If a cold or flu has already set in, I blend together these fabulous healing foods. In a blender add: 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 3 cloves garlic, 1 inch ginger, 1 inch horseradish, 1 small cayenne pepper and 1/4 onion. Put all in a blender and mix until smooth. Take a Tablespoon every hour for relief of ills. This will help clear sinuses, rid mucous in your system and help build your immunity. A wonderful mucous cleanser!

Any time I feel a cold or sore throat starting, I make a mug of miso soup. It either stops what was starting or lessens it impact. It works better than anything from the drug store.

I like ginger,honey,and lemon warm water. works all the time.

I make hot and sour miso soup--my homemade comfort soup. Here is a link to the recipe: http://muffintalk.wordpress.com/2009/10/10/hot-and-sour-miso-soup/

I love to make Lentil soup with organic vegetable broth, ginger, onion, lentils and leeks. I always make this when I feel a cold coming on and it usually does the trick!

Fresh garlic! I eat whole cloves of fresh garlic when I start to feel a cold coming on for an exra immune system boost. My esophagus tightens up every time - rather uncomfortable - but its worth not getting sick!

This is my favorite for feeling better. Peel and mince a 1" cube a fresh ginger and add it to 3 cups of water and simmer for 10 minutes. Add one veggie bouillon cube and a package of organic Ramen soup which has a flavor pouch as well. Add some fresh chopped spinach and some small cubes of left over tofu. Nice and light and steamy with refreshing ginger and nurishing spinach!!!!! Ahhh!!!

Pollution and overcrowded transport wreaked havoc on my body in Shanghai. My Chinese colleagues recommended drinking green tea with 2-3 slices of fresh ginger root in it daily, and I have rarely had a bad cold since! It's easy, and really works.

I love tomato dill soup-it has a little kick, too, so your nose really clears up!

Soup! I haven't gotten sick since becoming vegan, but this soup energizes me when I need a pick-me-up. Start with a base of diced carrots, celery, garlic and onion sauteed in a little EVOO, then add in some chopped kale, zucchini, canellini beans, and enough veggie stock to cover all your ingredients; simmer until veggies are tender, and enjoy!

I always increase my fresh ginger and hot pepper consumption at the slightest 'off' feeling. Lemons & garlic are part of the plan too. Come to think of it, I eat those items almost every day & I haven't been sick in a very long time - knock wood!

hot spicy soup! i like to make a vegan pho, or a spicy tomato soup.

When the scratchy throat at the beginning of a cold hits, I make a lemon, ginger, honey tea. I thinly slice lemon, fresh ginger and a wildflower honey into a glass container and let the flavors mix in the fridge. I spoon out some of the juice and fruit mixture into a mug and add hot water. It makes several cups worth and keeps about a week in the fridge. The ginger is great for opening stuffy nasal passages too!

An 8 oz. mug of hot water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a tablespoon of (preferably local) honey is my go-to for sore throats and colds.

Tom Yum soup: Lemon grass, scallions, hot pepper flakes, mushrooms (any kind will do), ginger, and garlic in a veggie stock. Deliciously lemon-y, savory, and Hot! Clears the sinuses soothes the aching body.