Prevention, prevention, prevention. It’s all about prevention! We spend so much time fighting  colds, let’s try and prevent them from occurring in the first place. We have the power, it just requires the will to adjust our lifestyle and align to the season.

Mantra: Like attracts like, opposites decrease

Here’s 4 tips to help get on the prevention path:

#1 What are you eating & drinking? Making small adjustments to our diet can help harmonize our internal environment with the external environment. Using the mantra above, reflect on your winter diet. Are the qualities or texture of your food/drinks similar to a cold? Are they heavy, gooey, mucous-y, cold, sticky? If what you eat and drink match these qualities, consider making dietary adjustments. Like attracts like, where as opposites create balance. Enjoy foods/drinks that light, moist, warm, and liquid-y. Choosing the opposite qualities will help get you on the path to prevention.

#2 Keep it moving. With winter comes cuddle time—in front of the fireplace, staring at the Christmas tree or snuggling up on the couch with a good book or film. Its time to hibernate—right? Well yes and no. Rest is essential along with some movement. Movement is another way to generate generate internal heat, prevent stagnation in the gut and mind, and release happy endorphins.  ‘Tis the season for brisk walks, jogs, dance classes, yoga followed by a sauna or steam.

#3  Spice it up! Start each morning with a cup of hot water, lemon and a slice of ginger (check out my recipe Ginger Tea on the Go!).  Or add a touch more of ginger, garlic, turmeric, cumin, rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil or cinnamon to each meal. Spices act like digestive aides and prevent stagnation. Kindling the digestive fire and generating internal heat. Another way to counterbalance the cold—burrrr, baby it’s cold outside!

#4 Be nice & eat bitter. Embrace something green with each meal. Bitter greens help detoxify and cleanse the body gently. Another way to prevent stagnation. While also helping to balancing blood sugar and prevent sugar cravings.  Start your morning by adding some chard into your next scramble and  a sprinkle in a bit of fresh rosemary. Or start your morning with a green juice with cilantro (room temperature). For lunch, switch from a cold salad to a warm salad or add some collard greens to lentil or bean stew. For dinner, keep it light and broth-y with a hot soup that has some kale, green beans, zucchini, cabbage or spinach. Happy Eating! Happy Digesting!