Ladies and gentlemen of the blogosphere... I present to you...
the drink that helped kick my Starbucks addiction!
What you see pictured above is a magic potion. Now, before anyone sends me a comment saying that magic doesn't exist or that a little drink can't accomplish miracles (especially if it is non-alcoholic), I can tell you from my first-hand experience during my health recovery that this seemingly bizarre drink packs quite the powerful punch.
The drink is what I call turmeric tea. Other people may call it other things but I happen to like the alliteration and, let's face it, while I was not feeling 100%, my creative naming powers were pretty much spent after working all day.
I was told about this drink by the woman who taught me the Creighton Model of Fertility as a part of my NaPro charting. Although I am not currently seeking to conceive, Creighton charting helps NaPro Technology doctors figure out a woman's cycle and can help lead to clues, such as endometriosis, adenomyosis and pelvic issues. I see Mary Ann Morales in Easton, Pa. for my Creighton charting and she is actually the closest practitioner to Scranton.
Mary Ann explained to me that turmeric is not just a spice, it is a super spice. Think of it as the Superman of the spice world-- it can do many, many things but-- key to my situation-- it helps with pain and inflammation. It is used a lot in Indian dishes and in Eastern cultures and has a bit of a peppery taste. It is known for its distinct bright yellow coloring.
The recipe I was given was to add turmeric to milk and honey but I make my tea a bit differently. First of all, I try to avoid cow's milk-- I tend to prefer nut-based milks and, for the purposes of this drink, almond milk is what really makes it delicious for me. I like vanilla-flavored almond milk, but even plain is fine. I usually fill up a coffee mug with it and heat it up in the microwave for two minutes. I then take natural honey from Brace's Orchard in Dallas, Pa. and use that. I was told that the honey you purchase in a grocery store lacks the nutrients and the anti-inflammatory properties that farm honey has, plus I prefer to buy whatever I could locally because I know where it comes from. I sweeten to taste-- for me, a teaspoon works perfectly. When adding the turmeric, a lot of people start with a teaspoon but, depending on where you buy your turmeric from, that teaspoon can be WAY too spicy. I suggest starting small and adding until you know what you like. No matter what, you're still getting a benefit and a drink like this should be a relaxing pleasure-- not something that makes you want to gag! I tend to prefer 1/2 teaspoon and find that the extra honey balances out the bitterness from the turmeric. I also don't get a lot of settled turmeric at the bottom of my mug when I am done. Some people like to use a cheesecloth to get rid of the grains but I don't-- I'd rather make my drink and relax.
I do use a milk frother to finish up my drink-- I think it adds a café-like quality to it and it helps mix everything together nicely. I drink mine nightly, about an hour before bed. It relaxes me and helps reduce pain.
Let me know in the comments if you've heard of it... tried it... or will try it thanks to reading it here!
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