​It's officially cold and flu season. This year, more than ever, I have received calls from anxious parents concerned about how to prepare their kids.

The immune system is what protects us from outside invaders. Strengthening it is the best way to ensure that we have what it takes to fight off potential and harmful viruses naturally. The immune system is not a single entity but a system that requires balance and harmony for optimal function. Strengthening it is a multifaceted approach. We need to do less of what weakens it and more of what supports and strengthens it. 

A large part of our immune system is in our GI tract; what we eat and don't eat is significant in our defences. Eliminating sugar and processed foods will help protect the gut lining, not kill off our gut flora, leach minerals and vitamins from our body, and cause free radical damage. Replacing those foods with fruits, vegetables, and healthy proteins is vital to keeping our guts in harmony and best prepared to attack foreign invaders.

Medicinal herbs are also essential in keeping the immune system's various elements in tip-top shape. Elderberry syrup, astragalus root, and peppermint herb are great plant allies for supporting our immune response, adapting to stressful situations and protecting our respiratory system from viruses. They are safe and effective for kids. Administering the above in a tincture multiple times a day provides a robust Immune system to help us while we go into the cold and flu season. 

For optimum immune function for kids, I recommend daily doses of Vitamin C (Ester C Supreme by Sisu), Vitamin D(drops by Genestra), and multivitamin (Whole food fruit and veggies by Juice Plus+). 

Diet is critical, but so is lifestyle. Physical activity and adequate sleep are essential. Since stress wreaks havoc on our gut and our immune system overall, we need to support our kids mentally and emotionally. Herbal and Bach Flower remedies can help calm and nourish stressed, sad, overwhelmed, and anxious children.

Questions? I am here to help, even the youngest and most precious. 
Jen
*Always consult the advice of a Clinical Herbalist, especially when administering medicinal herbs to children. 

Peppermint, or Menta Piperita is a herb with plentiful medicinal benefits. 


It is an anti-viral and it’s especially beneficial to alleviate respiratory ailments such as colds, coughs, bronchitis, sinusitis and flus. Peppermint is also great for digestive system ailments, helping relieve gas, bloating, indigestion and heartburn.

In this video, learn how to identify, harvest and create a concentrated tincture to use as a medicinal herbal remedy. 

Stay Healthy, 
Jen

Jen’s Delicious and Nutritious Easy Pesto Recipe.

I absolutely love a good, fresh, homemade pesto sauce, who doesn’t?! I also love using garlic scapes in my pesto as opposed to garlic. You may not know what garlic scapes are, and their many health benefits, so read on and watch the video to find a great new recipe, and to learn about garlic scapes and their great benefits. 

Garlic scapes are the tender stem and flower bud of a hardneck garlic (hardneck garlic is the kind of garlic that typically grows in Canada and the U.S.). 

Garlic is one of the few plants with two harvests; the scapes are harvested in the late spring, early summer, and the bulbs are harvested later in the summer. Harvesting the scapes is an essential step in growing your own garlic. If the scapes aren’t cut off, the garlic bulb doesn’t grow and will dramatically lack in flavour. The scapes should be cut when they start curling. 

Garlic scapes can be eaten and used in recipes just like garlic. They are a great source of calcium, manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and selenium. and antioxidants

The most tender parts are the tops of the stem. The buds are delicious chopped up raw. Sauté, roast, grill, BBQ, add them to omelettes or soups, pasta, stir frys, make dips, scape garlic butter, pesto, or just pickle them. 
To make my delicious, nutritious, nutrient-rich Garlic Scape Pesto you’ll need the following: 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup garlic scapes
• 2 tbsp pecans (you may substitute with other nuts or seeds for a nut free option)
• 2 tbsp hemp hearts
• 1/2 cup organic extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 fresh lemon, juiced 
• 1/2 Pink Himalayan salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast.

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Adjust seasonings if needed.

Note:
Makes 3 - 250 ml mason jars
The pesto can also be frozen. Use within 3-6 months.

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