Morning Immunity Elixir

I hope by now y'all are familiar with my YouTube Sleep videos, but if not, allow myself to introduce...myself...

A little while ago, I launched the LL Balanced YouTube Channel, starting with a series on tips, tricks and recipes to help optimize energy and mood when you're not getting enough sleep. I have battled insomnia for years, and I got completely FED UP with the innumerable articles and expert opinions on the importance of sleep. I KNEW sleep was crucial. In fact, I'd wager than those suffering from sleep deprivation are more acutely aware of its importance than annnnyyyone.

But no amount of information, noxious herbal recipe, coma-inducing prescription, mantra or habitat change (think blackout curtains, no electronics) worked. I did everything "right" and I just couldn't sleep. So instead of railing against my condition, I used my knowledge of food and healthy living to combat the effects of my insomnia. And...it worked! I managed to start and grow a business, get married, renovate a house, maintain relationships with friends and family and enjoy my life.

Without getting sick ONE single time.

Not one single day did I let my lack of sleep take my immune system down. Not one single day was I stuck in bed, too physically, mentally or emotionally worn out.

If you want to know more about what I ate/eat and did/do to help overcome the effects of my insomnia, please check out and subscribe to my YouTube Channel. HINT, one of the things you'll find is a video on how to make this AMAZING Morning Immunity Elixir. This is what I whip up when I find myself noticing any insidious cold or flu symptoms...runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, sore throat, headache, chills etc. As soon as they appear, I make this once or twice per day until all symptoms are gone. And it has truly worked for me! Plus, it is so delicious and cozy that you can enjoy it even when you're feeling ship-shape.

Let's chat quickly about the contents before I send you off to the stove top. I chose chai tea as the base for my elixir because it offers just enough caffeine to give you a little energy boost, but not enough to make you jittery. Plus, the rest of the flavors go amazingly with chai! Specifically, anti-inflammatory cinnamon, turmeric, lemon juice and ginger. All of these ingredients will reduce inflammation, which gets in the way of your immune system doing its job. A touch of sea salt helps to balance your electrolytes, and black pepper increases the bio-availability of turmeric (read: you body gets more goodness out of it).

The last ingredient is kind of the Elixir hail-mary...Elderberry syrup. Elderberries are dark blue/purple berry used around the world for centuries for medicinal benefits. They are extremely high in antioxidant count, helping prevent sun-damage and combatting cancer cells. For our purposes, Elderberries are SUPERSTARS for boosting and regulating the immune system, helping the body to keep invaders at bay and fight viruses/bad bacteria. They also protect mucus membranes and help reduce inflammation, both of which can be irritated by pills—Ambien and other prescription sleep aids or tylenol PM and others NSAIDS.

Enough talk, click below to watch how easy it is to make this healing concoction!