If ever there was a recipe that was focused on green ingredients, it’s this one. All but two of the ingredients are green, and the ones that are not exhibit some impressive health benefits. Before we get into the ingredients, let us first cover what wellness shots are. Wellness shots are essentially concentrated juices made from nutritious ingredients. You may have seen turmeric ginger immunity shots in health food grocery stores. You know…those little tiny bottles with orange-yellow liquid inside them? Think of these wellness shots as their green counterparts.

Why should you make your own wellness shots? As with any homemade item, you have full control of the ingredients. For these wellness shots, you can always switch up the ingredients based on the nutrients you want in them. Perhaps you would enjoy beets, carrots, apples, and ginger, or oranges, lemon, turmeric, and persimmons. The possibilities are endless, and you can use the natural sugars in the fruits you use as sweeteners. There is no need for added sugars, preservatives, or anything else that will help maintain shelf life.

The ingredients in these green wellness shots were selected based on their nutritional profiles. These ingredients contain a mix of essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, digestive enzymes, water, and an array of antioxidant compounds. Both celery and cucumber are rich in water, which work to aid your hydration efforts. Finally, almost every single ingredient in these wellness shots boosts the immune system in one way or another. Drink one of these to start your day!

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Today, we’re making a delicious turmeric salad dressing that not only adds vibrant flavor to your salads but also packs a powerful health punch. Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, aiding digestion, and boosting immunity. Let’s dive in and create this nutritious dressing that will elevate your salads!

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Lately, we’ve been on a seasonal produce kick. Summer offers beautiful stone fruits, but it also is the best season for fresh watermelons. The best thing about juicing watermelons, besides the addictive flavor, is that the juice helps encourage optimal hydration. Watermelons are over 90% water and contain necessary electrolytes, which work to fight against dehydration on hot summer days.

Now, not everyone owns a juicer, but most people have blenders. Juicers can be great if you use them all the time, but they do take up a lot of space. Depending on where you live, space might not be on your side. To conserve space, and to make your life easier, this recipe uses a blender and a fine mesh sieve or strainer. Ideally, you squeeze the oranges and grapefruit to get their juice and blend the watermelon with the fresh ginger root. Poor the citrus juice in a large pitcher and strain the blended watermelon mixture into that same pitcher. Mix everything up and you have yourself a refreshing glass of summer goodness.

Since fresh turmeric root is not always easy to find, this recipe calls for turmeric powder. If you want to use fresh turmeric and have it available to you, use about one to two inches of fresh turmeric root. Just make sure that you peel it. Otherwise, use the amount of turmeric powder listed in the recipe below.

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It’s not often that you get to say, “I can’t wait to dive into this bowl of raw vegan ice cream that doesn’t contain added sugars.” That’s not a sentence that people ever utter, but maybe we should change that. This mango pineapple turmeric ice cream is creamy, perfectly sweet, fruity, and mouthwateringly delicious. You’ll wish your bowl wasn’t empty after you devour your first scoop or two.

Not only do mango and pineapple provide the sweetness, but they also do wonders for your gut health. The addition of turmeric makes this raw vegan ice cream anti-inflammatory in nature. Plus, this recipe contains fresh liquid and meat from young Thai coconuts. Fresh coconut water is naturally sweet and provides electrolytes that help enhance your hydration efforts. If you cannot get your hands on a young Thai coconut in the grocery store, feel free to use a regular coconut with hard meat. The water is not as sweet, but it provides similar electrolytes and flavor. Alternatively, just use filtered water!

If you like a sweet and refreshing dessert after dinner, this is going to be your new favorite recipe. You can top it with unsweetened, desiccated coconut, raw agave nectar, berries, or any other type of fresh fruit. If you want to be experimental, feel free to blend strawberries into the ice cream. Lastly, it is sweet enough to the point where you don’t need agave nectar or maple syrup. In fact, you can even serve it to your kids as a healthy treat!

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Move over, kale, and step aside, blueberries. Oh, spirulina, you can sit this one out as well. We don’t have anything against these powerful superfoods, but our attention is on a different superstar today: turmeric. This bold, spicy, and vibrantly orange spice exists in everything from expensive lattes to daily supplements. 

Although the addition of turmeric to various foods may seem like a new trend, it has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. There have been many anecdotes about the healing properties of turmeric, but researchers have pinpointed certain health properties more recently. A lot of existing evidence focuses on turmeric’s primary compound, curcumin, because researchers believe it is responsible for turmeric’s many health benefits. If you want to spice up your life, continue reading to learn more about why you should add turmeric to your diet. 

