Get a head start on 2022 with these nutritious beverages and munchies.

The mere mention of winter conjures up certain images in our minds, don’t you think? Heavy, itchy woolens? Cracked heels and chapped lips? Undoubtedly, winter is all of that, but did you also know that winter is one of the best seasons to boost immunity?
There is a fascinating fact that the body engine works better in winter, and foods are digested better in the winter. Thus, this improves the body’s nutritional status. So how do we boost our immunity during the winter? As the weather cools, our bodies crave warm, nourishing meals. The best way to satisfy this need is with warm, nutritious dishes.
So without further ado, let’s move on to our healthy snack and beverage list. I apologize if you’re feeling hungry just yet.

You’ve got the munchies:

But first, Ladoos!

1. Ragi Ladoo:
   As a superfood, ragi have high calcium content and are a superfood. This recipe is made with roasted ragi flour. While still on the flame, add the ghee, jaggery, and cardamom powder to the roasted flour. When the mixture is still warm, form the Ladoos. A classic winter treat!
2. Gond Ladoo:
   It is a popular winter delicacy. The gum comes from tree bark. Due to its high heat content, it is usually eaten in winter. Mix the flour, sugar, ghee, melon seeds, and almonds, and make them into balls.
3. Cinnamon Cookies:
   This winter, try cinnamon cookies if jaggery isn’t your thing or you don’t like sweetness? For a delicious batch of cinnamon cookies, combine flour, white sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, butter, egg, and vanilla essence. Cinnamon isn’t just a great winter spice that adds flavor; it even boosts your health.
4. Chikki:
   Crispy treats are made from peanuts and jaggery. In the winter, these bite-sized candies are the perfect treat. Jaggery and peanuts both warm the body and satiate hunger, giving you a boost of energy.

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Comforting soups!

1. Almond And Mushroom Soup:
   This creamy soup is packed with the distinct flavors of finely chopped mushrooms, almonds, butter, cream, and milk. A warm bowl of this soup will warm you up on a chilly winter evening with your loved ones.
2. Carrot Ginger Soup:
   Carrots are packed with much-needed health benefits, and a warm bowl of soup is the perfect way to get them. This recipe includes ginger, considered one of the best remedies for colds during the season.

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Your beverage wait is over!

Juice it up!

1. Beetroot-Pomegranate Juice
   A pink drink will put you in ‘the pink of health.’ Black pepper leaves are combined with beetroot, pomegranate, and aloe vera to make this lip-smacking winter juice.
2. Kinnu Apple Winter Punch
   For New Year’s Eve, you need a special mocktail recipe. Apple, orange, and pineapple fruit combine beautifully in this warm mocktail. Spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon, and cloves add to the spicy flavor. To balance out the spiciness, add honey.
3. Kale, Cucumber, and Spinach Juice
   Not a big fan of winter greens? Juice them up and mix them with cucumber and ginger for a refreshing drink.
4. Basil and Orange Juice
   Juicy, tangy orange is the highlight of winter produce. Add a few fresh basil leaves to it and sweeten it with honey. Your vitamin C-rich beverage is ready; sip it to stay healthy.

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A cozy glass of wine!

1. Chardonnay
   Chardonnay lovers, it’s time to crack open a bottle of oaked Chardonnay. The ripe fruit notes of melon and pineapple characterize this full-bodied, rich white wine. The Chardonnay pairs wonderfully with baked halibut, creamy pasta, and corn chowder this time of year.
2. Shiraz
   Shiraz is in season, rich and bold! With savory notes of black olive and dark fruit, this red wine is ideal for cozy evenings by the fire or over dinner. It pairs nicely with barbecue, roasted potatoes, and grilled mushrooms.
3. Viognier
   Why not try a white wine instead of red? It would go well with the winter season. Viognier should be on your radar if you like Chardonnay. Peach and apricot flavors like ginger are prominent in Viognier, making it a rich and creamy wine. Enjoy this wine with herb-roasted chicken.

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How To Stay Healthy In Winter

Winter can cause you to miss workouts and even make you feel out of sorts, leading to boredom and overeating. Be sure to eat both carbohydrates and proteins. A combo of serotonin and carbs will help balance blood sugar levels and prevent hunger pangs caused by low blood sugar. Protein should constitute one-third of the meal, and vegetables and salads two-thirds.
Don’t forget about your lifestyle, either. By staying up late, working at night, eating irregularly, and exposing your body to stress, you compromise your immune system instead of strengthening it. Hence, this winter, if you want to stay warm and healthy, make sure you get your fill of all the beverages and snacks listed above.
Don’t forget to check out the unexpected benefits of kiting, an excellent winter pastime.