'Tis the Season of Vitamin C: 3 Easy Vitamin C Recipes

Being a college student, you are exposed to more than just academic opportunities, social groups and cultural resets. In fact, illnesses are one of the first things you will encounter within your first month at college — along with empty shelves of Emergen-C at your local pharmacy during the Season of Vitamin C. 

As beneficial as it is to be surrounded by a diverse student population, it often leads to the facilitated spread of pathogens. The never-ending university plague leaves students under the scrutiny of Tylenol and Emergen-C for months on end.

However, healing can come in forms other than pills and powders. In fact, a quick trip to your nearest grocery store and a food processor can satisfy your body’s call for help. These three recipes packed with Vitamin C and simple ingredients will immediately leave you feeling healthier and fulfilled, without leaving the taste of expired citrus in your mouth.

Date and Ginger Immunity Balls

• Prep Time:10 mins
• Cook Time:0
• Total Time:10 mins
• Servings:5
• Easy

Ingredients

• 5 Mejdool Dates
• 1 cup cashews
• 1 cup hemp seeds
• 1 cup coconut flakes
• Juice ½ lemon
• Zest one lemon
• Pinch salt
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger

• Step 1

  Place the cashews in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.

• Step 2

  Add the rest of the ingredients to the processor until they all stick together.

• Step 3

  Scoop the mixture into balls and coat in hemp seeds.

• Step 4

  Place in the refrigerator until the hemp seeds are firmly stuck on the balls.

  

Dates have a unique ability to bind ingredients, much like an egg binds the wet and dry ingredients of a cake. Their unmatched properties are elevated by their antioxidant properties and high fiber content. Besides improving gut health, consuming dates also helps reduce cardiovascular strain and reduce inflammation. Alongside ginger, a natural detox is initiated within the first bite. Not all dates are hit or miss, it seems.

Chia Pudding with Lemon Cream

• Prep Time:30 mins
• Cook Time:0
• Total Time:30 mins
• Servings:2
• Easy

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup chia seeds
• 1 cup canned coconut milk
• 1 cup any choice milk
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 lemon
• 1 cup soaked cashews
• 1/3 cup coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• Lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• Step 1

  In a bowl, whisk chia seeds, canned coconut milk, milk of choice, maple syrup and the juice of half a lemon.

• Step 2

  Place the mixture in containers and refrigerate until the mixture solidifies.

• Step 3

  Make the lemon cream by blending soaked cashews, coconut milk, the zest and juice of the second half of the lemon, maple syrup and cinnamon in a food processor until creamy.

• Step 4

  Add the lemon-cinnamon cream to the chia pudding, and refrigerate to set completely. Garnish with toppings of choice: lemon slices, cinnamon sprinkle, berries, etc.

  

Much like dates, chia is a texturizing agent. However, they have the ability to thicken a liquid into a pudding consistency overnight, which can satisfy any sweet tooth. Besides this, chia seeds, which promote digestive health through their high fiber content, combined with citrus, are the ultimate health-boosting treat. Check out more about chia seeds here. However, the zest is yet to come. Adding vitamin C from lemons mirrors that of your local pharmacy powders, but this versatile meal will leave you feeling refreshed, full, and immune from any flu that comes your way. 

Cashew Crunch Granola

• Prep Time:5 mins
• Cook Time:30 mins
• Total Time:35 mins
• Servings:4
• Easy

Ingredients

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup halved cashews
• 2 tablespoons grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Juice ½ lemon
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Handful cacao nibs
• Handful coconut flakes

• Step 1

  Add all of the ingredients to a sheet pan and bake for 15 minutes at 200° F.

• Step 2

  Stir ingredients and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

• Step 3

  Garnish with additional toppings or drizzle with maple syrup. Add to your favorite yogurt, chia pudding or just snack on it whenever the cravings kick in!

  

Granola is one of the most versatile snacks, but also one of the most nourishing. Making granola is an individualized process that hosts various approaches. For a fruit-based variation, add dried berries or coconut flakes. For a nuttier option, adding cashews, almonds or pecans will provide a crunchier, more savory alternative. If a more distinct flavor is desired, add cacao nibs, ginger shavings or candied citrus. In this recipe, using a combination of these three varieties will maximize nutritional and taste benefits. Like lemonade, the aid-of-lemons will enhance your Vitamin C consumption, stimulating the release of antibodies, which attack foreign antigens such as the flu virus.

Nourish Your Body

Ultimately, these recipes are bound by the intention of making the most out of a few ingredients to strengthen one’s immune system. Although not curing a plague, these recipes will surely leave you feeling naturally healed, and your energy levels feeling replenished. So take yourself on a date, and spice things up with some ginger. Say goodbye to ‘achoo’ and hello to ‘cashew’, and, without losing your zest for life, t-oat-ally overcome your illnesses with-oat a hemp-ty stomach.