Community Immunity
It feels as though the tides are shifting - shops have opened their doors, restaurants are in full swing, and kids have headed back to school (in some capacity) …moods are shifting, and the masks are starting loosen (let’s keep them on ; )
Our perspective at GCF is to control the things we can, prioritize our health, and set ourselves up for a super boosted fall season. We do have a few tricks in our hats - and we share those with you here… whether you choose one, a few, or the whole list will do!
These are our tried and true… whether it’s that ominous tickle in the back of your throat, brain fog after a couple sleep deprived nights or a mysterious lack of energy, we can all use an immunity boost now and again - and there is most certainly, no time like the present!.
First, we believe an organic, non-GMO, plant-based, whole-food diet is your first line of defense. Add probiotics, superfoods and adaptogens to heal and promote balance. Rather than just solving acute problems, we believe that the best immune system boosters should aid general maintenance and become a part of our everyday lives and most certainly of our new normal.
From a spritz of bee propolis to meditation to absorbable vitamin D - here’s a list of wellness boosts to strengthen your body’s (and mind’s) natural defenses.
Beekeeper’s Naturals Propolis Throat Spray
Propolis, a natural, plant-based resin produced by honeybees, contains more than 300 powerful natural compounds known for supporting immunity and protecting wellbeing. This version in a spray means that soothing feeling is just a few spritzes away. Ditch the hyper sweet lozenges and soothe naturally—without any nasty ingredients or sugar. Made with just three clean ingredients, this throat spray is your antioxidant-rich, germ-fighting, scratchy-throat rescue in a bottle.
Cured Nutrition’s CURED ZEN and CURED CLASSIC MINT OIL
The best night’s sleep you’ve ever had. Naturally. This CBD (THC-free) + mushroom infused sleep supplement is infused with 19.5mg of Broad Spectrum CBD per serving and encourages relaxation and improved sleep quality. Ease the stress of the day and calm your mind with soothing ingredients such as magnesium, reishi, valerian, ashwagandha, and chamomile. Refreshing and cooling, Cured’s mint CBD combines the anti-inflammatory and GI tract soothing benefits of mint with CBD. Cured is a Boulder based, heart centered company.
Four Sigmatic’s Chaga Mushroom Elixir
Start your day with a strong defense. Chaga mushrooms (a.k.a. the king of mushrooms) contain powerful antioxidants that support overall wellness and immunity. Fans think it tastes like coffee, and often use it as a caffeine free morning brew. Just mix with hot water, add it to your morning coffee, or blend it into a GCF superfood smoothie. Mix. Sip. Defend.
In a market dominated by kombucha made with black tea and sugar, locally crafted Dragonfly Jun uses green tea and honey. Chock full of vitamins, trace enzymes, amino acids, and minerals like calcium, iron, sodium chlorine, magnesium, phosphate, and potassium, local honey boosts the already incredible immune boosting power of fermented tea. Handcrafted in small batches, Jun uses only the highest quality organic ingredients with curative properties. Every fruit, flower, leaf and root is an essential contribution to each brew. This is our absolute fave for an afternoon pick me up or early evening “mocktail"
Your Super: Super Green’s Organic Superfood Mix
This powerful blend of six green superfoods makes getting your greens as easy as scooping a spoonful (equal to a handful of greens) into water, a GCF superfood smoothie or your breakfast. Super Green’s contains all essential vitamins and minerals with no filler ingredients - certified organic, vegan, GF and non-GMO. With ingredients that are responsibly and sustainably sourced - these superfood powders have been absolute game changers in our lives and in our GCF smoothies!
Raw coconut yogurt is our most beloved source of real food probiotics. We can truly feel the effects!
The Coconut Cult small batch ferments 800 billion highly active probiotics into every quart of its
coconut yogurt. That’s 25 billion probiotics per serving. It’s so powerful, the company recommends starting with just a few spoonfuls. We love the sour and tangy flavor of the plain version, but vanilla toffee, mangos n’ cream, chocolate mousse and cookies n’ cream sound like a delicious sweet treat. CocoYo’s fluffy (and more affordable) coconut yogurt is organic and made with the meat of raw, young coconuts. It too offers billions of living probiotics in every delicious bite. We love it as our last (super boosted) bite of the day...
Maintaining a healthy level of vitamin D is one of the most essential parts of keeping your immune system robust. And because we protect our skin from the sun’s version with clothing and SPF, it’s almost necessary supplement. Vitamin D3 plays a key role in cellular, cardiovascular, colon and immune health, and it also enhances calcium absorption and retention.
Meditation + Mindfulness
Chopra Center Meditation’s Oprah & Deepak’s 21-Day Meditation Experience
While we could probably all use a wellness retreat right about now, a trip isn't the only way to relax. The purported benefits of meditation include increased focus, reduced stress, and better sleep—all immune strengthens. In the 21-Day Meditation Experience, Oprah and Deepak guide you on a free online journey to enjoy the life-changing benefits of meditation in an easy and inspiring way. Each 21-Day Meditation Experience focuses on a unique theme, offering deep wisdom, practical tools, and refreshing insights to help you grow and evolve each day.
Check out local leaders: Gretchen Bleiler + Jayne Gotlieb as they continue to offer meditation modalities to connect communities both near and far.
Fire Cider
GCF cook Tess Weaver Strokes swears by homemade fire cider, an apple cider vinegar infusion powered by warming, wellness-supporting ingredients like onion, garlic, jalapeno peppers, citrus, ginger, horseradish, turmeric, cayenne, peppercorns, rosemary and thyme. The recipe is less about the ingredients, which can vary depending on availably and preference, and more about preparedness: fire cider must ferment in the cabinet for a month to reach its optimal potency. Make it this summer so it’s ready when the leaves turn. Find the biggest mason jars you can, fill them with the aforementioned ingredients, and pour raw apple cider vinegar to the brim. Store the jars in a dark, cool cabinet, and shake the jar every few days. A month later, strain the mixture and store in the fridge. Tess drinks a tablespoon in warm water every morning on an empty stomach. If it’s too spicy and pungent, add some scoops of raw honey and heat on the stove just enough to dissolve.
Essential Oils
Like medicine from the earth - and a specific oil to treat anything from seasonal allergies to digestive distress - our favorites are from Wisdom of the Earth. Laurel leaf, Birch Sweet and Ginger are on rotation for us right now … feel the call of plant medicine in its most legal form? Sample at True Nature Healing Arts in Carbondale, or connect with our soul sister, Kristen Tullar for a personalized tour and introduction into the land of life changing oils.
Take care of your SELF, take care of your HEALTH, and the rest will follow.