5 Immune Boosting Foods
Quote of the month:
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart”. Helen Keller
We thought we’d start off this month’s newsletter with 5 foods that can help your immune system survive the upcoming season:
- Garlic – can pretty much scare off any foreign invader
- Ginger – kills bacteria and viruses; helps with digestion, circulation, nausea (hence motion sickness) and inflammation; essential for those with prostate cancer
- Turmeric – a powerful anti-inflammatory and immune booster; fights off bacteria, viruses and fungi; loaded with antioxidants (much more than Vit E and Vit C)
- Sweet Potato – contains glutathione, a very powerful antioxidant; contains beta carotene for immune-system health; especially for your skin
- Bell Peppers – contains more Vitamin C than an orange
Now here’s a recipe that incorporates some of these ingredients. If you like sweet potatoes, try this one:
Sweet potato Salad
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2 inch cubes
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp fresh rosemary (1/2 tsp dried)
1 clove minced garlic (optional)
Dash of sea salt and pepper
Roast the above at 350 degrees for 25 minutes (don’t over cook) and allow to cool. Transfer to a medium/large bowl. Add 2 tbsp each of the following – diced sweet onion, toasted pecans, dried cranberries. Add 1/4 cup chopped yellow pepper and 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley.
Dressing:
In a small bowl whisk together 2 tbsp each of the following – olive oil, fresh lemon juice and honey. Mix in 1/4 tsp salt a dash of pepper and 1/8 tsp chiptole pepper. Drizzle over potato mixture and serve warm or cold. Note: never tried adding some ginger to the dressing, but it would probably go well too!
In the spirit of the season, we thought we’d send out this amazing story we received from a friend. It’s a great message for this time of year (and every other day too)…..
After 21 years of marriage, my wife told me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, “I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.” The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and three children made visiting difficult. That night I invited her to go out for dinner and a movie. “What’s wrong, are you well?” she asked. My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. “I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,” I responded. “Just the two of us.” She thought about it for a moment, and then said, “I would like that very much.”
That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel’s. “I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,” she said, as she got into the car. “They can’t wait to hear about our meeting.”
We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. “It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,” she said. “Then it’s time that you relax and let me return the favor,” I responded. During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation – nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other’s life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, “I’ll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.” I agreed.
“How was your dinner date?” asked my wife when I got home. “Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,” I answered.
A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn’t have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: “I paid this bill in advance. I wasn’t sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates – one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.”
At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: “I LOVE YOU” and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till “some other time.”
Did You Know…
- Most of our brain does not regenerate as we get older; however all is not lost, the area that governs your memory and learning does!
- The cells in your intestinal tract replace themselves every week – so yes you can heal as long as your food sensitivities are avoided
- You may have a toxic liver, but it can replace itself in about 5 months – just give it the support it needs
Wishing you happiness this holiday season!
Upcoming Events
- We’d like to pay it forward this holiday season, so we’re having some pretty awesome specials this month and into the New Year…watch out for them if you’re on our email list!
- Dec 24 – Jan 2 – Our Office will be closed (we will be available for some limited appointments January 3rd and 4th)
- Bi-weekly – Business Referral Lunch 11:45am until 1pm Golden Griddle @ Walkers and Harvester; next date: Monday December 10th Christmas Luncheon
By No Allergies Please