Freeze-dried Foods, A Tool to Help Boost Your Immune System

Cold season is now upon us and there seems to be a proliferation of viruses.  On average, an adult has 2 colds per year.  While they are not usually life threatening, they cause a great deal of suffering and lost days of work.  Wouldn’t it be nice if we could decrease our chances of catching colds and flu or even lessen the effects or duration of these viruses?   Doctors and nutritionists tell us that by eating a balanced diet, including at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, we can do just that.

Why Are Fruits and Vegetables So Important in Boosting our Immune System?

Many fruits and vegetables are rich in Vitamin A, C, E and flavonoids.

What are Flavonoids?

Flavonoids are chemical substances in food that act as Antioxidants.  Antioxidants stop free radicals from damaging healthy cells.  Free radicals come from the body’s natural use of oxygen, as well as environmental elements such as pollution and smoking.  They tend to weaken our body’s defense system.

We all know it is important to have a balanced diet, but more often than not, we just do not eat the right foods.  People tend to eat fewer fruits and vegetables in the winter because there are less fresh fruits and vegetables available.  Often they are expensive, lacking in quality or just not available.  Unfortunately, this is just the opposite of what we should be doing.  Cold weather, pollution, lack of sun light etc. take a tole on our immune systems.  If we are not careful, our immune system suffers.  This is just the type of situation that those nasty little viruses are looking for.

How Can Freeze-Dried Foods Help Us Get the Nutrition Needed to Build a Healthy Immune System?

1.   They maintain the same vitamin, mineral and antioxidant content as fresh foods

2.   They are very appealing to the taste, maintain the same color and aroma as fresh foods

3.   They are edible just as they are and make healthy, nutritious snacks

4.   They are lightweight and easy to store in a handbag or backpack, making them easy to eat on the go

5.   They can easily be reconstituted and used in your own recipes.  They are lifesavers when you haven’t had time to shop for fresh ingredients

6.   They have a shelf live of 25 years when the can is unopened

7.   No preservatives are added

8.   They are available in a great variety at all times of the year

There is nothing more valuable to you than good health.  Let Shelf Reliance Thrive Foods help you and your family boost your immune systems.  It is a great way to get those important fruits and vegetables into your diet.  Please click the link below to go to my Shelf Reliance website where you can shop for your favorite foods and have them shipped directly to your home. 

susansakurai.shelfreliance.com

Strawberry Swirl Sweet Rolls From Your Food Storage Pantry

If you have been reading my blog, you know that strawberries are one of my favorites.  Freeze-dried strawberries are so easy to use and taste delicious.  I love to experiment with them.  I decided to change up my favorite cinnamon roll recipe.  It actually turned out better than I had hoped.  Considering the red strawberry filling and the white frosting on top, they would make a great Christmas treat.  Your family will love them anytime.  It is very likely that you will be able to make them entirely from items in your food storage pantry.  I hope that you will give this recipe a try.

Note:  Freeze-dried raspberries, blueberries, mangos, peaches and pineapple can be substituted.

Strawberry Swirl Sweet Rolls

Mix the following ingredients and let yeast develop for about 10 to 15 minutes.

2 C. warm water

½ C. oil

½ C. sugar

2 pkgs. or 2 T. yeast

Add:

1 tsp. salt

2 eggs or 2 T. whole egg powder + 4T. water

Knead the dough and let it rise until double in a greased bowl covered with plastic wrap.  Roll out until it is about 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick.  Spread Strawberry filling over the dough evenly.  Roll up as if it were a cinnamon roll.  Seal the edges.  Cut into 1 ½ inch slices using a piece of thread.  Place on a greased baking sheet.  Cover with a damp kitchen towel and let rise until double.  Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven.  While slightly warm, drizzle with vanilla frosting.

Strawberry Filling

In a saucepan mix the following ingredients.  Bring to a boil and continue to cook until mixture becomes very thick (like jam).

2 C. freeze-dried strawberries

¾ C. water

1/3 C. sugar

Add:

½ tsp. vanilla extract

Continue cooking for 1 minute.

These rolls are delicious and can be made on the spur of the moment when using ingredients from your food storage pantry.  If you have never used freeze-dried fruits and vegetables, I recommend giving them a try.  You will be surprised and how fast and easy they are to use and how convenient they are.  They make cooking quick and easy because they are already chopped and ready to rehydrate in your favorite recipe.  I recommend trying Shelf Reliance Thrive freeze-dried foods.  They are of the highest quality and give you the piece of mind knowing they are in your pantry and ready to use.  Most Thrive freeze-dried foods have a shelf life of 25 years unopened and up to a year after opened.  Give them a try.  You will love them!

Please click below to go to my Shelf Reliance website.  While there you can learn more about Shelf Reliance products, use our food planner, get recipes from Chef Todd Leonard or purchase any of our line of Thrive foods, emergency equipment or shelving.

susansakurai.shelfreliance.com