Many of you participated in this year’s Fall Immunity Challenge.  Congratulations to those of you who successfully completed each week’s challenges.  We also had some amazing calls from Integrative Health Professionals about how to strengthen your immune system, and what to do in the event you come down with a cold or virus.

Here is a summary of the weekly challenges:

1. Week One:  drink a green smoothie every day for five days.
2. Week Two:  eat five different colored fruits and/or vegetables for five days.
3. Week Three:  swap five processed snacks for five whole foods snacks.
4. Week Four:  try using self-care every day for five days.

If you are interested in some of the replays from the call-in workshops during the immunity challenge, here are the replays:

1. “How to boost your immune system” call with Dr. Michael Smith, Naturopathic Physican (27 minutes) http://rec001.freeconferencecalling.com/mp3/1284235/684072/LA3488_10262016173408315_1075945.mp3
2. “Tips and tricks” call with 4 Health Coaches (33 minutes) http://rec001.freeconferencecalling.com/mp3/1284235/684072/LA3488_11022016173739029_1085910.mp3
3. “Eat from the garden, drink from the well” call with Dr. Laura Pridemore, Pediatrician (23 minutes) http://rec001.freeconferencecalling.com/mp3/1284235/684072/LA3488_11082016173502510_1094109.mp3

A few of our favorite takeaways from these calls:

• 1 teaspoon of sugar can suppress the immune system for up to five hours!
• Try “Golden Milk” tea when you are trying to boost your immunity:  it’s a brew of turmeric, ginger, black pepper, dates, salt, cinnamon and almond milk blended together.
• Good ‘ole soap and water are important to keep the germs away.
• Try the “Magic Sock Trick” when you are coming down with a cold.  Warm your feet by soaking them in a tub of warm water.  Then put cold and wet 100% cotton socks on your feet.  Next, put dry wool socks on top of the cotton ones and go to bed.  This combination causes your lymphatic system to kick in to warm the feet and moves the virus on through!
• Gargle with warm water to stimulate the vagus nerve, as well as, rinse your throat and get viruses out!  Click here for more info.
• Try homemade bone broth for it’s gut-healing properties.
• Try a small amount of dark chocolate when you have a cough, as theobromine has a calming effect.
• Get outside and get some fresh air.
• Try oregano oil on the feet or behind the ears, as it has natural antibiotic properties.
• Try these supplements:  probiotics, vitamin D (hormone from the sun) and a whole-foods fruit and vegetable supplement, like Juice Plus.
• SLOW DOWN and take care of yourself.  (Typically this is the most challenging of all!)