Stay Warm & Healthy With These Hot Beverages
Written for Alexandria Stylebook
The cold and flu season is officially here. And the stomach bug hit our household in full force this past weekend. And that was no fun. So this week, I thought I’d share a few recipes that I enjoy and that will help boost your immunity and heal your gut.
About 70 percent of our immune system lives in the gut – so a happy and healthy gut is essential to a strong and high functioning you. The good news is that certain super foods can help heal the gut by reducing inflammation and promoting a healthy micro biome.
In our health coaching program at Ascend, we work with many of our clients on how to incorporate healing foods into a normal routine. It can be as simple as adding a super food to a meal, such as adding sauerkraut as a side to your lunch. Or it could be mixing up one of these toasty drinks, and enjoying them with breakfast or to unwind before bed at night.
I’m sharing two recipes below that can be easily prepared at home. And they taste yummy, too! Check out the ingredients and add anything you don’t have to you to your grocery list for the next time you hit the store.
And if you like to avoid the kitchen (no judgment!), I simply recommend picking up some bone broth or soups made using bone broth. You can find this at the store and just heat it up in the microwave or on the stovetop. I recommend the brand Kettle & Fire, and you can find their products at Whole Foods. They have a line of soups made with bone broth that are really good. Additionally, if you frequent the Del Ray Farmers market on Saturday mornings, you may be able to find a locally made bone broth from one of the farmers.
Anti-Inflammatory Broth
Ingredients
2 cups veggie broth
1 tsp turmeric powder
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 inch fresh ginger, minced or grated
1 can coconut milk
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Mix veggie broth, turmeric, garlic, ginger in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a roiling boil. Turn heat to low, add can of coconut milk and stir until combined. Add lemon juice. Stir. Serve with slice of lemon and parsley.
Golden Turmeric Milk
Ingredients
8oz organic cashew milk (or other nut milk)
1 heaping tsp of chopped turmeric
(can substitute 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric)
1 heaping tsp chopped ginger
(can substitute 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
1-2 tsps coconut butter (or coconut oil)
1-2 tsps honey or maple syrup, depending on preferred level of sweetness
1/2 tsp cinnamon
freshly cracked ground black pepper
dash of sea salt
Optional: 1 tablespoon collagen peptides
Instructions
Heat milk on the stove until just simmering. Combine remaining ingredients in blender. When milk is hot, add it to the blender and blitz with the rest of the ingredients. Enjoy with an added dash of cinnamon or turmeric on top or garnish with a cinnamon stick.