Try this winter recipes to boost your immunity and glow your skin

Try this winter recipes to boost your immunity and glow your skin 

As winter sets in, the cold weather and falling leaves signal changes in our bodies. The dry air can leave our skin feeling tight and dry, causing chapped lips and brittle nails and hair. But fear not, nature has provided us with some amazing foods to help us through this season.

photo credit: all the nourishing things

It's the perfect time to cozy up with warm clothes and comforting meals or drinks. Why not treat yourself to some self-care while also nourishing your skin and boosting your immunity?

Here are some enjoyable recipes to try this winter that can help keep your skin soft and your immune system strong.

1. Carrot soup

Carrots are a must-have for skin in the winters. 

photo credit - veggie inspired

List of Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp groundnut oil
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 2 garlic cloves, smashed
• 2 heaping cups chopped carrots
• 1½ tsp grated fresh ginger
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 cup vegetable broth or hot water
• Salt and fresh black pepper
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Coconut milk for garnish 

Steps:

1. Heat the oil in a large pot.
2. Add chopped garlic and let it caramelize. Add ginger and chopped onions and sauté until transparent and soft.
3. Add the carrot. Sauté for a few minutes and cook covered for 5-8 minutes.
4. Pour in the rice vinegar, followed by the vegetable broth or hot water.
5. Allow the carrots to soften.
6. Turn off the gas and let it cool down completely.
7. Blend it in a mixer to a smooth puree.
8. Transfer it back to the pot to warm it up. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle ½ tsp extra virgin olive oil.
9. You can add a dash of coconut milk just before serving.

During the winter season, carrots abound in the markets, offering a bounty of benefits for skin health. Laden with Vitamin A and a plethora of antioxidants, carrots serve as an essential superfood for maintaining radiant skin in colder months. Their rich nutrient profile not only nourishes the skin but also aids in combating various skin issues such as wrinkles, pigmentation, acne, and scars. 

Additionally, the presence of lycopene in carrots acts as a shield, safeguarding the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. Complementing the skincare regimen, extra virgin olive oil emerges as a potent ally in battling winter dryness. Infused with Vitamin E and beneficial fats, this oil serves to deeply moisturize the skin, imparting a healthy and luminous glow. Whether incorporated into culinary delights or utilized for skin massage, the virtues of extra virgin olive oil elevate its status as a winter skincare essential.

2.Amla-turmeric juice shot

Taking shots of these can cleanse the body and prevent skin illness and breakouts

Picture Credit - Pinterest

List of Ingredients

• 2 fresh amlas
• 1-inch fresh turmeric root
• A pinch of black pepper powder
• 75 ml water

How to make? 

1. De-seed the amla and chop it.
2. Peel the turmeric root and slice it.
3. Blenderize the amla and turmeric with 75ml of water to make a juice shot.
4. Pour it into a shot glass.
5. Add a pinch of pepper and drink.

Amla is rich in Vitamin C. It supports collagen production in the skin. Collagen is responsible for keeping your skin youthful and taut. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial. It helps cleanse the body and prevent skin illness and breakouts.

3.Spiced Hot Chocolate

List of ingredients Ingredients

• 150 ml almond milk
• 1tsp good quality of coca power 
• 1tsp date palm jaggery
• 2 squares of 70-80% organic dark chocolate 
• 1-inch piece of ginger
• 1 mashed green cardamom
• 1 clove
• 1/4th tsp Ceylon cinnamon
• A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

How to make? 

• Mix all the ingredients in a saucepan.

• Let it simmer for a few minutes, stir occasionally.

• Strain and drink warm.

Dark chocolate is one of the best foods that keep your skin looking great. It contains flavonoids that make the skin glow even in the harsh winter. Almonds are natural emollients that hydrate the skin and prevent dryness. They are rich in Vitamin E which helps to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Almonds contain many antioxidants that combat skin aging.

When it comes to the skin, we believe in an inside-out approach. No matter how many cream and moisturizers we apply externally, we need to nurture the internal environment of our body for a healthy glow.

It’s all about going back to the roots. Traditions include eating good fats from nuts, seeds and other visible fats such as ghee during winters. We often see our parents and grandparents whipping up dishes like sesame chikki, peanut ladoo, gond ladoos made in ghee, gajjar ka halwa, panjiri, til-gur rotis, sarson saag, etc. This is mainly to keep the body warm and keep the skin moisturized and supple, shielding it from the unforgiving winter dryness. Let’s embrace the gift of good health and overall wellness with these fun recipes and rock this winter season