Winter Warming Drinks
I’ve found that whenever I’m in the need for a little comfort, I reach for something warm. It seems many of us do that, especially in the cold winter season. Warming drinks are not only comforting, but they are also a delicious way to boost your immune system and stay healthy.
I’d like to share some of the hot drinks I personally favor this time of year: Vital Coffee for a morning jumpstart with protein and amino acids, warm Turmeric Lattes (kid tested and blessed) for anti-inflammatory benefits without caffeine, and Hot Ginger Apple Cider when me or my kiddos feel a little under the weather. Hope you all have a healthy and happy winter and stay warm in body and soul!
VITAL COFFEE
Coffee is one of my favorite vices. When you have a 10-month old that is teething as well as a 5 and 8-year-old to get off to school in the morning, coffee is a necessary ritual. I’ve found a trick to minimize the guilt by loading a couple of scoops of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides powder into my drink. The super powder dissolves into the hot coffee with absolutely no flavor and 18 grams of protein and amino acids.
1 Scoop of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides to each 8oz of fresh, hot coffee
Add your favorite creamer as desired.
I favor unsweetened coconut creamer (Soy Delicious Original) as a natural, sugar-free creamer.
TURMERIC LATTE
Turmeric, the main spice in curry, is arguably the most powerful herb on the planet at fighting and potentially reversing disease. This latte is an easy way to pack the super root into a comforting drink.
1 small turmeric root (3″) blended with 8oz of unsweetened coconut creamer (such as Soy Delicious Original)
Blend the chopped turmeric root along with the creamer on high until well blended. This provides a concentrated base that can be jarred for up to one week in the refrigerator.
To create a latte add 2-3 T. of the turmeric concentrate to your favorite warmed almond, soy or coconut milk.
Add honey or maple syrup as desired. Allowing the milk to cool a little before you add the honey will preserve the honey’s raw nutrients.
APPLE GINGER CIDER
Chinese medicine turns to ginger medicinally because it restores Yang, or hot energy making this cider the perfect drink to fight the winter blues. In addition to the numerous dietary health benefits, apples are extremely rich in important antioxidants, flavonoids, and dietary fiber. The sweetness of the apples balances the spice of ginger perfectly. I’ve found the drink is also a good way to curb a sweet tooth after dinner.
Filtered boiled water
3 Apples (Honeycrisp, Gala or Pink Lady’s)
5 inch ginger root
1-2 tsp of cinnamon
1 lemon
Honey to taste
Chop a peeled 5-inch piece of whole ginger into coarse pieces and place in a 3-quart pot with 2 quarts of purified water. Add 3 peeled, cored and chopped apples. Squeeze and add juice from 1 lemon and add cinnamon.
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, allowing the drink to simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the juice and store in a thermos bottle or glass jar. Sweeten juice with honey as desired. Keep the big chunks of leftover apples for snacking or making applesauce later for the kids to eat.