The ratio of fiber in the foods we consume is also an issue that needs attention. Beta glucan, one of the important factors that strengthen immunity, is found in fiber foods. Whole grain foods are one of the products recommended for consumption in terms of high fiber content. However, grains contain gluten; If you have gluten intolerance, you may prefer to consume high fiber oats.

Vitamin D
It was understood that the amount of vitamin D in the body is very important in terms of how quickly we can recover if the virus enters the body. For this reason, it is recommended that everyone check the vitamin D in the blood under the supervision of a doctor and supplement it if it is missing. In the summer months, standing in the sun with a naked body without applying a protection cream increases vitamin D, but now that we are entering the winter, if the vitamin D level in your blood is not at the desired point, external supplementation is recommended.

Antioxidants
Foods containing antioxidants strengthen our immunity with their stress-reducing effects. They are especially rich in dark red-purple foods (blueberries, purple carrots, beets), spinach, beans, cabbage, walnuts, raspberries, strawberries, artichokes, and antioxidants.

Spices and fresh herbs
Ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, chili peppers, thyme, mint and rosemary strengthen immunity and protect our body against the virus with their antiviral properties.

Cook the sweet potatoes in sugar and spices: Using the same skillet you used to toast the pepitas, keep the heat at medium and add 2 teaspoons oil. Once the oil starts to shimmer, add the cubed potatoes. Stir to coat. Cook for about 1 minute. Stir again. Add the water. Cover and leave untouched for 5 minutes.

Combine sugar, paprika, cayenne, and salt in a small bowl. Add the spice mixture to the potatoes. Stir to coat.

Cook uncovered for 7 additional minutes. Don’t stir. The sugar should be caramelized, one side of the potatoes should be brown, and the potatoes should be tender but still hold together.

Remove the potatoes from the skillet and place them on the plate alongside the pepitas. Tent with foil to keep them warm.

Serve the bowls: To the bowls with the black beans, add a 1/2 cup of sweet potatoes, 1/2 cup quinoa, and the spinach. Top with toasted pepitas, crumbled cotija, a squeeze of lime, and a drizzle of creamy lime hot sauce.

The ratio of fiber in the foods we consume is also an issue that needs attention. Beta glucan, one of the important factors that strengthen immunity, is found in fiber foods. Whole grain foods are one of the products recommended for consumption in terms of high fiber content. However, grains contain gluten; If you have gluten intolerance, you may prefer to consume high fiber oats.

Vitamin D
It was understood that the amount of vitamin D in the body is very important in terms of how quickly we can recover if the virus enters the body. For this reason, it is recommended that everyone check the vitamin D in the blood under the supervision of a doctor and supplement it if it is missing. In the summer months, standing in the sun with a naked body without applying a protection cream increases vitamin D, but now that we are entering the winter, if the vitamin D level in your blood is not at the desired point, external supplementation is recommended.

Antioxidants
Foods containing antioxidants strengthen our immunity with their stress-reducing effects. They are especially rich in dark red-purple foods (blueberries, purple carrots, beets), spinach, beans, cabbage, walnuts, raspberries, strawberries, artichokes, and antioxidants.

Spices and fresh herbs
Ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, chili peppers, thyme, mint and rosemary strengthen immunity and protect our body against the virus with their antiviral properties.

At first, I advise them to shop from reliable and constantly shopping points. 80 percent of the spice is our own production. The important thing in spice is aroma. Cumin should not have waited, black pepper should not have waited, because the products lose their characteristics, consumption, and aroma as they wait. I don’t want to think of a product that has lost its aroma or at all, but all the prepared sauces made with spices with something different with a mixed spice are useless. In other words, there is a taste of the meats they have made with so much manual labor, and there is also a meal saying “let’s get rid of that meat”. Therefore, they should shop as reliable as possible, from the points they know, check the spices they will buy with an eye first, and never hesitate to ask questions to the people they will shop with. Because he will not give little money to this kind of shopping.

Take less, eat well
“Does it make sense to buy the spice monthly or weekly?” Answering the question, Tezcan said, “Now the most important feature of spices is their aroma and smell. Whether it takes 50 grams, 100 grams, or 1 kilogram, it must be protected under healthy conditions. It must be protected from heat, sun and light. I recommend them to keep them in glass jars and to close their mouths tightly. But I advise them to buy and consume as little as possible and buy again. Because when the aroma of the spice is gone, it won’t work ”.

Prices went up but will fall
While there is a price increase in the spices coming from abroad due to the corona virus this year, the spice maker Tezcan, who hopes that this increase will decrease in a short time after the festival, said, “80 percent of the spices are of foreign origin. Our very beautiful plant that grows in Turkey, we have spices. However, most of them are of foreign origin. During the pandemic process, we had difficulties in procuring some products as there were huge restrictions on imports and exports, and there were huge delays or restrictions on transfers. As a result of the supply and demand issue, there has been a price increase in products that do not have a stock inside. Currently, prices are still at a high level, but stocks are slowly filling up. Hopefully, we expect a slightly more positive decline in spice prices after this process, ”he said.

The most beautiful is Eskişehir’s cumin
Speaking about the spices produced in Eskişehir, Tezcan stated that cumin grows generally in this region. Tezcan said, “The most cumin grows in Eskişehir region. When we look at it as a spice, cumin is a product of Eskişehir region. Especially in our Alpu district, the aroma and taste of cumin is very high. We usually buy our cumin in Alpu, Ankara Polatlı region. In our own facility, we process our machines that are completely hygienic and untouched by human hands ”.

When purchasing spices, the real taste of meats can be lost if the points that need to be considered are ignored. He expressed that due to the demands of the citizens increased. Tuncay Tezcan said, “For nearly three months, there was tension and stagnation in the markets due to the pandemic. Everyone was locked up at home during this period, for precautionary reasons. When the rules started to be relaxed as of June 1, the markets started to move. This movement started to show a little more vitality in the spice business in our sector before the Eid al-Adha. During this period, we have Turkish citizens coming from Europe. They came to Turkey, but they bring their holiday shopping with a mobility market. Saying that our business is good now, we hope it will be even better. ”Stating that the sector is increasingly active every day, Tezcan said,“ As the day goes on, the process becomes more active. It started to be more abundant in our work. So our turnover is increasing. In other words, every week is going higher than last week. Hopefully, this process will make all of our tradesmen smile ”.

Europeans are great hope
Turkish citizens, who generally live in Europe but come to the country for the holidays, add vitality to the spice industry. The kilograms of spices purchased by expats to take with them during the return process make the people in the sector smile.

Speaking on this subject, Tezcan said, “These European citizens are not only spice, they are mobilizing all sectors with Allah’s permission. Because there costs with costs in Turkey are very different. From here, they can shop almost 50 percent more economically than in Europe. That is why, on the way from here, they are in demand from their dried peppers, eggplants, Antep pepper, stuffed eggplant, all kinds of spices, other cosmetic groups, vegetable oils, etc. I also observe with my other tradesmen in the bazaar. There is a dynamism in their work, too. Our citizens coming from this Europe during the summer season really move our business ”.