As a kid you learn to never judge a book by its cover. However, by the time we reach adulthood, it seems that's all anyone is doing. It's literally like a hunt for some rare artifact to find that diamond in the rough that shines the brightest.

By all accounts and purposes, someone can have the perfect cover - the right job, the appropriate social standing. It's only after you invest time that you realize they're not only miserable, but oh, say racist AF. (Case in point.) Their story is a muddy and distressing read. Most definitely not a book I can get into, much less read to the end.

I love how people who don't even know me think they are giving me what is most certainly the best advice ever. (While judging someone else they also don't know - and have literally never met - based on their outward appearance and nothing more.)

So when I was bombarded by men recently (who barely knew me) about a guy friend of a girl friend, I disregarded them entirely. The storyline for this book is a familiar one. They were interested in me but I, of course, wasn't interested in them. The unsolicited advice about how this guy was bad news, however, was too difficult for them to pass up. They judged him based on his clothing alone, seemingly oblivious to their own shortfalls.

As it turned out, that person they thought so poorly of had a bachelors degree in Psychology. He was also a pescatarian, environmentally conscious and capable of super deep conversations. In the end, it turned out he wasn't the trash they made him out to be at all. He was just super depressed.

We have a whole new generation now conditioned to swipe left or right based on looks. Filters to change our appearance to an ethereal stereotype of anti-aging perfection.


But in keeping up appearances, the person inside the outer shell gets lost in the shuffle where suddenly their entire lives is a series of practiced acts in a play for perfection so someone swipes right when it's their turn to be under the spotlight.

I'm currently in the midst of writing a book. An underlying theme is that everyone is important because of who they are. Outwardly they may seem imperfect at first. However, regardless of how fucked up they may seem, they all matter to the story -- and the lives of those around them -- in some way, no matter how small. Even the vampire who just happens to be a ginger and loves the beach. And most especially the empath slinging drinks at the local bar.

As we head into the New Year, I hope you'll take the time to remember to look beyond one's outward appearance, and try to see who they are on the inside. Even if it just means reading someone's actual dating profile.

I recently tried fire cider vinegar as a natural cold and flu remedy for the first time. This was after getting yet another cold. A cold which I honestly think was being passed back and forth between me and the current (still new) guy I've been dating. (Come on. I'm 44. I'm way too old to act the prude.) The results were quickly noticeable. By day three I felt like a whole new, shiny person. And that undying sinus headache, that typically only Sudafed takes care of, was quick to make a hasty retreat from the first use.

Fire Cider Cold And Flu Remedy

I've been an advocate for apple cider vinegar for a number of years now. It all started with a quest to learn how to better manage my fibromyalgia after realizing that pain killers were literally the worst ever way to treat a chronic condition. I tried literally a zillion supplements and remedies during my hunt for a natural alternative. This journey led me to kombucha tea. Then, eventually, to an apple cider vinegar tonic to remedy my gut health.

When I first learned about fire cider vinegar it was during a trademark dispute over the use of "fire cider." A traditional cold and flu remedy, the term fire cider had been used for centuries as a holistic remedy. That a company had come along and trademarked a well known term used for a natural remedy was concerning to a lot of people. Luckily, some upstanding, prominent herbalists took it upon themselves to fight this trademark. And, after a lot of time and money (much of which was donated to the cause), they finally won. Five years later and Shire City Herbals no longer owns a trademark to the common term, fire cider.


This also sets a precedent that prevents the names for traditional folk remedies from being trademarked in the future. Therefore it's seen as a win for herbalists. After all, people had been making, using and selling fire cider vinegar long before Shire City Herbals trademarked the name in 2012.

Not only should the name not have been trademarked in the first place, but the claim that Shire City Herbals came up with fire cider vinegar on its own in 2010 was simply untrue. There are decades upon decades of history outlining its use. Rosemary Gladstar, a well known and respected herbalist, also outlined a fire cider tonic recipe in her book, Herbs for the Home Medicine Chest, which was first published in 1999 as a traditional, herbal cold and flu remedy.

What Is Fire Cider?

Fire cider vinegar is a traditional, warming apple cider vinegar tonic. It acts as a holistic decongestant while also supporting immune health. Comprised of onions, garlic, peppers, ginger, horseradish, a lemon or orange, turmeric, raw honey and apple cider vinegar, this spicy folk preparation is perfect as a shooter or an addition to water, oil and vinegar dressings and foods like fried rice or mixed veggies. There are a number of different ways to make fire cider vinegar, although the basics tend to remain the same due to their effectiveness.

It's easy to customize and, of course, you can add as much honey as you like to taste. It also makes a great addition to non-alcoholic, bloody mary recipe. Unfortunately, it does take a month to steep in a cool, dark location. So if you need your fire cider fix ASAP, you can buy this traditional herbal cold remedy online. Or pick some up at your local co-op like I did!


Keep reading to learn how to make a homemade fire cider vinegar as a natural cold and flu remedy for you and your family.

Traditional Fire Cider Vinegar Recipe

Ingredients:

1 medium organic onion, chopped
10 cloves of organic garlic, crushed or chopped
2 organic jalapeno peppers, chopped
Zest and juice from 1 organic lemon
1/2 cup fresh grated organic ginger root
1/2 cup fresh grated organic horseradish root
1 Tbsp. organic turmeric powder
1/4 tsp. organic cayenne powder
2 Tbsp. of dried rosemary leaves
organic apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup of raw local honey, or to taste

Instructions:

How to Use Fire Cider as a Cold and Flu Remedy

Alternative Natural Cold and Flu Remedies

If you're looking for more ways to support immune health throughout cold and flu season, you can also try one of these other natural alternatives.