It's back to school time! Parents rejoice in unison while we wave goodbye to our kiddos as they load the big yellow school bus. However, we also give a little cringe knowing that by the time they get back home they will bring with them a gaggle of germs. We've already come face-to-face with the "cold" season and it's not even cold yet! So here's a great concoction to sure up you and your germ-transporting cuties' immune systems.
For one mug:
1 tbsp dried Gogi berries
1 inch fresh ginger root, peeled
3-4 fresh spearmint leaves
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (opt.)
Sweeten with your choice of either honey, Stevia extract or agave nectar
Fill your mug of choice full and pour into a small sauce pan. Fill a tea ball with Gogi berries, ginger root, and mint. Drop tea ball into the pot. Simmer tea ball in water until the water turns to a deep golden. The darker the liquid the more flavor and nutrients. Turn off heat, remove tea ball and pour back into your mug. Add lemon juice for an extra boost of vitamin C and sweeten as you prefer.
*Gogi berries (those red raisin looking things) are one of nature's super foods. These berries, normally seen dried, are packed full of antioxidants, but that's not all. The main benefit provided by gogi berries is how they help boost the immune system by strengthening the liver and kidneys. There's more... Goji berries also have a high ORAC value which is extremely important in preventing oxidation and in preserving the cells thereby preventing aging.