Pineapple and Ginger Tea

This tea takes the rind from the pineapple and turns it into a delicate, delicious, and digestive tea. Pineapple’s healing properties are plentiful. The key is cleaning the outside of the pineapple with baking soda and vinegar to get all the nasty stuff off with a bubbling science experiment.

INGREDIENTS:

• Pineapple rind

• Fresh ginger

• Water

• Baking Soda and Vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Clean the pineapple rind: scrub it, cut off any marred pieces, submerge it in a bowl of water, sprinkle baking soda, then add vinegar. The science experiment, bubbling effect will help to clean the microscopic bacteria, or at least that’s what I tell myself.

• Rinse in a colander, then submerge in a big pot of boiling water, add the ginger and turmeric.

• Let this boil, then simmer for a while (15+ minutes)

• Strain and drink!

• I store the remainder in my fridge in a mason jar so I have iced tea as well

Creamy Cashew + Quinoa Spread with Purple Potatoes

The light, yet hearty consistency of this spread makes it so interesting. I like to add fresh rosemary or sage to this dish to enhance the flavor and to improve the health benefits. Rosemary is known for anti-microbial and calming effects, while sage is known for its anti-oxidant benefits. Both have distinct flavors and their own healing personalities (see below).

INGREDIENTS:

• Potatoes - purple, gold, or sweet potatoes

• Chickpeas

• Onion (red or white/sweet)

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil + salt + seasonongs

• Greens (optional: tomatoes, fennel, etc.)

• Roasted, raw, or candied cashews as a topping

• Fresh rosemary and sage (option to use dried)

• For the Cashew + Quinoa spread:

  • 1/2 cup of cooked quinoa (any color)

  • 1/2 cup of roasted or raw cashews

  • 1/2 cup of white wine or rice wine vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon of miso

  • 1 tablespoon or olive oil

  • 1/2 cup of water (room temperature)

  • 1 lemon - juice + pulp

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Toss the potatoes, onion, chickpeas in olive oil and salt, then spread on a baking sheet with parchment paper, sprayed with oil.

• Bake at 400-425 degrees for 25-35 minutes, adding the rosemary and sage at the end or use them in the cashew spread.

• In a blender or food processor, whip up the cashew spread ingredients, adding water or wine slowly, until you get the desired consistency. Option to add a teaspoon of maple syrup for another ‘note’ of flavor.

• Dollop on the cashew quinoa spread to the potatoes and the salad.

• Also makes a great dip for crackers, chips, and fresh vegetables

BENEFITS:

• Rosemary - According to the NIH, here are benefits of Rosemary:

  • Rosemary has significant antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-tumorigenic, antinociceptive, and neuroprotective properties. Furthermore, it shows important clinical effects on mood, learning, memory, pain, anxiety, and sleep.

• Sage - According to WEBMd, Sage offers a host of benefits:

  • Sage is a member of the mint family, and its strong flavor means it usually gets used in small amounts. Other members of this family include oregano, rosemary, basil, and thyme. 

  • Sage is very high in vitamin K, and it also contains vital minerals like magnesium, zinc, and copper.

  • Antioxidants help combat free radical molecules in our environment that can damage our cells, leading to cancer. Sage contains antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E in small amounts. It also has over 160 types of polyphenols, another type of antioxidant made of plant matter. 

  • Sage has several types of acidic compounds in it that also act as antioxidants. Chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, ellagic acid, and rutin have all been linked to benefits such as lower cancer risk, memory improvement, and improved brain function.

  • One study found that drinking tea made from sage both raised antioxidant defenses and lowered LDL or “bad” cholesterol. Subjects who drank two cups of sage tea every day saw these benefits, as well as an increase in good cholesterol levels. 

  • May Ease Symptoms of Menopause - The body naturally experiences a decline in estrogen levels during menopause. That decline causes side effects like hot flashes, excessive sweating, vaginal dryness, and irritability. Sage has been used as a traditional medicine to reduce these symptoms.  

  • May Help Control Blood Sugar Levels - Sage leaves have been used in traditional medicine as a treatment for diabetes, and some studies do back this up.  In one study, rats with type 1 diabetes had reduced blood glucose levels after taking sage extract. The extract activated a receptor in the rats that helps clear excess fatty acids from the bloodstream, increasing insulin sensitivity.

  • Human studies have shown that sage leaf extract can lower blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity similar to the anti-diabetes drug rosiglitazone. However, further testing is needed before sage extract can be recommended as a diabetes treatment for humans.

Purple Cabbage with Crispy Quinoa and Poached Apricots

Even if you’re not a fan of cabbage, this recipe is great for summer since it’s light and colorful. The crispy quinoa adds another texture and some protein to the mix. You can opt for fresh, unbacked cabbage and add a light dressing for a new take on coleslaw.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 - 1 head of purple cabbage

• 1-2 cups of cooked Quinoa

• Purple onion

• Seasonings (e.g. salt, pepper, curry powder)

• 6-8 fresh apricots

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Cut cabbage into desired size - for braising, larger pieces work well. For cold, coleslaw, smaller works better.

• Crispy Quinoa (and if you’re broasting the cabbage): Heat oven to 400, spray parchment paper with oil, place cooked quinoa in a thin layer, spray lightly with oil. Bake until crispy, flipping occasionally. Season with salt, pepper, or curry powder. Usually takes about 20-25 minutes

• For braised cabbage, place on a separate baking sheet. 400-425, turning when one side gets brown. Usually takes 15-20 minutes.

