Healthy Finds and Building your Immune System

I went on a mission today to our local health food store to  see what I could find to nourish my body a bit more. I've been surrounded by sickies and today my throat and head started to hurt just the tiniest bit. So off I went to see what I could do about it.
It is amazing how our bodies are able to fight off sickness, disease and all sorts of toxins if we choose to take care of ourselves. Before I get into the goodies I found, I want to chat with you just a bit about my immune boosting tips and tricks.

1.Get enough sleep.
We hear this all the time but the truth of it is lack of sleep suppresses the immune system. Our immune system is very complex but to make this short and simple, when we lose sleep our T-cells go down and inflammatory cytokines go up.
Shoot for at least 8 hours and a consistent bed time.

2.Hydrate.
Staying hydrated is key to staying healthy. A healthy consumption of liquids will help the body flush out toxins, help produce lymph and keep the cells healthy and happy. Aim to drink about 64 oz of water a day. Keep in mind that caffeinated drinks and exercise will dehydrate you so add in a few more cups a day if you're an avid (hopefully organic) coffee drinker. ;)

---

3.Eat real, whole, foods.
Food is so powerful! Processed, packaged, convenience foods promote inflammation and wreck the immune system among other things. Eating foods that are organic, local and as minimally processed as possible will do wonders for your body and your immune system.

4.Find ways to de-stress.
Chronic stress lowers our immune system and promotes inflammation. Do some things that help you with your stress on a daily basis such as reading a good book, taking a bath or enjoying a walk.

Now, onto my healthy grocery finds!
​
Wheat Grass
Wheatgrass is high in antioxidants and nutrients. It contains iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin A (as beta-carotene), vitamin C and vitamin E.
Wheatgrass is considered a “medicinal superfood”, and there are many proposed health benefits with regular consumption. In fact, the list of health conditions it supposedly treats is lengthy and includes anemia, diabetes, tooth decay, high blood pressure, digestion problems, high cholesterol, bladder infections, kidney stones, common colds, bronchitis, fever, sore throat, gout, wound healing, liver disorders, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, skin conditions, and even cancer. Source www.incrediblesmoothies.com
There's a few ways we can use wheat grass. We can buy it exactly in its natural form as grass! We want to be sure to put it through a juicer so we get the health benefits and process it correctly. We can also purchase a powdered form and just add 1-2 scoops into a daily smoothie!

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
This is an easy habit to add to your daily routine. Take 1-2 tbs a day of organic, raw, apple cider vinegar. You can wash it down with some honey and cinnamon to take the taste away. Alternatively they have flavored drink options which taste yummy but I wouldn't recommend on daily basis due to the added juice and sugars.
Apple Cider Vinegar can help detox the body, soothe a sore throat and boost your energy.

Rainbow Carrots
Okay, these are delicious and fun. They are an easy snack paired with hummus and they have all kinds of health benefits.
Here's the breakdown for each one.

• Orange: Beta and alpha carotene pigment. This promotes vitamin A production by the body, which is essential for healthy eyes.
• Purple: Anthocyanin, beta and alpha carotene pigment. Purple carrots typically have an orange core, and their pigment-related nutrients may provide additional vitamin A and prevent heart disease.
• Red: Lycopene and beta-carotene pigment. Lycopene is the same red pigment that gives tomatoes their deep color and is linked to a lower risk of certain cancers, such as prostate cancer.
• Yellow: Xanthophykks and lutein. Both are linked to cancer prevention and better eye health.
• White: The nutrients don’t come from the pigment but from the fiber, which promotes healthy digestion Source: healthland.time.com

Are there any healthy grocery finds that you've discovered recently? Let me know in the comments below!

​-Hanna​