Winter Warmers - 29 May 2010  

With the wind and the rain squalling around outside, it's clear that winter has once again arrived down south. And just as inevitably our minds turn to warding off the next round of winter sniffles.

Today we bring you some ideas to keep you warm and well through the season!

Vitamin C

An old favourite, vitamin C is commonly sought at winter as people look to boost their daily intake. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for humans, as we are one of the few species of animals that cannot produce it and have to rely solely on dietary intake.

Vitamin C is a nutrient that is vital for many of the body's functions including the formation of connective tissue and aiding the absorption and storage of iron. However, it is probably best known for its antioxidant and immune modulating effects.

Garlic

Used throughout the millennia for both culinary and medicinal purposes, garlic is a rich source of many vitamins and minerals. It contains sulphur-containing compounds, also responsible for its unique odour, that promote antioxidant activity and contribute to its healthy benefits.

Echinacea

Echinacea has a long history of use amongst Native Americans who used the root for toothache, sore throat, and to fight infections amongst other things. Today it is commonly recommended by herbalists to support healthy functioning of the immune system.

At NZ Health Food Co we have combined these three well-known plants and nutrients in one potent immune supporting formula. Check out our KNH Odourless Garlic + Vitamin C.

UMF® Manuka Honey

Natural New Zealand UMF® ‘Unique Manuka Factor' Manuka Honey contains antibacterial activity not found in other honeys. Taken regularly, UMF® Manuka Honey can be useful in helping to support a strong immune system. It can also be soothing to dry, irritated throats.

Be sure to take a look our Dr Bee UMF Manuka Honey and Propolis Throat spray this winter. It contains propolis for extra immune support, as well as essential oils of aniseed, myrrh, clove and peppermint to soothe sore throats.

Ginger

Ginger contains special phytonutrients known as gingerols that have numerous health-promoting benefits, and are thought to be responsible for ginger's putative anti-inflammatory properties. Traditionally used to support healthy gastro-intestinal function, herbalists consider ginger to be a ‘stimulating and warming' herb.

Warming Winter Drink

Peel and coarsely chop a generous slice of fresh ginger

Steep in a cup of boiling water for 2-3 minutes

TWO TASTY OPTIONS
Add lemon for a refreshing and warming drink
OR
Add manuka honey for a soothing and warming drink

Weathering Winter Well - 24th April 2009 

For us in the Southern hemisphere there is no denying it - winter is most certainally on its way, and as winter approaches it is especially important to get into the habit of looking after your health.

As we all know it is only too easy to let those healthy habits slip and with the increased challenge to our immune systems in winter it becomes even more important to keep up with them - even as it becomes harder to do so.

As it gets cold and dark we tend to get more easily tired and look for those comfort foods: biscuits, cakes, chips, takeaways, starchy greasy food….the list goes on.  Unfortunately these are not foods that help you to stay feeling well.  And the more you eat of them the more you want to eat of them as your body craves the nutrients that are lacking from your diet.

It is better by far to increase and maintain your levels of healthy fresh foods, keeping you feeling good and breaking the cycle of craving.  Fresh fruit and veg have been repeatedly shown to provide your body with what it needs, as well as keeping energy levels up and contributing to a well-functioning immune system.

George Mateljan in America has done extensive research into what he calls the World’s Healthiest Foods.  He has written a number of books as well as formed his own foundation in the promotion of eating well.  You can visit George’s  website for an easy to follow database of healthy ingredients with nutritional information, cooking articles; and quick, easy and healthy recipes and cooking methods.

You may also like to try adding the following to your daily routine:

A hot ginger drink

Ginger has been used for centuries in herbal and Aryuvedic medicine.  It has stimulatory properties and will help to warm you up on cold days. It is also good to improve digestion, and to improve circulation bringing more oxygen and nutrients to tissues.  For a delicious pick-me-up chop or grate fresh ginger into a cup of boiling water - you can also add lemon or honey according to taste.

Garlic

Garlic contains many sulphur compounds which are believed to be largely responsible for its apparent health-promoting qualities.  Garlic has been  used traditionally as an antibacterial and antiviral agent.  It is often recommended to eat garlic raw, around a clove a day, for greatest benefit.  For those of us who can’t stomach this, cook with it;  adding it towards the end of cooking will have the least impact on nutrients.  Or simply take a garlic supplement.  These are available in a specially deodorised form, that removes the odour while maintaining the nutrient benefits.

Vitamin C

Long heralded as immune supporting and a well-known antioxidant, vitamin C has been reported to reduce both the duration and severity of colds and a plethora of research details its many qualities.  It is commonly recommended to take 500mg of vitamin C a day with some increasing their dose up to 2g a day when coming down with a cold.  It is best to divide your daily dose of vitamin C, taking it throughout the day to maximize absorption.