Common Cold
There are a variety of different viruses that can cause a cold. Surprisingly, most of us are exposed to them on a daily basis, yet we only suffer a cold a couple of times a year - when our immune system is not as strong as it should be. So, how do you keep your immune system strong? Tip Number 1: get enough rest - try to average 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night and don't over-exercise, especially when you're already feeling tired.
Tip Number 2 is to eat a healthy diet - which means eating plenty of fruit and vegetables as they are high in minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. On the other side of the coin, avoid a diet high in sugar because high sugar levels can significantly impair the work of our white blood cells - a major player in our immune system.
What can you do to speed recovery when you've already caught a cold? Get lots of rest, drink lots of clean water, and get plenty of vitamin C and the mineral zinc. Vitamin C is found in most fruit and vegetables, although it's not advisable to drink fruit juice when you've got a cold, as the high sugar levels will counteract the positive effects of vitamin C. Zinc is found in brown rice, oats, meat, tofu, pine nuts, cashew nuts and pumpkin seeds.
If you fancy cooking up a dish that's high in vitamin C and zinc, why not try my recipe for Winter Pumpkin with Apricot and Onion Comfit served on a bed of Kale?...
Ingredients
500g small shallots (peeled)
900g pumpkin or butternut squash
1 tbsp olive oil
black pepper to taste
1 tbsp tamari
1 tbsp blackstrap molasses
1/2 tsp cinnamon
400g apricots
3 tbsp pumpkin seeds
1 tbsp flaxseed oil
500g kale (lightly steamed)
Prepare the pumpkin and cut into thick chunks. Baste the pumpkin in the olive oil, pepper, tamari, molasses and cinnamon; then roast in the oven for approximately 25-30mins (190-200°C.) Fry the shallots in a pan until golden brown and add the apricots and a touch of water just to cover. When 'caramelised' (not using real caramel of course), add the cooked pumpkin and serve over a bed of steamed spinach (kale). Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and drizzle with flaxseed oil to serve. (Serves 6)
There are a variety of different viruses that can cause a cold. Surprisingly, most of us are exposed to them on a daily basis, yet we only suffer a cold a couple of times a year - when our immune system is not as strong as it should be. So, how do you keep your immune system strong?Read also:
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Juicing for Health & Healing
More and more of us understand the importance of eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, but if you'd like to try an alternative way of getting your vitamins and minerals, why not try juicing? Are you aware of the wonders of juicing and the health benefits you can receive from doing so? There are lots of fantastic recipes and creations that you can put together to suit all tastes, and you can even get the kids involved too! Here are ten very good reasons to try juicing... -
Ulcers
While we were living in Japan, David (my husband) started getting very uncomfortable pains in his lower stomach. He mentioned this the next time he visited one of his students, Dr Koike, whom he taught English. Quite matter-of-factly the doctor said, “You either have gastroenteritis, an ulcer, or cancer. Let's go next door to my operating theatre and I'll tell you in 10 minutes.” -
Heartburn
One in four of us suffers from heartburn - a condition that has nothing to do with your heart, but is still a serious cause for concern. Heartburn is very uncomfortable, causing a burning pain behind the breastbone and a taste of acid in the back of the throat or mouth. Also called acid reflux, it occurs when acid is forced out of the stomach via the valve that connects the stomach to the gullet.
