Written by Jamesie Kai‘aokamālie Spencer, Blue Zones Project - Hawai‘i Ambassador

Your health starts with what you choose to eat. Food choices have the potential to influence the quality of life, health, longevity, and disease prevention. So why not fuel your body with vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrient-dense foods? Choose immune system-boosting foods that fend off the flu and reduce the risk of chronic illness, ensuring your short-term and long-term wellness. Prevention is always more effective than any treatment. Choosing the healthy option is the right option for people and the planet.

Boost Your Energy and Immunity with These 13 Super "Blue" Foods - Blue Zones

The longest-living people in the world follow the Blue Zones Project Power 9^® principle of plant slant, incorporating immune system boosting foods into their daily diets. Learn more about Blue Zones Project Food Guidelines. These individuals choose foods that have enabled them to elude chronic diseases that have befallen upon so many Americans. And it all starts with our food choices. Eat better, feel better, live longer.

We have composed a list of a few immune boosting recipes filled with healthy probiotics, prebiotics, polyphenols, antioxidants, Vitamin C, and Zinc, to keep you healthy and happy. These simple immunity-boosting recipes can easily be incorporated into our everyday diets. Great recipes for those working on the Power 9 principle of plant slant. Feel free to share with your family and friends. Enjoy!

Immune Boosting Winter Citrus Smoothie
(recipe by Half-Baked Harvest)

Directions:

1. In a blender, combine the mango, lemon juice, turmeric, cayenne, ginger, and orange juice. Blend until smooth. Pour into a glass.
2. In a blender, combine the beets, raspberries, oranges, and pomegranate juice. Blend until smooth. Pour over mango mixture and stir slightly. Enjoy!
   
   

Beet, Orange, and Fennel Salad
(recipe by Feasting at Home)

Recipe and photos by Feasting at Home

Ingredients: 1 pound cooked beets, peeled and cut 2 oranges, peeled and cut 1 medium fennel bulb, cored and shaved thinly ⅛ cup thinly sliced red onion ⅛ cup fresh dill, chopped ⅛ cup fresh Italian parsley, chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 2 teaspoons honey ¼ tablespoon salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Place the cooked cut beets, oranges, and fennel in a medium bowl.
2. Add fresh herbs and dressing ingredients. Toss well. Enjoy!
   
   

Turmeric Sauerkraut
(recipe by Feasting at Home)

Recipe and photos by Feasting at Home

Ingredients: 1 pound organic cabbage, finely sliced ¼ onion, finely sliced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely chopped 1 teaspoon finely grated turmeric

Directions:

1. Chop cabbage into thin strips and place in a bowl with salt. Massage cabbage well.
2. Add onion, garlic, ginger, and toss well. Add turmeric and toss again. Let stand for 1 hour.
3. Mix again once more and compress into a jar submerged under the liquid, covering loosely with the lid.
4. Allow to ferment for 4-5 days. Enjoy!
   
   

Orange and Avocado Salad
(recipe by Feasting at Home)

Recipe and photos by Feasting at Home

Ingredients: 1 blood orange 1 navel orange 1 avocado 1 lime 1 tablespoon cilantro leaves 1 jalapeño thinly sliced Salt Chili flakes

Directions:

1. Peel and cut oranges and place them in a medium bowl.
2. Cut avocado and place in the bowl.
3. Add cilantro and jalapeño.
4. Sprinkle with salt and chili flakes.
5. Squeeze with ½ a lime and gently toss.