• For poaching the apricots - Fill water in a pan, heat to boil, flip so each side get poached. Optional: reduce the apricot water with balsamic vinegar for a nice glaze. You can also add some honey and/or a 1/4 teaspoon of arrow root starch.

• For baking apricots - cut in half, take out the pit, dip the ‘flat’ side in cinnamon and sugar, bake sugar side down for 15 minutes on 400 or until crispy.

• Assemble the dish and marvel at the colors

Lemon, Ginger, and Cucumber Quench

This drink helps you hydrate and detox. Add sliced lemons, sliced ginger, and slice cucumber to a pitcher of water and let it live in the fridge.

Fast and Fancy Infused Olive Oils

You don’t need to spend a lot of time or money making your Olive Oils flavorful and fanciful. I like to use old spice jars or other jars that I have laying around. This one has fresh lemon and thyme. The flavors are usually ‘infused’ after a couple of days. I’ve also added balsamic vinegar to the concoction, which makes a great salad dressing

HEALING BENEFITS OF THYME:

• fighting acne

• lowering blood pressure

• helping to alleviate cough

• boosting immunity

• aromatherapy

• boosting mood

• culinary uses

• preventing bacterial infections

• helping to treat yeast infections

• possibly helping against certain types of cancer

Liver Dance Detox Drink

Not to be confused with the show, River Dance, or maybe the two aren’t that far off. This drink will liven up your liver and loosen the toxins. I first discovered this recipe from my older sister, who like me, got cancer and changed her eating (and drinking) habits. When our younger sister got cancer last year, she started drinking this drin every day as well. Why wait until you get cancer? Start drinking it now!

I find it curious that both me and my two sisters have all had cancer in our fifties. Is it related to Menopause? A virus we’ve had in our systems for decades? Genetics? Too much Cheez-Whiz when we were kids? We loved Cheez-Whiz on Ritz crackers and sometimes sprayed it on each other for fun in a Cheez-Whiz fight (not so civilized, I know).

I bit into some raw turmeric the other day and didn’t realize that my front teeth were stained orange — not a good look!

Ingredients:

• Hot Water

• Tumeric (raw or powdered)

• Raw Honey

• Ginger (raw or powdered)

• Black pepper

• Fresh lemon

• Instructions:

  • 1 cup warm (not too hot) water – or you can use 1 cup warm milk of your choice (almond, soy, or oat milk) 

    1. ¼ - ½ tsp. turmeric

    2. Ground pepper (not too much, or it’ll be too peppery – 8-10 turns)

    3. Juice of half a lemon (4 teaspoons of ReaLemon lemon juice is the equivalent) 

    4. Dash of cinnamon (optional)

    5. Raw ginger or a dash of ginger powder (optional)

    6. 1/8 to 1 tsp raw honey

• Benefits of Tumeric Water: (I normally don’t get this detailed, but my sister used to be a librarian and always does her research)

  • It Promotes Weight Loss - Drinking turmeric water (with or without lemon) has been shown to prevent the accumulation of fat. And sipping a healthy hot beverage in the morning that tastes interesting and looks cheerful may keep you from overindulging at brunch.

  • Turmeric Improves Digestion and Metabolism - Drinking a turmeric drink (whether it’s turmeric and lemon water or something else) can enhance your body’s ability to produce bile – a crucial component of a healthy, well-functioning digestive system.

  • Turmeric and Lemon Water Is a Detox Drink - The liver uses bile as part of the process by which it eliminates toxins from your body. Bile also keeps your liver healthy. Meanwhile, the citric acid in lemon juice helps your body maintain the proper pH levels for wellness, and lemon itself is a natural diuretic that will help your body flush away toxins in your urine.

  • This Drink Is an Antioxidant Powerhouse - Illness and premature aging are both thought to be caused, in part, by oxidative damage by free radicals in the body. Antioxidants protect your body from the effects of free radicals – and both turmeric and lemons are full of them!

  • Turmeric May Relieve Arthritis Symptoms -The curcumin in turmeric is an anti-inflammatory that can counteract the symptoms of the chronic inflammatory disorder, rheumatoid arthritis.

  • Drinking Turmeric and Lemon Can Protect You from Infections - The antibacterial, antiviral and antimicrobial properties of turmeric paired with the immune boosting Vitamin C and potassium in lemon juice means there is a lot of illness-fighting power in every warm cup of turmeric and lemon water.

  • It May Help Lower Cholesterol Levels - Numerous studies have shown that compounds in turmeric can positively impact cholesterol levels, though it’s still not clear what the optimal dosages should be. It might also help prevent heart disease! Given that there are virtually no downsides to adding turmeric to your diet, why not see what this spice can do for your cholesterol levels.

  • And Even Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease - Turmeric prevents the degradation of neurons by increasing the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (a hormone that seems to keep the brain healthy), which may in turn keep Alzheimer’s disease at bay in those people more susceptible to it. The curcumin in turmeric may even improve memory!

  • Finally, Drinking Turmeric and Lemon Will Keep You Looking Young - Starting your day with a turmeric drink is an easy way to keep your skin hydrated.