I know most of you dread this time of the year with the onset of winter and with it the inevitable colds/flu. I am the same, living in the tropics December is the start of our summer and i could guarantee that around xmas time i would be down with Asian flu. This would happen again in April with the start of the rainy season. Asian flu is a nasty little bugger and would hang around for 4-6 weeks.
Then 5 years ago my sister introduced me to fruit smoothies and i have not had a cold or flu since.
Since being diagnosed with COPD i have refined my smoothies to incorporate many of the vitamins we need on a daily basis by adding more fruit and vegetables. It takes me about 35 minutes to prepare, but that is probably because i am a bit slow first thing in the morning.
I thought i would share my recipe with you. I start by juicing 2 carrots, 2 oranges and a chunk of ginger ( for 2 people). I would then add this juice to my blender with plenty of ice as my base for a smoothie adding an apple, a banana, a handful of blueberries, a ball of spinach, half a mango, a large piece of pineapple, juice of a lime, honey and coconut oil.
This keeps me going until around 10/11am when i will have a bowl of porridge or cereal, lunchtime ( about 1pm) is a turkey or tuna salad sandwich. Around 3pm a bowl of trail mix and a cup of green tea. I make my own chicken stock ( made a batch yesterday) and use this to make different lentil soups for my evening meal or occasionally (tonight) i grill a chicken thigh and have that with a fresh organic salad.
I don't think i can better this diet, what do you think?
Merv
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Swerv
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A blender is definitely worth the money, a juicer too if you can. This way you can fortify your body against cold, flu and other infections.
Blueberries alone are classed as the number 1 fruit in the world, packed with vitamins and a natural anti oxidant. I buy mine frozen from Makro, same with the spinach.
Just started adding virgin coconut oil, plus a cheaper version for cooking...expensive, but worth it.
As per my comment, i have not had a cold or flu for nearly 5 years.
I also take Q10 enzyme, Centrum multivitamins for the over 50's, half an aspirin plus Omega fish oil.
No i don't get sick, i have too much fruit and veg every day. Not had a cold or flu for nearly 5 years.
I could get my berries from a specialist super market which imports from Australia, but very expensive, so i buy frozen from Makro...very cheap. But good.
Just had my morning veg juice, 0730 and already 28C. going to be another warm one.
Merv
Hi Merv.
Just been reading your post...and have given instructions you to my grilfrend to get the juicer and blender out on to the table...prepare all the fruits I asked for and wait for me to get up front bad...
I have all that you have mentioned pluse
Two very big boxes of sweet strawberrys that found in our local market this morning.
And don't you find Thailand's pineapples are the best in the world....
Got to go my girlfriend is calling up to me ..(in Thai.)honey all is ready now my love.... do you need some help to get up..
I do as it happens the hour long massage to my legs hasn't had the effect
Hi Andy,On their own i don't like pineapples, but they are good for you and helps to sweeten the smoothie with the spinach.
If you have a Makro near you you can get frozen blueberries and spinach there, was also reading today about the benefits of raspberries and blackberries so will be off to Makro tomorrow.
Raspberries are among the healthiest food that proves beneficial to health. It’s rich in dense nutrient content like antioxidants, phytonutrients, fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, etc. It is effective to prevent damage to DNA cells from free radicals which are the cause of many health problems like cancer, macular degeneration, cardiovascular health, and ageing. It increases enzyme activity, oxygen consumption, and heat production in certain types of fat cells, and decreases risk of obesity as well as risk of fatty liver.
Blackberries
Blackberries have one of the highest antioxidant levels of all fruits. Anthocyanins, which give blackberries their dark color, is an antioxidant well-known for lowering the risk of a number of cancers, are a huge bonus, but be aware the berries are best consumed in their natural state to get the full benefits.Research has also shown that the ellagic acid in blackberries may have anti-cancer properties. One cup of blackberries contains half of the daily recommendation of the antioxidant vitamin C, which protects the immune system and may lower the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
Blueberries
This herb has been used for thousands of years to treat nausea, headaches and even respiratory disorders. It’s also been shown to fight depression and increase brain function (even through smelling it!). Mint also has anti-cancer and anti-microbial effects. Mint contains a phytonutrient called perillyl alcohol. This phytonutrient has been shown to inhibit tumor growth and protect against the skin, colon and lung cancer.
Spinach is a very nutrient-dense food. It has an extremely high nutritional value and is rich in antioxidants. It is a good source of vitamins A, B2, C and K, and also contains magnesium, manganese, folate, iron, calcium and potassium. When you consume this healthy food, you don’t need to worry about your weight-loss diet as you take in abundant, good-for-you nutrients. The flavonoids and antioxidants found in spinach, particularly the antioxidant beta-carotene, have been shown in multiple studies to help combat many cancers.
Okay, I should have read further...you are explaining a lot here.
thanks.
Hi Marv. ..
Your not going to.believe this...I was only a line or two from posting you probably the longest reply....my 4 year old come running up to me holding his bottom saying he wanted to go...kee.
I put my mobile down and put my glasses on top run him in the bathroom. ..come back and couldn't believe my my eyes.
Off to Makro today to buy some raspberries and blackberries...only 2kms up the road.
If you have seen some of my previous posts there is a lot of talk about cannabis oil treating and reversing COPD, if you email me i can send some links as i am about to start making my own. Sounds like you have a bit of a farm going there?
Thank you for all the information, you are certainly very knowledgeable. I have been tempted to get a juicer for ages and will see if there are any in the after christmas sales. I have my first chest infection following a cold so think it's well worth a try.
Hi Nat-tat, it's well worth it but you need a blender too, if you don't already have one.
I swear by my smoothies as i have not had a cold or flu for nearly 5 years, in fact it will be 5 years next month and i live in Asia where just about everyone comes down with flu twice a year.
Hi Swerv. I see that this post is an older one but I've been looking for information on people's diets and lung conditions. Do you feel like this helps or can you tell?
I'm not eating fruit just now but I usually do, many kinds, I am grating fresh ginger into my teas. The fruits have sugars that I'm avoiding just now.
I grow different kinds of veggies...mostly greens and roots, I have access to organic foods from a friend with green-houses.
I guess what I'm asking is please tell me if you think your good diet is really making a difference...? I'm tired of being so careful (3-month cleansing diet) and I've always been a healthy eater.
Having never smoked, it's frustrating to now have asthma.
I have no idea if it helps other than if you have copd, you need extra vitamins and nutrients to fight off colds/flu and infections.
I have been drinking the fruit smoothies for nearly 5 years and not a sniff. Only recently started juicing fresh veg, taking a while to get used to the taste but i do notice about 30 minutes or so after my drink, my energy level goes up.
Okay, it sounds as if the healthy eating is working for you, I've had some of the veggie drinks and like them. Plan on adding some, thanks...talk later.
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was going to get myself blender BUT guna have to get washer 
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