This week on Thrive we're launching our Nutrition Revolution and arming ourselves with simple recipes focused on clean, live, whole fruits & vegetables as Mother Nature intended. But hold on -- does this mean we have to eat only organic?

Sugar is another one of those "evil" ingredients that we're constantly being told to eliminate from our diets.  But sugar is just a means to an end.  You don't have to give up the delicious treats you can make with sugar.  You just have to trade up! Take these muffins which are perfect for a kid's lunch box or afternoon snack.

Some of you are hesitant about doing the maca.  I get it.  Another powder for the cupboard... No worries! I've got an alternative made from spices you can find in your kitchen.

But first another public service announcement about coffee.

Many people think healthy eating means giving up all the delicious pleasures in life. I don't believe that.

Healthy eating isn't about giving anything up.  It's about trading up.  Take coffee for example.

I got some great feedback on my colloidal silver gargle for sore throats and I couldn't be happier!  The best success rate comes when you start to gargle as soon as you feel the itchiness come on.  But if you've already got a full blown cold and are looking for a natural remedy to relieve congestion -- this is my go-to. Cup your palm and drop in the following essential oils.  (Warning -- this is potent!)

You know that cough that just lingers for ever and sounds deep and phlegmy?  We've got a cough like that in Hong Kong -- the pollution cough, they call it.  But I'm sure there are versions of it everywhere in the world.

How do you get that deep, phlegmy cough to just go away?!?

There are many superfood elixirs & herbal remedies out there like Sambucol and echinacea -- and they are great!  But I love the idea that powerful remedies can also be made from the ingredients in our pantry - at no extra cost. And guess what?  We all have one of the most powerful herbal remedies against the common cold sitting right in our spice cupboard:

I love broth but when we make it, it takes up half of our fridge.  So, I'm pretty keen to eat it "pronto".  This is my favourite recipe for when we're down with a cold cuz it's broth based AND it's supercharged with foods which are high in ZINC. Zinc is an immune-boosting mineral that is successful at treating the common cold, recurrent ear infections and preventing respiratory infections.  Chicken, chickpeas and spinach are among the highest dietary sources in zinc.  And the chickpeas thicken the soup like a pasta would - for those looking for a nutritious gluten-free option.