Diet Treatment For COVID 19

What are your building blocks for strong immunity?

Are you blocking proper cellular communication?

Detox, repair, and regenerate.

Make a plan

When we are sick or we feel bad we feel pain, which means we must change. We cannot depend on the usual reactions that keep us moving along. Just like when a computer crashes or a car runs out of proper fuel, a problem must be fixed before we can use it properly. The same goes for our body: Transformation must happen when we are in mental, physical, or spiritual stress. Basically, we need something to heal us or give us the nutrients to become better than our previous selves. But, in Western societies we tend to live very individualized and most people have little or no access to simple solutions when they are ill. This could be as simple as providing hydration, getting a person getting a clean glass of water, fresh fruits and vegetables, or making them an herbal tea to take the pressure off of your pain.

I have family members who suffer from chronic illnesses, like type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, depression, neuropathy, high cholesterol, and other illnesses that have compromised their quality of life. Some have many challenges and barriers to health, due to not having the knowledge and resources to get treatment and the right medicine to prevent complications from disease. Plus, they do not have the strength to actually find ways to connect with someone that can help them. We live in environments where we are even so disconnected that we may not know who is ill and who is equipped with the expertise to help those who suffer. 

You cannot take care of anyone, until you are cared for. That's why I keep an arsenal of natural products for inside and outside my body 'machine'. I keep cinnamon, cloves, fennel, green plant powder supplements, and many other disease fighting compounds for anything from brushing my teeth or treating a digestive issue. When my sister comes in town, I feed her Ceylon cinnamon daily, because she suffers from diabetic neuropathy that took her sight in her 20's.

Most of the nutrients you need to repair from a virus like COVID 19 or the flu are right in your house or your neighbor's. I will never forget a book's title that rings in my ears, whenever I am suffering from a virus or overwhelming stress i.e. "The Cure is In the Cupboard: how to use oregano for better health" by Dr. Cass Ingram. Most common spices and herbs that are in prepared foods e.g. spaghetti sauce, like oregano, garlic, and pepper contain active plant chemicals that will clean your gut and give your immunity powerful compounds to fight disease. Instead of thinking that you need manufactured antibiotics that will not protect you from foreign viral attacks or help your body fight off viral infections, stock up on those foods, and herbs that will prevent your illness from getting worse. By increasing antioxidant supplements, getting proper rest, and following a good natural diet protocol, you may prevent getting the flu, infections, and COVID 19.

Here are spices and herbs that you should always keep and steep. This way you have a sure way to try to prevent and reverse symptoms of the flu and COVID 19.

Oregano is an amazing herb and research shows proof of that it is antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory.(3) Be careful to buy the wild Mediterranean oregano, since some of it is truly marjoram. 

Rosemary is one of the most popular medicinal herbs in the world and it has amazing healing properties. Two teaspoons dried and crushed can be steeped in hot water along with hibiscus, mint, and/or gunpowder green tea and taken daily. It can be easily grown and recognized in the garden. Studies show it prevents the symptoms of herpes 1 and 2.(1)  

Sumac is a spice berry and it is rich in antioxidants including vitamin C and anthocyanins. Studies show it has antifungal, antibiotic, and antibacterial properties. It is also rich in potassium, calcium, vitamin B's and has benefits for lowering undesirable LDL cholesterol and raising HDL and helps repair the skin from damage.. Syrian sumac is much richer in nutrients than Chinese brands.(4)

Ginger is a root that contains a natural chemical called gingerol, along with other chemicals and has been shown to be anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, anticarcinogenic, antiviral and antibacterial.(2)

A few tips

Make sure your daily regimen includes a detoxification with water and lemon or lime, vinegars, or a green food supplement. You should be drinking 1/2 your body weight in ounces and you can include water infusions with cucumber, sprigs of herbs, or fruits with rinds. Just wash with vinegar, salt, and water solutions.

Include meditation and contemplation in your daily diet. Stay quieter and remember to be grateful for whatever food you have. There are many people suffering from hunger and lack of resources to survive in these troublesome times.

