With everything going on right now it has been more apparent than ever before that we need to take better care of our health. Now is the time to devote more time to self-care. Yes, being on lockdown is difficult. I know we are all going a little stir crazy, but this is the perfect time to refocus our energy on what really matters. Our health and family! It almost feels like we have gone back in time with the internet crashing periodically and more people getting outdoors for exercise. We are cooking from home more and have had to get creative about entertaining and education ourselves and our kids. On top of everything we were already doing we are also working from home. In an effort to save you the stress and headache I have included a quick and easy recipe to save you time.

Dream Team

I have told you about several immunity boosting foods in the past. This recipe contains some of my absolute favorite immunity foods such as: garlic, lemon, thyme, coconut oil, and oregano. I am sure that these foods are going to be your favorite new additions to any of your own recipes to strengthen your immunity game. This recipe is a parenting game changer. It is packed with flavor,  nutrition and the best part is it’s crazy easy to make in no time at all. Great for those busy school nights when you just need to throw something together quickly. You will no longer have any excuses as to why your nutrition is making you sick. There are enough things in nature that are going to work against you. Why not stack the deck in your favor?

Heavy Hitters

Want to know what makes these foods an immunity must have? Lemon has tons of great health benefits that should push it to the top of the list on your daily nutrients. Lemon contains:8-geranyl oxypsolaren, D-limonene, citric acid, and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to name a few. 8-geranyl oxypsolaren and vitamin C help the body fight off infection and pesticides. Citric acid helps turn carbohydrates into energy, which reduces stress and fatigue. Did you know that one lemon contains around 37 mg of vitamin C. Lemon has also been shown to improve vitamin and mineral absorption making it a must in houses everywhere. 

Doctors Notes

Helpful tip drinking lemon water on an empty stomach prior to taking your supplements will make them even more effective. Garlic helps promote circulation, blood cell and vessel protection, prevent heart attack and atherosclerosis, and keep blood pressure under control. It contains high levels of vitamin C, Copper, Calcium, Manganese, and vitamin B6 which all aid in strengthening the immune system.

Artichokes

Right now these prickly little guys are in season which means that they are currently saturated with tons of amazing nutritional content. Nutrients that our poor deprived bodies are crying out for! I realize that the thought of tackling one of these on your own can be a little intimidating, however, they are well worth the work. Some of the health benefits that can come from artichokes are: high in antioxidants and fiber, making them great for aiding in digestion, can help lower cholesterol, increase the production of bile (helps things exit smoothly), is a natural anti-inflammatory, high in potassium and vitamin C which make it a great addition to help boost your immune system. 

Straight From The Garden

Let’s not forget about the herbs, they may be little but they are mighty. Thyme for example, is great for chest and oral infections. It’s high in anti-fungal and antioxidant properties. It contains high levels of vitamin C, A, B6, Iron, Manganese, and Magnesium making it a go to for your immunity boosting recipes. *Helpful tip thyme tea is great for respiratory ailments. Oregano is a natural painkiller, eliminates intestinal parasites, relieves respiratory ailments, and protects against macular degeneration. You need to do everything you can to strengthen your immunity. That is why it is so important that you take your daily supplements, reduce the amount of sugar and processed foods you consume, get daily exercise, and reduce your stress levels. No one likes to get sick, so insure that you don’t with immunity boosting meals like this one.

The Best Offense

Your gut makes up over half of your immune system! The foods you choose to put in it can directly determine its ability to function at optimal efficiency. Regardless of what is going on in the world we all want our immune system to do what it is designed to do, protect us! That is why you want to make sure you are consuming foods that will help your body in the constant war against any unwanted intruders. Let’s face it, no matter how often we wash our hands we are all exposed to bacteria, viruses, germs, you name it. But here is the thing our bodies are designed to handle it. The only time in which it becomes an issue is when we neglect or mistreat our immune systems through sleep deprivation, stress overload, dehydration, and poor nutrition. So, if you are looking to help your body out why not start with the gut first? Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!

Amazing Artichoke Chicken

Gluten Free, Dairy Free

• 15 Ounce Can Artichoke Hearts Drained and Chopped
• ¾ Cup Grated Vegan Parmesan Cheese
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• ¾ Cup Vegan Mayonnaise
• 4 Skinless Boneless Chicken Breast Halves
• 1 Lemon Juiced Fresh (if possible or 2 Tbsp)
• 2 tsp Thyme Dried

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium bowl combine hearts, cheese, mayo, garlic, and thyme. Place chicken in a greased baking dish, cover with lemon juice. Let sit for a minute and then cover with cheese mixture evenly. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in the center. I like to serve it with lemon, garlic, thyme rice and roasted broccoli. Enjoy and stay healthy!

Need a Helping Hand?

A happy and healthy life is closer than you may think. Our health is something that we all have to deal with daily, and when we don’t feel our best, it shows. If you are tired of just making it through your day then you NEED to start investing in your health today! You are not alone on this journey. If you ever need any help I am always here to do just that. Even if it is something as small as just acting as a sounding board. Do you have any questions or concerns I can help you with? Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] or you can even book a one-on-one call with me. Be sure to subscribe to gain access to tons of free goodies and check back daily for more great recipes and information!