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Inflammation is a natural immune response, but chronic inflammation can lead to serious health conditions. Some of these health conditions include arthritis, heart disease, certain cancers, and more. One of the most well-known health benefits of turmeric is that it works to reduce inflammation in the body. Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, seems to block several inflammatory pathways in the body. According to researchers, this process may help reduce inflammation-related health conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

May Improve Brain Function

Several studies confirm that curcumin may help improve brain function in a number of ways. One study monitored individuals who took a curcumin supplement and they experienced improved memory and attention. A separate study found that people who ate curry on a regular basis had better cognitive function than people who didn’t. Turmeric is a very common ingredient in curry, which explains the study. Turmeric can also increase the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is a growth hormone that plays a role in brain function and the development of new brain cells.

Reduced Risk Of Heart Disease

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally. An average 17.9 million people die from cardiovascular diseases each year. Some studies found that regular consumption of turmeric may reduce the risk of heart disease. Researchers note that curcumin may improve the function of the endothelium, which is the lining of the blood vessels. Additionally, curcumin may lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and reduce the formation of blood clots, all of which contribute to better heart health. 

Potential Anti-Cancer Effects

Many studies show that turmeric exhibits antimicrobial properties that can help fight off infections. Other studies suggest that curcumin may exhibit anti-cancer activity, but more research is necessary in human studies to confirm this. As of now, researchers note that curcumin may inhibit the growth and spread of some cancer cells, and it may also promote the death of cancer cells. Although this is preliminary, turmeric may prevent angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels that contribute to the growth of tumors.

May Improve Digestion 

For centuries, people have used turmeric as a digestive aid in traditional medicine. Studies have shown that turmeric can help improve digestion, reduce bloating and gas, and support overall gut health. Additionally, curcumin may help reduce gut inflammation, which not only improves gut microbiome, but also reduces the risk of gut-related diseases.

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Lately, people are incorporating new and exciting wellness trends into their daily routines. From cold plunges and red light therapy to tea baths and mobility exercises, many wellness trends help keep the body as healthy as possible. There has never been a more exciting time to be alive with so many therapies, diet information, and healing modalities at your fingertips. 

One such wellness trend is wellness shots, which are intensely flavored drinks that typically contain a lot of vitamin C. Each wellness shot tends to be a variation of lemon, ginger, and turmeric. You can usually see them in certain grocery stores or health food stores, with little two-ounce bottles at a price point of four dollars or more. If you want to save some money and get more bang for your buck, you can easily make these shots at home.

Wellness Shots vs. Lemon Water

A lot of people like to enjoy a glass of water with freshly-squeezed lemon to start their day. In case you don’t do that, doing so can have a positive impact on your health. Some of the health benefits include:

• Improves immune function
• Detoxifies the liver
• Helps energize the body
• May improve appearance of skin
• Helps hydrate the body
• Helps relieve morning sickness

In case you do not drink lemon water and want to try out this trend, start with two cups of water and stir in the juice of half a lemon. After you experiment with this simple creation, you can board the train to the land of wellness shots. They help you start your day with a little kick, energizing your cells and boosting immunity. 

Morning Wellness Shot Benefits

Although these are not a cure-all tonic, they do exhibit some unique health properties. A wellness shot is essentially a blend of concentrated nutrients. When you pair these wellness shots with a whole food diet and regularly exercise, they may help you combat fatigue and boost energy. It is very common for people to enjoy them during back-to-school times to take action against viruses. Many people get sick during the winter, making that time of year another popular time for wellness shots. Additionally, drinking these wellness shots may help your digestive system if you’re experiencing bloating or gas. 

How To Make Your Own Wellness Shots

It is very easy to make these wellness shots, especially if you use a basic recipe. Some recipes don’t even require a juicer! Even if the recipe calls for a juicer, it will only take you five minutes to make. If you like your juice less frothy, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve and discard the pulp. Sometimes, you can get creative and add a few ingredients of your choice, but these recipes are far from complex. Simple ingredients and recipe steps for some healthy concoctions. 

The Classic

These two ingredients may also enhance energy levels and boost metabolism. Ginger is rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and helps to improve brain, heart, and immune function. 

Ingredients:

• 1/4 c raw ginger root, washed & chopped
• 1/2 c freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 pinch ground turmeric
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper 
• 2 tbsp. raw agave nectar

Instructions:

• First off, make sure that you don’t peel the ginger root. Add it to a high-speed blender and blend on high until you see fine pieces.
• Pour the lemon juice, cayenne, turmeric, and agave into the blender and continue blending until you get a cloudy mixture.
• Stop blending and then pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve, pushing the pulp against the screen to get the most juice possible.
• You can save the pulp if you want and add it to a smoothie within 24 hours, as long as you refrigerate the pulp.
• Store the juice in little shots in the fridge for up to a week, or you can pour the juice in an ice cube tray, freeze, and use whenever you want.

