Island Getaway Immune Boosting Parfait

It is so important to keep our immune systems strong and feed ourselves nutrient dense foods during the winter months when we want to avoid colds and flu! For me, that means the treats I choose to put in my mouth need to be full of nutrients as well. I am not a perfectionist when it comes to food, but if you want to heal your digestion and keep your immune system strong, live long, and avoid downtime due to winter illness, there are ways to have your treats and not sacrifice nutrients. The Island Getaway Immune Boosting Parfait recipe consists of organic superfruits including raspberries, mango, pomegranate juice, currants, walnuts, almonds, lemon juice, banana, cinnamon, superfood matcha green tea, coconut, honey and a little vanilla. It tastes like a decadent dessert, but it is also a dense, nutrient rich food that will benefit your body’s cells, be part of a diet to keep your immune system strong, has flavonoids, phytonutrients, antioxidants, good fat, vitamins and minerals.  All you need is a blender!

Some lifestyle choices that will help you meet your wellness goals this winter season are moving your body, getting enough sleep, getting outside in the sunshine and/or supplementing with Vitamin D3, and as mentioned, food choices. Most people are deficient in Vitamin D in the winter time. We get it naturally from the sun, but during the winter months and even the summer months, due to sunscreen, our bodies often do not absorb enough. Vitamin D is supportive to our immune systems. It is a hormone, not a vitamin, and is necessary for our immune systems to function properly. I started supplementing with Vitamin D3 this Autumn and within a week I was sleeping better. Here is an article for more information on the benefits of Vitamin D along with a short video. Also, Chris Kresser has written an informative article on Vitamin D entitled, “Vitamin D: the new super-nutrient?” You can read that article here.

So, pick your favorite exercise and commit to it regularly. For me that means weights and cardio three days a week in the mornings, yoga on the other days, and walking outdoors (weather permitting). Restorative yoga helps me wind down and sleep in the evening, especially when I have had a hectic day, (just 15 minutes will help). Lately I am really having fun with ball workouts. They make me feel like I am playing like a kid, not working out, but I am seeing results! Here’s one that I like. So, choose something that is fun! You will be getting the benefits of exercise and endorphins from doing something you enjoy, like jump roping or hula hooping. Here is a inspirational article on winter workouts from The Aloha Way, Source of Happiness entitled “Winter Workouts, Take it Inside“ by Eric Petri. And another on the benefits of stretching called “Stretch Your Way To Wellness” by Donna Flagg.

So here is the delicious, nutrient rich, parfait recipe:

Island Getaway Immune Boosting Parfait

Ingredients:

First Layer Mango:

1 Ripe Mango

1/4 Cup Raw Walnuts

1/4 Cup Organic Dried Currants

1 Tablespoon Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

Second Layer Raspberry Pomegranate:

2/3 Cup Organic Frozen Raspberries, Thawed

1 Tablespoon 100% POM Juice

1 Ripe Banana

1/4 Cup Finely Shredded Unsweetened Coconut

Third Layer Matcha Green Tea

4 Teaspoons Powdered Matcha Green Tea

1/4 Cup Raw Almonds (I used sprouted)

1/4 Cup Full Fat Coconut Milk, no additives

2 Tablespoons Finely Shredded Unsweetened Coconut

2 Tablespoons Pure Honey

Finish with pomegranate seeds on the top.

Directions: Starting with the first layer, blend all the ingredients until smooth and pudding consistency. Divide between three glasses or dishes evenly. Repeat with the Raspberry Pomegranate layer. Repeat with the Matcha Green Tea layer. Top with 1/2 teaspoon pomegranate seeds on each parfait. Chill two hours before serving.

Keeps in the refrigerator for 4 days.

I like these for breakfast. It is a serving of Matcha in each parfait. They are also good post workout! I hope you enjoy them. Imagine you are in a sunny island paradise on vacation while you are eating it for extra benefits!

Makes 3

Eat your nutrients! You deserve it!

Eat Your Nutrients!

*I contacted POM Juice directly to inquire about any additives or fillers in their 100% POM Juice and was told they put nothing in it. It is pure pomegranate juice. So, this item is SCD Legal.