 The Coronavirus is in full swing right now and many of us are under stay at home or shelter in place orders. It’s easy to fall into the stress and panic of a global pandemic. So, taking active measures to stay positive and healthy is monumentally helpful for both you and your loved ones. Easier said than done, right?
0 Comments
 Keep your immune-boosting smoothie kick going with this great recipe by Chef Abby! It includes ingredients with incredible health benefits:
Spinach - Provides B Vitamins and iron, which your body uses to make blood cells Mango - Contains Vitamins A and C which help make your overall immune system stronger Dark Fruits - Contains phytochemicals which strengthen your immune system and can help fight cancer Carrots - High in Vitamin A Ginger - Good for gut health and can sooth an upset stomach  Chef Abby is going live on Facebook to demonstrate how to make a few favorite recipes! She is making "As Good As a Greek Restaurant Hummus", "Vegan Mayonnaise", and "Homemade Pita Chips".
Cooking demos are a great way to learn how to cook new things in the comfort of your home. You can watch the chef cook and then try it or you can cook alongside (with the blessing of being able to pause, rewind, and rewatch as much as necessary!). Read more for the recipes and leave a comment on this blog and tell us at Whole Health Everyday about your experience cooking with Chef Abby or any future cooking demos you would like to see!  These smoothies contain immune boosting benefits!
Cardamon - Has virus-fighting manganese plus minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins (like Vitamin C) that help detoxify blood, aid your digestive system and support your immune system. Turmeric - Is wonderful because it has antioxidants, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties that all help to prevent and fight diseases. Cinnamon - Did you know cinnamon has the highest amount of antioxidants among the most popular herbs and spices? It contains manganese, iron, fiber, calcium, vitamin K and has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-diabetic benefits that all support a strong immune system. Nutmeg - This ingredient also has antioxidants that benefit your immune system. Nutmeg is rich in potassium, calcium, iron, and manganese that help your digestive system and joint pain (in addition to there immune boosting powers!).  A great way to boost your immune system (because we can all use more of that right now!) is to eat fermented vegetables because they offer increased probiotics, enzymes, vitamins, and fatty acids. One of our favorites is Chef Rebecca's Sauerkraut 2 Ways!
 Looking for an immune-boosting recipe?
Chef Rebecca has a recipe that utilizes spirulina - a powerhouse ingredient that has inflammation-fighting properties, which as we learned in Chef Paige's "Support Your Immune System" blog, helps bolster our immune systems! It's also a great antioxidant and contains high levels of protein and vitamins.  You have more control over whether you get sick or not than you may think. Year round, it is important to be incorporating actions that support and build a healthy immune system while protecting you from the harmful bacteria we come into contact with on a daily basis. Now, especially, it is time to check in with yourself and ask if you are doing everything you can to prevent illness, and I am not talking about buying out the entire shelf of hand sanitizer and Lysol at the grocery store and hoarding toilet paper. I am talking about protecting yourself from the INSIDE out. Because your immune system is largely controlled by your gut health, and no matter the preventative measures you may lather on your body topically, if you don’t have that gut health/strong immune system as your foundation, you are more susceptible to becoming ill.
Luckily, it is very easy to change your own gut health by consuming certain foods and avoiding a few others.  Citrus is still in full swing this time of year! Chef Corey's recipe for burnt orange slices is a unique take on candied oranges that will have you falling in love with oranges all over again (or even for the first time!).
 What inspired you to get into health and wellness cooking?
The first time it clicked for me that food is medicine, I was 18 years old. For months I had NO energy, and looking back on my diet of cereal, frozen pizzas and fast food, it’s no wonder why. The doctor said, “No problem, take these supplements”. But the supplements made me sick, which only made the situation worse. I had to figure out a way to get my iron through food, so I started doing research. I found out spinach, broccoli, and lentils are all high in iron, so I made a soup highlighting those ingredients and ate that for about a week. I started having eggs, toast, and fresh fruit for breakfast in the morning instead of Lucky Charms. I stopped getting fast food for dinner and started learning how to cook for myself without cooking something from a box. It wasn’t long before I felt energized again. I was utterly amazed at the difference the right foods could make. I didn’t know it at the time, but this experience was the catalyst for my culinary career.  Chef Dan has a recipe that is exploding with flavor and nutrition! Broccoli falafels are made with a broccoli slaw to make a healthy twist on a Middle Eastern favorite. Then, his spicy harissa and dill yogurt sauce top off this gyro wrap for a meal you'll be coming back to. Try out this recipe and let us know what you think!
|
RSS Feed