Well folks…we are back to our regularly scheduled programs, and I wanted to wish you a happy belated 2017! As some of you may know from social media, Cory and I just spent the week in Amsterdam where we literally were able to sleep in until ten every morning, wander the streets and enjoy all of the sights and bites the charming city had to offer. The past year and a half for us has been a whirlwind of airplanes and hotel rooms, so, we truly needed the time to decompress and getaway from it all! We returned on Thursday to Tampa so that I could work my first job for 2017 at HSN, and introduce a new product from Proform called: The Cardio Toner Treadmill. If you feel like checking out the segment, have a look here, and let me know what you thought! I will be back at HSN next Sunday, for a 5 AM show, and if you are awake, make sure to check it out!
With that said, there is always one thing that happens when we travel during this time of year. It never fails that I end up with a sinus infection or chest cold that totally knocks me to next Tuesday! While we were overseas, Cory and I tried to take a Ginger Shot almost every day when we returned from the cold, and they really make you feel instantly warm all over, not to mention their immune boosting, antiviral, anti-nausea properties. Amsterdam really has a lot of healthy options, it felt like I was stumbling into a juice bar every other block, and our hotel (The W Amsterdam) even had one in the lobby!
Yesterday, I felt like I was coming down with a little sinus cold, probably due to the lack of sleep from travel and work, but I will combat what is brewing in my body with daily ginger shots and my special “kick your cold’s booty elixir” otherwise known as my “liquid love”. The tea is bursting with immune boosting, cold fighting, anti-viral properties!
Here is what they are:
Lemon: To add vitamin C as an immune booster that will help build your immunity or aid in speeding up recovery time of an already present cold or flu.
Mint: It can act as an expectorant to relieve phlegm. It also has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to help relieve inflammation along the respiratory tract, and it also smells really good!
Cinnamon: Cinnamon is chock full of antioxidants and has antifungal, antibacterial, and even antiviral properties.
Ginger: Ginger root will help to relieve a sore throat quickly, and they also kill rhinoviruses, which cause colds in the first place. It offers warming properties, which is plus to beat the winter weather! Like, almost instantly!
Turmeric: The benefits of Turmeric are almost endless! Including their anti-carcinogen properties, but Turmeric increases the bodies antioxidant capacity, and cur cumin, which is found in turmeric, is a proven anti-inflammatory compound that can lower your risk of heart disease and can even help ward off depression. I try to throw the fresh root or ground powder in almost every smoothie or juice I make! I use the powder in the tea, but you can definitely use the fresh and grate it in or slice it like the ginger.
Black Pepper: It is strange, but black pepper actually helps the absorption and bioavailability of turmeric in the body. So that is why most turmeric supplements you are taking should have black pepper in them as well, and if they don’t, throw those out and get these or these.
Honey: Not only does honey add a touch of sweetness, but honey also helps to soothe the throat, suppress a cough and since it’s natural anti-viral properties help to beat a chest cold!
Himalayan Sea Salt: When himalayan salt dissolves in water, it results in a concentrated, electrically charged matrix of the 84 trace minerals in the salt. The ionic salt and trace minerals nourish each cell in your body. The salt helps improve hydration, and mineral status of the body. It also helps the body detoxify, level blood sugar levels and acts as a powerful antihistamine.
Ingredients for the Liquid Love Elixir:
1 C or Bunch of Mint plus more for garnish or add a few drops of peppermint essential oil.
2 Sliced Lemons
1-1/2 Inch Sliced Ginger
4 Cinnamon Sticks
1 Medium Pot Water
Turmeric Paste:
1 Tbs Ground Turmeric
1 Tbs Honey (Manuka or Raw if you have it)
1/2 tsp Black Pepper
Sprinkle of Himalayan Sea Salt
Directions:
Bring water to a boil and add mint, lemon, cinnamon and ginger. Boil for 10 minutes before turning heat to medium low. While tea is boiling combine turmeric, honey and black pepper to make the paste. Add it to the pot and mix until smooth. Simmer the mixture for about 10-15 minutes or until the mixture is bright yellow in color and lemons are flagrant. Strain and keep liquid in the refrigerator for daily tea. Add liquid love to a cup, warm it up, and add a sprinkle of himalayan salt. You can also add additional honey if the tea is too tart!
Ginger Shot Recipe:
1-1/2 inch pealed and sliced fresh ginger
1/2 Lemon juiced
Splash of Spring Wanter
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a NutriBullet and blend. If the shot is too pulpy, add a it more water and re-blend. Warning! This shots are spicy as heck, but the will kick any cold’s butt. We took one everyday overseas, but at five euro a pop, it is much more cost effective and simple to make your own. Ginger Shots are chock full of vitamin C and anti viral properties, so I would suggest making them a few times a week or every day during the winter months. Especially, if you feel a cold coming on.
