So the cold and flu season is well underway and with all the hoopla about swine flu in the news I have been experimenting with eating raw garlic daily. Garlic works almost immediately when you notice the first signs of a cold coming on. I can feel my nose clearing up within minutes – even if I am not feeling sick!

Garlic can be found in the produce section of your grocery store. It is safe with no nasty side effects and according to Science Daily it is one of the world’s most powerful antioxidant. Not only is it antiviral and antibacterial, garlic is also great as a daily supplement for healing the gut from candida yeast because of its antifungal and antiparasitic properties. Garlic also has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels which are very beneficial for insulin resistant and diabetic health issues. (Source: Indian Journal Of Medical Sciences)

This beautiful medicinal tasty food renowned for its immune boosting and virus killing health benefits is most effective when eaten raw and freshly crushed or chopped. But it is in this state that it is also the most pungent and spicy.  It is also really hard to get little children to eat raw garlic. I have tried and succeeded!

I have combined a list with the most child friendly meals on top.

How To Eat Raw Garlic

1. Salad Dressings – Homemade Creaser Dressing (this one is a favourite for the kids!) Anchovies, 2-3 cloves of raw Garlic, Lemon juice, 2-3 egg yolks, ground mustard and almond oil. Put everything in a blender and blend.
2. Salsa – Tomatoes, Avocado, lemon juice, Salt and Pepper and raw garlic
3. Guacamole -  Avocado, Lemon juice, Salt and Pepper and raw garlic
4. Pesto – Fresh Basil, Raw Garlic, extra virgin olive oil, Pine Nuts and Parmesan Cheese
5. Chicken Soup – Warm homemade stock with veggies and just before serving add raw garlic.
6. Hummus –  Chick Peas and Tahini, Lemon Juice and raw garlic
7. Veggie dips – Yogurt, mayonnaise, raw garlic, lemon juice and your favourite herbs like oregano and thyme
8. Eggs (sunny side up) sprinkled with turmeric and Salt and Pepper served with fall squashes and raw garlic and butter. This is my favourite breakfast!
9. Garlic and Cheese – I make mini “cheesewiches”! A cheese slice is used as a bread substitute and I just lay thin slices of raw garlic on it and top with basil, tomato, mayonnaise and salt and pepper.
10. Garlic Bread – toast, butter and garlic.  Although not a low carb way of eating garlic but it is the way my husband eats it.
11. Garlic in bacon fat! I spoon some bacon drippings on a spoon, take a fresh crushed clove of garlic, mix together and swallow. The fat neutralizes the heat and odour a bit so the garlic is much less offensive.  Eat garlic like this on a full tummy.

Now its Your Turn!

What is your favourite Raw Garlic Recipe?

This post is part of Real Food Wednesday hosted by Cheeseslave.

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It is fall and with the weather change our family is fighting the common cold. And we have so far done this successfully.  We have had nothing more serious than a day of mild sniffles while most colds carry the symptoms of sore throat, cough, congestion, runny nose, sneezing. The common cold is annoying and most of us can catch it up to three times a year.

So here are the tips to fight cold bug.

1. Rest

Getting enough sleep is crucial for the body to heal and repair itself.

2. Nutrition

Homemade chicken stock has a lot of essential vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium. The gelatin that is created when you make homemade stock is great for healing digestive disorder. One of the best benefits of bone broths are that they are very flavourful, satisfying and taste great when you are sick.

Garlic has great antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. I eat a clove of garlic per day (in the evening) sliced up on a piece of cheese. I find that dairy takes away the spiciness of the garlic. My kids don’t touch this but if your baby is nursing it will get all the benefits without the strong taste.

3. Vitamin D

It can be found in Cod Liver Oil, organ meats, egg yolks, raw and supplemented milk, sunshine and supplements. Vitamin D is an antibiotic. When the body has the proper amount of Vitamin D it is able to produce proteins called antimicrobial peptides. These antimicrobial peptides fight and destroy the cells of bacteria, fungus and viruses.

4. Moisture

We heat our home by burning wood so in the winter the air is very dry in our house. Humidifying the air in the home will “moisturize” the mucous membranes and protect them from viruses. This can also relieve the symptoms of cough and breathing problems. Drinking lots of fluids will also moisturize the throat.

5. Oil of Oregano

I love oil of oregano for treating colds. It works fast and is very effective. I take it at as a preventative for colds and to treat colds. It is not recommended for babies and toddlers.  Taking it in milk will reduce the heat of the oil of oregano.  This works so great that even my daughter is able to take it this way.

To your health and wellness,

Catherine Osthaus

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