Ginger, Turmeric & Lemon

Get your digestive juices flowing with these 3 beauties!

Asian countries have understood the importance and benefits of these 3 for hundreds of years.

GINGER

Why You Should Love It!

I’m always drawn to anything on the menu with ginger in it……. sweet or savoury.

The fabulous spicy style fragrance when you cut into a knobbly piece of ginger is distinctive and refreshing.

Plus the clean taste and warming properties it brings to a dish is just plain…..yummy!

It’s such a simple way to add big flavour with a touch of heat, to a dish.

If you’ve any digestive problems with the sulphur in garlic (like me!) – just opt to use a good generous knob or two of chopped ginger as a replacement.

Health Benefits In Your 50’s:

Ginger has been proven to cure motion sickness and it’s included in many “Travel Calm” style tablets.

If you feel nauseous, have an upset stomach or any digestive issue – drink ginger tea or chew on a thin sliver juicy of ginger. The ginger gets your digestive juices/enzymes working and helps neutralise stomach acid.

This works for anyone with diarrhoea or irritable bowel issues too.

Ginger improves digestion in general, reducing bloating and helps you digest your food better.

How To Include Ginger In Your Eating:

A small knob of ginger added to your smoothie in the morning is delicious and adds a touch of heat to freshen up the drink.

Make it “small” though….…I’ve learnt from experience that too much can turn your delicious smoothie to ‘yuck’!

A small knob crushed fresh into a Mojito – is delicious too!  Yum, yum!

Make a refreshing Ginger Tea, either with ginger powder, dried ginger or a large knob crushed with hot water poured over the top…….add a slice of lemon to this or a crushed piece or two of lemon grass for a really refreshing drink.

Use with or as a replacement for garlic to season your dishes.  Don’t be shy here – use a good 2-3 tablespoons stir fried with fresh chilli and turmeric for a big burst of flavours.

Add ½-1 teaspoon of ginger powder to your coconut yogurt or diary yogurt for a nice twist of flavour.

Cooking Tips:

Slice against the grain in order to cut through the fibres.

Once cut, use immediately to avoid it becoming bitter.

Unlike garlic, ginger doesn’t have to be “cooked out” and can be chopped fresh into any dish.

TURMERIC

Why You Should Love It!

The gorgeous rich orange/yellow colour and warm, slightly bitter taste, this knobbly rhizome gives off, can change a whole dish – from ordinary to exotic!

Knowing the benefits of this chunky rhizome will make you love it even more!

Cooking Tip:

The only downside to fresh turmeric is that it loves to stain your fingers and nails……..and even bench tops!  Try wearing thin plastic gloves when peeling or immediately scrub your hands and soak in lemon juice after cutting OR use an alcohol swab – works a treat!

Health Benefits In Your 50’s:

The curcumin in turmeric has an anti-inflammatory effect on your body.  If you’ve got arthritis – get into some turmeric!

Plus curcumin is high in antioxidants.

The curcumin also gets your digestive juices working so if you have indigestion or other digestive issues – start chopping up that turmeric!

How To Include In Your Daily Eating:

Add a small fresh knob of turmeric to your morning smoothie.  Love the colour!

Make a Turmeric tea with coconut milk/cashew milk or some other type of nut milk.  It’s so yummy and warming.

Chop finely with ginger and chilli and stir fry until lightly crisp.  Then sprinkle on your salad or vegetables.  This changes a meal from ordinary to exotic!

Use as a base for a curry dish.  It gives a beautiful rich colour and a distinctive deep, earthy flavour to your curry.

Tip:  Add a little fresh cracked black pepper to all of the above to help your body increase the absorption of the curcumin, in the turmeric.  The two go hand in hand – turmeric/black pepper!

Lemon & Limes

Why You Should Love Them!

Wake up your sluggish system with a ‘first thing in the morning’ cup of warm water and lemon.  It gets your digestive juices working and your body to the loo!

A squeeze of lime or lemon MAKES a plate of steamed vegetables, a salad or a fish dish.

…..and who can resist a silken slice of lemon or lime tart!  Yum!

Health Benefits In Your 50’s:

The nutritional benefits of lemons and limes are virtually the same.

They’re both excellent sources of Vitamin C, B6 and potassium.

Plus they’re full of antioxidants.

They’re strong detoxifiers AND are a powerhouse in fighting off viruses.

They have an acidic taste BUT have an alkaline effect in your stomach……..which is what you’re  aiming for when you eat.

How To Get These Into Your Food:

The options are endless, but here are a few ideas…..

Try the juice of one lime or ¼ – ½ lemon in warm water first thing in the morning, It’s guaranteed to get your gastric juices flowing and your intestines working!

But always drink through a glass or stainless straw, as the acid in the fruit will wear off the enamel on your teeth.

Add a squeeze of juice to your morning smoothie.

Add a squeeze over your vegetables or salad.

Make a dressing or parsley pesto using 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, big bunch of parsley, big handful of cashew nuts and a touch of salt in the blender.  Add more liquid to make a dressing or less for a thicker style pesto……yum!

Add the lime or lemon zest to your baking, sweet and savoury.

Tip:  Always have a bowl of lemons or limes on hand.  You’ll use them all the time AND they make a ‘happy’ decoration!

Never Under Estimate The Compounding Effect These Small Changes Make To The Health Of Your Body!