Immunity Booster

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.
January 3, 2022

Kale-Cashew Pesto

Cashews are a sweet nut that helps to balance the sharpness of kale. I use Tuscan kale, which is mild and tender. It’s also called lactinato kale, black kale, or cavolo nero. This pesto is wonderful tossed with pasta, quinoa, roasted potatoes, or even spread on sandwiches. This recipe is from The Age Beautifully Cookbook, and it’s loaded with antioxidants, which prevent and repair oxidative damage to cells caused by free radicals. Kale is practically a wonder drug, with all its disease-preventing indoles (sulfur compounds), immune-boosting carotenoids, quercetin, vitamin C, and a bonus helping of bone-building calcium. Olive oil is […]
November 17, 2020

Sugar Pumpkins Stuffed with Applesauce

Sugar pumpkins are mostly used as decoration in the fall months. That’s a shame because they are the best variety of pumpkin to cook with. Their flesh is less stringy and watery than the larger jack-o’-lantern pumpkins. I like to roast them and fill them with applesauce for a nice holiday side dish. Pumpkins have immune-boosting beta-carotene, and apples have quercetin, which also strengthens your immune system. SERVES 4-6 Ingredients 4-6 small sugar pumpkins Salt or salt substitute and freshly ground black pepper to taste Cinnamon (optional) About 4 cups applesauce Procedure 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 2. […]
August 4, 2020

Mint Agave Tonic

The inspiration for this drink comes from the Cuban mojito. My nonalcoholic version uses sparkling water. Mint leaves aid digestion. The vitamin C in limes is a great immunity booster. For a stronger mint flavor, use more mint leaves. Serves 2 Ingredients 2 small bunches fresh mint leaves 1/4 cup lime juice 4-8 tsp. agave nectar 2 1/2 cups sparkling water crushed ice (optional) Procedure 1. Place 5–7 mint leaves in each of 2 tall glass. Bruise the leaves with a cocktail muddle, the handle of a wooden spoon, or the tines of a whisk to help them release their fragrant oil. […]
June 17, 2020

Turkey with Molé Sauce

Because so many of my FoodTrients fans love crock-pot cooking, I devised this easy recipe that can be made in a slow cooker or on a stove top. Traditional Mexican molé sauces may contain hundreds of ingredients. I’ve kept this one simple. My new FoodTrients Dessert Spice Mix adds antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. I spoon the turkey and sauce into corn tortillas that have been warmed on the griddle. Health benefits: Turkey contains the FoodTrient selenium, which detoxifies organs and helps skin stay elastic. The tryptophan content in turkey builds healthy neurotransmitters in the brain. Tryptophan is also found in dark […]
April 26, 2020

Bitter Melon Salad

Bitter melon, which resembles a wrinkly, light-green cucumber, is something of an acquired taste. Soaking it in salted water to remove the bitterness is the first step in getting people to fall in love with it. It’s worth the trouble, because boiling bitter melon in water releases its antioxidant power. Bitter melon also has immune-boosting beta-carotene, potassium, and detoxifying fiber. Asian herbalists prescribe it to diabetes patients to help them stabilize their blood sugar. This salad makes an excellent side dish for grilled meat, fish, and vegetables. Serves 2-4 Ingredients 4 medium-size bitter melons ¼ cup kosher salt Pinch of […]
April 26, 2020

Honey Lemongrass Tea

Lemongrass, a plant native to India, looks like stiff grass stalks but smells a bit like lemon. In this recipe, you use the tough green parts of the herb along with the more edible white portion of the stalks, because you will only steep the plant. Like lemongrass, honey–especially natural or raw honey–is an antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal food, so this tea recipe helps support immune function. Fructose gives it fewer calories than cane or beet sugar, and the body tolerates it better, too. Honey also contains antioxidants and is a natural cough remedy. Lemongrass can be found at Melissas.com […]
April 26, 2020

