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.
