has so many benefits. To name a few, it improves your immune response by increasing white blood cell counts, decreases inflammation, reduces cortisol output, is good for your heart health and helps you sleep.4 How does this work? Well, when we come into direct contact with the ground there is a natural exchange of negatively-charged electrons from the earth. These electrons act as antioxidants, which neutralize excess positive electrons (from electronics, personal devices, EMFs, etc.) and provide our bodies with all the aforementioned health benefits. Check out the powerful findings of this grounding study or read Grounding: A Few Steps A Day To Transform Your Life for more information.

Eat vegetables and fruits – no meat and dairy

It’s important to listen to your body in two ways when sick – eating only when truly hungry and eating easy-to-digest, nutrient-dense foods that support healing versus suppressing it. This means we fill our plates up with plenty of vegetables, moderate amounts of vitamin-rich fruits, and no heavy foods, particularly meat and dairy (as an exception, bone broths are great). When you do have an appetite, eat the rainbow!

Easy to digest, blended vegetable soups and broths are often best when feeling sick. As you improve salads, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, squashes, greens, roasted veggies and veggie “noodles” (spiralized into soups or sauteed with garlic and a little coconut oil) are excellent foods that promote healing without compromising your body’s defenses.
As for fruit, organic, sugar-free, additive-free applesauce and fresh melons, citrus, bananas, pineapple, papaya, and berries all supply helpful vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, prebiotic fibers, and natural sugars that bolster immunity and refuel your liver’s vital glycogen stores.

Eat extra greens!

Leafy greens like kale, collards, turnip greens, dandelion greens and lettuce support immunity two ways:

They are powerhouses of immune-enhancing minerals and vitamins C, K, selenium, antioxidants and enzymes. Microgreens actually contain up to 40 times more healing nutrients than fully-grown vegetables!5New research has shown that leafy greens and other green veggies like brassicas are the source of a chemical signal critical to functional immunity. They work by ensuring that immune cells in the gut and the skin known as intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) function properly.6Try raw garlic

Garlic is an extremely powerful antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-fungal. Plus it’s good for your heart and blood sugar, both of which can be affected during acute illness.7 Since the freshness, chemical composition, and purity of garlic supplements varies widely from brand to brand, it’s best to eat organic, raw garlic.
Fresh garlic is pungent, but by consuming it this way you’ll get all the benefits of its whole food components including the oils, enzymes, antioxidants, and concentrated allicin – the active component that makes garlic so medicinal.
Here are 7 ways to make raw garlic palatable, and possibly even downright tasty!:

Grate and/or mince garlic, and mix it with raw honey. Ingest like cough syrup.Chop up garlic and swallow it whole, like you would a supplement.Hold a crushed clove in your cheek, especially if you have a sore throat. This can work wonders to reduce the pain and other symptoms of a cold!Mince garlic and ginger together and add lemon and raw honey to make a tea.Eat it pickled or fermented – just make sure it’s been naturally picked or lactofermented, as in no vinegar added, for greatest medicinal benefit.Throw some minced garlic in your greens, potatoes or soup.Make garlic lemonade! I discovered this recipe whilst researching natural remedies for clogged milk ducts (too much raw garlic can be no bueno for nursing infants) and it was delicious and effective. It’s great for kids too and anyone who can’t quite stomach whole garlic. Find the recipe at birthstream.com! It’s delicious and warm, too.

If your kids won’t eat raw garlic, try making garlic socks! Before bed, grate and/or crush garlic and mix it with a little olive or coconut oil. Then, put the mixture on the bottom of a pair of socks. Cut a strip of an old cotton rag to wrap gently around the garlic and foot and pull on the socks!  You can also just put garlic on the bottom of the foot and pull on socks. Within seconds you can smell garlic on the breath, which shows how the skin uptakes whatever it comes into contact with… Crazy!

Drink Bieler’s broth, healing soups and fresh juices

Bieler’s broth is a classic healing elixir created by Dr. Henry G. Bieler, a prominent figure in the early days of alternative medicine. This broth is touted for its ability to alkalize the body, support detoxification pathways, and supply vital immune-fortifying nutrients. You can find the original Bieler’s Broth recipe here.
Carrot, ginger, and turmeric soup is also a lovely combination of super-healing foods and expectorant, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory spices. Here’s a quick recipe:

Sautee onions, carrots, garlic and celery until softAdd in fresh ginger and fresh or dried turmeric to taste. The more the better, but make sure it tastes good enough to eat as turmeric is very earthy.Add water or bone brothSimmer until tenderBlend until smoothSeason with Himalayan pink salt or sea salt to taste, and enjoy!

