Monday, February 3, 2014

Maybe the Broncos need Golden Milk, do you?

Mug via David's Tea, mess behind this photo my own
I’m in a warm drink phase that may be an adult food jag. I love matcha lattes made with almond milk. Then I discovered matcha cacao lattes (details in Thursday's newsletter), I soon jazzed these up with cardamom and cinnamon. Last year I was fixated on bulletproofcoffee but this year? I’m all about Golden Milk. What’s that you haven’t heard of golden milk? Well has its roots in Ayurveda, it’s a warm beverage made with a turmeric paste. Turmeric is one of the most powerful nutritional mood boosters (on par with medications, yup), it’s also a potent anti-inflammatory and what we call a “delicious debloater”. So whether you didn’t eat that “super” last night or if Monday or everyday blues have taken hold, read on.

There are many versions of Golden Milk, I tweaked a couple coming up with this:
Ingredients
1/8 tsp turmeric
½ cup water
pinch black pepper (I added this as pepper increases the effectiveness of turmeric)
1 tbs coconut oil (traditional recipes call for almond oil which I didn’t have)
½ tsp manuka honey (an anti-inflammatory)
few drops Nu Stevia (optional)

Simmer turmeric, pepper and water for 8-10 minutes until mixture thickens.
 
At the same time, in another pot (you could do in the same pot as turmeric once it thickens) heat almond milk and oil. 

I kept this at very low heat as I didn’t want to boil the manuka. Add honey and stevia to taste toward end of cooking. Transfer turmeric paste to the milk.  

This drink is satisfying enough to be a breakfast. I also enjoy 4 ounces in place of my nighttime tea.  I do want to try the almond oil and also saw a recipe with molasses (loaded with magnesium) that’s I’d like to test out. And not to worry, I have saffron in the back of my head as the research is impressive there too.
Have you heard of golden milk? Any warm drinks you’re loving?  Interesting uses for turmeric?

17 comments:

  1. This is EXACTLY what I needed to battle the winter blues. Especially on this snowy (again) day. I survived on a tumeric/ginger/honey tea last week to fight off "a bad cold". The addition of almond milk would have been brilliant!

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  2. You'll love it Jen and I'm sure "jenify" it too. You can make this turmeric paste (cooks down further from my pic) and keep it in a jar for a month. This way all you need to do is warm your "mylk". I 100% feel this changes my mood and there's research behind it.

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  3. I've seen numerous recipes for golden milk, and it's been on my "make list." I'll be making this soon!

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  4. Lauren, you talk a lot about Almond Milk in LBT, but I have been drinking rice milk...can you tell me what your take is on substituting almond milk for rice milk?

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  5. Sure: taste, easy to make homemade and almonds trump rice

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  6. since we are nutrition twins I bet you'll like and tweak and make me jealous- using your nutcase? What else is on your 'to make' list?

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  7. I love a hot drink (even in the summer), but I have not gone too far into the fancy drinks you talk about here. I will have to investigate. I am mostly a tea drinker, with the occasional latte thrown in. My current favorite is a chai tea with a little almond milk. I think the flavor of the almond milk enhances it nicely.

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  8. Turmeric milk is very common in South Asia. It's believed to be a cure for everything! I didn't know that pepper increases turmeric's effectiveness. I do like the "Golden Milk" term. On another note, I haven't been receiving your posts in my inbox for a while now. Have you changed servers?

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  9. South Asians know everything, what type of milk is used Sam? Any other ingredients? You mean blog posts- chances are bc haven't been writing as many...or newsletters 1/month?

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  10. Ooh Jen you can jazz up tea easily with spices "mylks" etc let me know once you experiment. And when I say latte usually almond milk in Nespresso frothed!

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  11. So delicious-just made your golden milk and it's perfect alone or in my coffee. I am a big almond milk fan so thank you for this new treat! I am also a turmeric addict-- I swallow 1/4 tsp. of the powder every night and truly believe that it is the reason my achilles tendon is no longer painful.

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  12. Yay, love it Shari. I am a "turm" addict too and when I'm achy I know haven't had enough. When you say swallow you mean straight up turmeric or dissolved in water? Mixed with anything?

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  13. They actually use whole-milk but I substitute with almond milk. Nope, I know when you post because shows up on fbook but I haven't received a post in my inbox for a few months now.

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  14. I do swallow it straight up-- just to get it over with. With a little water in my mouth, I pop the powder in and then chug it with more water. My ayurvedic practitioner/sister (who lives in Denver and maybe could have helped her team last night), gave me this idea/method. I have mixed it with raw honey for my 17 yr. old son who finds it helpful after some soccer games....
    And, PS - I am loving your new book- it is full of smart, sensible and important nutrition/life advice. Yay for #lbt!

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  15. My parents have a glass of water with a tsp of turmeric every morning. My dad grinds the root makes his own turmeric powder at home because he feels that a lot of places don't sell pure turmeric powder. Have to try this drink and send them your recipe.

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  16. This sounds amazing! Can I make a larger batch and keep in the fridge or do you always make it fresh?

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