Keeping Warm and Well, Handy tips to help you keep warm and well this winter and a Ginger, lemon & lime chicken recipe

Winter seems to be the time most people like to hibernate and go to sleep until spring arrives. I know I am one of those people most of the time but this winter I am trying to look at things a little differently and enjoy the lovely cool crisp weather.

I also want to be well this winter health-wise in mind and body so will share some tips that have helped me and some new ones I have discovered and look forward to trying.

1.Eating well

We really need to take care of our diet in the cooler months so we can build up our bodies so they can fight off colds and flu and viruses. Try to eat fresh fruit and vegetables everyday. Fresh juices are o.k. but make sure they are a mix of fruit and veg, and add fresh ginger as well with some leafy greens. Why do I say that you may ask, well you wouldn’t sit down and eat three or four oranges straight down now, would you? But that is what you get when you buy a fresh juice at a juice bar. If you can make one at home then go right ahead as you can control the amount of fruit you put into your juice. A juice recipe that I love is a mix of carrot, orange and fresh ginger and it is very good for you, especially in winter. Take 1 orange, 1 large carrot and a 2cm piece of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped. Put all ingredients in your juicer as per the instructions and enjoy. Soup is another staple in our house all throughout the year and I always have some in the freezer on standby. There is a great soup recipe on one of my other blog posts entitled ‘Baby it’s cold outside’ you may wish to try. I made a big pot of my hearty chilli, veggie and tomato soup today and look forward to a bowl.

2. Layer, Layer, Layer

Make sure you wear enough warm clothing and layering is great. It is something I learnt when we went to Holland back in 2012; layering is essential. Make sure you wear good warm socks as there is nothing worse than frozen feet with chilblains and let me tell you, I had them last year and boy oh boy they are painful!

3. Hats off to you….

Wearing a hat will not only make you feel that little bit more dressed but it keeps you warmer as it helps to keep your body heat from escaping via your head. So pop on that lovely little beret you have hidden in the drawer the next time you go out. Gloves are another item I think are essential in winter and apart from looking stylish they keep you toasty warm and also help stop thousands of germs getting onto your hands, which is how we catch colds and viruses in the first place.

4. Slumber land

Getting enough sleep is so important all year round but I think it is really important in the cooler months to give the body the rest it needs so it can heal and re-energise for the following day. When the body is resting and sleeping there is so much healing going on it’s incredible. I myself am so guilty of going to bed too late and not getting enough sleep and have paid severely for it with my health in more ways than one, I can tell you. But recently I have been getting into bed early with my book to read for a bit and then getting my 7-8 hours that I require and I really feel much better for it.

5. Bend and stretch, reach for the stars

Exercise is one of those things that is on my “will do” list and never really get around to. I must admit I can be a couch potato and really have to push myself to move my body and I don’t know why I have such a battle with myself. After all, when I do go for a walk I feel great afterwards. My husband and I have recently made a pact that we will start to incorporate exercise into our lives, as we want to get fitter and healthier and both want to be around for a long time. So any friends out there who want to go for a walk, just let me know as I am now being accountable and not only have to, but want to exercise.

6. Vitamins, minerals and other supplements

There are a few essential vitamins and mineral I take all year round. I will always take a good fish oil for the omega fatty acids and I also take evening primrose oil for good fats as well. I always take a mega B vitamin as it helps the nervous system. I take magnesium a few times a week but when needed will take more as it is an essential mineral the body needs. It’s also wonderful at helping you to relax. Echinacea is always in my fridge and I will take it at the first sign of a cold or sinus along with zinc. Make sure you get enough vitamin C in your diet and if you don’t eat enough fruit or veg then you may want to take a good quality vitamin C supplement as well. Other vitamins I sometimes take in winter are Kyolic garlic and kelp.

7. Wash your hands, Jeffery

This tip is probably one of the most important in my book and it is pretty simple… Wash Your Hands. It is actually amazing how many people do not wash their hands, especially after using the toilet but they are out there. You see, not washing your hands properly with soap and water for a certain time actually leads to spreading disease and germs and that is how we all end up sick. The next time you’re out grocery shopping or out with family or friends, please don’t put your hands near your face. Not until you have been able to wash them with soap and water. They say the correct amount of time for washing hands is the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday To You (20-30 seconds). I personally don’t like using all those antibacterial hand gels as they end up mucking up all the good microbes on your skin. Just like antibiotics they not only get rid of the bad germs in you, they also remove all your good guys as well. So the simple thing to do is keep your hands away from your face and wash your hands properly.

I am pretty good with most of these tips apart from number 5, but will get better and let’s face it: we all have to start somewhere, right?

One of the things I love to drink in winter, whether I am well or not, is a hot lemon and ginger drink. It is so warming and soothing and is really good for you. All you need is a large mug, 2-3 slices of lemon cut in half and a good piece of fresh ginger peeled and chopped (about 2cm piece) and a teaspoon of honey. Put all ingredients in your mug and cover with boiling water, stir and steep for a few minutes and then enjoy. You will feel warm instantly and it also helps fight off colds as the ginger in it is a great healer. You can reuse the lemon and ginger for at least 2-3 hot drinks, just top up with more boiling water and add another teaspoon of honey.

I love ginger and don’t think I could live without it. I always have fresh ginger in the house and cook with it weekly.

Today I thought I would share my spicy, ginger, lemon & lime chicken recipe with you, as it is great in either hot or cold weather and would also be ideal for a party. It has a bit of a kick to it heat-wise so if you don’t like chilli, then you can adjust the amount as you go along.

Lisa’s ginger, lemon & lime chicken

Ingredients:

 ½ cup of a good ginger, lemon and lime marmalade (I use Buderim ginger, lemon and lime marmalade)

1teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon ground coriander

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

¼ teaspoon dried parsley

¼ teaspoon sweet paprika

2 ½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1-2 tablespoons olive oil

8 small chicken drumsticks or chicken thighs (I love chicken thighs but both work well)

Rock salt to taste (one or two grinds)

Ground black pepper to taste (one or two grinds)

Method:

Pre heat oven 180oC

In a bowl mix all the ingredients and toss the chicken in the bowl so it is completely covered with mixture.

Place in a large baking dish and bake in a moderate oven for 30 minutes and then turn and baste and pour the remainder of the glaze over the chicken and cook for a further 30-45 minutes depending on your oven.

Make sure the chicken is completely cooked right through and serve with salad, potatoes or fresh corn

Sometimes I cut up un-peeled potatoes (regular and sweet) and place them around the chicken when I first put the chicken in the baking dish and then the potatoes take on the fabulous glaze and end up spicy and deliciously crisp and moorish.

This glaze would also be good on duck and you could make fabulous chicken skewers with it as well.

                                                       Enjoy

© Lisa Maree van der Draay 2015. Except as provided by the Copyright Act 1968, no part of this publication may be reproduced, communicated to the public without the prior written permission of the publisher.