Organic, fresh vegetable juices are also great sources of nutrients and can have a cooling effect if you have access to a juicer. Here are some of the best items to juice:

Carrots are a great choice for their high beta carotene content. Their natural sweetness can give you a boost of energy.Celery packs a detoxification punch and is high in minerals, natural sodium, potassium, and vitamins C and K.Cucumber is cooling for fevers and contains potassium, vitamins C and K, and silica.Ginger has proven antiviral and anti-bacterial benefits and is particularly good for upper respiratory infections and excess mucous8

You can also add some fruit to your juices, but keep them predominantly vegetable-based. Fruits like papaya and pineapples contain enzymes like bromelain9 that can help break up mucus and aid coughing. Citrus fruits are high in immune-boosting vitamin C and antioxidants and melons are cooling and hydrating.

Take extra Vitamin C, D and zinc

The best way to get vitamins and minerals is to eat organic whole foods. However, agricultural practices have greatly depleted our soil, so supplementation with micronutrient dense food-based supplements can be beneficial, not only as a preventative but especially when faced with illness.
Vitamin C helps bolster immunity by supporting your innate and adaptive immune system. As an antioxidant, it helps reduce inflammation and free radical damage – both of which increase when you are ill. It has been shown effective in preventing and helping address acute upper respiratory infections (especially when combined with zinc).10 11 Since it’s been shown that acute infections will rapidly deplete vitamin C, larger doses are most effective when you’re sick. 12
For best results, choose a whole foods-based vitamin C such as Garden of Life Vitamin C and PRL Vitamin C. Check with your doctor for dosage. It’s also a great idea to eat vitamin C-rich foods such as mangoes, peppers, broccoli, citrus fruits, and brussels sprouts.

Photo by Tandem X Visuals on Unsplash

Vitamin D (aka “the sunshine vitamin”) is critical for maintaining immune function 13 and helping you heal faster. It modulates the innate and adaptive immune system and deficiencies are associated with a greater risk of infection. The best way to get your daily dose is to expose yourself to sunshine without sunscreen. Try sitting out in a lounge chair while drinking a nice cup of tea or lemon water. For best absorption, experts recommend going out for 20-30 minutes at high noon when the sun is strongest.
Finally, zinc is very effective for fighting off colds and flu. It can help soothe sore throats when taken as a lozenge or liquid and plenty of studies have shown it can significantly shorten the duration and severity of the common cold when taken within 24 hours of symptoms.
You can supplement with Vitamin D3/K2 if desired. Vitamin D3/K2 has been shown more effective in raising blood levels than D3 alone.15 Vitamin K2 acts as a synergistic nutrient, shuttling the calcium that D3 frees up to your bones.16 17 Zinc is also responsible for supporting a normal sense of taste and smell.18 The National Academy of Sciences Engineering Medicine suggests the safe daily upper limit is 40 mg, though the studies on zinc and colds suggest even 13-14 mg daily is enough.19 If you’re unsure, check with your doctor or practitioner.  Here is a whole foods based zinc option.Consider taking Quinton Isotonic

This seawater liquid mineral supplement gives the cells a highly bioavailable mineral-rich bath. It supports recovery from fatigue, reduces inflammation, supports the body’s ability to eliminate infections and is like liquid gold for your biological terrain! Take one vial before bed on an empty stomach for more restful sleep.

Take a detox bath

We’ve covered this at-length in Our Favorite Detox Baths article, but below are the cliff notes.
Fill a tub with very warm water, as warm as you can comfortably enjoy based on your body temperature. Plan on 10-40 minutes to soak. Get out of the tub slowly in case of dizziness. If you get dizzy whilst in the tub, slowly cool it down by adding cold water and get out very slowly.
Add in any of the following to boost detoxification and speed healing:

2-3 cups epsom salts2 cups epsom salts + 2 cups baking soda (cut this recipe in half if you have eczema or any other skin condition/rash as it may cause irritation.1 cup epsom salts + 1 cup baking soda + 1 cup sea salt

For fevers, we love iodine baths. These should be taken at lukewarm temperature to prevent overheating:

1 cup sea salt or Morton’s Pickling Salt + ¼ cup iodine (like liquid potassium iodide).Soak for 20-40 minutes for adults and 10-30 minutes for children.Most importantly: listen to your body and get help if you need it!

