IMMUNITY BOOSTER
Immunity boosters are those foods which support the body's resistance to infection and strengthen immune vigilance and response.
Recipes that include immune-boosting ingredients are below.
To learn more about how to boost your immunity, click the icon.
September 14, 2023
This recipe is from my latest cookbook, Anti-Aging Dishes from Around the World. Oregon is a fabulous place to forage for mushrooms. There, varieties such as chanterelles, hedgehog, matsutake, lobster, morel, black truffle, white truffle, and milky cap grow under Douglas fir, pine, oak, western hemlock, Sitka spruce, aspen, willow, and birch trees. If you can get your hands on any of these exotic mushrooms, especially morels and/or chanterelles, use them in this soup. Vegetable broth and the secret ingredient rolled oats—not steel-cut or instant—blend together to create vegan creaminess in this light, healthy soup that’s low in calories and fat, […]
September 11, 2023
This Mexican-inspired dish just screams “summer!” The chicken is marinated in my Honey-Lime Dressing, grilled, and paired with my refreshing Strawberry-Avocado Relish for an immunity boost, a dose of antioxidants, and detoxifying support. Serve it with corn on the cob or tortillas. SERVES 2 Ingredients 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 recipe Honey-Lime Dressing 1 recipe Strawberry-Avocado Relish Procedure 1. Marinate the chicken breasts in the Honey-Lime Dressing in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. The easiest way to ensure that the marinade coats the chicken evenly is to put both in a resealable plastic bag and squeeze the […]
September 10, 2023
Pear and Apple Tart In this dessert, I take the recipe for the classic French dessert tarte tatin–with its quercetin-containing apples–and add pears for their copper content and pecans and cinnamon, which are high in antioxidants. It is worth noting that when used in sufficient amounts, cinnamon also has anti-blood-clotting agents and anti-inflammatory properties and may help stabilize blood sugar levels. SERVES 6-8 Ingredients 6 Tbs. butter, cut into small pieces 1/2 cup sugar, combined with 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 4 apples (Braeburn, Granny Smith, Gala, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and cut in half 2 pears (Bosc), peeled, cored, and […]
July 31, 2023
This hearty, filling salad has a nice mix of textures thanks to the chewy grains, crunchy raw vegetables, and soft-cooked vegetables. The vinaigrette and dried golden berries add a sweet-sour tang. You can chill this salad for an hour or two to let the flavors blend, but I typically serve it right away. BENEFITS: Whole grains like brown rice, wild rice, and quinoa provide detoxifying fiber, which keeps you feeling full to help you lose weight. Quinoa and wild rice are good sources of Omega-3s, which keep your skin looking fresh and youthful. Golden berries and red bell peppers contain […]
July 4, 2023
The flavors and colors of the almond and blueberry gelatins play off each other beautifully in this dessert. Blueberries rank very high in their ability to fight free oxygen radicals that damage cells. They also contain vitamin C and antibacterial elements called anthocyanosides, which are great for maintaining vein health and your immune system. Almond milk is an excellent source of antioxidants. SERVES 6 Ingredients For Blueberry Gelatin 2 cups blueberry juice 2 envelopes (1 oz. each) unflavored gelatin ¼ cup brown sugar 1 tsp. lemon zest ½ cup chopped fresh blueberries For Almond Gelatin 2 cups almond milk 2 […]
April 24, 2023
This side dish pairs well with chicken or beef or game meats. You can use almost any variety of mushrooms in any combination. I leave the small mushrooms whole because they look nicer that way, but you can chop them if you prefer. Mushrooms contain selenium, an antioxidant that boosts immune function and reduces cancer risk. Beta glucans in mushrooms boost the immune system. Mushrooms are also a good source of vitamin D, for strong bones. You can learn more about the incredible benefits of mushrooms in my blog on Miraculous Mushrooms. Serves 2-4 Ingredients 1 cup shiitake mushrooms 1 […]
April 24, 2023
