Christmas trees are up and winter weather is here, but with it come all the sniffles and coughs of cold and flu season. Womp womp. There are many contributing factors to more illnesses, from the colder weather to people being indoors more, which means closer quarters with others and less immune-boosting vitamin D. During this time it’s important to incorporate foods into our daily diet that keep our bodies strong and healthy: mushrooms for vitamin D, oranges for vitamin C, peas for Zinc. Soups and hot beverages are a great way to stay warm and incorporate these foods in a tasty way. In our house we have a lot more hot tea than hot cocoa during the winter months. Don’t get me wrong, I love the taste of hot chocolate but the processed sugars won’t do you any good. With tea you can add unfiltered honey, ginger and lemon for an immunity booster that tastes delicious! Raw local honey contains pollen from your area and has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. Infusing your honey with lemon and ginger adds antioxidants that help with coughs, fevers, and other symptoms often associated with cold and flu season. I love having a warm cup of herbal tea and honey after dinner! This infused honey also makes a great holiday gift for stocking stuffers, neighbors and teachers.
Lemon Ginger Infused Honey
Ingredients:
½ cup raw, local Honey
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 inch fresh ginger, sliced
8 oz. glass Mason jar with lid
Directions:
1. Place 3 slices of lemon in the jar, then top with 2 slices of ginger. Top with 2 tablespoons of honey. Repeat until all the produce and honey have been used and the jar is full!
2. Secure the lid on tightly and refrigerate for at least 12 hours, allowing the flavors to meld.
3. When ready, add 1-2 Tbsp to a cup of hot tea. Stir and enjoy!
4. The mixture will keep for up to 2 months in a sealed jar. The lemon juice and honey will naturally start to separate. Stir before using.