When we nourish, detoxify, destress and take care of ourselves regularly, common illnesses usually pass quickly and uneventfully. However, if your symptoms become severe (shortness of breath, fainting, bleeding or extreme pain) or you just can’t get back on your feet after a reasonable amount of time, be sure to seek medical attention. And if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, always consult your doctor or midwife about the best way to care for yourself.
Blessings of health and healing as we move into this new phase of the year together!

Natural Remedies for When You Get Sick (Plus: How to Strengthen Your Immune System So You Don’t)

One of the most frequently asked questions we get this time of year is, “what do you do when you get sick?” I remember asking Marliee (our co-founder) this question when I started learning about food as medicine, tossing the toxins and natural remedies years ago. I also remember wondering if switching to a non-toxic lifestyle would prevent me from getting sick as often. And it did!

However, like everyone else in the world, I still get sick at least once or twice a year (and so do my kids… sometimes more frequently). At first, I thought I must be doing something wrong. But then I learned that getting the occasional cold or virus can actually help strengthen and educate our immune system. In other words: catching a “bug” now and then is a natural and beneficial part of living a healthy lifestyle! That said, it’s still no fun to be down and out. So, here’s what we do to get through uncomplicated, occasional illnesses quickly, safely, and as comfortably as possible.

Keep Your Immune System Strong

With summer over and school back in session, increased risk of exposure to cold and flu viruses is inevitable. Your best defense is to strengthen your immune system by reducing everyday stressors. Here’s how:

Use soap and water vs sanitizers to wash your hands

Soap and water do an excellent job removing germs, (instead of killing them, which is what causes them to morph into stronger germs), bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens without any unwanted side effects. We use Branch Basics Foaming Wash at home and the travel size when out and about.

Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash

#TossTheToxins

Common household products with harmful ingredients like fragrance, VOCs, SVOCs, formaldehyde and pesticides all take a toll on different aspects of our immune system (lungs, lymph, liver, etc.) causing vulnerability and more weakness over time. Thus, improving indoor air quality by tossing the toxins is one of the most powerful things you can do for your health. Learn more on how to do this in our #TossTheToxins free online course.

Focus on REAL food

This means tossing the toxins in your pantry and refrigerator! Avoid foods with harmful chemicals and eat as much organic, whole, unprocessed food as possible while minimizing packaged, processed foods. We’ll have more tips on what we eat when we do get sick coming up, but you can also dive into our Food section of the Branch Basics Learning Center to read more.

Reduce screen time at night to optimize sleep

Sleep is one of the most powerful remedies for supporting your immune system. However, the artificial blue light emitted from screens suppresses the production of our master sleep hormone, melatonin, resulting in less quality sleep. If you ever needed a good reason to reduce screen time, this would be a great one! For more ways to improve your sleep, see our article 10 Tips For Healthier Sleep.

What To Do If You Get Sick

Rest as much as possible: We know this is easier said than done when you have children, a job, and other responsibilities. However, research has proven that sleep helps enhance our immune defenses by helping certain immune cells attach to their targets.1 2

Plus, it’s the world’s best stress reducer and helps quell inflammation. Try to resist the urge to scroll through your phone, bring your work to bed or even binge-watch your favorite show during this time and just surrender your body to sleep.

Tip for new moms: If you’re sick with a baby, it’s essential to call in reinforcements! Ask your partner or a close friend/family member to stay with you so you can rest between nursing and feeding sessions. According to breastfeeding experts, nursing mothers produce antibodies to the pathogens they are exposed to which get passed along to their breastmilk (wow!). This is why it’s almost always A-OK to keep nursing when you’re sick (but if you’re unsure or hesitant, check in with your doctor, midwife or lactation expert). 3 Just make sure you’re drinking lots of fluids to keep up with you and your baby’s needs.

Get outside and get grounded

If weather permits, getting outdoors isn’t just helpful for increasing vitamin D levels, but other benefits as well. We believe in the practice of grounding (aka earthing), or walking around on wet grass barefoot. This simple form of nature therapy has a long list of scientifically-proven benefits for your health. To dig in more, we suggest watching this amazing documentary on the benefits of grounding!

Grounding has so many benefits. To name a few, it improves your immune response by increasing white blood cell counts, decreases inflammation, reduces cortisol output, is good for your heart health and helps you sleep.4 How does this work? Well, when we come into direct contact with the ground there is a natural exchange of negatively-charged electrons from the earth. These electrons act as antioxidants, which neutralize excess positive electrons (from electronics, personal devices, EMFs, etc.) and provide our bodies with all the aforementioned health benefits. Check out the powerful findings of this grounding study or read Grounding: A Few Steps A Day To Transform Your Life for more information.

