Flu or cold: Symptoms, progression, and duration

Soothing ginger tea with vitamin C from citrus fruits: the classic remedy for colds

This recipe not only boosts the immune system, but also warms you up from the inside out. The pungent compounds in ginger and the vitamin C in citrus fruits strengthen the immune system – a true classic remedy for colds. Ginger also has a lot to offer in terms of taste: its warming spiciness harmonizes perfectly with the fresh acidity of lemons or oranges and the pleasant sweetness of honey. 
 

Ingredients:

• 300 ml hot water
• 3 slices of lemon or orange with washed peel, untreated organic quality
• 3 slices of ginger
• 1 tsp organic honey
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder (optional)

How to prepare ginger tea:  

Place all ingredients in a large cup. The lemon and orange slices and ginger will settle at the bottom, so let them steep for a short time. Then you can enjoy this soothing tea to help with a cold or simply to warm up.

Vegan chocolate cake: a sweet winter recipe for those with a sweet tooth

A cake that doesn't require baking? It sounds super easy—and this winter recipe is just that. This vegan and gluten-free chocolate cake only needs to go in the refrigerator instead of the oven. With its wonderfully creamy consistency, this no-bake chocolate cake is just as satisfying as the baked version. And it's the perfect dessert after a hearty chicken soup – even when you have a cold. 

Ingredients for the base:

• 100 g dates
• 50 g ground pecans
• 50 g ground almonds
• 50 g ground hazelnuts
• 50 g coconut fat or coconut oil
• 5 tbsp cocoa
   

Here's how to make the base for this sweet winter recipe:

Chop the dates into small pieces. Whole nuts can of course also be ground fresh in a blender. Put everything in a bowl and mix with a fork. Line the base of a springform pan with baking paper and spread the mixture over the base. Chill in the refrigerator for one hour.

Ingredients for the filling:

• 5 avocados
• 120 ml coconut oil
• 4 tbsp almond or soy yogurt
• 4 tbsp agave syrup
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 tsp ground vanilla or vanilla pulp
• 100 g cocoa

Here's how to make the filling:

Place all ingredients in a tall measuring cup and blend with a hand blender until smooth and creamy. Spread the mixture over the date and nut base. Refrigerate the entire cake for at least four hours. Our tip: A spicy cup of ginger tea is the perfect accompaniment to this sweet winter recipe, especially when you have a cold.

Vietnamese vegan pho: an alternative to chicken soup when you have a cold

Hühnersuppe zählt wohl zu den klassischsten Winterrezepten überhaupt – und gilt auch bei einer Erkältung als wohltuendes Hausmittel. Wie wär’s also mit etwas Abwechslung in der Suppenschüssel? Die traditionell-vietnamesische Frühstückssuppe Pho wird auf Basis einer Gemüsebrühe gekocht. Das Ganze wird dann mit Reisnudeln, frischem asiatischem Basilikum, Limette, Sojasprossen und Chili ergänzt. Das darin enthaltene Gemüse liefert wertvolle Vitamine und die scharfen Chili-Schoten kurbeln den Kreislauf an – die perfekte Alternative zur Hühnersuppe bei einer Erkältung.

Ingredients for this hearty winter recipe:  

• 2 red onions
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 ½ l vegetable broth
• 1 piece of ginger
• 3 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 15 g dried shiitake mushrooms
• 150 g tofu
• 4 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
• 200 g rice noodles
• 2 handfuls of bean sprouts
• 2 spring onions
• ½ green chili
• 2 limesFresh herbs such as cilantro or Thai basil

Here's how to make it:

• Halve and peel the onions. Slice the ginger, add it to a large pot with the star anise and cinnamon, and roast over high heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour in the vegetable broth.
• Chop the garlic and add it to the broth along with the shiitake mushrooms. Season, bring to a boil, and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.
• Cut the tofu into pieces and add it 10 minutes before the end of the simmering time.
• Cover the rice noodles with boiling water and let them soak for about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Chop the spring onions and set aside. Divide the rice noodles between bowls, pour over the broth and serve with freshly chopped coriander, Thai basil, spring onions, chili rings and lime wedges. Bon appetit!

Plum or cherry crumble: recipe for a sweet winter dessert

Enjoying a tasty treat in winter? Of course! With this recipe, you can use a few tricks to turn plums or cherries into a super quick—and above all delicious—dessert in the oven. Our tip: this winter recipe tastes perfect with a little vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients for this sweet winter recipe:  

• 750 g plums or cherries
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp Marsala – or alternatively almond flavoring
• 100 g soft oat flakes
• 75 g raw cane sugar
• 75 g flour
• 90 g warm butter

Here's how to make it:

• Wash, pit, and halve the plums or cherries. Mix the fruit with the sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, lemon juice, and Marsala or, alternatively, almond flavoring. Then spread the mixture in a buttered baking dish. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
• In another bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Now knead in the softened butter until everything is mixed together.
• Sprinkle this mixture over the fruit. Bake the crumble for 40 minutes until golden brown. The crumble tastes best when enjoyed hot or warm.

Sunshine Detox Smoothie: Recipe for a fruity winter drink

If your immune system needs a little boost to get through the winter, this smoothie recipe with cayenne pepper will help. Even if you're tired of ginger tea and other remedies for colds, this smoothie offers a delicious alternative. The capsaicin in chili or cayenne pepper gives it its fiery effect. The heat helps activate blood circulation and can also be beneficial for a stuffy nose.

Ingredients:

• 300 ml orange juice
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 piece of ginger, approx. 5–6 cm

Method:

Blend the ingredients in a mixer until smooth. This ingenious mixture is packed with energy. Cheers!