Garlic I find is the most amazing immune support, it has many antibacterial qualities. I got this tip from Alys Fowler who was on a visit here a few years back, and I've been doing it ever since it's fermented garlic cloves in raw honey. Very simply, peel and slice raw organic garlic cloves and add them to jar with a lid, add a few tablespoons of raw or good quality manuka honey. Seal the jar and leave in a dark cupboard to do its magic. You may notice the honey becomes runnier, this is part of the fermentation. I top up the pot every few months, after a few weeks there is plenty of magical goodness ready to give you a boost.

After a few weeks, if a throat tickle comes around, I dare you to take a teaspoon, it's strong stuff but wow! you feel the benefit.
● Probiotic foods. Help to innoculate the gut with helpful bacteria. Found in live yoghurt and unpasteurised fermented foods such as tamari, tofu, miso, tempeh, sauerkraut and kimchi, unpasteurised cheese, apple cider vinegar. Try fermenting vegetables if you have a glut of them in the summer, steep cleaned sliced cucumbers (which we always have way too many of ) in sterilised jars with a saltwater brine, seal and eat while still crunchy through the autumn and winter months. Ensure they are always submerged in the brine. These will give probiotic benefits and they are super tasty. There are millions of pages on the web about fermenting, it is very simple to do.
Prebiotic foods - These feed the helpful bacteria that are present in the gut.
- Onions - Red especially contain quercetin which is helpful for immune health.
- Leeks
- Radishes
- Carrots
- Coconut Meat & Flour
- Flax and Chia Seeds
- Tomatoes
- Green Bananas
- Garlic
- Chicory Root
- Dandelion Greens
- Jerusalem Artichoke
- Asparagus

Things to Do :
● Move - Exercise - when possible 15-30mins fast walk every day, if sitting down all day, get up and walk around every 45mins, go up and down the stairs a few times if there are any nearby. While cooking dinner, do some squats or lunges. When bending down, bend your knees not your back, this helps your leg muscles and joints strengthen rather than putting your back under strain.
● Lower Stress - this is a big one. Stress lowers the immune system by raising the stress hormone, cortisol. Research has found breath work actually lowers cortisol, trying some of the following activities may help, YOGA, Breathwork, walks, Meditation, Singing, hobbies, friendship, community groups. You do not have to be super fit to do Yoga, it's a combination of breathing, stretching and steadiness that brings about a sense of calm while strengthening muscles without too much exertion.

● Gardening - if you have one - lowers stress, makes you move different muscles every time and is very satisfying
● Lower Sugar intake - sugar feeds the harmful bacteria of the gut and reduces the diversity of the microflora. Artificial sugars/sweeteners should be avoided as these definitely have a negative effect on the immune system and the gut flora.
● Lower Alcohol - daily moderate to heavy drinking can alter the microbiome and can also reduce our immune defender white blood cells.
Take Vitamin D - It seems it is quite easy to become deficient in the Northern climbs, studies have found supplementing with D3 is important for immune health amongst many other things like bone health, mood and energy.

Recipe Miso Mushrooms
Miso Butter Mushrooms serves 2-3 mushrooms per person so double up if more people.
Ingredients
3 tbsp coconut oil or ghee or olive oil or butter
1 tbsp sweet white miso paste (available in good supermarkets or delicatessen)
3 garlic cloves crushed
4-6 Portobello Mushrooms
Mix the coconut oil or ghee or butter or olive oil with the garlic and miso paste. Spread the miso butter around the centre of the mushrooms, grill the mushrooms under a hot grill for about 8mins. Serve along with, Courgetti, (grated or spiralised courgette) raw or lightly sauteed with garlic and lemon juice, big green salad with lots of colour, peppers, grated carrot, tomatoes, cucumber with a dressing of olive oil and cider vinegar.