Eat vegetables and fruits – no meat and dairy

It’s important to listen to your body in two ways when sick – eating only when truly hungry and eating easy-to-digest, nutrient-dense foods that support healing versus suppressing it. This means we fill our plates up with plenty of vegetables, moderate amounts of vitamin-rich fruits, and no heavy foods, particularly meat and dairy (as an exception, bone broths are great). When you do have an appetite, eat the rainbow!

Easy to digest, blended vegetable soups and broths are often best when feeling sick. As you improve salads, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, squashes, greens, roasted veggies and veggie “noodles” (spiralized into soups or sauteed with garlic and a little coconut oil) are excellent foods that promote healing without compromising your body’s defenses.

As for fruit, organic, sugar-free, additive-free applesauce and fresh melons, citrus, bananas, pineapple, papaya, and berries all supply helpful vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, prebiotic fibers, and natural sugars that bolster immunity and refuel your liver’s vital glycogen stores.

Eat extra greens!

Leafy greens like kale, collards, turnip greens, dandelion greens and lettuce support immunity two ways:

They are powerhouses of immune-enhancing minerals and vitamins C, K, selenium, antioxidants and enzymes. Microgreens actually contain up to 40 times more healing nutrients than fully-grown vegetables!5New research has shown that leafy greens and other green veggies like brassicas are the source of a chemical signal critical to functional immunity. They work by ensuring that immune cells in the gut and the skin known as intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) function properly.6Try raw garlic

Garlic is an extremely powerful antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-fungal. Plus it’s good for your heart and blood sugar, both of which can be affected during acute illness.7 Since the freshness, chemical composition, and purity of garlic supplements varies widely from brand to brand, it’s best to eat organic, raw garlic.

Fresh garlic is pungent, but by consuming it this way you’ll get all the benefits of its whole food components including the oils, enzymes, antioxidants, and concentrated allicin – the active component that makes garlic so medicinal.

Here are 7 ways to make raw garlic palatable, and possibly even downright tasty!:

Grate and/or mince garlic, and mix it with raw honey. Ingest like cough syrup.Chop up garlic and swallow it whole, like you would a supplement.Hold a crushed clove in your cheek, especially if you have a sore throat. This can work wonders to reduce the pain and other symptoms of a cold!Mince garlic and ginger together and add lemon and raw honey to make a tea.Eat it pickled or fermented – just make sure it’s been naturally picked or lactofermented, as in no vinegar added, for greatest medicinal benefit.Throw some minced garlic in your greens, potatoes or soup.Make garlic lemonade! I discovered this recipe whilst researching natural remedies for clogged milk ducts (too much raw garlic can be no bueno for nursing infants) and it was delicious and effective. It’s great for kids too and anyone who can’t quite stomach whole garlic. Find the recipe at birthstream.com! It’s delicious and warm, too.

If your kids won’t eat raw garlic, try making garlic socks! Before bed, grate and/or crush garlic and mix it with a little olive or coconut oil. Then, put the mixture on the bottom of a pair of socks. Cut a strip of an old cotton rag to wrap gently around the garlic and foot and pull on the socks!  You can also just put garlic on the bottom of the foot and pull on socks. Within seconds you can smell garlic on the breath, which shows how the skin uptakes whatever it comes into contact with… Crazy!

Drink Bieler’s broth, healing soups and fresh juices

Bieler’s broth is a classic healing elixir created by Dr. Henry G. Bieler, a prominent figure in the early days of alternative medicine. This broth is touted for its ability to alkalize the body, support detoxification pathways, and supply vital immune-fortifying nutrients. You can find the original Bieler’s Broth recipe here.

Carrot, ginger, and turmeric soup is also a lovely combination of super-healing foods and expectorant, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory spices. Here’s a quick recipe:

Sautee onions, carrots, garlic and celery until softAdd in fresh ginger and fresh or dried turmeric to taste. The more the better, but make sure it tastes good enough to eat as turmeric is very earthy.Add water or bone brothSimmer until tenderBlend until smoothSeason with Himalayan pink salt or sea salt to taste, and enjoy!

