Fire Cider Flu Fighter

I don't normally get a flu shot, so I look for ways to naturally boost my immunity to get through cold and 'flu season. I try to get as much natural vitamin D by spending time outside, but as the days grow shorter (and colder and wetter) this is difficult, so I must remember to supplement with some vitamin D. Many people swear by vitamin C and a vitamin B complex as a stress reducer as well.

However, I am becoming more reluctant to take supplements for a couple of reasons. Often the additional vitamins we take are not absorbed by our bodies and are flushed quickly out of our system. I don't want to waste money on expensive, good quality supplements only to pee them out. Also, I would rather obtain nutrients through natural sources, and vitamins are often made with synthetic ingredients (or even GMO ingredients).

I am trying fish oil for myself and my girls to see if this helps. I found a delicious organic pina colada flavoured version at a local health food store that my girls really enjoy. No really, they love it. It's expensive, but I think it is worth it to get those good omega-3 oils.

I am also trying fire cider, a recipe I found on Pinterest, also known as master tonic. Basically it is fermented garlic, ginger, onions, horseradish and hot peppers fermented in apple cider vinegar. Fire cider indeed! It takes about a month to ferment in a cool, dark location before it can be used. Once the ingredients are removed from the cider it can be kept in the refrigerator almost indefinitely, supposedly.

So far I love my fire cider. I'm not a scientist so I can't test the antiviral, antibacterial and anifungal claims, but I'm going to give it a shot. Besides, in my opinion it is delicious. Not only am I trying to remember to take a tablespoon of it daily, but I also use it as infused vinegar in salad dressings and any place I might want to use apple cider vinegar.

The flavour isn't as strong as I was expecting (based upon the smell) and I can even get two of my three daughters, and my husband, to take a tablespoon of the fire cider each day. The idea is to take it daily as a preventative measure, and more frequently if you begin to feel under the weather, so I'm hoping to convince my youngest to drink it, too. Wish me luck!


Ingredients:

• 1-2 whole garlic cloves, peeled and diced
• 1 white or yellow onion, peeled and diced
• 1 large section of ginger, skin removed and diced
• 1 large section of horseradish root, skin removed and diced
• several hot peppers (only had 3 from my garden, wished I'd had more), seeds removed and diced
•  raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar
• unpasteurized honey

Steps:

• Prepare all the ingredients, dicing into small pieces.

• Add ingredients to a large glass jar (I recycled the jar from my coconut oil).

• Add the apple cider vinegar to the glass jar.
  

• Place in a cool, dark location for two to four weeks.

• Strain out all the ingredients from the apple cider vinegar.
  

• add honey to taste (I added about 2 tablespoons to mine)
  

• Return the apple cider vinegar to the glass jar and store in the refrigerator until needed. 
  

Next step is trying to make my own apple cider vinegar!