Boost immunity!

Autumn is a great time to boost immunity!

A healthy immune system is very important for every aspect of health and wellness.The immune system is the body's army, fighting off and keeping out invading enemies. If the immune system is not strong to work properly acute's and dis-eases may occur.

We do not 'catch' a cold, a flu, a 'bug' of some sort. We manifest these acute's only if our internal environment is too toxic. Over toxicity in the body depletes immunity - we are then prone to manifest a cold, flu, etc. The body uses a cold, flu or any other acute to spell extra toxicity out of the body as the body does not tolerate being toxic or acidic for long. Ideally, the body likes to be mainly alkaline: 80% alkaline and 20% acidic! Aware of this, it is important to support the immune system, specially over the transition of seasons, when there is a big rebalancing and readjusting of the body in preparation for the new season ahead (autumn to winter, for example).

Support and boost your immunity with:

* Rest: Rest is a fantastic way to allow the body to spend its energy where it needs to - healing.
We naturally want to work less in Autumn and especially over the Winter months. Listen to your body. Take a day off, mid week. Half a day will do! Go to sleep a couple of hours earlier.

* Being happy: sounds easy, ha!? Being happy does not mean being in a constant state of excitement but feeling positive about your life most of the time. With practice and effort you can develop your ability to be happy. 'Its said the life is a series of events, and it is the meaning that we take from these events that determine how we feel about them'. Alison

* Foods and herbs:

. Orange foods: sweet potatoes, butternut squash, carrots, pumpkins -
they contain the beta-carotenes to fight infection.

 . Dark Leafy Greens: kale, spinach, beet greens, mustard greens, lettuce, Swiss chard, cress - wonderful to fight off anything that threatens to compromise your immunity.





. Shiitake mushroom it helps to treat colds and flu, poor circulation and exhaustion.

 . Ginger it stimulates circulation and as well as garlic, lower cholesterol and prevent blood clotting

. Warming and spicy chillies  - pepper fights bacteria and
stimulates digestion

. Echinacea is a well know herb for its immune boosting properties. You can buy tea bags and drink it everyday for a couple of weeks.

. Astragalus Root is a Chinese herb traditionally used to prevent flu and other respiratory infections.

. Cinnamon - aromatherapists believe that smelling cinnamon improves mood, vitality and concentration. Cinnamon and fresh ginger tea, perfect!

 . Apples 


. Berries Blueberry and Acai, packed with antioxidants: anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.

.Vitamin C found in citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, parsley, leeks, apples, broccoli. Vitamin C is an antioxidant which helps massively to boost the immune system, especially when under stress as we loose a lot of vitamin C when under stress.

Include this foods to your diet, specially throughout the Autumn and Winter months.

If you do manifest a cold, a flu or a stomach 'bug' be happy about it! It can be very annoying at times but think of it as being a natural way for the body to get rid of toxins. The body knows what it needs to do to keep us healthy, we just need to support it with the right materials. 

Health & love,
Carolyne

* When using herbs, always consult a herbalist or someone with good knowledge. Herbs are very powerful and should be used with respect. 

Autumn yummy recipes!

Ohhh... Autumn is such a pretty season!

Being here in the countryside in North Wales for this season has been a fantastic experience: to watch the leaves turn yellow, orange and red, then watch them leaves turn more of a brownish colour and finally, to slowly fall down. The grounds are getting covered with leaves now. The winds have been blowing strong since last weekend.

this is my in laws' beautiful autumn garden!

when the sun is out, its just fabulous!!!

I have been indulging myself with loads of fruits and vegetables of the season:

Mangtout: raw in salads and added to stir-frys.
Pumpkin and butternut squash: I have made this deliciously simple soup with mainly butternut squash and a small piece of pumpkin and added coconut milk, turmeric, onions, chillies and lime.
Potatoes, Leeks, Onions and garlic, Mushrooms, French beans, Courgettes, etc.
Potato and leek soup - an English classic!
Pears, apples, plums.


Some ideas for you to try:

. Roast parsnips, butternut squash and sweet potato with olive oil, honey and thyme.
. Cut butternut squash in small cubes, roast then add: to watercress and feta for a fab salad!
. Make a delicious earthy vegetable casserole with potatoes  carrots, parsnips, tomatoes  peppers. Add some paprika, chillies and cumin. You can also add some beans. Bean casserole - tchan tchan!

. Porridge! Yummm... be creative with your porridges:
- Add dates and almonds to it.
- Great an apple on top of your porridge add some cinnamon and chopped nuts of your choice.
- Remember to make your porridge with water. You can add any nut, seed or coconut milk to it after.
- Sprinkle cacao nibs, dried coconut flakes and some agave syrup.
- Simply add organic honey.


Indulge yourself with healthy meals.


















Health & Love,
Carolyne