Ginger Lemon Detox Drink

Ginger Lemon Detox Drink

Essential ingredients to prepare this drink

• 2-3 cm of fresh ginger root
• 5 L of water
• a few leaves of mint and lemon balm
• juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp honey

How to make ginger tea with lemon and honey

1. Take ginger roots. Then clean and grate those properly;
2. Now add water and put the pot containing ginger roots on fire;
3. Boil the ginger roots and simmer for 10-15 minutes;
4. Strain the juice and leave it covered for about 15 minutes;
5. Then add lemon juice and honey;
6. Serve it after putting mint over the drink.

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Ginger Crunch Recipe

Ginger Crunch Recipe

Ingredients

Cookie base

• 4 1/2 ounces (9 tablespoons, 125g) unsalted butter, room temperature (it should be very soft)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
• 1 1/2 cup (210g) flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground dried ginger

Icing

• 2 1/2 ounces (5 tablespoons, 75g) butter, salted or unsalted
• 2 tablespoons golden syrup (see Note)
• 3/4 cup (90g) powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground dried ginger

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC.) Butter a 13-inch rectangular tart pan or another pan.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, or by hand in a large bowl, make the cookie base by creaming the butter with the sugar until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger.
3. Mix the dry ingredients into the creamed butter mixture until well-combined. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured countertop and knead it until the dough is relatively smooth.(If necessary, dampen your hands to add a bit of moisture to the dough, if it’s dry.)
4. Press the dough into the prepared pan and flatted the surface, then bake the dough for 20 minutes, until it’s light golden brown.
5. Five minutes before the dough is done, making the icing by heating the 2 1/2 ounces of butter and golden syrup in a small pan, then mix in the powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon ginger, stirring until smooth.
6. When you take the pan out of the oven, pour the warm icing over the cookie base. Let sit for about 20 to 30 minutes, then remove from the pan and slice while still slightly warm.

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CLEANSING GINGER-CHICKEN SOUP

CLEANSING GINGER-CHICKEN SOUP

INGREDIENTS

• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 8 ounces unpeeled scrubbed ginger, cut into 1/2"-thick slices
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 10 whole black peppercorns
• shiitake mushrooms
• 1 3-pound whole organic chicken, cut into 7 pieces (2 breasts, 2 legs with thighs attached, 2 wings, 1 back)
• Kosher salt
• Cilantro leaves (optional)

PREPARATION

1. Combine the first 5 ingredients in a large heavy pot. Add chicken, placing breasts on top. Add 6 quarts water (preferably filtered or spring water); bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover with lid slightly ajar. Reduce heat to low; simmer until chicken breasts are just cooked through, about 30 minutes. Transfer chicken breasts to a plate; let cool, then cover and chill. Continue to simmer soup, add the shiitake mushrooms, uncovered, until broth is fully flavored, about 2 1/2 hours longer. Return breasts to soup to rewarm, about 5 minutes.
2. Remove chicken from broth. When cool enough to handle, coarsely shred meat; discard skin and bones. Place a fine-mesh sieve over another large pot; strain broth, discarding solids in strainer (you should have about 8 cups broth). Season with salt.
3. Rewarm soup. Divide chicken among bowls. Pour hot broth over, dividing equally. Garnish soup with cilantro leaves, if desired.

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Healing Benefits of Ginger

Healing Benefits of Ginger

Ginger is an ancient wonder spice and is given the status of a "natural medicine chest" in ancient Ayurvedic medicine. That’s because this wonder spice has time-tested, digestion-friendly properties, in addition to its numerous other health benefits. 

In India, ginger is liberally used in daily life. Ginger-infused Chai is a household favorite, and it’s grandma’s antidote of choice for battling cold and flu! 

On millions of dining tables in India, you’ll see matchsticks of fresh ginger that have turned a soft pink from being soaked in lemon juice and salt: a zingy accompaniment to any cooked meal.

Try some fresh ginger just before a meal to stoke your digestive fire and support a healthy gut! You can grate it up and squeeze it into a hot tea, add it to juices, baked goods, smoothies and more... experiment and have fun. 

Let’s give this knobbly root a closer look. 