Refreshing Papaya Relish

This refreshing relish will help boost your immune system and keep your skin young and elastic. Papaya is rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A. It’s also high in potassium. Certain enzymes in papaya aid digestion. I use this salsa on grilled meats and fish, such as my Grilled Swordfish in Secret Marinade, and it’s also delicious as an appetizer with whole-grain chips. YIELDS about 4 cups Ingredients 2 cups cubed papaya, ripe but still firm ¼ cup seeded and chopped red bell pepper ¼ cup chopped red onion 1 tsp. minced garlic ½ […]
April 26, 2020

Spinach and Grapefruit Salad

Spinach contains iron as well as age-defying antioxidants. Grapefruit is chock-full of vitamin C and potassium. You can use vitamin-C-packed pink or white grapefruit in this salad, though pink grapefruit has the added benefit of lycopene. If you use whole segments of the grapefruit, you’ll also add fiber. The candied walnuts and dried apricots balance the acidity of the grapefruit and increase the antioxidants in this dish. My Honey-Lime Dressing perfectly compliments the mellow flavor of the spinach. SERVES 2 Ingredients 1 bunch or 1 bag spinach leaves 1 whole grapefruit, segmented ¼ cup candied walnuts ¼ cup dried apricots 2 […]
April 26, 2020

Easy Crockpot Apple Butter

Don’t be fooled by the title, this is a completely dairy-free recipe! With seasonal apples, naturally sweet dates and warming spices this recipe will not only taste delicious on a slice of toast but also make your kitchen smell divine! The quercetin in the apples will help boost your immune system. Ingredients 5 pounds of apples, peeled and chopped 3 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 4-5 medjool dates, pitted 2 Tbs. water or orange juice 1/4 tsp. sea salt Instructions 1. In a large bowl, toss chopped apples with […]
March 26, 2020

Radish Salad Rocks For Health

Radishes belong to the same family of vegetables as kale and cabbage and offer some of the same disease-preventing benefits. I use the same simple oil-and-vinegar dressing here as on my Bitter Melon Salad, so both salads can be served together at a picnic or on a buffet. SERVES 2-4 Ingredients 2 daikon radishes or 1 bunch red radishes, stems removed 1 cup seasoned rice vinegar 2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil 1 tsp. minced garlic 1 tsp. sea salt 1/4 tsp. white pepper 2 chopped hard-boiled eggs 6-8 sliced grape tomatoes Procedure 1. Slice the radishes very thinly using a […]
October 10, 2018

Cranberry Bread Pudding

Cranberries don’t grow in the subtropical climate of Southeast Asia, so when my mother and I wanted to make this dessert, we had to use a local red-colored berry as a substitute. I like this recipe better with cranberries, which are high in immune-boosting vitamin C. They also rank very high on the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) scale, so they have great antioxidant power. Use my Cranberry Compote on the bottom layer (it becomes the top layer when you turn out the dessert). To serve this dessert cold, place the pudding in the refrigerator overnight before turning upside down. […]
November 8, 2016

Tropical Yams

Heart-friendly yams are tarted up with lime juice and shredded coconut in this festive side dish. Serve it with lamb or my Ostrich Meatballs (Age Beautifully Cookbook). It also goes well with turkey, pork, and meatloaf. BENEFITS: Yams (and/or sweet potatoes) contain carotenoids and fiber. Carotenoids inhibit cancer and tumor growth, reduce your risk of heart disease, and support immune function. Fiber lowers blood cholesterol and, like carotenoids, reduces your risk of heart disease. SERVES 2-4 Ingredients 2 cups cubed yams or sweet potatoes, peeled 1 Tbs. coconut oil ½ tsp. salt or salt substitute 1 Tbs. fresh lime juice (and/or thin […]
September 30, 2016

Stuffed Turkey Rolls

  I pack these turkey cutlets with my Savory Stuffing, roll them up, and secure them with kitchen twine. The finished rolls are sliced and fanned out on a plate to make a beautiful presentation. Because I marinate the turkey before cooking, it’s juicy and flavorful. The selenium in turkey can increase your resistance to infection. The red wine (I use a Pinot Noir) adds a bit of resveratrol to the selenium’s antioxidant power. SERVES 6 Ingredients ¼ cup soy sauce 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 Tbs. lemon juice (about ½ lemon) 2 Tbs. red wine Sea salt and ground […]