Everyone who has a kid knows that being a parent is, besides being the greatest thing in the world, a full-time job! What this means is that parenting can be stressful at times, especially if you have a small child. Parents quickly get used to not sleeping and not eating and decide to put themselves as well as their health aside to make sure that their child has everything it needs.

However, that might take a toll on your immune system. Taking care of your child when you are weak or sick is a great challenge. Therefore, as a parent, you need to go an extra mile to keep yourself strong and full of energy, in order for your child’s wants and needs to be completely fulfilled at all times.

If you have been feeling a bit weakened lately and if you are afraid you might be coming down with a nasty cold, or you simply think you could use a bit more energy on a daily basis, we have some amazingly powerful immune boosting snacks and drinks which are really easy to make!

1. Golden milk

Although called this way, this drink has nothing to do with dairy, and it is a much healthier substitute for regular milk. Golden milk is made of plant-based milk such as almond, soy or rice milk, mixed with coconut oil, turmeric, and black pepper.

Turmeric is the main ingredient that makes this drink really golden – it contains different bioactive compounds which have incredible medicinal properties. For instance, it is anti-inflammatory, rich in antioxidants, and, according to various different research, it is claimed to reduce the risk of heart and brain diseases.

Moreover, according to some scientific studies, turmeric can help in prevention and even treatment of different kinds of cancer. So, what better way to include this powerful ingredient to your daily diet than by making this tasty drink?

One of the ways to prepare golden milk is by mixing 2 cups of non-dairy milk, 1 tsp. of turmeric powder, 1 tsp. of honey, ½ tsp. of cinnamon, ¼ tsp. of ginger powder, and just a pinch of black pepper. Simply combine all of the ingredients and cook no more than 5 minutes on medium heat. This amount is enough for 4 servings.

2. Creamy vegetable soup

If you are looking for a light, yet a very satisfying meal that is beneficial for your immune system, you will love this soup. Although you can use practically any vegetables that you like, these are our suggestions.

You will need 2 carrots, a peeled green apple, one sweet potato, 4 cups of chicken broth, 2 minced cloves of garlic, 1 onion, 1 tsp. of olive oil, ½ tsp. of ginger powder, ½ tsp. of tsp. of turmeric powder, ½ tsp. of cumin powder, ¼ cup of yogurt, and 2 tbsp. of squeezed lemon.

Fry a chopped onion until it gets golden, add all of the seasonings including some salt, and then add the finely chopped vegetables. Cover the pot and cook everything for about half an hour, and then use a blender to puree your soup. After, you can add some lemon juice and top everything with a ¼ cup of yogurt.

3. Beetroot smoothie

Packed with vitamin C, beetroot is amazing for fighting any kind of inflammation. This drink is delicious and incredibly easy and quick to make. All you need is an apple, a carrot, a medium-sized beetroot, some fresh mint, 4 cm cube of peeled fresh ginger, and a tbsp. of lemon juice.

Add these ingredients to your blender, and blend everything until there are no chunks left. And that’s it – your drink is ready to be served! Although some people prefer drinking smoothies as a snack, this smoothie can easily replace your breakfast as it is full of vitamins that are guaranteed to boost your energy.

4. Leafy greens salad

Salads can be a great alternative to your lunch when you don’t have too much time to spend on cooking. For this delicious and healthy salad, you will need 3 cups of thinly sliced kale, 2 cups of thinly sliced red cabbage, 2 cups of baby spinach, 1 green apple, and 1 pomegranate.

For the dressing, mix 3 tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp. of mustard, 1 tbsp. of honey, 4 tbsp. of vinegar (either apple cider or balsamic) and 1 tbsp. of lemon juice. Mix all these ingredients together and coat your veggies with the mixture. Add some salt and pepper according to your personal preferences and you’re ready to go!

5. Gingerbread bars

If you have a sweet tooth, gingerbread bars are guaranteed to fulfill your cravings while keeping you healthy and fit. For this recipe, you need 1 cup of chopped dates, ½ cup of raisins, ¾ cup of cashews, ¾ cup of almonds, 3 tbsp. of water, 1 tsp. of vanilla, ½ tsp. of ginger powder, and ½ tsp. of cinnamon.

Put all the ingredients in the food processor, and then place the mixture in a baking tray (or any large flat dish) and refrigerate it for about an hour. Afterward, simply cut the mixture into bars.

No matter how busy or tired you are, the above mentioned treats are so quick and easy to make, and are the best and the most delicious way to boost your immune system in no time!