[ The beauty of spices...]
By now we've all heard about the heroic powers of the spice Tumeric and what it can do for us. Well, this is one superfood ( Spice ) that lives up to it's hype! :D Tumeric is a beautiful yellow-gold spice that's been used in Indian and Asian cooking for centuries. It's the spice that provides curries with their golden color.
The healing properties ( Anti Inflammatory and Anti Cancer ) of turmeric are a call for it to add into your diet daily. :}
[ Using Tumeric and other inflammatory fighting spices and foods are our defense against the army of health stealing bacteria that arm themselves to invade us! ]
Let's start with a mini refresher on what inflammation is. Inflammation is the body's way of fighting off invaders that do not belong in the body. If the body never became inflamed we'd fall victim to every bacteria, and pathogen out there and the span of our lives would be non existent! :D So, inflammation Controlled; that is short term inflammation is beneficial for our health and existence. The problem is when inflammation grows out of control, becomes Chronic and Long Term. It is then where inflammation begins working against the body's own organs.
Chronic inflammation is now known to be the top player in Most All major diseases like cancers, heart disease, impaired brain functions like alzheimer's, asthma( acts as a Histamine Blocker Yippie!!), and many, many others. Fighting chronic inflammation must be fought on many levels and one of them is through what we consume. Turmeric has been shown to be a strong weapon in reducing symptoms of these inflammatory diseases. There's even been evidence that Curcumin (the healiing property in turmeric) can strengthen serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain to help fight depression.
This brings us back to Tumeric, because it contains Curcumin the substance that has the fighting power as it contains powerful anti inflammatory and antioxidant attributes. ( Tumeric not only protects our body from free radicals but helps to activate the body's own antioxidant abilities! ) In fact Tumeric is considered one of the most powerful and effective nutritional supplement that exists. That's a lot of natural power!!
[ Coconut oil, anti viral anti inflammatory, fat burner, moisturizing, the list goes on & on It's a formidable weapon in the fight for our health! ]
[ Those spicy peppercorns have so many uses and blending with Tumeric is one of it's most important uses! ]
Turmeric's health enhancing effects need a little help though. Whaat? :D Tumeric requires some help to be absorbed well enough into the bloodstream to fight inflammation effectively. Black Pepper contains Piperine a substance that enhances the absorption of the Curcumin by two thousand percent. Curcumin is also Fat Soluable, so taking it with a fat such as Coconut Oil or fat in the meal will aid in it's powers.
[ Here's an interesting video on the science of taste! ]
Many people prefer to take a Tumeric supplement ( Tumeric in a capsule) or extract as they don't like it's flavor in foods. I felt that way at first too, however, I've grown to enjoy it's flavor. Sometimes I think that when we engage in a new and different flavor we automatically convince ourselves that we dislike it because it's so unfamiliar to us. If we give new flavors a chance we may find that as we 'get to know' that flavor it begins to taste pleasant to us. This isn't always the case, sometimes we just don't like something! :D
[ It's amazing how healing spices add color and beauty to our food. ]
Try experimenting with different dishes adding in turmeric, you may find the flavors of bright colorful spices take your everyday meals to the next level!
[ Nikita & Violet are eager to whip up a batch of Golden Milk for their health! ]
Turmeric Milk or Golden Milk has become a popular way for consuming turmeric in the diet. Essentially turmeric milk is any milk of choice with fresh minced or ground turmeric and a few other spices, a fat such as coconut oil heated and consumed. This milk has a more mild turmeric flavor than preparing meals with it, but I love the golden color it gives food prepared with it! Turmeric milk is pretty much a health tonic considering how healing it is combined with it's Anti Viral effects too; perfect for seasons of colds and flu's!! I enjoy this healing milk before bed or as an afternoon tea several times a week now, while my hubby who doesn't like milk of any kind drinks his as a boiled tea!
[ The ladies created a beautiful and healthful drink that's delicious too! ]
I live with digestive issues and turmeric tea, or milk is the perfect addition for it as turmeric aids with digestion, helps to relieve bloating and gas and heartburn that leads to gastric reflux! Thank you my Lord for providing us with food from your earth to heal and maintain our well being!!!
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:19
Recipe for Tumeric Milk
* 1/2 tsp tumeric
* 1/2 tsp ground ginger (anti inflammatory)
* 1 cup milk I use almond or coconut milk, (sometimes a blend of full fat canned coconut milk and almond milk for a rich and decadent drink!)
* 1/2 cup water
* 1 tbsp coconut oil
* 2-3 black peppercorns or 1/4 tsp ground pepper
* 1 tbsp sweeter of choice (honey, maple syrup...)
add in's vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg...
Heat milk with the water over low heat with the spices. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 min. Serve warm and enjoy this warm spicy drink to your health!
* 1-3 inch piece of fresh turmeric root thinly sliced or minced
* 1-1/2 inch fresh ginger root thinly sliced or minced
* 1 tbsp virgin coconut oil 1/4 tsp whole black peppercorns
* 1 tbsp honey
* 1cinnamon stick optional
Mix coconut oil milk of choice turmeric and ginger along with honey and peppercorns (or ground pepper) in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh strainer (or tea strainer) and enjoy!
You can make a batch of turmeric milk and store in the fridge so when your'e ready simply pour heat and enjoy! Stir if using ground turmeric as it can settle in the bottom of your cup.
Tumeric Tea
* 1 and 1/2 cup water
* 1/2 tsp Tumeric
* 1/2 tsp ground ginger
* 1 tbsp coconut oil
* 1/4 tsp black pepper or 2-3 pepercorns
a couple lemon slices
* 1-2 tbsp honey
* A pinch or two of Cayenne pepper ( great for coughs, and inflammation)
One a stove, bring to a boil and Steep all ingredients in a pot for 10 min
Strain and pour into a cup and enjoy!
[ We always have our Tumeric Mix on deck to whip up some healing in a flash!!]
I also use a Tumeric spice mixture as an elixir for coughs and bronchial issues for my hubby and I and it's as EFFECTIVE in fact MORE than any store bought cough syrups! I make a batch in an old spice jar so all I need to d is add a tbsp to a cup add in the honey and coconut oil and voila instant anti inflammatory bronchial elixir! :D
Tumeric Cough Mix
Add to a small jar
* 1/2 c Tumeric
* 1/3 c ginger powder
* 1/2 tbsp cayenne pepper ( serves as a bronchial dilator)
* 1 tbsp black pepper
Mix together spices and seal in jar and when needed measure out
* 1 tbsp Tumeric Mix
* 1 tbsp raw or any honey on hand (healing enzymes )
* 1 heap tsp coconut oil (anti viral, anti bacterial)
* 1 tbsp of fresh lemon
Some companies are starting to sell pre made turmeric milk like Califia Farms. I've yet to find it in my area but when I do, you'll know about it!
[ Tumeric has been used for making deep yellow dye for fabrics for hundreds of years ]
In an up coming blog post I'll be discussing turmeric supplements and wether they're
as effective as using the spice. Turmeric is available in most markets so it's easy and affordable and oh so worth it to support your health and total well being. Don't fear it, move ahead with this little powerful spice!
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