This yuletide time of year brings all kind of gifts – the ones we enjoy and the ones that may not be so pleasant. As I walked into the office this morning, there it was right in front of me - a friend, full of cold! Here we go – we enter the flu season – watch out everyone! So what better gift can I give you than to remind you to boost your immune system now! The first thing is to invite you to enjoy the Inner Fire sequence – this will keep your digestive system strong and keep those colds away!
Eight of this season's finest immune boosting foods…
1. Pumpkin
The bright orange cucurbita, a vegetable in the same family as squashes and gourds, is the perfect immune strengthener. Not only does pumpkin blend nicely into desserts, hearty casseroles, stews, soups, and curries, this versatile veggie is jam-packed with all sorts of essential nutrients that will guard the body against colds and germs—such as vitamin C, folate, antioxidants, zinc, beta-carotene, and even heart-healthy omega 3 fats.
2. Cinnamon
Cinnamon spice or cinnamon sticks have a long history of medicinal use when it comes to treating stomach upset, stomach flu, nausea, and stubborn colds due to its natural antibacterial and anti-viral properties, so its not just that this comforting spice does the trick in warming the cold toes, fingers, and noses— why not add a sprinkle to your tea!
3. Garlic
Garlic might do the trick on Halloween to keep the vampires away. However, this pungent and aromatic herb is efficient for keeping real life horrors at bay as well. Garlic contains allicin, a chemical compound that’s been administered for centuries as a natural medicine to prevent all sorts of flu viruses, fungi, and bacterial infections.
4. Ginger
Add this medicinal root to warm water or herbal tea (with a bit of honey) to soothe a raw throat, quell a stubborn cough due to cold, ease nausea, and subdue digestive upset. And it's great for upset tummies and it helps boost the digestive system.
5. Parsnips
The parsnip offers more than a punch of unmistakable flavour to soups and stews, the root vegetable is super rich in Vitamin C, a known immune booster that wards off common cold-causing infections. Parsnips are also rich in potassium, which Harvard Medical School credits in lowering blood pressure and controlling hypertension.
6. Apples
Apples serve up huge anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic benefits in each bite. So get munching to ward off all sorts of common cold infections and autumn allergies.
7. Sweet potatoes
Aside from providing a healthier, less starchy alternative to regular white potatoes, this vibrant orange tuber adds a sweet taste to casseroles, autumn soups, curries, and pies. In addition it comes low on the glycemic index and sweet potatoes pack a serious vitamin C and beta-carotene punch to protect eaters from cold and flu infections.
8. Barley Grass
The new toddy for boosting the immune system – simply go to our Dimensions Heath Store to find out more.