Golden Milk

The golden milk latte, or Turmeric Tea Latte, has been our on the rise of trendy drinks this year. It hasn't quite reached coconut oil status, but it's getting there. This supposed magic drink is said to be all sorts of crazy good for you, and what’s even better is that it actually taste good. Like really, I’ve tried it! But what is in this frothy delicious concoction of ingredients, and is it really good for you? Well, I’m dissecting one of my favorite recipes and I will break down how each ingredient benefits our bodies. After all, it is important that we know why we eat what we eat.

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp Turmeric

Pinch of black pepper

1 cup Almond or soy milk

Raw honey

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp fresh ginger root

First, let’s talk about the star ingredient…

Turmeric.

Turmeric does a few things for our bodies. First, it can relieve pain. Studies have shown that certain doses of turmeric have the same pain relieving abilities of ibuprofen. It can improve your liver function due to its antioxidant properties, however, I wouldn’t sprinkle turmeric powered on my blueberries. It is also an inflammatory which can promote heart health and reduce pain in our joints. One of my favorite benefits of turmeric is how it aids in digestion because, I’m sure as we have all found, as we get older that is not as easy as it used to be. Be sure not to overdo it with turmeric because too much can lead to a stomach ache. (que Sam Smith’s too much of a good thing...)

Pepper.

Now I know it may seem like a funny thing to put in a latte, but it’s actually a very important ingredient so don’t skip it. Our bodies don’t always absorb the nutrients from the foods we eat. Sometimes eating certain combinations of foods can either increase our absorption of a nutrient or completely block it out. In this case, the pepper in golden milk increases your bodies ability to absorb curcumin, which is a healing property within turmeric. I know that’s all scientific, but we are intelligent women. Plus, now you can sound bougie when your friend asks why on earth you’re adding pepper to your golden latte. “To increase my curcumin absorption, of course”

Almond Milk.

By now almond milk, or soy milk, is in about every refrigerator in America. 60 percent of the U.S. drinks a plant-based milk product. Almond milk contains a lot of healthy fats, fiber, protein, and other vitamins. It is also a very common choice for those who are lactose intolerant and plus it tastes delish. Almond milk is not the end all be all for this recipe to remain beneficial for your health. We’re not the food police, so choose whichever dairy or non-dairy product to suit your specific health needs

Raw Honey.

I love adding raw honey to my recipe but be sure not to add too much because you’ll end up like Pooh bear with your mug stuck to your lips. Honey has endless benefits. It is a good source of antioxidants which help reduce your chances of infection and are good for your heart. Raw honey also preserves natural vitamins and enzymes, so you can ingest them rather than the nutritional elements being burnt off during pasteurization. For all you mama’s out there it is important you know not to give your little ones under the age of one raw honey because it can sometimes contain Clostridium botulinum. This is a food poising agent called botulism which sounds scary because it is. Basically, we adults and our immunes systems can handle it, but your little ones can’t. At least not yet. So no raw honey for baby.

Cinnamon.

Cinnamon is delicious, it’s a free ingredient on the 21-day fix (heck yea), and it kicks anti-inflammatory butt. Cinnamon has also been shown to lower blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation.

Ginger.

I think of ginger as the holy grail of ingredients. I mean really what can’t ginger do. It reduces nausea and inflammation. It aids in digestive health, upset stomach, gas, and diarrhea. Ginger is also used in some forms of medication, but this is just a latte. Be sure not to overdo with ginger because too much ginger can have some adverse effects (again, que Sam).

Golden Milk Lattes, or Turmeric tea lattes, are basically your antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, digestive healthy fairy godmother. The best part is that you’ll actually want to drink this unlike some of those green juices we chug in the name of health. So, sip on ladies and enjoy that golden frothy goodness.

-Chantel

P.S. did you really think I wouldn't give you the recipe?

Recipe: