Malaysia has reached Day 23 of the Movement Control Order as of the 9th of April 2020, and many are already antsy about the anticipated lifting of the order next week.

But relaxing your precautions about the virus cannot be enacted immediately, as previous pandemics had a recurrence rate well beyond the initial outbreak. Here are some recipes to keep your immunity boosted and your health in check.

Super Immunity Shot

Image credit: Barbara Montavon | Unsplash

This is the ultimate immunity shot to blast out your cold or boost you up during this time. Any combination of the following ingredients would be beneficial as an immune boosting and sinus clearing shot – feel free to mix it up to suit your taste.

Ingredients

1 lemon
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Fresh ginger, 1-2 inches
pinch turmeric powder or 1-inch fresh turmeric
pinch cayenne pepper
1 clove of fresh garlic (optional!)

Method

1. Juice lemon and blend with ginger, garlic (optional), and turmeric (if using fresh).
2. Stir in apple cider vinegar and cayenne.
3. Mix the ingredients well until smooth. Makes 2 shots.

Creamy Orange Smoothie

orange immunity drink
Image credit: Pexels

Drinking orange juice is a great start, but adding some extra zing to it will help with rounding off all the good nutrients you’ll need to keep your gut healthy enough to fight off any new illnesses that try to infiltrate your post-MCO exposure.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons raw cashews
2 soft Medjool dates, pitted
1 cup iced coconut water or ice cubes
3⁄4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon goji berries
1 teaspoon orange zest
1⁄2 teaspoon superfood powder of your choice
Any sweetener, to taste (optional)

Method

1. Blend all the ingredients together until smooth, taste and sweeten if desired.

Red Velvet Smoothie

beetroot juice drink
Image credit: Paula Zanon | Unsplash

This special blend resembles the famous cake in terms of flavour, getting its name from the nutritious beetroot which makes it extra creamy.

Ingredients

1⁄2 cup roasted beetroot*
1⁄4 cup dried white mulberries
3 tablespoons cacao powder
1 cup almond milk
2 cups iced coconut water or ice cubes
sweetener, to taste (optional)

Method

1. Blend all the ingredients together, except the coconut ice, until smooth.
2. Add the ice and blend once more, until frothy. Taste, and sweeten if desired.

Notes
*For a raw version of this smoothie, substitute roasted beetroot with 1/2 of a pear,
and 1/3 cup beetroot juice.
For a superfood boost: Add 1⁄2 teaspoon of superfood powder of your choice. For
example: lucuma powder, maca powder, or camu powder for some added vitamin C.

Thank you to the Malaysian Institute of Baking (MIB) College for supplying these fun recipes to keep us healthy!