Touch wood, but I haven't been sick with either a cold or a flu in over five years now.
If you asked for my secret five years ago, I would've put it down solely to green smoothie drinking. Then over time, as my diet evolved and my curiosity for superfoods, wholefoods and supplements grew, I am now confident of this:
The immune system gets stronger with variety.Variety of the foods you put in your mouth, variety in your eating patterns (think detoxing and fasting), variety of seasons and temperature (think bare feet in winter and shower tempering), your exercise regime, work breaks, things you look at, places you travel to, conversations you have and so on.
But the number one thing is and will always be- something we do and think about more often than anything else- eating.
As a coach I often find myself reminding others to listen to their bodies, not their heads, for what they want to eat. But I
do get that sometimes you have to first taste a certain food to store it in your body's wisdom library for later reference. I also get that some health foods sound too alien for a willing wallet, so hoping to decipher the code for you by sharing five immunising foods which my body is loving this winter season and why I think that you should try them too…
CAMU CAMU BERRY
ABOUT: Camu Camu is a bush growing in the black water rivers of the Amazon, which produces berries about the size of large grapes. They get picked at peak ripeness and frozen in the boat that collects them. Back at the plant, they are thawed, peeled and dried to a powder, which we are lucky to buy around the world. To me this is an absolute wonder food. It's about 60 times higher in Vitamin C than oranges, making it the highest source of Vitamin C in the world! So just 1/2 teaspoon of dry powder provides almost 400% of RDA.
HOW TO TAKE: I always keep some Camu Camu in the cupboard and only find myself taking a little before flying or at a change of every season to keep my immune system strong. Luckily I don't have the need for regular use, but Elliot is the one usually under the weather because of his work. As soon as he starts to feel like a cold is coming on, I get him to take 2 teaspoons of Camu Camu mixed with 2 teaspoons of Bee Pollen and the next day he is back to normal. Many of my clients take a teaspoon each day in smoothies or juices for 2 weeks to immunise and then just 1/2 teaspoon to maintain their health.
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BEE POLLEN
ABOUT: Bee Pollen is a superfood used by vegetarian and even non-vegetarian athletes, because of its mega high protein content. It has 20 of 22 essential amino acids!! What's more is that to me this is like a complete food also being full of carbohydrates, Vitamins A, B and C and minerals like magnesium, calcium, copper, iron, silica, phosphorous, sulphur, chlorine and manganese. It's been known to ease and cure many allergies, to energise, lower blood pressure, improve digestion and clear problematic skin.
HOW TO TAKE: As you've just read above, I mix it with a little Camu Camu, because the berry powder is tangy and the pollen is sweet, so they make a tasty crumble. You can eat it as is- straight from a spoon, spread it on a cracker together with almond butter, add to smoothies, cookies, energy balls, granola and anything else you'd like a little taste of honey with. Generally a tablespoon a day is a good amount, but you can't overdose on the stuff, so enjoy to your heart's desire.
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UDO'S CHOICE OIL BLEND
ABOUT: "Our bodies need essential fatty acids omega 3 and 6 for maintaining optimum heart health, brain function, supple joints and a strong immune system. They are called ‘essential’ because our bodies cannot produce them -- they need to be included in our diets. However, with modern day food processing and cooking methods which damage or destroy these delicate essential fats, our sources of “healthy”, undamaged omega oils are limited.
Udo’s Choice Ultimate Oil Blend provides a simple and convenient way of ensuring the whole family can obtain these important nutrients by mixing it in with foods or your favourite smoothie (great for getting the omega oils into kids!)"
INGREDIENTS: Flaxseed oil, Sunflower seed oil, Sesame seed oil, Coconut oil, Evening primrose oil (13mg gla/15ml), Soy lecithin, Rice bran and rice germ oils, Oat bran and oat germ. [From organically grown plant seeds. Gluten free].
HOW TO TAKE: You really don't need to add it to anything, as the oil is actually lovely tasting as it is and it's easy to take 1-2 tablespoons daily for beautiful skin and healthy hair amongst many benefits. Otherwise you can stir that amount into salad dressings, smoothies and sauces.
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MACA ROOT
ABOUT: Maca is a root vegetable from Peru, which quickly gained popularity out these ways, when people discovered its hormonal balancing, libido enhancing and fertility promoting powers. It is also an amazing adaptogen, which means that it helps the body adapt to stress and therefore strengthen the immune system. It is recommended for men and women for maintaining good health and protein intake (yes it contains high amount of essential amino acids!) or for treatment purposes for those with anaemia, memory loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, erectile disfunction, menstrual issues, osteoporosis and depression.
HOW TO TAKE: Maca is energising, so it is best taken in the morning with breakfast. You can get it in capsule form if you find the taste too strong. I quite enjoy both the aroma and the taste in its powdered form and usually put a teaspoon into my breakfast nut-shake or a hot spiced chocolate. I also often sprinkle it over granola and add it to raw cakes, crackers, sauces and smoothies. I haven't heard any overdosing stories, but personally feel that 3 teaspoons per day would be my limit.
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pH BOOSTER ALKALISING GREENS
ABOUT: pH Booster is in my opinion the best possible mix for alkalising superfood powders EVER! Naturally I would say that of course, it being my own product, however I put it together only because there was nothing so potent on the market for my annual course 'Acid-Alkaline Breakthrough'. I wanted the most effective way of boosting pH levels, while mineralising, immunising and detoxing all at the same time. The result was this combo of 22 greens, herbs, grasses and vegetables. Every element is either certified organic or free from agro-chemicals and totally raw - all ingredients are juiced and/or dried below 110 degrees F to preserve their nutrients and enzymes. It is widely known that no disease can claim a body in its alkaline state, so it is very important to test your pH levels on litmus paper and make sure you don't tip over to the acidic side. This is where the pH Booster plays a crucial part.
INGREDIENTS: Wheatgrass powder, Barley Grass Powder, Alfalfa Herb Powder, Bilberry Leaf Powder, Black Walnut Leaf Powder, Couchgrass Powder, Dandelion Leaf Powder, Ground Lemongrass, Marshmallow Root Powder, Meadowsweet Herb Powder, Ground Pau d'Arco Inner Bark, Ground Peppermint, Rosehip Powder, Ground Rosemary, Red Sage Powder, Ground Thyme, White Willow Bark Powder, Horsetail Powder, Slippery Elm Powder, Celery Seed Powder, Chlorella Powder, Spirulina Powder.
HOW TO TAKE: As the Acid-Alkaline Breakthrough course is 28 days, I suggest 1 teaspoon 2-4 times daily. You'll need 2 of these 200g bottles for the full duration of the course. Otherwise for general good health- a teaspoon a day -mixed in water, smoothies, juices or sprinkled on cereals- is a great way to enjoy the powder.
Buy here>>Please note that all of these recommendations are based on my own personal experience and are not intended to diagnose or treat chronic conditions. Consult with your health professional and always follow your own intuition. Remember to celebrate detox and health too!
