How to Fight a Cold- Cold Buster Green Smoothie

You don’t have to pass a cold around all winter. last year we cracked down and learned how to fight a cold- cold buster green smoothie.

I hate winter. I know, lots of people love it and cannot wait to get outside and enjoy all that the snow has to offer, but I hate it. Strong word? I seriously dislike it I guess. I am learning to really enjoy skiing, but I still freeze to death and cannot last very long out there. But the major reason I don’t like winter is because we all get sick and pass it around over and over again all winter long. I freeze all winter which I’m sure keeps me sick. These cold buster fruit leathers are a great way to get in vitamins.

So, I’m going to jump right into it because we’ve had an interesting year. We’ve been getting more and more sick since living in freezing cold Utah and a lot of that has to do with inversion. If you haven’t heard of it like I hadn’t then count yourself as lucky. It’s lame. Basically all of the junk in the air gets trapped in the valley because Utah is shaped like a bowl and the high mountains act like a huge wall. So, our air quality goes way down and everyone gets sick. Last year we decided that we couldn’t deal with it anymore so we came up with a few things to try and I’m happy to say we were hardly ever sick last year and (knock on wood) haven’t really been sick this winter either!

*Green Smoothies*

Green smoothies were all the rage, and still are but I never really thought they were that big of a deal. And then I realized that with all of those vitamins packed into a smoothie we would actually be giving ourselves the proper nutrition that we are recommended in getting. So, we started keeping a full supply of spinach and fruits and sure enough, not only did start feeling better but we weren’t getting sick. But, there’s a catch. You have to watch your fruit intake as they still have sugar and carbs so people can take something healthy to not so healthy.

Cold Buster Smoothie

This smoothie is unique in that we chose specific items to kick the cold where it hurts:

Bananas give the body natural energy which is something you are lacking when sick. Spinach is great fiber and vitamins while the citrus fruits really slam dunk the vitamin c. We avoid dairy completely as it encourages mucus production. In fact, we skip the dairy completely while sick. The orange juice isn’t just about the vitamins it’s also about staying hydrated. And the carrots are great for killing germs in the mouth and helping with digestion. We keep the orange peel on because the peel contains 4 times more fiber than the fruit itself, it has anti-inflammatory properties and may even help reduce harmful LDL’s.

We also add a scoop of protein so our body has the nutrition needed for energy.

How to Fight a Cold

Air Purifier 

We went ahead and got a Honeywell airpurifier. One is upstairs and the other downstairs. They run day and night all year round and I swear it’s been helping to keep out the nasty.

Simply Saline

Cade cannot handle a Netty Pot but many people love it. Instead we use Simply Saline. As soon as you feel the sniffle get out your saline and keep things cleaned out. You’d be shocked how much it will help. We even use the Little Remedies one for kids and it has blown our minds with how much better they get with it.

Zicam Nasal Spray

I hate nasal spray. I also hate taking those nasty vitamin c or zinc tablets to fight a cold. And do they even work? I wasn’t feeling like they were. Until I found Zicam Nasal Spray. Immediately when I get the tickle I take it and Cade is quickly following suit as he sees how well it works. I even travel with it now. It’s the only clinically proven nasal spray to shorten a cold.

Aquafor

Blowing your nose and a stuffed up nose that requires you to breath from your mouth all day can lead to chapped noses and lips. I love this little Aquafor tube. It’s all I use for chapstick now, but it’s great on noses that are being blown too much too.

All of this just comes from Amazon to my house and most is around $4. I’m lazy like that, but you can always watch a store for sales too.

And that’s it! What little tricks do you have to beating the winter colds?

Yield: 2 glasses of smoothie

How to Fight a Cold - Cold Buster green Smoothie

Total Time: 2 mins

Prep Time: 2 mins

You don’t have to pass a cold around all winter. last year we cracked down and found 5 must haves to kick the cold like this cold buster green smoothie

Print Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups spinach
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 orange with peel
• 3 baby carrots
• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
• 1/2 small apple
• 1/2 cup ice

Directions:

Place the juice, spinach and remaining ingredients in a blender, ending with the ice. Blend until smooth and drink up!

Try different fruits for a new combination.

Nutrition Information

Yield: 2 glasses of smoothie, Serving Size: 1

• Amount Per Serving:
• Calories: 173 Calories
• Total Fat: 0.7g
• Carbohydrates: 42.8g
• Fiber: 5.1g
• Sugar: 29.3g
• Protein: 3.1g

All images and text ©Carrian Cheney for Oh Sweet Basil.

Cold Buster Fruit Leathers

A snack is a great way to get the kids healthy again!

Green Smoothie Pancakes

Pack all the good stuff into a pancake!

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