10 Terrific Benefits of Ginger

1. Haven’t been feeling hungry? Eat a little fresh ginger just before a meal to inspire your appetite and activate your digestive juices. 
2. Eating ginger improves the absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients in the body. 
3. Ginger clears the ‘microcirculatory channels’ of the body, including the clearing your sinuses that can flare up seasonally or during colder months. 
4. Feeling airsick or nauseous? Ginger can help, preferably tossed in a little honey.
5. Can’t stop the toot-a-thon? Gas—oops—guess what?! Ginger helps reduce flatulence! 
6. Tummy moaning and groaning under cramps? Munch on ginger. 
7. Reeling under joint pain? Ginger, with its anti-inflammatory properties—can bring relief. Float some ginger essential oil in your bath to help aching muscles and joints. 
8. Just had surgery? Chewing ginger post-operation can help overcome nausea. 
9. Stir up some ginger tea to get rid of throat and nose congestion. And when there’s a nip in the air, the warming and healing benefits of this tasty tea are even greater! 
10. Bedroom blues? Try adding a gingery punch to a bowl of soup. (Psst...the Ayurvedic texts credit ginger with aphrodisiac properties)

3 Ways To Use Ginger

1. Spicy Fragrant Ginger Rice 

Cook basmati rice. When you take the lid off the pan, quickly stir in finely chopped garlic, ginger, green chilies and fresh cilantro leaves—the burst of flavor and fragrance will drive your senses crazy with desire! 

2. Ginger In Your Tea 

‘Grate’ idea: grate some ginger root and put it in your tea or through your juicer. Our cleansing and healingGinger and Turmeric Tea is amazing for you! You could also try our super simple Ginger Lemon Detox Drink for a quick pick me up.

3. Gingery Dessert 

Try our delicious Ginger Slice with loads of beneficial and healing ingredients.

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This Is What Will Happen When You Start Drinking Honey Water Every Day

This Is What Will Happen When You Start Drinking Honey Water Every Day

Water is good for you, we all know that. We hear no end that we should be drinking more and more water. After all, water is a vital component for our bodies, let’s not forget that we’re made up of 80% water! Which is actually a very strange thought when you overthink it. Water basically maintains all of our everyday bodily functions from transporting vital nutrients and oxygen to helping with our day-to-day digestion of food. So we’ve successfully established we NEED it.

     lifehack.org

But fancy making your water even more helpful to your system? Just add honey, yes honey! I know what you’re thinking.

It’s full of sugar.

But it’s so sweet?

How can honey be healthy?

Fear not friends, honey is actually pretty damn good for you. Drinking a glass of warm honey water everyday can increase your health and even prevent against disease. Yep you heard right, THIS is what will happen if you start drinking honey every day…

Your Gas Will Reduce

I know, I said gas *eww*. But seriously, if you suffer from bloat or feel gassy on the regular then a mug of warm honey water will help to neutralise the gas in your system. You’ll feel half a stone lighter in no time.

You Will Boost Your Immune System

Honey owns some pretty impressive immune system boosting properties. Be sure to buy raw, organic honey to gain maximum benefit from the bacteria killing assets! It’s full of enzymes, vitamins and minerals that will protect you against any nasty bacteria.

You Will Flush Out Toxins

Honey and warm water is one of the best combinations to flushing out waste from your system. Say goodbye to toxins and hello to a detox. Oh and a quick tip – adding lemon will improve this even further by helping to increase urination. Just saying.

Your Skin Will Become Clearer

Yep! Honey is a natural anti-oxidant which means it helps to flush away any waste and thanks to antibacterial properties it helps to keep your skin clean and clearer than ever. This infographic gives a pretty good overview as to why and how you can get better skin by using honey, anyone up for a DIY honey exfoliator?

You Will Lose Weight

So your first thought is probably BUT SUGAR. Yes there is sugar in honey but it’s totally different to white sugar, its natural sugar! These natural sugars will help to satisfy your everyday sweet cravings for naughty treats such as cake, sweets, chocolate and cola. In fact if you swap your sweetener packed drinks for honey water you’ll be saving up to 64% more calories!

Your Sore Throat Will Improve

There’s a reason warm honey water is a winter favourite, it can help to soothe a sore throat and warm you up in the colder months. Honey is a natural remedy for respiratory infections and the common cough, so next time you have a pesky winter cold, reach for the honey (raw and organic though of course).

Your Blood Sugar Levels Will Regulate

As we’ve discussed, whilst honey does contain a fair amount of sugar, it’s not the same as white sugar – the combination of fructose and glucose actually helps the body to regulate your blood sugar levels, it’s also said to lower cholesterol too. Not bad.

You’ll Be Preventing Risk Of Heart Disease

And that’s got to be pretty good right? The flavonoids and anti-oxidants in honey are also pretty handy at helping to prevent and reduce your risk of heart disease. Research has shown that honey slowed down the oxidation process of bad cholesterol in human blood – which can have a harmful effect on your heart leading to attacks and even a stroke.

So what are you waiting for? Grab that honey and boil that kettle!

