With winter here, it’s a great time to charge your immune system with some cold and flu fighting foods. Try some of this local goodness, available at the market:
Citrus
Vitamin C rich oranges, lemons and mandarins are in season locally and available in abundance at the farmers markets right now. To kick off a chilly morning, try Organic Forrest’s famous organic honey, lemon, ginger and turmeric tea, available at the market every Friday. Made with ingredients from Dave Forrest and Sue Mangan’s organic farm at Federal, it’s warming, soothing and anti-inflammatory.
Chicken Broth
Everyone knows how good home made chicken soup is for fighting cold and flu, and Soulfull Broths’ chicken bone broth is the perfect base for your winter soups. At the Mullumbimby market on Fridays, you can also try Angela’s home made laksa. Based on her chicken bone broth, and flavoured with ginger, chilli, fresh herbs and Asian greens, it’ll steel you against any winter lurgy.
Garlic
Add a couple of cloves to your soups, stews and casseroles or if you’re feeling brave, try it raw. Available from Summit Organics, Organic Forrest, and Neville Singh.
Oysters
Zinc is a mineral that’s known to enhance the immune system and oysters have the highest amount of zinc of any food. Grab some locally grown oysters from Noel Baggaley at Brunswick Seed Oysters. (he also makes a tasty seafood chowder on market mornings)
Honey
A spoon of honey has long been considered an effective natural way to soothe a sore throat and calm coughs in children. For a more potent form, try the active Jellybush honey from local beekeeper Garry Rodgers at The Honey Wagon. Jellybush has powerful anti-bacterial and anti-viral qualities, which can help ward off colds and flu.
Probiotic Foods
Your gut plays a huge role in your immune system, so keeping your gut healthy by eating probiotic-rich foods will help boost your overall health. Foods high in probiotics to try include local yoghurt and kefir from Nimbin Valley Dairy or Cheeses Loves You (Mullum); Alive Foods’ sauerkraut and other fermented vegetables, or Organic Forrest’s Kombucha.
