Tag: immuno-boosting

recipes

Lemon & Turmeric Cake

Quirkalicous

Moist, tangy, and delicious!! This lemon & turmeric cake can be decorated with caramelised lemon slices or left as is.

It’s easy, doesn’t require a mixer, and is the perfect tea cake. All your friends will absolutely love it! That’s IF there’s any left by the time they arrive…

The turmeric is not overpowering, but is just enough to draw attention to its presence. It provides the right hint of spice that pairs extremely well with the tanginess of the lemon. The appeal is not only with the flavour but also in the vibrant yellow colour, and of course, the health benefits, which are huge!

You can read more about these health benefits in our ‘immuno-boosting-combinations‘ post.

Lemon & Turmeric Cake

  • Servings: 12-15
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

Moist, tangy, and delicious! And can easily be made keto or paleo! - This turmeric cake will be your new immuno-boosting go-to solution!

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¾ teaspoon turmeric powder
    • {if you have fresh turmeric, you can also add a root (or less, depending on the size) finely grated}
  • 2 lemons – grated zest
  • ¾ cup sugar/stevia
  • ¾ cup yogurt
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup butter (melted)

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 10-Inch pan, or loaf pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, toss together the flour, baking powder, salt, turmeric powder, and freshly grated turmeric root if using.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix together the lemon zest with the sugar until combined. Then add the yogurt, eggs, and melted butter, making sure to mix well.
  4. Add the bowl with the wet ingredients to the dry and whisk until fully combined.
  5. Pour into the prepared pan.
  6. Bake for 30-35 minutes until set around the edges and a toothpick comes out with only a few moist crumbs (don’t over bake or the cake will dry). Serve warm or at room temperature.

    Substitutions
  • Substitute flour for oat flour, or gluten-free flour.
  • You can replace sugar with any form of granulated sugar, whether it be stevia or coconut sugar.
  • Instead of butter, you can use coconut oil, vegan butter or ghee, depending on your preference.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 119 calories; 7 g fat; 11 g carbohydrates; 2.8 g protein; 39 mg cholesterol; 61 mg sodium.

MENTAL HEATLH, SUPERFOODS

Immuno-Boosting Combinations

Quirkalicous

Our immune systems are complex defence networks comprising many cells, proteins and processes that work to protect our bodies against any infection and diseases. It keeps a record of every germ ever defeated so that it is able to recognise and destroy the microbe quickly if it enters the body again. To work optimally, it requires balance and harmony.

Therefore, our first line of defence is a healthy lifestyle with good, regular nourishment.

Due to the closely linked relationship of mind and body, it is important to consider the relationship between stress and immune function and try incorporate foods and supplements to work on these simultaneously.

Below are a few items that when combined provide a powerhouse of nutrients to battle any cold, flu or bacteria. They can be incorporated into any food or consumed as a tea.

GINGER
The unique fragrance and flavour of ginger come from its natural oils, the most important of which is gingerol. This is what is responsible for most of its medicinal properties and has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects which help strengthen your immunity and reduce stress, prevent cell damage, fight off a number of chronic diseases like high blood pressure, heart and lung diseases, fights germs, illness, inflammation and cancer-causing molecules, all whilst promoting healthy ageing.

Inhaling the steam from freshly made ginger root tea may also assist in relieving nasal congestion and other respiratory issues from the common cold or environmental allergies.

Ginger works as a powerhouse detoxifier, helping remove unwanted chemicals from your body, and neutralizing unstable molecules known as free radicals from the kidneys thus preventing the formation of kidney stones.

It is also known to treat chronic indigestion, suppress your appetite, and keep your metabolism at its best.

LEMON
Freshens your breath, boosts your immunity, improves your skin, aids in digestion, may support heart health, and weight control among many other benefits. They are high in vitamin C and fiber.

Lemons may also help prevent kidney stones due to their citric acid content. The citric acid works by increasing urine volume and increasing urine pH, thus creating a less favourable environment for kidney stone formation.

Due to the fact that vitamin C and citric acid assist in the absorption of non-heme iron from plants, lemons are also thought to prevent anaemia.

TURMERIC
Turmeric contains the active compound curcumin which has many scientifically-proven health benefits such as the potential to prevent heart and liver disease, reduce cholesterol, alleviate PMS symptoms, aid in gastrointestinal diseases, Alzheimer’s and cancer. It is also a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and therefore helps to fight off a variety of viruses including herpes and the flu, among many other things.

Honey
Raw, unpasteurised, honey has long been used as a folk remedy throughout history and has a huge variety of health benefits and medical uses such as antibacterial and antifungal properties, digestion and gut health, immunity boosting, antioxidants, in its use for sore throats and to heal wounds.

Garlic
Garlic has been used throughout history for its medicinal properties. It is known to combat sickness, common colds, infections, reduce blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels reducing the risk for heart disease.

Green Tea
Contains powerful antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties therefore boosting the immune system and preventing various ailments such as cancer and coronary heart disease among many others. It also reduces the effects of free radicals and prevents inflammation caused by extensive exposure to UV sunrays.

All the above are prefect for incorporating in to your every day diet to alleviate a variety of ailments whilst boosting your immune system.