February 21 2017
| Gluten Free | Nutrition Packed | Research Based Recipe| Vegan | High in Vitamin D |
It is nice to finally see the sun today, we have had a mix of sun and rain for the past little while, and the snow is almost gone. I feel like I have been getting some winter blues lately, so today I decided to make something that would remind me o
f sunny days; Turmeric Tea.
Now I love turmeric for a variety of reasons; it’s color, flavor and nutritional profile. Did you know, that there have been studies showing that turmeric may have positive effects on depression (1) ? How great is that! This turmeric tea not only utilizes turmeric, it also contains a ton of ginger, which has a number of important benefits on its own.
Yes, sleeping well and eating right are important to a healthy lifestyle.. but I have noticed that even when I eat right, exercise and get a good sleep, that sometimes I may still feel down. Besides the amazing benefits of turmeric in this tea, my fortified almond milk also contains a TON of Vitamin D.
Vitamin D is a funny one because it is not found in many foods, and is extremely important for bones and many chemical reactions in the body. Since our main source of Vitamin D is from the sun, we may be lacking in Vitamin D throughout the winter months. This drink contains approximately 50-100% of the average RDA of Vitamin D, so with a few other Vitamin D sources throughout the day, you should get your Vitamin D fill! Vitamin D has also been linked to increasing serotonin (2), and other neurotransmitters leading to feeling happy; so I guess you can say this is really a sunshine drink, so DRINK UP!
If you feel like you need a pick-me-up, the rain is getting you down, or you just want something warm, with a huge body of flavor.. then you NEED to try this turmeric tea. Grab your cup and get ready for a ride.
Approximate nutrient profile of turmeric (3):
- may be involved with decreasing fats in blood, leading to decreased risk of type 2 diabetes
- prevalence of cancer is lower in populations that regularly consumer turmeric (although a cause and effect relationship cannot be proven that this is only due to turmeric consumption)
- has been shown to effectively fight infection and inflammation
- may reduce pain and fatigue
Approximate nutrient profile of ginger (4) : 
- great to fight against nausea, including morning sickness
- linked to reducing muscle pain and soreness, may not have an immediate impact but overtime reduces soreness
- has anti-inflammatory properties, shown to efficiency help with osteoarthritis
- may reduce blood sugars and improve heart disease factors
Now, enough talk.. let’s get cooking!
Ingredients:
- 1-2 cups almond milk (fortified)
- 3-4 tbsp ground turmeric
- 1 large knob of ginger, fresh
- a pinch of ground black pepper
Instructions:
- Ginger into a pot
- Add almond milk, heat on medium-high heat
- Add Turmeric, and stir
- Heat until warm
- Top with a sprinkle of ground black pepper (to help increase Turmeric functions!)
- Enjoy your cup of sunshine, and share it with someone you love!
- Lopresti, A., Hood, S., & Drummond, P. (2012). Multiple antidepressant potential modes of action of curcumin: a review of its anti-inflammatory, monoaminergic, antioxidant, immune-modulating and neuroprotective effects. Journal of Psychopharmacology .
- E, R., Anglin, S., Zainab, S., D, S., & McDonald, S. (2013). Vitamin D deficiency and depression in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. BJPsych, 100-107.
- Greger, M. (. (2017, Jan 30). Turmeric. Retrieved from NutritionFacts.Org: http://nutritionfacts.org/topics/turmeric/
- Leech, J., & Dietitian. (n.d.). 11 Proven Health Benefits of Ginger. Retrieved from Authority Nutrition: https://authoritynutrition.com/11-proven-benefits-of-ginger/
Cool in fridge overnight