Immune-boosting smoothie

IMAGE SOURCE: COLLEEN KENNEDY

It’s that time of year when colds and flu creep up and knock you down! Take a preemptive strike to stay healthy with this delicious and nutritious Immune-Boosting Smoothie.

It’s simple to make, only requires a standard blender, tastes great, and will load you and your family up on vitamin C and other great nutrients. Have a cold already? Squash it, sip by sip!

Here are some benefits of all the nutrient-rich ingredients:
Pineapple: Breaks and dissolves mucus, loosening chest congestion.
Clementine: High in potassium, low in calories, and filled with antioxidants and vitamin C.
Lemon: Potassium, vitamin C, and a soothing benefit to your throat.
Yogurt: The probiotics found in yogurt work to strengthen your immune system.
Honey: Besides being an energy booster and a cough soother, thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects, honey is the best all-natural sweeter! If you are a bit run down, the amino acids in honey also help regulate sleep patterns.
Ginger: If you can handle a little bit of a kick in your smoothies, adding 1/2-1 teaspoon of minced ginger will jump-start your immune system, warm your body, and aid in ridding your lungs and sinuses of toxins. Ginger also helps relieve respiratory distress and nausea.

IMAGE SOURCE: COLLEEN KENNEDY

As it happens, my children and husband are all asthmatics. I am the only one in the house who isn’t. And as you can guess, when they get a cold or the flu, it goes to a whole different level, triggering asthma issues. I take the proactive approach and constantly coach my kids about hand-washing and pumping up their intake of vitamin C and other antioxidants.

IMAGE SOURCE: COLLEEN KENNEDY

This Immune-Boosting Smoothie is one way they’ll consume all these healthy ingredients. And since I began making these smoothies for my family, they have been cold-free for almost 24 months. Coincidence, luck, or nutrition at work? Whichever it is, I’ll take it!

Take a few minutes and whip up a pitcher of this bright, flavorful smoothie and know that you are taking a proactive approach, naturally, to staying healthier. Cheers!

Immune-Boosting Smoothie

Makes: 20 ounces (or three 6.5-ounce servings)

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces fresh pineapple, cut into chunks 
• 2-3 tablespoons honey 
• 1/2 cup fresh squeezed clementine juice 
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 
• 6 ounces plain or vanilla yogurt 
• Optional: 1/2-1 teaspoon minced ginger 

Directions

Add all ingredients to blender, pulse, and blend until liquefied and smooth. Taste and adjust.

Notes: Depending on the season and batch of fruit, sweetness will vary. Adjust honey as needed. And, if you want your smoothie a little icy, add in a cup of ice.

Source: Babble.com