It's winter time and as I watch the snow falling just outside my kitchen windows, I am thinking about how to stay warm and healthy. Being physically active and keeping the blood flowing is important, especially as you get older. Be sure to do at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, and always start and finish with a good stretch, and always pay attention to your diet.
This time of year, the air is dry and often causes skin and lips to crack. Drinking plenty of fluids will keep the skin hydrated and the body generally healthy, flushing out toxins along the way. During the winter, this is especially important. Too many people sneezing and in close contact. Better to be safe than sorry!
Aside from my usual recommendation of eating one avocado a day, I also recommend a cup of hot water with a heaping teaspoon or two of this delicious lemon, ginger, green cardamom and honey concoction.
THE HEALTH BENEFITS
Lemons are one of the best fruit you can eat, especially in winter when in season. It is loaded with vitamin A, C and E, and so much more. Among the many health benefits, lemons are believed to help prevent kidney stones, aid digestion and lower high blood pressure. It also helps with arthritis.
Ginger is a powerful rhizome that has been used in alternative medicine for its warming effect and its ability to fight indigestion, food poisoning, nausea and morning sickness. It is also taken to improve heart health and brain function. Eaten regularly, ginger is also effective in relieving muscle soreness. In the winter we tend to be tight, a little ginger will help. Juice it or eat it in any number of ways.
Green cardamom is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. For thousands of years it has been used to help prevent blood clots, fight cancer, lower blood pressure, and aid digestion. It is also an anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, and a natural detox for the kidneys. And last but not least, it has long been enjoyed as an aphrodisiac and treatment for erectile dysfunction. So what could be bad? Another major plus is that it actually tastes great and will keep your breath fresh for those intimate moments.
Honey will soothe your throat. It is anti-bacterial and fungal, and believed to improve physical strength. It has been used in Ayurvedic nutrition for millennia to help improve eyesight, and treat asthma, bronchitis, indigestion, and impotence.
Basically, this little concoction of mine will keep your energy up, help fight a number of health conditions including a simple cold or the flu, and hopefully make your sex life even sexier. At the very least, it will keep you smiling because it's delicious. Enjoy!
LEMON, GINGER, CARDAMOM, AND HONEY
Makes about 1 pint
Serving size: 2 teaspoons to 8 to 10 fluid ounces hot water
8 to 10 lemons, rolled and thinly sliced crosswise to reveal all sections
3 ounces fresh ginger, paper-thinly sliced
20 whole green cardamom pods
honey (local, preferably) to cover (about 1/2 cup)
In a clean glass jar, layer the lemon slices and ginger, adding some green cardamom pods in between every or every other layer, and cover with honey. With the back of a spoon, press the fruit down, secure with a lid, and let stand at room temperature until the lemons give up their natural juices, about 2 days (this will continue to happen over time.) Refrigerate and use daily.
TIP: choose lemons that that are thin skinned, pulpy and juicy. The fruit should feel firm yet soft to the touch, giving a little as you press it.
This home remedy is made up of acid, sugar and spice. Natural preservatives! It will keep a long time on the counter or refrigerated, except that it is too good to pass up. You might want to double the recipe ;)
Eat well and be well <3