Lemon, Ginger, And Fruit Shot

If you want to make your wellness shot more palatable, then you should start with this before diving straight into turmeric and lemon juice. Plus, adding fruits like pineapple, cherries, berries, or oranges, can increase the antioxidant profile. The recipe is as follows:

Ingredients:

• 1 lemon, peeled and quartered
• 1-inch piece of ginger
• 1/4 of an orange, peeled

Instructions:

• Process all of the ingredients through a juicer and enjoy within 15 minutes. 

Pineapple Ginger Wellness Shot

A great way to keep the immune system in tip top shape is by consuming foods that contain vitamin C and anti-inflammatory properties. All of the ingredients in these pineapple ginger wellness shots help to enhance immune function.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pineapple, cubed
• 1 cup filtered water
• 2 tbsp ginger root, peeled and diced
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 2 tsp turmeric root
• Dash of black pepper

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend for about 30 seconds to one minute.
• Pour the blended mixture through a strainer and into a wide-mouthed container. Make sure to press the pulp to extract as much juice as you can.
• Store in the fridge and enjoy within 3 days. Ideally, drink a two- or four-ounce shot at once.
• You can sweeten with a little raw agave nectar if the flavor is too intense for you.

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Have you boarded the turmeric train to lower inflammation? The health world obsesses over this super spice, and for good reason. Turmeric contains a powerful polyphenol compound, curcumin, which exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers confirm that curcumin has many biological activities, not all of which are fully understood. What researchers do know is that anyone who wants to manage inflammation can benefit from more turmeric in their life.

Turmeric deserves high praise, but it isn’t the only ingredient in these energy balls. Lemon provides a zesty flare to these energy balls, which are great for filling up between meals. Additionally, lemons supply the body with vitamin C, an integral nutrient for immunity and collagen production. You can’t have energy without some protein and fiber, though. These energy balls contain both almonds and oats, both of which contain plant-based proteins, fiber, and essential minerals, including copper, manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus.

One thing to note is that these lemon turmeric energy balls contain both lemon juice and lemon zest. Adding lemon zest to a recipe can accentuate the flavors of other ingredients, and it helps to balance the sweetness of the dates in this recipe. The best move is to zest the lemons prior to juicing them. If you try to zest your lemons after you juice them, you will cry out of frustration. Good luck making these healthy snacks!

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While warmer temperatures are upon us, we are not out of the cold yet. Cold nights call for comforting beverages that warm the soul. Rather than drinking an entire cup of sugary hot cocoa that comes from a packet, though, make this recipe, which exhibits anti-inflammatory compounds. Chocolate isn’t a bad thing, especially if you enjoy it responsibly. When you enjoy a beverage like this, that contains cacao powder, then you know you are on a healthier path.

Whether you want to be more health-conscious or reduce your sugar intake, this hot cocoa recipe is for you. It isn’t a golden milk latte, nor is it a collagen-infused tea; rather, it contains a blend of traditional spices that may help improve mood, energy levels, and overall health. Most of all, these spices can help lower inflammatory markers in the body, reducing your risk of chronic inflammation. Now, inflammation isn’t always a bad thing. It helps fight and heal infections in the body. Chronic inflammation can lead to a range of health conditions, though, and you can struggle with chronic fatigue, digestive troubles, joint pain, breakouts, and more.

Growing evidence shows that turmeric is one of the best herbs to help reduce inflammation. Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, exhibits powerful anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce pain, improve symptoms of anxiety, and lower inflammation in the gut. Ginger, cinnamon, cumin, and black pepper, which are also in this hot cocoa recipe, work to fight inflammation in the body as well. Drink to your health, provided you are not on the cleanse, and enjoy this drink on colder evenings.

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Sweet and savory, creamy and filled with nutrients, this golden turmeric salad dressing is about to be a staple in your dressing rotation. What sets this dressing apart from the rest is the use of the entire lemon fruit. You aren’t just juicing half a lemon and adding it to the blender. Once you remove the seeds and skin, you blend the fruit with the rest of the dressing ingredients. It’s truly a game changer for dressings and brings the zesty citrus flavor to forefront.

Turmeric is an amazing spice that you typically see in wellness shots or curries. Not only is it an amazing spice that exhibits wonderful color, but it also offers many health properties. The primary compound responsible for turmeric’s health properties is curcumin. Researchers note that curcumin offers anti-inflammatory properties that may improve brain, lung, immune, and immune function. Not to mention, several studies indicate that curcumin may even help fight cancer!

