The miracle spice and why you need it

Every woman I talk to has the same goal, “I want to stay healthy so I can enjoy life and do all the things I want to do.”

Health matters to us. We want vibrant health — the kind that let’s us embrace the day with arms wide open. We don’t want to be sidelined by illness nor the aches and pains that can impose limits on what we do.

For most of the last year I’ve been using what I’ve come to think of as a miracle worker.  Turmeric is a wonder spice it has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and cancer fighting properties. It comes in 3 forms, the fresh bulb (a member of the ginger family) found in the produce department, the powdered version from the spice section and capsules from the supplement shelves. I use all of them.

[Note as a supplement it often goes by curcumin the active ingredient in tumeric]

I’m a turmeric devotee for me it’s been a miracle worker!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BucJ1kaegc

I was talking to a friend the other day about healthy eating and she said, “I want to know what’s the best thing for health and not the latest, greatest thing.” While I understand what she’s saying, we’re constantly bombarded by the latest, greatest things,  I believe we have to educate ourselves, pick and choose and make the choices.

There is no one right way, one size fits all in the healthy diet department only what works best for each individual body.  I’ve been a vegetarian for more than 30 years, it’s not right for everyone, but it is right for me. My body works best on a plant based diet. Over the years I’ve tried some of the latest greatest things, some stay, most go. I look at food as medicine and have a bent towards holistic remedies. I believe if something sounds interesting, it’s worth giving it a try to see if it works.

Turmeric is one of the things I’ve added and I’m always on the lookout for more ways to incorporate it.

I use it primarily for it’s anti-inflammatory qualities to alleviate the pain of osteoarthritis in my hip joint. I’m largely pain free which allows me to continue working out 5 days a week which is something I love. I recently found another bonus – I had a very stubborn nail fungus (contracted years ago from artificial nail tips) it resisted every treatment – over the counter, prescription, laser nothing worked. Then tumeric’s anti fungal properties went to work….Poof. Gone!

I wasn’t kidding when I called it a miracle worker.

Turmeric has long been a nutritional superstar and dietary staple in India. In North America it’s been in the last 5 years that it’s outstanding credentials have gained attention.

Here’s a great TURMERIC resource…the best I’ve found. Everything you want to know in one place from types and benefits to dosages.

I was surprised to see that I’ve written about turmeric on this blog 3 times. That almost warrants Turmeric having it own category on the blog roll!

As I said I’m always on the lookout for new ways to incorporate turmeric into my diet, the newest ones are below.

Here’s a recap of previous Red Shoe Zone salutes to Turmeric

1.This post includes the recipe for Turmeric Tonic that uses either dry, powdered or fresh turmeric root or powder

2. This post contains a great recipe for fresh Turmeric Sunrise Juice

3. This post looks at turmeric as a beauty food and includes a recipe for a Yummy Turmeric      Smoothie

Here’s a great TURMERIC recipe resource – Turmeric Time from Yummly 

Here are some new and creative ways to incorporate this wonder spice!

 

 

GODDESS SALT

1 cup coarse Himalayan pink salt crystals

2 tsp turmeric

1 tsp organic rose petals

Put all ingredients into a mortar and pound with pestle until fine.

Sprinkle on steamed or roasted veggies for health boost and delicious flavor

 

TROPICAL CHIA SUNDAES WITH TURMERIC SALTED CARAMEL

1 c chopped frozen mango

½ c chopped frozen banana

2 tbsp chia seeds

½ c water

1 c kefir or coconut milk

Honey to taste

I vanilla pod scraped

Nuts and seeds to sprinkle

TURMERIC SALTED CARAMEL

½ tsp turmeric powder

2 tbsp butter

1 tbsp raw honey

Himalayan pink salt

Place chia in a bowl and add boiling water to cover. Stir until combined and allow to sit for a few minutes to cool.

Add ¾ of the kefir or coconut milk and sweeten with 1 tsp honey.

Create a layer of mango at bottom of sundae bowl. Pour a little of the chia mix on top.

Add a layer of chopped banana, then more chia and then kefir

In a saucepan melt butter and add honey and turmeric, stirring quickly as the mix bubble and foams.

This should take about 3-5 minutes and look golden. Allow to cool slightly. Don’t leave the caramel tin the pot it will harden.

When just warm pour on top of sundae and sprinkle with salt.

NOTE: Kefir is a fermented milk drink made with kefir grains ( a yeast, bacteria, fermentation starter) it’s used as tonic and digestive aid.

PS/ Please share this with anyone who may benefit from the anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and cancer fighting properties of TuRmeric.

Have you used turmeric? How has it helped you? Do you have a great recipe? Would love to hear from you. Please email me or share  in the comments below.