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Dragon Fruit Juice Recipe

seasonwithspice.com

Dragon Fruit Juice Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 of a large purple dragon fruit (pitaya)
• 2 tbsp of freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 8 mint leaves
• 1 can of soda water
• Ice cubes
• 1 shot of rum (optional, but highly recommended)

Procedure

1. Peel, and cut the dragon fruit into chunks, and place in blender. Add lemon juice, and blend.
2. Add mint leaves to blender and blend for just a second so there are parts of the leaves still visible in the drink.
3. Add half a shot of rum each into two glasses with your preferred number of ice cubes. Then fill both glasses halfway with the blended mix. Top off with soda water (but be careful since dragon fruit and carbonated drinks have a bit of an explosive reaction). 
4. Garnish with mint leaves and a slice of lemon, and drink until you're purple in the face!

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Surprising Benefits Of Dragon Fruit You Never Knew

Dragon what? No, this is not a medieval-times myth where knights save princesses from fire-breathing dragons and win the coveted dragon fruit from a magical tree. That said, real dragon fruit does contain some pretty magical benefits that can make you feel like a beautiful princess or a knight in shining armor.

In tropical and subtropical regions in South America and Asia, the dragon fruit flourishes and grows in abundance. Appropriately named, the dragon fruit’s outer skin is cactus-like, resembling that of the scales of a mythical dragon. Considered a cactus plant, its vibrant green and reddish-pink hues indicate that the fruit is full of nutrients, while the creamy white flesh spotted with black seeds gives way to many rich and natural properties.

Also known as pitaya, these fun-looking fruits contain around 60 calories each and are rich in vitamin C, B1, B2 and B3, and minerals such as iron, calcium, and phosphorus. And that’s not all. This is definitely one of the best “super fruits” out there.

    lifehack.org

1. Better Than Cheerios

Dragon fruit has an extremely low amount of cholesterol, which ultimately helps the body break down this fruit quickly, keeping you happy and healthy. It’s the perfect fruit to maintain your weight and satisfy your sweet tooth.

2. Heart Healthy

Americans have increasing problems maintaining cardiovascular health. Fortunately, this fruit has an amazing superpower that helps decrease bad cholesterol levels and replenish good levels. Dragon fruit is an excellent source of monounsaturated fats, helping the heart stay in great condition.

3. Fill Up On Fiber

To clean up your digestive system, eat a dragon fruit. They have a high fiber content, which can assist with poor digestion and constipation. Eating the flesh and seeds, which contain good protein, will keep your body fortified and satisfied.

4. Active Antioxidants

To rid the body of free radicals and cancer-producing properties, you can eat foods that contain antioxidants. Believe it or not, dragon fruit is giving acai berries a run for their money.

5. Fights Diabetes

The high amount of fiber in dragon fruit can ultimately help regulate diabetes, as it can stabilize blood sugar levels by suppressing sugar spikes. However, with any dietary changes or modifications, always consult your doctor to make sure this is a good food for you.

6. Reduces Signs of Aging

Eating a dragon fruit with its rich antioxidants can keep the skin tight and young. You can even make a face mask using the fruit combined with honey as a natural alternative to anti-aging masks.

7. Treating Colored Hair

Dragon fruit juice is an excellent agent for treating colored hair. By simply putting the juice or a conditioner containing dragon fruit on your scalp, you can protect your chemically treated or colored hair. This will keep the hair follicles open, allowing your hair to breathe and remain healthy and smooth.

8. Suppresses Arthritis

Arthritis directly affects the joints and causes severe irritation and immobility. Adding dragon fruit to your diet can help you fight these ailments. Dragon fruit’s benefits for people suffering from arthritis are so great that it’s commonly referred to as the “anti-inflammatory fruit.”

9. Avoiding Acne

This treatment is not just for teenagers. Rich in vitamin C, this fruit becomes a great topical ointment. Turn a slice of dragon fruit into a paste and apply it to your reddened areas on your face or skin, then rinse with water. For best results, use twice daily.

10. Soothe Sunburned Skin

By combining dragon fruit with cucumber juice and honey, you can create a compound much like aloe that can soothe burned skin. Abundant in vitamin B3, dragon fruit can moisturize sunburned skin and release heat from the affected area.

How Can You Make Dragon Fruit a Part of Your Daily Routine?

Tired of the everyday apple or banana? Go ahead, you get permission to pick up the exotic fruit because it’s so good it should be forbidden. Dragon fruit is so easy to eat that all you need is a spoon to dig out its goodness, similar to a kiwi. Or, you can easily bite it right off of the peel for a quick fix. One dragon fruit will suffice as a snack, but soon you’ll be craving more. Try some of these recipes that call for dragon fruit here.

Just remember, even though they look beautiful on your counter, they are much more than a simple decoration. Reap the benefits of dragon fruit!

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