When served in martini glasses, these crab cocktails make elegant appetizers for dinner parties. I use Alaskan king crab legs, but you can use grilled shrimp instead. Semi-ripe mangoes are more tart than fully ripe mangoes and hold their shape better. Depending on your taste for spicy food and drink, adjust the amount of hot sauce and jalapenos, or omit them. These cocktails are delicious alongside my Guacamole with Pomegranate Seeds and tortilla chips. HEALTH BENEFITS: Crab and other shellfish contain selenium, an antioxidant that increases resistance to infection. The mango, lime, and hot sauce deliver plenty of vitamin C, […]
October 25, 2022
Cookies and pies abound during the winter holidays so why not mix things up with naturally sweet apple bars as a unique alternative? The crumbly top offers a familiar texture while the presence of rosemary and lemon blended with apples provides a flavor profile your guests won’t be expecting. Use a tart, firm apple like Fuji or Granny Smith. Cut these bars up and gift them in a festive tin or on a plate wrapped with a bow to celebrate time together with family and friends in a healthier way and without another trip to the mall. Apples have quercetin […]
October 11, 2022
A twist on the traditional panzanella salad using fall vegetables and homemade whole-grain croutons. This is the perfect salad for adding to your fall harvest table! The sweet potatoes have immune-boosting carotenoids. The Brussels sprouts have disease-preventing sulfur compounds. Ingredients For the roasted vegetables: 3 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch cubes 8 Brussels sprouts, halved, ends trimmed and outer leaves removed 4-6 smashed garlic cloves 2 Tbs. olive oil Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste For the croutons: Small loaf of whole grain bread, cut into 1 inch cubes 2 Tbs. olive oil 5 Tbs. […]
August 30, 2022
In my version of Chinese chicken salad, I use mangoes instead of Mandarin oranges. The base of the dressing is a bottled sweet chili sauce. The crispy noodles, though not very healthy, are fun in moderation. Chicken is a great source of lean protein, which helps keep your appetite in check and maintain muscle mass. Cabbage contains indoles and isothiocyanates (sulfur compounds), both of which have anticancer potential. Vitamins C and A in mangoes fight inflammation and support immune function.. Serves 4 Ingredients 1 cup peanuts (raw or roasted), separated into halves ¼ cup olive oil 2 cups shredded Napa […]
August 30, 2022
Soursop (Guanabana) Lassi From my first book, The Age GRACEFULLY Cookbook, here is an easy and delicious beverage featuring guanabana. Called, Soursop Lassi, it’s essentially a lassi drink from India made with yogurt and a pinch of salt. Mango lassi is very popular in Indian restaurants. I put a South American spin on the healthful drink by using guanabana in place of the mango. Guanabana provides antioxidants, immune-boosting vitamin C and riboflavin. Yogurt has beneficial probiotics that aid digestion and gut health. Learn more about the benefits of soursop here. You can find frozen guanabana pulp in Latin markets. Ingredients […]
July 30, 2022
Roasting vegetables is one of the easiest ways to add more nutrient-dense foods to your diet. This dish’s blend of summer and year-round produce is tossed in an immune-boosting garlic miso sauce for added nutrition and delicious flavor. Miso is a thick paste made from fermented soybeans. Sometimes called miso paste or miso soybean paste, it can be found in any Asian grocery, or in the international section of mainstream grocery stores. You can use either white (mild) or red (stronger) miso. In Tokyo, they prefer the stronger red or brown varieties. Benefits: Miso is high in protein and rich […]
May 31, 2022
This bold, flavorful blend is great for any number of savory dishes. Try it on salmon, tofu, or chicken, or in stewed tomatoes. Health Benefits: Paprika is full of vitamin C, an antioxidant vitamin that helps the body resist infection, helps prevent cataracts, aids tissue regeneration, and may even help reduce your risk of cancer and stroke. The lemon peel also contains vitamin C as well as a little magnesium and iron. Yields about 1 cup Ingredients 6 Tbs. smoked paprika 3 Tbs. sweet Spanish or Hungarian paprika 3 Tbs. dried cilantro 2 Tbs. ground cumin 2 Tbs. coarse sea […]