I hope you’re all keeping well, and practising social distancing. I am amazed at how people are adhering to this in Southport. I live in a reasonably sized Victorian seaside town on the North West coast; in-fact The Sunday Times has ranked Southport as one of the best places to live. So, don’t all visit at once!
It was Mother’s Day in the UK yesterday; and was the warmest day of the year so far. We went for a walk around the marine lake and saw very few people, and those we did meet kept their distance. In comparison, photos of other scenic areas around the country showed large groups on beaches and in country tourist areas. I saw police asking a small group of bikers here to move on.
With all this in mind, my blog goal is to provide recipes that are healthy, nutritious, and simple, as these are vital while people are stressed. It would be good to get everyones feedback on how they’re feeling during this ‘new’ reality, and an idea of what they’re cooking.
I made this tonic drink at the weekend, as I thought it would help my IBS and maybe provide an anti-inflammatory boost. It is an Indonesian natural remedy and I used this recipe; though I made one change. There are many other recipes and variations, such as adding tamarind to the Jamu Juice. You only need a small glass daily; I usually have it in a shot glass.
The drink only takes about 30 minutes to make. The taste is pleasant and gives your stomach a sense of wellness. Some of the benefits are listed in this Google Search and below.
BENEFITS OF TURMERIC AND GINGER:
Turmeric and ginger are the main ingredients in this recipe – and for good reason.
Turmeric:
Turmeric is a popular spice which has taken over the food industry; it is known for it’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. All thanks to its star compound: curcumin. This compound not only leads to health benefits for your skin, but can assist with visible signs of aging.
Ginger:
Ginger has been used in many cultures around the world for its medicinal properties. Ginger has a compound called gingerol which reduces inflammation, pain for chronic conditions, and so much more.
Ingredients
- Fresh Turmeric – 125 grams
- Fresh Ginger – 20 grams
- Black Pepper – a pinch
- Lemon – 2 tablespoons
- Honey – 2 tablespoons (or other sweetener) (I used this)
- Coconut Water – 4 cups
Things to keep in mind about some of these ingredients:
- Rinse and clean your fresh turmeric and ginger with hot water as you won’t be peeling the skin off.
- Turmeric can stain! So wash your blender and chopping board immediately after using.
- You can use regular water instead of coconut water. The coconut water adds extra electrolytes.
Method
There are 4 easy steps.
- Slice turmeric and ginger into thin pieces. You can leave the skin on, but you can also peel as well.
- Blend. Add the turmeric, ginger, black pepper, and water to a high powered blender. I use a Ninja blender. Blend for about 1 minute until it’s completely smooth.
- Boil. Pour the mixture into a pot and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes, then add the lemon juice and honey or alternative sweetener. Give everything a good stir.
- Strain. Using a fine mesh sieve, nut milk bag, or cloth, strain the mixture and pour it into a glass bottle to refrigerate.
Enjoy and tell me what you think!
essentialonion 