Gnarly and knotted up, a chunk of ginger may not be the most appealing item in my fruit and veggie bin – but, trust me, this weird-looking root is well worth your time, it is loaded with flavor, nutrients and healthy benefits. What first draws me to ginger is the spicy explosion of flavor it adds to my recipes – it’s at once lemony, peppery, sweet and pungent. Kinda complicated, like me! Foodies around the globe have been kicking up their respective cuisines with the zing of ginger for thousands of years – I’m surprised it’s not more popular in American kitchens beyond gingerbread and ginger ale.
In addition to feisty flavor, ginger also offers a powerful punch of preventative and restorative nutrition. For example, ginger eases up inflammation and muscle pain, something I appreciate as an athlete needing some extra recovery. Ginger also helps with a host of digestion issues including nutrient absorption and the reduction of gas and bloating (so I hear). Ginger also takes the edge off the “queasies,” including nausea caused by morning sickness, motion sickness and hangovers (again, so I hear). And, if that isn’t enough, ginger fortifies the immune It system, protects against many types of cancer and relieves migraines. Oh, and ginger helps clear the sinuses – take a bite of raw ginger root and you’ll see what I mean!
Try my Carrot Ginger Date Smoothie for a morning pick-me-up – it’s super nutritious with carrots, banana, and only the added sweetness from a date. The ginger in the recipe can be grated on a micro place or you can boil it down with water and mix in stevia to make a sugar-free simple ginger syrup. I’m including that recipe too!
Carrot Ginger Date Smoothie Recipe
- 8 steamed baby carrots (cooled)
- 2 large dates (seeded)
- 1/3 frozen medium banana
- 2 teaspoons finely grated ginger ( or 1 tablespoon sugar-free ginger syrup (recipe follows)
- 8-ounces milk of choice ( like almond or coconut)
- Handful of ice
- 1 teaspoon hemp seeds
Add steamed carrots, dates, banana, ginger, milk to blender; process until smooth. Add ice and blend to achieve desired consistency. Pour into tall glass and sprinkle with hemp seeds. Serves 1.
Here is my special stevia-sweetened Zingy Ginger Simple Syrup recipe it will keep in the fridge, covered, for a couple of weeks! Plus, it’s made with
- 4 oz fresh ginger root, thinly sliced
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon powdered Stevia
Add ginger and water to small sauce pot and bring to a boil. Lower to medium low and let simmer for about 30 – 40 minutes or until liquid is reduced by half. Remove from heat and pour through strainer into container. Discard ginger slices. Stir in Stevia and keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
I also like to use the ginger syrup in this refreshing Watermelon Ginger Limeade recipe. Such a thirst-quenching beverage, especially considering it is still in the upper 90s here in Austin. At least six more weeks until noticeably cooler weather in Austin!
Another little tip – you can also extract the juice of ginger root by squeezing it in a garlic press!
So, these are my top three ways on how to use ginger in beverages: 1) grate it on microplaner, 2) infuse it into a sugar-free simple syrup and 3) juice it in garlic press.
Do you have a specific herb or food you eat to feel better?
Ginger is amazing! I use it to spice up a lot of different foods, and I love to add it to smoothies. Thanks for these recipes, they sound great!
Thanks Debbie, hope you have a zingy rest of the week!
I was on a huge ginger kick a few years ago but I think I over did it. I never think about it anymore but your smoothie sounds amazing!
Lol, ginger binge!
I SOO love ginger. I’m going to try these new recipes this week. Ginger to me is a perfect spice!!
I think it IS perfect too because it works so well with sweet or savory
I love ginger but my husband doesn’t, so I don’t have it as much as I’d like. All of these look fantastic!
Do you hate that?! There are a couple foods I don’t have enough of either, cause DH doesn’t like. And I have learned to like some of the things he does — like mushrooms LOL
I love ginger! Normally I just have it in food, I definitely want to try this lemonade recipe!
I love adding it to MY food too!
I love using ginger, but I’ve never used it in a smoothie!! NICE!
Thanks Brittany! I think I’ve put EVERYTHING into a smoothie at some point or another!
Love ginger! My secret weapon is turmeric. I add it to anything with eggs.
ooh yeah, tumeric is really good on eggs — I always forget about that
I love using ginger! I once ran into an elderly gentlemen at the grocery picking up some ginger root and he said he has 1-2 tbsp. every day and his arthritis has improved tremendously!
I read that it can help — but how cool that you got a real-life testimonial!
I love ginger! My husband cooks with it all the time and has introduced me to lots of awesome ginger recipes!
I am obsessed with syrups right now, so your ginger one looks great! I just made one with lavender, so I’ll have to give it a try!
beth — this one isn’t super “thick” as it doesn’t have real sugar in it, but it is still yummy — the lavender syrup sounds really interesting!
lemon always makes me feel more hydrated when i’m parched
for some reason, I don’t like lemon in my water . . .but I like lemons! weird
I absolutely love ginger. We use it a lot in cooking. I love the sounds of Watermelon Ginger Limeade. Sounds refreshing with a bite!
Ginger is fabulous and I use it all the time. In drinks, desserts, sauces, dressings. I often use a micro grater unless I’m making a tea, then I’ll use larger slivers so I can more easily avoid swallowing the fiber.
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Ginger syrup can be utilized for altitude sickness or motion sickness
http://topnaturalremedies.net/home-remedies/ginger-syrup-recipe-benefits/
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