I took the Dr. Oz microwave flax muffin recipe and came up with this: 

1/4 Cup Chia Seeds 
1/2 tsp baking powder 
1/4 tsp agave syrup (a bit of a cheat but I didn't have anything lower on the glycemic index in the house!) 
1 tsp cinnamon 
A pinch of pumpkin pie spice 
1 egg 
1 TBSP red palm oil 

Mix it all in a coffee mug. Then sprinkle some hemp seeds on top. 

Zap it for 1 minute on high in the microwave (I'd love to hear oven options!) 

Dump it out of the cup, spread with pure peanut peanut butter or butter or jam ... you've got options! 
Enjoy!

I found this a little dry, I might add a milk alternative next time....  But this was SUPER filling - I could only eat 1/2 of it :)

This is a reprinting this article written by Josée Fortin, NDA for you from A. Vogel's website - Don't forget to check them out and follow them on Facebook too for more tips!

Children are more susceptible to colds than adults because they haven’t built up enough specific immunity to fight the many different cold viruses and they don’t have the same reflexes as adults when it comes to hygiene. 

Ear infection from a cold...
In children, a cold can easily lead to an ear infection because their Eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal than those of adults. As many as 75% of children develop an ear infection before the age of 3. Ear infections are often accompanied by a cold or teething. Most ear infections are resolved within 7 to 14 days, but in some cases they can recur or become chronic. Liquid remaining in the middle ear after an infection can lead to recurring ear infections and even a loss of hearing.

What you can do 
A.Vogel’s Echinaforce Junior is the perfect remedy for all kinds of infections. Like other A.Vogel products derived from Echinacea purpurea, Echinaforce Junior is an immune system stimulant that has been proven to help fight off both viral and bacterial infections. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. 

Research clearly shows that Echinacea purpurea helps rid children of cold and flu symptoms faster and reduces the risk of recurrence. Taken preventively, it also increases the time between infections.

Teach your children to wash their hands thoroughly and try to convince them to do so on a regular basis!!!! It’s important to drink plenty of water, rather than juice. Make sure your kids get sufficient rest when tired and that they eat only when hungry. It also helps to avoid mucus-forming foods such as dairy products, oats, white flour and bananas. 

Reduce their intake of refined sugar as it can suppress their immune system, making it less effective. Echinaforce Junior can be taken with conventional medications such as antibiotics, children’s acetaminophen, etc. To help relieve severe ear pain, a few drops ofAromaforce essential oil of peppermint canbe applied behind the ears. 

What to do for cough?
For a persistent cough, the best remedy is A.Vogel’s Soothing Cough Syrup. Made from the juice of fresh Spruce buds, it soothes the throat, reduces spasms and inflammation and dilutes secretions, making it easier to discharge mucus. It contains natural sugars that act as an expectorant and help dilute secretions for up to 2 hours. These sugars have the added advantage of making the product more pleasant tasting for children.

I've been using A. Vogel's Echinaforce Extra Hot Drink for the last 20 days and I've been healthy while the kids and hubby have gotten the sniffles and scratchy throats!  So I did a little research into the product and and here's what I found:

History of Echinacea and how it's used:  http://www.avogel.ca/en/plant-encyclopedia/echinacea-purpurea.php

A bunch of studies done to prove Echinaforce's effectiveness:  

Safety and Efficacy Profile of Echinacea purpurea,2012
Effects of Echinaforce treatment on ex vivo-stimulated blood cells, 2011
Echinaforce study summary: anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory, 2010
Echinacea -bactericidal and immunomodulatory effect, 2010
Echinacea potential use for acne, 2010
Echinaforce-Antiviral and mode of action on H1N1 flu, 2009
Echinaforce Antiviral effect - H3N2 Flu, 2009
Echinaforce antiinflammatory effect, 2008
Echinacea, Lancet article 2007


And some information on Elderberries too:
http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-elderberry.html
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-434-ELDERBERRY.aspx?activeIngredientId=434&activeIngredientName=ELDERBERRY

I've seen the proof in my own home as well as at the store with customers coming in regularly for products such as these raving about how well they work.   I like the Hot Drink option because I can make a soothing tea to curl up with  - or add it to my smoothie in the morning before I rush out the door - super versatile.  Plus the kids and hubby didn't mind the tea either - I added a little honey and they drank it down!


Next I'm going to try Host Defense's My Community since the kids were both complaining of scratchy throats again this morning!  
Gotta love cold & flu season!  I'll let you know what happens :)

I found this recipe on Vega's site, and served it at our Winter Solstice Celebration.  It was loved by all!  

I cut each acorn squash into halves, and then into slices and served it up like meatloaf.   

With the left overs I made a version of our much loved harvest soup - it was wonderful as well :)

Ingredients

• 1 squash, any variety*
• 1 tsp. coconut oil or olive oil
• 1 onion, cut into quarters
• 2 carrots, cut into 4 pieces
• 2 celery stalks, cut into 4 pieces
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 1/2 cup hemp seeds
• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 cup brown rice, cooked
• 1 tsp. chili flakes
• Salt and pepper, to taste

*If you’re using a squash without a plat bottom, such as an acorn squash, you can either cut off base so it can stand up and stuff per the instructions above, or cut it in half, stuff each half, and bake. For the latter, you may need to reduce the cooking time by about 10 minutes.

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375 °F
2. In a food processor, add onion, carrot, celery and garlic. Process to a coarse consistency.
3. In a large sauté pan, melt oil. Add vegetable mixture. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, or until tender. Add in tomato paste and sauté 2 more minutes
4. In the food processor, add hemp, pumpkin and sunflower seeds. Process to a coarse consistency.
5. In a large bowl, combine cooked vegetable mixture, seed mixture, cooked brown rice, chili flakes, salt and pepper. Mix. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
6. Cut squash top off like you would if you were carving a pumpkin. Gut squash.
7. Place squash on baking sheet and stuff with filling. Place lid beside squash on baking sheet.
8. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until you can pierce the squash with a fork.
9. Cut into wedges and serve.