Start Your Day in a Healthy Way! How to Make a Delicious Immune Boosting Shake

It will be cold and flu season before you know it — and to help get your health ready for cold weather activities, you can enjoy a delicious smoothie that boosts your immune system, too!

And as everybody knows, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so start it off right! All you need are a few simple ingredients and a blender to make this scrumptious morning meal that will infuse your body with energy and offer immunity protection.

There are so many natural ingredients to choose from that you can create your shake with only those tastes you love. The first — and some say most important — immune system booster is vitamin C. It increases production of white blood cells, which are key to fighting infections. Choose from grapefruit, oranges, clementines, tangerines, pines, apple, lemons or limes.

Ginger is another treat many turn to for help with inflammation, nausea and immune protection. Its powerful compounds may also decrease chronic pain and even help to lower cholesterol. Both spinach and kale are packed with antioxidants and beta-carotene, which may increase the infection-fighting ability of our immune systems.

Look for yogurts that have “live and active cultures” on the label, especially Greek yogurt. These cultures may stimulate your immune system to help fight disease and are a great source of vitamin D. Delicious almonds come loaded with flavor and also a high dose of vitamin E, but they’re tough on blender blades so it’s better to buy almond milk.

Tiny hemp seeds and sunflower seeds are loaded with nutrients that will add some powerful minerals — and a big dose of delicious — to your shake.

Bananas are not only a probiotic food — supporting gut health — they are also high in vitamin B6, which is necessary to keep the immune system functioning properly. And don’t forget to throw in some luscious blueberries an antioxidant superfood, which are also high in fiber, potassium and vitamin C. Strawberries are a good choice as well! They’re packed with vitamins, fiber and high levels of antioxidants known as polyphenols.

They’re also sodium free, cholesterol free and low in calories. Here is a recipe for a morning smoothie that you can make but remember to customize it according to your own tastes or you won’t keep up the good work!

The Immune Boosting Smoothie

• 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 handful of sunflower seeds
• 1 1/2 cup plain or any flavor yogurt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 teaspoon of chopped ginger

Toss the ingredients into your blender and process until smooth. If your smoothie is too thick, thin it with a splash of almond milk or water.