Ways to boost the immune factor of your meals

-Choose intelligent, easy-to-digest foods

Intelligent foods include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and light dairy products. If you choose fresh, whole foods that are not altered by processing, then your meal is going to wake up the intelligence of nature and convert quickly to ojas.

Foods that are processed, canned, frozen or packaged are harder to digest, and because they are old, denatured by processing, or include harmful ingredients such as chemical preservatives, you could even call them dumb foods, because they no longer contain nature's intelligence.

Organically grown foods are best because not only are they free of harsh chemicals, but they also contain more minerals.

-Eat immune-boosting foods

Apples support the immune system because they contain antioxidants and both insoluble and soluble fiber, which cleanse the bowel. All sweet, juicy fruits (such as pears, peaches, plums, sweet pineapple and mangos) enhance immunity. Pomegranate seed juice and pomegranate seed chutneyb are also excellent boosters of immunity, because they enhance digestion. A papaya after lunch enhances digestion and increases immunity.

Leafy greens such as kale, mustard greens and spinach, when cooked and spiced with the immunity spice mix, are great immunity-boosters, because they provide iron, calcium and other nutrients while simultaneously cleansing the bowel. Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower contain antioxidants, flavonoids and other immune-enhancing nutrients.

Whole grains such as quinoa, amaranth and barley also have immunity-fighting effects, because they provide cleansing fiber and contain many essential nutrients.

-Cook with immune-boosting spices

Cook your food in a way that doesn't disturb the food's natural intelligence. Spices add good flavor and they support digestion and make the nutrients easily available to the body.

Different spices also have specific immune-boosting properties. Turmeric has an immune-modulating effect, because it is detoxifying and enhances the intelligence of the immune cells. Cumin and black pepper clears the channels so the nutrients can reach the deeper tissues.

-Cook your food but not too much

Food becomes more digestible when you cook it. But you don't want to cook it too much, as that reduces its immune-boosting effect. The food should be soft and easy to chew, but not mushy.

-Herbs that heal

Herbs, if properly combined and processed, offer the concentrated intelligence of nature. Harnessing their power can help bolster your physiology. Some of those herbs are aloe vera, peppermint, chamomile, rosemary, lavander...