Monthly Archives: May 2021

Vitamins for Seasonal Challenges

vitamins that support the immune system

Learn benefits of taking vitamins that support the immune system.

Without fail, every time the weather changes it seems our immune systems have to go to battle. You might be miserable with itchy eyes and constant sneezing, or you may be bedridden with the latest virus your kid brought home from school. You might be able to avoid all that this year, by taking vitamins that support the immune system.

Why Do We Get Ill?

So, why do we seem to fall ill when the seasons change? Well, there’s actually a reason. The shift in temperatures provides a great environment for viruses, like the common cold, to grow and spread. A trip to the doctor’s office won’t really help a virus like the cold, so you’ll just have to wait it out. But, you can get healthier quicker, and possibly even avoid getting sick altogether if you take vitamins that support the immune system. 

Common symptoms of a virus like the common cold include:

  • Sneezing
  • Itchy, Watery Eyes
  • Sore Throat
  • Sinus Pressure
  • Mucus Drainage from Nose to Throat
  • Fever or Chills
  • Achy Muscles

Vitamins that Support the Immune System

When you’re ill, your immune system needs all the help it can get. That’s why you need more vitamins that support the immune system than usual. These should come from the foods you eat, as well as supplements to fill in the gaps. Here are the key nutrients you should focus on:

Vitamin C – There is a reason people have sworn by the power of vitamin C for almost a century. It works. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can give your immune system the boost it needs to fight off viruses that want to make us sick. Vitamin C occurs naturally in many foods, and can also be taken as a supplement, such as these easy to use powder packets like our best-selling Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C by LivOn Labs that you can pour right into your water bottle and take on the go.

You should also seek out these foods that are high in Vitamin C.

  • Oranges
  • Apples
  • Kiwi
  • Grapefruit
  • Strawberries
  • Broccoli
  • Kale
  • Spinach
  • Bell Peppers

Zinc – This mineral is a powerful ally for your immune system. Studies show taking zinc supplements may help shorten the length and severity of a cold by days. Experts recommend using zinc lozenges as needed to help reduce your symptoms.

Probiotics – There are many good reasons for using daily probiotics, but one very important one is its effectiveness in boosting the immune system.

Vitamin E – Another one of the great vitamins to support the immune system is vitamin E. This powerful antioxidant can be found in nuts, seeds, and spinach.

Vitamin B6 – A powerful boost for your immune response as well as an energy booster. Vitamin B6 can be found in proteins such as chicken and cold water fish. Green vegetables are also a great source as well as chickpeas, so break out the hummus! And don’t forget to fill up on the other essential B vitamins too.

Don’t let the change of weather bring you down this season. Give your immune system the boost it needs and stay healthy so you can enjoy nature’s gifts!

Best Probiotics for Men

best probiotics for men

Finding the best probiotics for men isn’t hard once you know what to look for.

The benefits of using a daily probiotic are pretty well known these days, but did you know that certain strains can be particularly beneficial for men? Let’s go over some of the best probiotics for men.

Probiotic Benefits

Using a high quality, daily probiotic can have a major impact on your overall health. Probiotics are a combination of live “good” bacteria and yeasts that live naturally in our bodies. You may think of bacteria as something that makes us sick, and you’re right – when “bad” bacteria enters our bodies it tries to take over, making us ill. We need the good bacteria to overpower the bad, and that is where probiotic supplements come in. Here are some of the main benefits of taking a probiotic:

  • Gut Health – Probiotics help keep your digestive system working properly so you dispose of waste regularly and maintain and build essential nutrients.
  • Immune System Strength – Probiotics help balance the bacteria in our bodies so your immune system is strong enough to fight off viruses and keep inflammation under control.

Some of the conditions that may be helped by using a daily probiotic include:

  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Upper Respiratory Infections
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Lactose Intolerance
  • Urinary Tract Infections
  • Yeast Infections
  • Eczema

Best Probiotics for Men

 Probiotics can be beneficial to everyone, even children. When choosing a probiotic, you’ll want to look for a product that contains live and active bacterial cultures. It can also be especially helpful to pair a daily probiotic with digestive enzymes such as RAW Probiotics Men by Garden of Life. There are two main strains of “good” bacteria that occur naturally in our bodies and you’ll often find them included in the best probiotics for men.

  1. LactobacillusThis is found naturally in the small intestine and is responsible for keeping our gut healthy.
  2. Bifidobacterium – This is found naturally in the large intestine or colon and helps support a healthy immune system.

Probiotic Options

These days, getting a daily dose of high quality probiotics is pretty easy. They come in a variety of different options, and you can choose which works best with your lifestyle. Here’s a look at some of the choices:

Finding the best probiotics for men isn’t hard once you know what to look for. There are many options out there, but look for a product that contains at least a billion colony forming bacteria strains, including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Try it out, and see what an impact probiotics can have on your overall health.

Green Soup Recipes Perfect for Spring

green-soup-recipes

The end of winter doesn’t have to mean the end of soups in your recipe rotation. In fact, springtime is the ideal time to perfect your rotation of light, healthy green soup recipes. Take advantage of the new season’s fresh produce with some of our favorite green soup recipes perfect for spring.

