Drink Your Immune Booster - Turmeric Tea

Turmeric Tea - An Immune Booster/Helper
Any time you start to feel a scratchy throat or signs that you might be getting sick, make this tea and relax while you help boost your immune system. It is a great idea to drink this during busy travel times too. 

1 cup hot water (DO NOT Boil)

1-2 tsp turmeric

1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)

1 tsp unpasteurized honey (raw)

1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (optional)

1 - 2 teaspoons unpasteurized apple cider vinegar or 1/2 fresh lemon, juiced

Mix everything BUT the water together in your favorite drinking mug. Then pour in the hot water and mix together. Drink while hot.

NOTES: 

-Pasteurized honey actually creates mucous so you do not want to use pasteurized honey in your diet.

-Do not boil the water, boiling water and honey, when they come in contact, creates a toxin. So make sure that the water is just under a simmer. 

-Turmeric is an immune helper, has anti-inflammatory properties, has antioxidants and works directly on the back of the throat.

- Raw honey helps to sooth the throat while drying up mucous.

-During cold season keep sugar consumption down because it causes mucous. 

Turmeric Drink for Kids (or Adults)

1/2 cup hot water (DO NOT Boil)

1-2 tsp turmeric

1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger  or  1/8 - 1/4 tsp powdered ginger

3-4 whole cloves

2-3 cardamon pods

1/2 teaspoon Funnugreek seeds (optional, helps turmeric and ginger to do its job, has synergy with these spices)

1/2 cup almond, coconut or cows milk

1/2 - 1 tsp unpasteurized honey or maple syrup 

Place spices and water into a pot, bring to a simmer, and allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Add milk and bring to a simmer again. Strain contents by using a wire strainer or cheese cloth, into a favorite drinking mug. Add honey or maple syrup. This is medicinal but also very enjoyable. A chai sort of drink for those days when you need something soothing. Kids will like the creaminess of the tea and it should help with their fold or flu. 

NOTES:
-Fennugreek seeds can be found in Indian grocery stores. But if you do not have them then this tea will still work to help with immunity. 

- When making the drink for a child, start on the lower quantities for the spices and then work your way up, making sure that it is not to spicy for them.You can always dilute it with more milk. 

Go Nuts.....

Nuts are very grounding, nourishing and heavy. They are loaded with good oils and fats for our body and can be a perfect snack and are great for making nut butters. Vata and Pitta Dosha favor nuts in the diet because of the grounding effect that nuts have on the body. Kapha dosha types should avoid almost all nuts and seeds because these people need lighter foods in order to keep their body and minds clear and mobile.
Remember, nuts with fruit or vegetables is not recommended because the rate of digestion is different for the 2 food groups and create toxic build up.

So, if you are a vata or pitta person and want an idea on how to eat your nuts, here is a quick recipe I mixed up...in about 5 minutes flat.

2/3 cup almonds

1/3 cup shelled pistachios

1/3 cup roasted cashews

1/4 cup water

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1-3 tablespoons raw honey (depending on sweetness desired)

Mix in Vitamix or food processor and spread on anything you desire!

Spring Zucchini Noodle Recipe

Spicy Pesto with Zucchini & Carrot "Noodles"

4-5 zucchini/summer squashes (shaved length wise on mandolin)

2-3 carrots (shaved length wise on mandolin)

1/2 onion

1 cup mushrooms

1 cup sweat peas

1/4 cup roasted pine nuts

3 tablespoons spicy pesto (any pesto will do, just use a food processor to add in a jalepeno to kick up the spice, or leave it out for a milder taste)

1/4 cup grated fresh parmesan (or any other favorite cheese)

Cut up mushrooms and onion and toss in a pan with peas, drizzle of olive oil and saute until tender, 5-8 minutes. Shave zucchini/summer squash and carrots and lightly sauté them in 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil for 3-5 minutes, until slightly wilted. Place both vegetable mixtures into a large bowl, mix in 3 tablespoons of spicy pesto.  Cover and set aside. Roast pine nuts in a pan until slightly brown. Toss into noodle mixture. Top with shredded cheese and gently mix. Serve while hot. 

Nourish yourself and enjoy!