I have the sniffles.

And my little girl has a runny nose.

We haven’t had any sickness around here all winter, so I got to thinking about what might have changed in our habits in the past few weeks. Then it hit me- we were out of gummies!

It may seem trivial, but these gummies really make a difference for us. They are part of our daily routine during cold and flu season. Each morning, we all take:

• a few Cold/Flu gummies
• a few Vitamin C gummies
• a spoonful of Fermented Cod Liver Oil (We use the Cinnamon Tingle gel, refrigerated. The kids chase theirs with fresh juice and a chocolate chip, without complaint.)
• a small glass of my Apple Cider Vinegar concoction- a mix of raw ACV, fresh juice, filtered water, cinnamon and honey/stevia (This is optional, and we usually add this in when someone is showing symptoms)

We also use essential oils at bath time (usually lavender, citrus or eucalyptus) and for evening foot rubs (we use Thieves in a carrier oil). Might be silly, but it’s part of our routine now and it’s been working!

The powerhouse ingredient in the gummies is the Elderberry Syrup, known for strengthening the immune system. You can buy it pre-made or make it yourself. I inherited some homemade syrup from my sister-in-law, so I haven’t had to make it myself yet (thanks, Steph!). The tart cherry juice helps with sleep and the gelatin strengthens the gut lining. If you don’t like the tart cherry flavor or you can’t find it, you can substitute pomegranate juice, which is full of antioxidants. The raw honey and vanilla extract are optional, but I think they enhance the flavor and make the gummies more appealing for the little ones.

One batch poured into a loaf pan makes about 70-80 gummies for me, which lasts us quite a while, especially when we have other gummies to go along with them. I’d love to pick up some of those super cute silicon molds that I keep seeing on the internet, but I haven’t pulled the trigger.. I love these robot and dinosaur ones!

I know these gummies aren’t the key to health or a 100% guarantee to not getting sick this season, but every little step toward health can help. They’re yummy and my kids take them gladly, so I think we’ll be keeping them in the rotation for a while.

What about you? How do you prevent cold and flu from coming into your home? I’d love to hear your tips!

5.0 from 4 reviews

Cold and Flu Fighting Gummy Snacks

 

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Adapted from – http://www.realfoodrn.com/healthy-gummies-cold-flu-sleep/

Author: Natalie Herr

Recipe type: Snacks

Serves: 70

Ingredients

• 1¼ cups pure tart cherry juice and/or pure pomegranate juice
• 4 tablespoons grass-fed gelatin
• ¼ cup Elderberry Syrup
• 2 tablespoons raw honey
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Heat ½ cup juice until bubbling.
2. Sprinkle gelatin over the remaining juice and let it bloom.
3. Combine the hot juice with the gelatin/juice mixture, then add the Elderberry Syrup, honey and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined.
4. Pour into molds or a loaf pan. Chill in the refrigerator for 1-3 hours or until set.
5. Remove from molds or cut into small squares.
6. Makes 70-80 gummy snacks, depending on your molds or how large you cut them.

3.1.09