This book is like my healthy eating BIBLE! My mum got it for me a few years ago for my birthday. Yes, this is what I got excited about receiving for my birthday.. a nutrition book! haha
I loved it so much I also bought it for my friend for christmas and she loves it too. When you have a friend that also gets excited about getting health books for christmas... you know they are a friend for life haha.
So let's talk about immunity?
Why is it important?
....here comes the science bit sorry (from healing foods).
"A depressed immune system function increases the susceptibility to disease, from colds and flus to cancer. Support and enhancement of the immune system are perhaps the most important steps in achieving resistance to diseases. Supporting the immune system involves a health-promoting lifestyle, stress management, exercise, diet, and the appropriate use of nutritional supplements and herbal medicines."
If you are somebody that gets a cold easily or can't fight infections, well then it is highly likely that your immune system is not as strong as it should be. There are so many little changes or additions you can make to your lifestyle to improve your immunity. So here is a quick and easy recipe you can use to give yourself a quick immunity boost.
For my immunity booster drink all you need is manuka honey and an orange.
Manuka Honey has been found to have so many benefits including reducing acid reflux, helping with acne and eczema, reducing inflammation, soothing sore throats and improving sleep (for even more information about the benefits and uses of manuka honey check out this page by Dr. Axe).
Oranges are a great source of vitamin C, which also plays an important role in immune function. Although dark leafy greens and green veggies contain a higher source of vitamin C, a warming drink of honey and ehhhh kale doesn't sound so appealing after a workout does it?
INGREDIENTS
- Freshly squeezed juice from half an orange
- 1 tsp honey - preferably manuka honey with a high UMF number (unique manuka factor)
- 250ml hot water
METHOD
(you probably don't even need this method as I'm sure you have worked it out already but here it is anyway.)
1. Squeeze juice from orange into mug
2. Add tsp of honey
3. Add 50ml hot water and mix ingredients together... then top up with the remaining water.
4. ENJOY !
I like to drink this after a hard running session, particularly in the winter, because it is nice and soothing for the throat after breathing really hard. Just after you do a hard exercise session your immune system is lowered, so it is very important that you recover properly. Try and eat a balanced and healthy meal after your session and re-hydrate!
Let me know if you try this recipe or if you have any recovery tips of your own that you would like to share.
Lots of love,
Reenie xo