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 of 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. 1-2 cups almond milk (fortified) 
2. 3-4 tbsp ground turmeric 
3. 1 large knob of ginger, fresh 
4. a pinch of ground black pepper 

 

Instructions: 

1. Ginger into a pot 
2. Add almond milk, heat on medium-high heat
3. Add Turmeric, and stir 
4. Heat until warm 
5. Top with a sprinkle of ground black pepper (to help increase Turmeric functions!) 
6. Enjoy your cup of sunshine, and share it with someone you love!

 

 

 

 

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1. 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 .
2. 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.
3. Greger, M. (. (2017, Jan 30). Turmeric. Retrieved from NutritionFacts.Org: http://nutritionfacts.org/topics/turmeric/
4. Leech, J., & Dietitian. (n.d.). 11 Proven Health Benefits of Ginger. Retrieved from Authority Nutrition: https://authoritynutrition.com/11-proven-benefits-of-ginger/