You gots the flu, well I gots the remedy.

Everyone and their mother has been complaining about the cold weather, especially in Minnesota. We've had highs of -2, with -45 windchill.   School closings? NAH. This is normal in the Midwest  So when I hear Californians going "Oh....my....gosh. 50 DEGREES? CANCEL SCHOOL." I'm like, girl stop.

With cold weather comes colds and flues.  I have successfully avoided both thus far (knock on wood), but have started taking precautions.  Cuz, come on, ain't nobody got time for that!  I don't get flu shots because quite frankly, they freak me out. Plus, I have seen numerous people get sick from the shot itself. I worked in a natural food and supplement store through my high-school career and was fortunate enough to pick up a lot of natural/holistic remedies for various ailments.  My mother is a hippy- no seriously, her licence plate is SAVERTH- so naturally I was raised on holistic alternative medicine.  But enough rambling, the point is that I want to share my remedy for avoiding/treating the cold and flu.

Apple Cider Vinegar.

Photo credit to: http://www.planetmattersandmore.com

Seriously, this stuff is the ultimate cure all (runs about 4$ a bottle). I have used it for: cramps, bloating, allergies, breakouts, colds, sinus infections, and insect bites. Don't hurl, but I even naturally removed a mole using ACV.  So why does this stuff work so well? In today's world we are exposed to all sorts of pollutants in the air we breathe and food we eat. These pollutants make the pH levels in our body more acidic than alkaline. High acidity makes us more prone to illness because our immune systems are not operating as optimally as they would if we were more alkaline.  ACV makes you more alkaline, and therefore better able to knock the hell out of a cold or flu.

Now I know some of you are like "Ummm girl, that is vinegar. I'm not drinking that." However you only add a tablespoon or two to a cup of tea or water, so really, you shouldn't taste it at all.  I personally don't mind  the taste of ACV, so when I'm not feeling well I add about 3 tablespoons to a mug of my favorite apple tea, sweeten with honey, and drink up.  I'll usually drink a few mugs of this mixture for about a day and a half before my cold/flu is completely gone.  However, my symptoms are usually gone in about 30min after my first cup! 

So there you go. I've given you the first of my hippy rants on holistic/alternative medicine. Go be healthy!  What do you guys do to beat the flu?

P.S.    A great site/forum that I use for alternative remedies is www.earthclinic.com