Immune Boosting Recipes and Meal Plan
One of the most interesting things that's risen to the surface during this COVID-19 social distancing period has been my relationship with food, junk food to be specific. In the mad dash to get foods that will last indefinitely, I know we've all picked up some things we wouldn't normally. I somehow ended up with frozen pizzas, cookies with brownies in them (don't ask), and donuts. I DON'T EVEN LIKE DONUTS!!
All of this to say, my skin is VERY angry with me right now. I'm breaking out like I haven't in months and my hormones are all over the place. So I'm making a conscious effort to curb this by creating a menu for myself that includes immunity-boosting foods like ginger, citrus, olives and poultry. I'm sharing breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks to make sure we are healthy and have the strongest immune systems we can to stave off any viruses that come our way!
B R E A K F A S T
Steak and eggs with Side Salad: I love to add red onions to my greens, and used balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and garlic. I also love to use this garlic butter on my steak.
Avocado Toast with a fried egg, proscuitto and salsa
Immune Health Juice: best made with a juicer, but can also be made with a blender and strained.
Immune-Booster Omelette: made with red bell peppers, spinach, broccoli and turkey.
Poached Eggs with sliced avocado, your choice of meat (I prefer proscuitto) and toast.
Greek Yogurt with almonds, mangoes and berries
L U N C H
Tuna Sandwich with a side salad
Salmon with Roasted Beets and Spinach: adding lemon to salmon gives the vitamin C you need!
Mediterranean Steak Salad: I like to model mine after Tendergreens.
Tomato Soup: grilled cheese sammy optional. Alternative to fresh tomatoes is to use Campbell's tomato soup and add a can of diced tomatoes.
Tuna Salad with cucumbers to scoop
Chili: there are so many ways to make chili. Here's a veggie option, a poultry option, and a red meat option.
Black Bean Soup: if you want to add meat, you can throw in hamhocks or actual ham.
D I N N E R
Spicy Beef Ramen: I use a regular beef ramen you'd get from the store, add in hot chili oil, mushrooms, drop in an egg, and top with scallions.
Chicken wings with a cucumber salad: Cucumber both fills and hydrates the body, here's a recipe for a salad I love.
Spaghetti and Meatballs: I've recently started testing out meatballs at different restaurants around NYC. So far, the best I've had are at Cecconi's Dumbo and Enzo's in the Bronx. Here's a basic meatball recipe, and a recipe for a spicy meatball like at Enzo's.
Roasted Chicken with Lemon Garlic Green Beans: Roasted Chicken is pretty self-explanatory, and here is the recipe for the beans.
Steak with Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Mashed Potatoes: brussel sprouts only really need garlic and salt to roast! For the mashed potatoes, I'm not someone who keeps milk in their home, so I added cheese and some butter to give it that cream.
Glass Noodle + Tofu Stir Fry: I picked up these glass noodles from a chinese fruit stand by me, but they can be found in almost any ethnic food market in the 'hood, lol. You can pan fry tofu and season however you want (it holds seasoning very well).
S N A C K S
Mango Applesauce: I made this mango applesauce on Instagram, you can view my "Food" highlights for the process.
Apples + Peanut Butter
Tapenade on Toast: This is a new recipe for me that I will be trying out this week. I'd put this on toast with a soft cheese (I prefer burrata), eat it alone, or add whatever tickles your fancy.
Frozen Orange Pops: You can also freeze some fresh orange juice and keep in the fridge.
Orange Iced Tea: Can't wait for the day I can make sun tea *cries real tears*
Sunflower Seeds
Sweet Golden Milk: Turmeric fights almost every illness you may have.
How are you faring during this period of social distancing? What are you doing to pass the time?