Fix your Health
Pilates is the way to build your core and beat infections
Aword that is most commonly used amongst women besides “fat” and “weight loss” is “immunity.” Usually, we discuss this with respect to children, but do we really understand how important the body’s defence system is? Do we realise that the root cause of every problem is related to our bodies and it’s because of the lack of a really strong immune system? To build our immunity levels, we need to take care of what we eat on a daily basis and understand what nutrients the body needs to fight an infection. Here are four recipes to curb your hunger pangs and boost your energy levels.
ZUCCHINI PASTA
Ingredients 4 zucchini shaped like noodles with the help of a spiraliser,
5 to 8 sliced almonds, 3 finely chopped garlic cloves, 1 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp butter, a few sprigs of basil, 1 tsp lemon juice, ½ a lemon, 2 tbsps grated Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper as per taste
Method Take a deep wok and heat the oil and butter in it. Sauté the chopped garlic and once fragrant, add almonds. Add the zucchini noodles, salt, pepper, and juice of lemon along with the zest. Toss it for just about a minute to bring all the ingredients together. Sprinkle freshly torn basil leaves on it and immediately take it off the flame. Serve it hot topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
How it gives you immunity? The most obvious reason for this is its strong vitamin C content. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, helps the body produce T cells. These are a type of white blood cell that help fight against diseases— without them, you will have weaker bodily defences and fall prey to infections.
BEETROOT PAKODAS
Ingredients 1 cup grated beetroot, 1/4 cup besan,
1 chopped green chilli, 1/2 tsp red chilli powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tbsp chopped coriander, water for making the batter, oil for frying
Method In a bowl, take besan, add salt and the rest of ingredients. Mix well making sure there are no lumps. Heat the oil in a pan and make pakodas.
How it gives you immunity? Eating more beets may boost your immune function and prevent chronic diseases because of the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants they contain. It protect cells from damaging free radicals and supports collagen production, wound healing, and iron absorption.
BROCCOLI BITES
Ingredients 1 cup boiled and grated broccoli, 1 cup boiled and grated sweet potato, ginger garlic paste, 1 per piece cheese cut into small cubes, salt and pepper to taste, 2 tsps chilli flakes or to taste, juice of 1/2 a lemon
For coating 1 cup roasted and crushed makhana (fox nut), 2 tbsps corn flour slurry
Method In a bowl, add all ingredients except for cheese and mix them well. Now shape them into small patties. Make a small dent in it with the finger, add the cheese cube and cover it with more mixture. Spread crushed makhanas in a plate, dip each cutlet in the slurry and then coat it with crushed makhanas. You can either sauté them in oil or bake them in an oven at 200 degrees for 10 minutes.
How it gives you immunity? Broccoli is another source of vitamin C. It also contains potent antioxidants such as sulforaphane. So, it is a good choice of vegetable to eat regularly to support immune system health.