This is an immune system strengthening beverage, our go-to when we feel a cold coming on. It’s also good for you at any time. You don't have to be sick to drink hootch. (Some folks splash a bit of whiskey or rum in for good measure--I guess then it would officially become a hot toddy ;-)

Basic recipe:

Juice 4 lemons

Add about a thumb-sized piece of ginger--chopped up

Add water--two to three times as much as you had lemon juice

Bring to a boil, then simmer, covered for 15 minutes.

After cooling, keep in a closed jar in fridge. Do not sweeten the entire batch at this time, as it will keep for a week in the fridge if un-sweetened.

Add honey to each portion when you heat it to drink.

Much of this recipe is "to taste"

You can fool around with the proportion of water to lemon juice water, if it seems too strong.

I leave the ginger in the mix while stored in the fridge, and strain it into my cup through a tea strainer, but that infusion may become too ginger-y for some folks.

McKenna’s Muesli Breakfast Cereal

4 Cups Rolled Oats (not the quick cook type—the 5 minute ones are best)

1 Cup Raisins

1 Cup Walnuts or Slivered Almonds

1 Cup Sunflower Seeds

1 Cup Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas)

1 Cup Coconut Flakes

Mix in a large pot and store in zippy bags or plastic containers

The nuts and seeds may be raw or roasted.

I usually serve with a cup of milk and a tablespoon of Maple Syrup

It’s lovely with a diced apple or some applesauce in, and works nicely as a yogurt topping!