Kefir Kommunity

It’s cold and flu season again, and apparently a few of us at the office have been slacking on our kefir consumption because there are some definite sneezes and sniffles going around. Before you get all zonked-out on cold medicine, check out these tips for busting your cold naturally. And remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so drink your kefir and keep yourself healthy this season!
 

Move over, chicken soup, because spaghetti, or more specifically pasta sauce, is the new immune system-boosting comfort food.  With its antimicrobial and immune-stimulating properties, garlic is known to relieve congestion while tomatoes are high in vitamin C. Pair the sauce with whole grain pasta for added protein, iron and vitamin E.
 

Your immune system needs plenty of water to function properly, so it’s important to stay hydrated. Drinking water is the easiest and best way to do this, but it’s not always the most appealing when you’re sore and sick. Try chamomile tea with honey. Warm and comforting, chamomile tea can help reduce congestion and honey soothes a sore throat and can help suppress coughing. Add some fresh lemon for extra vitamin C and flavor.
 

Lots of people swear by apple cider vinegar for treating a sore throat. The theory is that the acid kills bacteria in the throat. To try it yourself, mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 6-8 oz of water. We recommend gargling with it a tablespoon at a time and spitting it out, although some also suggest swallowing it afterwards. Full disclosure: those of us who have tested this remedy did get some relief, although we don’t recommend it if you’re feeling nauseous because it tastes horrible!
 

Our signature Starfruit Cafe Immunity Smoothies are a hot commodity this time of year. If you can’t make it to one of our Chicago locations to get one, make it at home by blending together fresh or frozen strawberries, mangos, pineapple, a scoop of Vitamin C Complex & vanilla kefir. Or, grab our Pomegranate/Blueberry BioKefir for Immunity. With more than 20 billion units of probiotic activity in each bottle, BioKefir contains twice the amount of probiotic power found in regular kefir.
 

After you’ve kicked your cold, there are a few steps you should take to insure a full recovery to make sure you don’t infect anyone else. Cold and flu viruses can linger in your house for days, so it’s a good idea to wipe down any surfaces you touched while sick – like the remote control and your cell phone. Replace your toothbrush, especially if you had a bacterial infection like strep throat. And finally, drink your kefir! The 12 live and active strains of good bacteria in Lifeway Kefir can strengthen your immune system and help digestion. Kefir is especially helpful for restoring good bacteria in the gut if you’ve been on antibiotics for strep throat or a sinus infection.  
 

What are your favorite remedies for the cold and flu?