It is unfortunate that Singapore is plagued by clouds of smoke and dust due to the forest fires in neighbouring countries. How long will this condition last? Nobody knows. We are literally at the mercy of the restless winds. Now, who doesn’t wish to be in someplace idyllic with clear blue skies, fresh Alpine air and amble from field to field of edelweiss?
Riiiicolaaaaa~!
The swiss cough drops commercial is affirming my daydream – an adaptive coping strategy. I’ve always believed in the inevitable influence of clement and inclement weathers. Well, I’m not the only one feeling hazed & confused (Thank you, Spotify!). The ominous clouds of smoke are getting into my eyes – and mood.
As the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) hits unhealthy level, we are advised to reduce time spent outdoors, so for the time being you can cut yourself some slack because it is no fun to be breathing in all that toxicity.
Maybe you’re already feeling the adverse physical effects of the haze: watery eyes, runny nose, itchy throat, and coughing, which are taking a toll on your productivity and creativity. The haze contains many toxins which your lungs and skin absorb, forcing your kidneys to work harder to cleanse your body too. Besides putting on a proper N95 mask, you should stay hydrated with water. Here are three healthy drink recipes to brighten up your day and boost your immune system during this annoying haze season.
1Lavender Lemonade
This lavender lemonade hits the spot with a distinctive, aromatic taste and plenty of Vitamin C. It is also easy to prepare! This drink is perfect for any occasion and does wonder when you’re down with a cold, flu or simply needed a detox. Lavender helps with headaches and calms the mind. Important to note: If you use fresh, garden flowers, make sure they have not been sprayed with pesticides.
Ingredients (6 Servings)
- 1 to 2 tablespoon of dried lavender petals
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 2 cups of boiling water for the infusion
- 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 cups or more of cold water
- Ice
How to Make:
- Bring 2 cups water to a boil. Remove from the heat; add lavender. Cover and let stand for 2-4 hours.
- Strain, discarding lavender. Stir in lemon juice, honey and remaining water. Chill; serve over ice.
2Anti-Pollutant Juice a.k.a Green Potion
As the name suggests, this recipe is created to cleanse your body from the toxins. The following ingredients are rich in antioxidants which help to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are waste substances produced by cells as the body reacts to the environment. Green juice is also lower in sugar than fruit juice, which is better for your liver. This is because fructose (fruit sugar) can only be metabolised by our liver, and when you overconsumed it, the liver stores excess sugary energy as fat and its function is compromised. Boo.
Ingredients (2 Servings)
- 2 green apples
- 2 cucumber
- 2 bunch of spinach
- 1/2 lemon
- 2 inch of ginger root / 2 teaspoon of ginger powder
How to Make:
- Wash all the ingredients. Cut the apples into quarters, spinach, ginger and cucumber into smaller pieces that fit inside the juicer.
- Juice everything except for the lemon.
- Taste the juice.
- Add the lemon at the very end after you tasted the juice. It might or might not need a full half of lemon. This will depend on how sweet/sour the apples are.
- If you feel like it doesn’t need any lemon juice, omit it completely.
- Store in a sealed glass jar in the fridge.
- Best consumed fresh but can last up to 48 hours if stored properly.
