It’s Chaitra Navratri and that means it is the fasting season. With the coronavirus spreading rapidly, it is imperative that you take care of your health by consuming good food which is permitted during this fasting season. We have compiled a few nutrient-rich immunity building recipes and herbal concoctions to help you get the most during your fast! Have a look.

Immunity Building Recipes For the Fasting Season

 1. Turmeric Tea

Benefits of turmeric are not unknown to us. This tea is full of anti inflammatory ingredients to help fight infections.

Ingredients:

• Organic Turmeric Powder – ½ Tsp 
• Water – 200ml  
• Ghee or coconut oil – 1-2 tsp
• 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
• Ginger juice – ¼ tsp
• Lemon juice – ½ tsp
• Raw organic honey – 1 tsp 

Method:
Take water in a pan and add turmeric powder. Let it boil for 10 minutes. Strain the tea into a container & allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend for a while to get a strong immunity boosting tea.

2. Panakam (Pronounced as Panagam in Tamil) 

It is a traditional South Indian drink specially prepared on Ram Navami. This wonder drink is thought to prevent illness due to seasonal changes.

Ingredients: 

• Water – 4 cups
• Powdered jaggery – ½ cup 
• Edible camphor (optional) – ½ pinch
• Tamarind pulp – 4tbsp
• Dry ginger powder – ½ tsp
• Freshly ground black pepper (optional) – ¼ tsp
• Tulsi leaves – 3 to 4
• Freshly ground cardamom powder – ½ tsp 

Method:
Soak jaggery in water until it dissolves completely. Now strain the mixture and add camphor, tamarind pulp, ginger, black pepper and cardamom powder. Let it sit for half an hour so all the flavours can infuse. Strain the liquid to remove any particles. Add roughly hand-crushed tulsi leaves and serve. You can adjust the quantity of jaggery and other flavours as per your choice.

3. Green Smoothie 

This smoothie can be considered as a meal replacement. It is full of nutrients that can boost your immunity.

Ingredients:

• Cucumber roughly cubed (do not remove peel) – 1 large 
• Banana – 1
• Handful of spinach leaves
• 1 Kiwi or handful grapes
• Chia seeds, Watermelon seeds, Pumpkin seeds – 2 tbsp each 
• 7-8 soaked almonds

Method:
Soak all seeds in ½ water for around 2-3 hours. (You can also soak them overnight if you’re planning to have this smoothie for breakfast). Now throw all the ingredients in a blender & blend until smooth. You can add water to adjust the consistency as per your choice. Your green smoothie is ready!

4. Papaya Smoothie  

Most of us consider citrus fruits when it comes to getting our daily dose of Vitamin C. But you will be amazed to know that papaya has almost the same amount found in an Orange. Along with that, it’s a great source of Vitamin A too.

Ingredients:

• Papaya cubed – 2 cups 
• Fresh curd – ¾ cup
• Chia seeds – 2 tbsp
• Fresh orange juice – ¼ cup
• 7-8 cashews
• Cardamom powder – ¼ tsp 

Method:
Soak cashews and chia seeds in curd for 2-3 hours. Now throw all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Adjust the consistency using more orange juice or water. Your smoothie is ready!

5. Orange Delight 

Ingredients:

• Apple cubed – 1  
• Boiled & cooled chopped carrot – ½ cup
• Orange – 1 cup 
• Ginger – ½ inch piece 
• Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
• Sunflower seeds and Flax seeds – 2 tbsp each 
• 4 walnuts
• Handful of roasted foxnuts

Method:
Soak the nuts and seeds for minimum 2 hours. Throw all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Your orange smoothie is ready.

As you can see, these immunity building recipes are fasting friendly and a great detox as well – which is the main scientific purpose of fasting. Use these immunity building recipes as a part of your meals to stay healthy at all times! For more immunity building and healthy recipes, tune in to cooking classes on GOQii Play. 

Stay Safe, stay indoors and #BeTheForce!