Green Soup Recipes Perfect for Spring

Cucumber-Tomato Gazpacho Soup

Hot days call for cold soups. This cucumber-tomato gazpacho is the perfect cold soup to energize you on spring and summer’s hottest days.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound English hothouse cucumbers, halved, seeds removed
  • 1 pound tomatillos, husks removed, rinsed
  • ½ medium onion, thinly sliced, rinsed under cold water
  • ½ poblano chile, seeds removed
  • 1 garlic clove
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, plus leaves for serving
  • Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

Directions

  1. Pour all ingredients (except cilantro, salt, and pepper) into a blender. Blend the mixture until you reach a very smooth consistency.
  2. Once the mixture reaches the desired texture, season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour mixture into an airtight container, cover, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (you can prepare this soup up to 2 days ahead of time).
  3. When you’re ready to serve, top with cilantro leaves, and enjoy!

Wilted Greens Soup with Creme Fraiche

Do you have leftover greens starting to wilt in your refrigerator’s veggie drawer? Before tossing them out, try turning them into a delicious, green springtime soup instead, like this Wilted Greens Soup with Creme Fraiche.

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter
  • ½ onion, chopped
  • 3 sprigs thyme, leaves picked
  • 1 small Yukon Gold or ½ russet potato, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 4 cups chopped mixed wilted greens (such as Boston, romaine, arugula, iceberg, red oak, and/or green oak — whatever you have on hand!)
  • 1½ cups frozen peas, thawed
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
  • Creme fraiche
  • Chopped fresh chives, tarragon, mint, and/or parsley (for serving)

Directions

  1. Heat butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add onion and thyme to the saucepan, stirring often, for about 5 minutes (or until onion is translucent and tender).
  3. Add potatoes and cook, occasionally stirring for about 2 minutes.
  4. Add broth, bring to a boil. Cook on medium until potatoes are fork tender (approximately 8–10 minutes).
  5. Stir in your greens, peas, and sugar.
  6. Remove saucepan from heat, and let sit on stovetop for 10 minutes, to allow greens to soften and mixture to cool.
  7. After 10 minutes, pour the mixture into a blender, and purée the soup until smooth.
  8. Season with salt and pepper.
  9. Serve topped with creme fraiche and herbs.

Spring-Greens Soup

This Spring-Greens Soup from Martha Stewart Living is the ideal recipe for brisk spring days; just warming enough but still taking advantage of bright, nutritious spring produce and greens.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound of shelled fava beans or frozen shelled lima beans
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 shallot, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced (add more to your preference)
  • 1 celery stalk, thinly sliced (keep leaves for serving)
  • 2 fresh sprigs of thyme
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 4 Japanese turnips, quartered; or, 2 small turnips, peeled, cut into ½ inch wedges
  • 1-1/2 cups cooked cannellini beans or navy (use leftover homemade beans, or a single 15 oz. can, rinsed)
  • 1 lb. shelled English peas
  • 3 oz. snow peas, trimmed and cut thin, lengthwise
  • 2 cups packed watercress
  • Kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper
  • Microgreens for serving (optional)

Directions

  1. Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add fava beans, and return to a boil. Drain the pot, then run beans under cold water to stop cooking. Peel off and discard skins.
  2. In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-high. Once hot, add shallots, garlic, celery, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes.
  3. Stir in broth, plus 2 cups of water, turnips, and beans.
  4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for about 15 minutes.
  5. Add favas, English peas, and snow and snap peas. Simmer until bright green and tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
  6. Stir in watercress until wilted – only about 10 seconds.
  7. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  8. Serve, drizzled with olive oil, and sprinkled with a few celery leaves and microgreens (to your preference).
  9. Enjoy!

Another way to get more greens this spring (and year-round) is from the natural green food supplements from Garden of Life, Genestra, and Amazing Grass.

Perfect Food Raw Organic Green Superfood Powder by Garden of Life

Perfect Food Raw Organic Green Superfood Powder from Garden of Life is a superfood supplement packed with 40 nutrient-dense ingredients, including freshly harvested greens that are low-temperature dried to lock in nutrition, along with sprouts, fruits and veggies, plus live probiotics and enzymes for digestion. Garden of Life uses six times more organic grasses to create this juice powder versus whole leaf powders, concentrating all of the goodness. All you need is to mix 1 level scoop of Perfect Food Raw Organic Green Superfood Powder into your favorite juice, smoothie, or 8 ounces of water.

Phyto Greens Powder by Genestra

Phyto Greens Powder from Genestra is a power-packed superfood supplement that uses a broad-spectrum phytonutrient formulation to support antioxidant defenses and cellular health, healthy nasal function, and upper respiratory health. A source of potent antioxidants, Phyto Greens Powder, contains organic spirulina, organic chlorella, and organic oat grass, millet sprout, alfalfa, barley, and wheat leaf, as well as a long list of organic fruits and vegetables.

Protein SuperFood Original by Amazing Grass

Protein SuperFood Original from Amazing Grass is an organic, all-in-one protein nutrition shake. Each serving of Protein SuperFood Original promotes lean muscle, aids in digestion, and satisfies hunger by providing 20 grams of complete plant-based protein, 7 servings of alkalizing greens, and 2 full servings of fruits and veggies. Protein SuperFood Original contains a fruit and veggie blend, and a special green food blend. All of this is balanced with a natural vanilla flavor using organic Madagascar vanilla, resulting in a smooth, satisfying taste.

What are your favorite green soup recipes for spring?