Organic, fresh vegetable juices are also great sources of nutrients and can have a cooling effect if you have access to a juicer. Here are some of the best items to juice:

Carrots are a great choice for their high beta carotene content. Their natural sweetness can give you a boost of energy.Celery packs a detoxification punch and is high in minerals, natural sodium, potassium, and vitamins C and K.Cucumber is cooling for fevers and contains potassium, vitamins C and K, and silica.Ginger has proven antiviral and anti-bacterial benefits and is particularly good for upper respiratory infections and excess mucous8

You can also add some fruit to your juices, but keep them predominantly vegetable-based. Fruits like papaya and pineapples contain enzymes like bromelain9 that can help break up mucus and aid coughing. Citrus fruits are high in immune-boosting vitamin C and antioxidants and melons are cooling and hydrating.

Take extra Vitamin C, D and zinc

The best way to get vitamins and minerals is to eat organic whole foods. However, agricultural practices have greatly depleted our soil, so supplementation with micronutrient dense food-based supplements can be beneficial, not only as a preventative but especially when faced with illness.

Vitamin C helps bolster immunity by supporting your innate and adaptive immune system. As an antioxidant, it helps reduce inflammation and free radical damage – both of which increase when you are ill. It has been shown effective in preventing and helping address acute upper respiratory infections (especially when combined with zinc).10 11 Since it’s been shown that acute infections will rapidly deplete vitamin C, larger doses are most effective when you’re sick. 12

For best results, choose a whole foods-based vitamin C such as Garden of Life Vitamin C and PRL Vitamin C. Check with your doctor for dosage. It’s also a great idea to eat vitamin C-rich foods such as mangoes, peppers, broccoli, citrus fruits, and brussels sprouts.

Photo by Tandem X Visuals on Unsplash

Vitamin D (aka “the sunshine vitamin”) is critical for maintaining immune function 13 and helping you heal faster. It modulates the innate and adaptive immune system and deficiencies are associated with a greater risk of infection. The best way to get your daily dose is to expose yourself to sunshine without sunscreen. Try sitting out in a lounge chair while drinking a nice cup of tea or lemon water. For best absorption, experts recommend going out for 20-30 minutes at high noon when the sun is strongest.

Finally, zinc is very effective for fighting off colds and flu. It can help soothe sore throats when taken as a lozenge or liquid and plenty of studies have shown it can significantly shorten the duration and severity of the common cold when taken within 24 hours of symptoms.

You can supplement with Vitamin D3/K2 if desired. Vitamin D3/K2 has been shown more effective in raising blood levels than D3 alone.15 Vitamin K2 acts as a synergistic nutrient, shuttling the calcium that D3 frees up to your bones.16 17 Zinc is also responsible for supporting a normal sense of taste and smell.18 The National Academy of Sciences Engineering Medicine suggests the safe daily upper limit is 40 mg, though the studies on zinc and colds suggest even 13-14 mg daily is enough.19 If you’re unsure, check with your doctor or practitioner.  Here is a whole foods based zinc option.

Consider taking Quinton Isotonic

This seawater liquid mineral supplement gives the cells a highly bioavailable mineral-rich bath. It supports recovery from fatigue, reduces inflammation, supports the body’s ability to eliminate infections and is like liquid gold for your biological terrain! Take one vial before bed on an empty stomach for more restful sleep.

Take a detox bath

We’ve covered this at-length in Our Favorite Detox Baths article, but below are the cliff notes.

Fill a tub with very warm water, as warm as you can comfortably enjoy based on your body temperature. Plan on 10-40 minutes to soak. Get out of the tub slowly in case of dizziness. If you get dizzy whilst in the tub, slowly cool it down by adding cold water and get out very slowly.

Add in any of the following to boost detoxification and speed healing:

2-3 cups epsom salts2 cups epsom salts + 2 cups baking soda (cut this recipe in half if you have eczema or any other skin condition/rash as it may cause irritation.1 cup epsom salts + 1 cup baking soda + 1 cup sea salt

For fevers, we love iodine baths. These should be taken at lukewarm temperature to prevent overheating:

1 cup sea salt or Morton’s Pickling Salt + ¼ cup iodine (like liquid potassium iodide).Soak for 20-40 minutes for adults and 10-30 minutes for children.Most importantly: listen to your body and get help if you need it!

When we nourish, detoxify, destress and take care of ourselves regularly, common illnesses usually pass quickly and uneventfully. However, if your symptoms become severe (shortness of breath, fainting, bleeding or extreme pain) or you just can’t get back on your feet after a reasonable amount of time, be sure to seek medical attention. And if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, always consult your doctor or midwife about the best way to care for yourself.

Blessings of health and healing as we move into this new phase of the year together!