April 2020
Happy April to you! Here I am again and champing at the bit to chat about the coming winter season. Winter is definitely a challenging time for many. Especially the immune compromised and elderly. Not forgetting asthmatics too.
The effects of colder weather on the body actually challenges the immune system and we need to boost it with good, healthy and nourishing foods. Bone broths, casseroles, stews, fresh vegetables and fruit. It is a perfect time to cook food that brings out all the nutrients that support the immune system. I make home made chicken soup bones and all with a dash of apple cider vinegar to help the bones to release some nutrients.
Vitamin C boosts the components of the immune system. The specific cells such as T cells and B cells, phagocytes all which contribute to controlling the frontline response of the immune system. Vitamin C is also antioxidant and ensures we are protected when pathogens are around. So, vegetables high in vitamin C are brilliant such as the brassica family, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, capsicum, potatoes (yes potatoes! And no that does not mean eating more potato chips!). Fruit basically strawberries, citrus, kiwi and many more.
Don’t forget vitamin D too if you are in an area that doesn’t get a lot of sunlight. Foods that are good for vitamin D are eggs, mushrooms, oily fish such as salmon, makeral, sardines, tuna. Apparently mushrooms absorb vitamin D from the sun if left for a few minutes on the window sill. You can’t leave them there for long as they ruin easily but it was a little bit of information that was interesting.
Besides nutrition we have to look after ourselves over the winter period. Especially if we are prone to SAD or depression. Please see your doctor or seek professional help if you are really struggling with this. If there is a little bit of sun that pokes through the clouds, then sit outside in it for 10 minutes with your lower arms or legs exposed. It is only for 10 minutes. Twenty minutes even better. Find a way to debrief. Talk to a good friend. Watch funny movies or comedies on tv. Read uplifting or self-help books. Create something like sewing, knitting, cooking or even writing. You are not alone.
Then there’s resting. I know this one well. I am a workaholic. I have to be busy busy busy all the time. This has led to me burning out over the past few years. Working two jobs, studying, being a mum and helping friends going through crisis. I found that simply resting and maybe going to bed early with a good book to have been just the thing I needed. Avoiding the news too as it can be quite upsetting. Just downscaling to simplicity.
Anyway, my friends I hope this has been of some use and I look forward to chatting again next month!
Lisa
Comments