The ingredient you may be surprised to see in this dressing is hemp seeds. These nutritional superstars are complete protein sources, meaning they have all 20 amino acids, nine essential and two semi-essential amino acids. Hemp seeds have the highest amount of Edestin protein in the world. The body cannot produce these amino acids on its own, so you have to obtain them via food sources. Additionally, hemp seeds are naturally rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. That makes this dressing a nutritional powerhouse!

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Is it possible to improve the immune system? This can seem like an impossible feat, especially if you regularly get sick. The immune system does an excellent job at fighting off harmful bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms, but it fails on occasion. While there isn’t a magic supplement that makes sickness go away, there are things you can do and foods you can eat to help optimize immune function.

What Is The Immune System?

The immune system is a protective network of organs, proteins, and white blood cells that help protect the body from foreign substances. Upon coming in contact with substances like viruses, bacteria, pathogens, or fungi, the immune system works to neutralize and remove them from the body. The immune system works nonstop to protect the body, even if you don’t notice it. You only notice when the immune system is compromised because you fall ill. If the immune system is under-active, you may be at a higher risk for developing severe infections and tumors of immunodeficiency. An overactive immune system can result in allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases. 

We want to clarify that you cannot boost immune function overnight. The goal is to strengthen your immune system’s response with various lifestyle changes and through the use of immune-boosting foods, herbs, and supplements, which we detail below. 

Astragalus Root

Astragalus is in the bean and legume family and has a long history of use in herbal medicine. People have used it to help fight diseases and improve immune function. Astragalus root has been used as an adaptogen in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. A recent review found that astragalus-based treatment significantly improved toxicity induced by drugs, including cancer therapies and immunosuppressants. The extract of the root may also protect the body from gastrointestinal inflammation. 

Ginger

Before recorded history, Ayurveda practitioners relied heavily on ginger’s immune boosting abilities. The belief is that ginger breaks down accumulated toxins in the body’s organs because it has a warming effect. Ginger root exhibits potent anti-inflammatory properties that help the immune system fend off bacteria and viruses. It may even treat inflammatory disorders caused by infectious agents like viruses, pathogens, and bacteria.

Elderberries

Both the berries and flowers of the elderberry plant have been used for thousands of years in herbal remedies. Even Hippocrates, the “Father of Medicine,” understood that elderberry was necessary for optimal immune function. He used elderberry because it helped fight off colds, flu symptoms, allergies, and inflammation. Elderberries are naturally rich in vitamin C, flavonols, and anthocyanins, all of which exhibit antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. One study found that elderberry extract was able to reduce the duration of the flu in people who consumed it within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Turmeric

This bright, yellowish orange spice is a key ingredient in many cuisines around the world. It also has a place in alternative remedies, exhibiting powerful anti-inflammatory and potential anti-cancer properties. Consuming turmeric may help reduce chronic inflammation, which increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Recent studies found that turmeric boosts immune activity in human cells. Consume turmeric with a little black pepper because the piperine in black pepper increases the bioavailability of turmeric. 

Probiotics

The gut can influence immune function, so optimizing gut health can benefit the immune system. Probiotics are healthy bacteria that help the body digest nutrients that encourage the detoxification of the colon. Research indicates that probiotic organisms may induce different cytokine responses in the body. Supplementing with probiotics in infancy may help prevent immune-related diseases in childhood because probiotics improve gut mucosal immune system. 

Zinc

This mineral exists in a variety of different foods (learn more about them here), but you can also consume it in the form of a supplement. Zinc encourages the body to produce more immune cells and may help reduce the severity and duration of infections. In fact, short-term use of zinc supplements has been shown to reduce the duration of viral colds in adults. Researchers identified that mild zinc deficiency may lower immune activity, but taking too much zinc can also weaken immune function. For that reason, consult with your doctor if you choose to take a zinc supplement. 

Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of autoimmune disorders and susceptibility to infection. Research indicates that vitamin D works to promote protective immunity and maintain immune tolerance. One study that involved 19,000 participants showed that people with lower vitamin D levels were more likely to report upper respiratory tract infection than people with sufficient levels. The body can produce vitamin D via UVB spectrum sunlight absorption, but you can also find it in  a minimal amount of food sources and supplements. 

Green Tea

Several studies evaluated the green tea’s antioxidant profile and whether or not it has immunomodulatory properties. Green tea works as an antifungal and antiviral agent, so it may be beneficial for immunocompromised patients. Green tea also contains Epigallocatechin (EGCG), which is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from damage. Not only does this catechin work to enhance immune function, but it may also regulate blood sugar and encourage weight loss.

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