SOUP FOR THE SOUL?
First off, how is it November already?! I mean, I’m not complaining, I’m ready to wrap up this crazy year! Definitely keeping my fingers crossed for a fresh start for the new year.
With the year coming to the end, that also means cold and flu season is upon us. Now is THE perfect time to start focusing on what we can do to boost our immune system and prevent illness.
Do you ever notice that when you start to feel a cold coming on, your body naturally craves hot soup? I don’t know what it is, perhaps it’s because when we were children, and we started to get sick, our moms would make soup.
And you know what, our moms were right!
Making soup with herbs, spices and veggies was exactly what we needed when we were sick.
So lets take what our moms already knew, and dive a little deeper.
Fermented foods are loaded with healthy probiotics, which promote gut health! A healthy gut is a happy gut! Did you know 80% of our immune system lives in our gut? Healthy probiotics produced in our gut are essential for our overall health. Kefir, kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut and miso soup are perfect sources to help promote a healthy gut.
Herbs such as cilantro, tulsi (holy basil) and oregano have outstanding immune boosting effects. They have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral effects. A powerhouse punch! Fresh herbs are best, but if they are not available, ensure your dried herbs are green and not brown to get all the health benefits. Another great way to get in fresh herbs is by adding them to your water. After all, you want to ensure you are staying hydrated and flushing those germs out of your system.
Spices like ginger and turmeric have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic effects, which work to improve immune cell’s function, while breaking down toxins in our organs. Add some fresh grated ginger to your soup, or even hot tea, or my personal fave a turmeric latte. Yum!
Cruciferous Veggies are another powerhouse choice when looking to boost our immune system because of their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts and cauliflower are jam packed with nutrients and power antioxidants. Chop up some cruciferous veggies and add them to your favorite soup, or add a little avocado oil, salt and pepper and roast them for a yummy snack.
Increase your antioxidants by adding in colorful fruits and veggies. Think of the color of the rainbow. Antioxidants free up the immune system from dead cells, which reduce the load of toxins on the body and refresh those amazing disease-fighting cells when you need it most.
If you feel a cold coming on, wash your hands, increase your water consumption, and get adequate sleep.
Another helpful tip is to increase your Vitamin C intake. You can also take Vitamin C every hour for the first day or two as well to help your body ward off those yucky cold germs. Don’t be alarmed if your stool becomes loose, it’s from the added Vitamin C. * wink *
Stay healthy my friend.
Xo
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