When we’re looking to boost our immunity and wellness in general, one of the first places we should go to is our kitchens.
Think back to stories you've been told… if someone had the flu, there would have been large batches of traditional chicken soup to help their bodies naturally fight it off. What about hot lemon and honey for sore throats or ginger and garlic to help ward off a cold… They’re not old wives’ tales. All of these recipes and ingredient combinations are folklore because they work and because of the nutrient make-up and natural immunity boosting properties of these foods.
So, let’s delve a little deeper and see how you and your Thermomix® can help boost your family’s immunity naturally.
One of the greatest pillars for supporting both our gut health, immunity and wellbeing in general is to eat a varied, wholefood diet.
Now onto spotlight ingredients and recipes…
Yes, these aromatics add amazing depth of flavour but their benefits go further than taste. They also come with a whole host of immunity-boosting benefits – they’re naturally anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-bacterial and also high in antioxidants, all things we like a lot of when immunity boosting. Here’s the link to our Turmeric Tonic with Honey which includes loads of fresh turmeric!
It’s no coincidence that vitamin C rich citrus fruits are in season during the cooler months. When we’re experiencing periods of stress or infection, vitamin C is rapidly used by our bodies in our defense, so it’s really beneficial to up your intake of vitamin C if you’re feeling run down.
Think citrus fruits like lemons and oranges but also fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, kiwi, red pepper, pineapple, cabbage, tomatoes and even salad greens such as radicchio which all contain vitamin C.
It’s beneficial to bear in mind too that vitamin C is sensitive to heat, light and air and can lose a lot of its potency quickly, so vitamin C containing foods are best consumed raw and as fresh as possible!
Ever needed an excuse to indulge in dark chocolate? Now is your time because it is high in zinc which is a really useful mineral when your body is fighting off viral infections. Other great sources of zinc include all seafood, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, egg yolks and beef.
Try this Hazelnut and Sunflower Spread
Awareness around the importance of gut health across all areas of our health and wellbeing is on the rise. Stocking up on friendly bacteria-containing fermented foods and drinks such as natural yoghurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso paste, kefir and kombucha is great for your diet. It’s also great to increase your consumption of prebiotic foods such as garlic, onion, leek, asparagus, oats, flaxseed, and pulses like lentils and beans.
Get busy making homemade kimchi in your Thermomix® to have on hand for salads, sandwiches, buddha bowls, and even using in savoury muffins.
Get the recipe for Kimchi here.
Every family’s got their favourite and this is ours.
Find the Chicken Noodle Soup recipe here.
We are what we eat; our diets can be anti-inflammatory in nature, gut-loving, nourishing, healthful and totally delicious – all factors we can lean on when we are looking to boost our immunity from the inside out.
