Finding Gold That Warms You Up.
Over the years, I have worked on finding better food choices that nourish my body. In conjunction with my yoga practice, I learned to understand that our bodies change seasonally, just like the earth. In Autumn, our bodies naturally crave different types of food than it would in hotter months. The traditional Thanksgiving holiday dinner serves quintessential Autumn dishes that our bodies readily absorb and enjoy at this time of year. Late summer/fall fruits and vegetables, root vegetables and gourds are all foods that our bodies appreciate in Autumn. These dishes help us replenish vitamins and minerals that are a bit harder to find with less sunshine and helps fortify our bodies for the colder weather.
I think it is worth taking notice of what your body says to you. There is a reason why a crisp salad that seemed so refreshing and nourishing to you only a few weeks ago is starting to fall flat at this time of year. Enjoy warm soups and stews while they taste the best to you; they won't seem as comforting in a few months. Add warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, paprika, and even more pepper to provide soothing heat to any dish. Even water could be warmed up rather than drinking it ice-cold. Keep paying attention, and you may find a few more seasonal shifts in yourself that are natural and necessary for optimal health.
Beverages also switch from iced teas and coffees to hot lattes and tea. Seeing teapots lovingly wrapped in tea cozies is like having a warm hug sitting on your kitchen counter. Another hot drink that I have enjoyed for years has recently increased in popularity: Golden Milk, also known as Turmeric Latte or Golden Latte. This delicious drink is a treat that I have recently seen added to menus locally in coffee shops and restaurants, but it is simple to make at home. I have read many variations on how to make this drink, most of those are merely adding turmeric with a variety of other spices to warmed dairy or non-dairy milk. However, I discovered a method a few years ago that creates a turmeric paste first. Turmeric paste only takes about 10 minutes to prepare; then, you have a supply of paste on hand you can use daily over a few weeks. The paste, to me, dissolves much more nicely than powdered turmeric, and I find that it provides a smoother consistency in the drink.
The recipe that I followed was from Dr. Kelly Brogan, M.D. Now, in this article, Dr. Brogan suggests abandoning coffee entirely and using Golden Milk to replace coffee. To me, it is undoubtedly a delightful contender - but I also genuinely love coffee! I appreciate that coffee may not be beneficial all the time, and it is one of those delicious habits that can easily get out of hand. So if you find yourself needing more than 1 cup of coffee a day, you may need to check that. Saying that, though, I fully incorporate both coffee and Golden Milk into my routine. In the morning, I will either drink a coffee or Golden Milk; but my favourite time of day to drink a Turmeric Latte is actually in the evening. I liken it to a warm glass of milk before bed, except that it tastes much better.
Turmeric Paste and Golden Milk Recipe
To prepare Turmeric Paste:
Quick and easy to make, set aside an upfront 10-minute prep for the turmeric paste.
Combine 1 cup of water with 1/2 a cup of organic turmeric powder in a saucepan and heat on low for about 7 minutes, adding more water (up to 1 additional cup) if it becomes too dry.
Remove from heat and stir in 1/3 cup of unrefined organic coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil, and 1/2-1 tsp of black pepper.
Store this in a glass container in the fridge.
To prepare Golden Milk:
Put one teaspoon of paste in a mug
Add a dash of warming spice like cinnamon, cardamom, clove (or all three!)
Add raw honey (to taste)
Pour about 1/3 cup of your favourite non-dairy or dairy milk (I prefer oat milk)
Fill the rest of the mug with boiling water and stir
*On those days when you need a little more resiliency, toss in some sliced garlic if you dare!
I hope you enjoy many warm mugs of this delicious drink. Stay warm and cozy and enjoy the beautiful Autumn colours out there.