Use less and give more. Even though we cannot hold friends and family as we used to, we can remember to cut back on wasting time and learn about our environment and give support. We can always encourage someone to 'keep positive' and know that with all struggle comes relief. We can smile more and remind each other to be more kind and generous.

We can use less expensive ingredients, like beans and rice. We can make a choice to support our environment by consuming less and supporting local farms and businesses.  

Here are a couple recipes to include in your diet and make sure in these times of difficulty, you eat lots of plant based protein sources. 

Vegan Minestrone Soup

4 servings

 1 tsp

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1

• Yellow Onion (finely chopped)

1

• Carrot (peeled, chopped)

4

• Garlic (cloves, minced)

1 tbsp

• Italian Seasoning

1 tsp

• Sea Salt

1/4 cup

• Tomato Paste

3 1/2 cups

• Diced Tomatoes (from the can)

4 cups

• Vegetable Broth

2 cups

• Red Kidney Beans (cooked, rinsed)

1 cup

• Frozen Green Beans (chopped)

1 1/2 cups

• Brown Rice Pasta Shells (dry)

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion for 3 to 5 minutes or until softened. Add the carrot, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt and stir to combine. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes more. Stir in the tomato paste and continue to cook for another minute.
2. Add the diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and kidney beans and stir until combined.
3. Add the green beans. Bring to a gentle boil and continue to cook for 30 to 35 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Season with additional salt if needed.
4. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse well, and set aside.
5. To serve, divide the soup between bowls and stir in the cooked pasta. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Date Balls

6 servings

1 cup

• Pitted Dates

1/4 cup

• All Natural Peanut Butter

1/8 tsp

• Sea Salt

2 tbsps

• Dark Chocolate Chips

Directions

1. Add the dates to a food processor and blend until mostly smooth. Add the peanut butter and salt to the date purée and blend until combined. Add the chocolate chips and pulse until incorporated.
2. Form the dough into 1-inch balls. Place on a parchment-lined plate or tray. Repeat until all the dough is used up.
3. Freeze the balls for at least an hour until firm then transfer to an airtight container and keep in the fridge or freezer. Enjoy!

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References 

1. Al-Megrin, W., AlSadhan, N., Metwally, D., Al-Talhi, R., El-Khadragy, M., & Abdel-Hafez, L. (2020, June 26). Potential antiviral agents of Rosmarinus officinalis extract against herpes viruses 1 and 2. Retrieved December 13, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7286877/

2. Kaushik, S., Jangra, G., Kundu, V., Yadav, J., & Kaushik, S. (2020, May 5). Anti-viral activity of Zingiber officinale (Ginger) ingredients against the Chikungunya virus. Retrieved December 13, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7223110/

3. Leyva-López, N., Gutiérrez-Grijalva, E., Vazquez-Olivo, G., & Heredia, J. (2017, June 14). Essential Oils of Oregano: Biological Activity beyond Their Antimicrobial Properties. Retrieved December 13, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6152729/

4. Sakhr, K., & El Khatib, S. (2020, January 27). Physiochemical properties and medicinal, nutritional and industrial applications of Lebanese Sumac (Syrian Sumac - Rhus coriaria): A review. Retrieved December 13, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7002821/

Eat cucumbers for silica to build collagen (helps joint inflammation), mangos that help the cells detect insulin and lower blood sugar (reverse diabetes), and bananas for tryptophan (helps depression), and plant chemicals that have been shown to help your organs metabolize sugar into energy and amino acids into balanced hormones.

Seeds, like sunflower seeds and chia seeds and beans like chick peas, and mung beans contain, plant chemicals and phytonutrients, omega 3 fats, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and other minerals that will help electrical signaling to repair your cells after stress.

Spices like cumin are antiviral and anti cancerous to help combat inflammation, so your brain has the ability to REMEMBER TO EAT HEALTHIER FOODS, so that you lower risk for illness and disease. If you use lemony (coriander seed and cumin), bitter (nutmeg), and sweet (cinnamon) spices in cooking with beans you will find they taste better and like a domino affect, you will feel better. Make a curry with chickpeas instead of meat. You won’t miss the protein. 

THINK about TRYING HARDER and DON’T GIVE UP. You are the cure; just find it.

"Get healthy the tasty way."

Chef Maryam J.

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