It’s definitely hot beverage season! A mug of Super Ginger Green Tea with Collagen with warm you up from the inside out while providing numerous other body benefits with every sip.
The trifecta of ginger juice, green tea and collagen in this recipe creates a simple but seriously good-for-you concoction that can help you recover from workouts . . . or just a busy day in general!
This hot ginger tea drink helps minimize inflammation and supports your joints, is good for a mood boost and over all brain function, is good for your digestion and gut health, and adds an additional 11g protein to your day.
There is basically no caffeine, so it’s ideal for a cozy, alcohol-free beverage before bed. And, if you’re having a hot flash . . .. or it’s the middle of summer, collagen ginger tea is yummy and refreshing served over ice.
Whipping up this ginger tea with collagen is easy-peasy, just steep a green tea bag into almost boiling hot water for about 3 minutes.
Then stir in 2 tablespoons of unflavored collagen powder, my go-to brand is Great Lakes Gelatin. I have the big tubs in my pantry and the single-sized sachets (as seen here in the video) are so perfect for travel.
I love that spicy profile of the ginger juice in this collagen tea drink so much! It’s lightly sweet, but sometimes I’ll add a few drops of a liquid stevia or monkfruit sweetener. A serving has 85 calories, with 9g net carb, 0g fat and 11g protein, and 150% of DV for calcium.
Super Ginger Green Tea with Collagen is a delicious hotbeverage that warms you up and provides many health benefits — includingsupport for joints, gut, brain, muscles and more!
Course:
Beverage
Keyword:
collagen, ginger, tea
Servings: 1serving
Calories: 75kcal
Ingredients
1green tea bag
12ozboiling water
1 2-ouncebottle ginger juice
2tbsunflavored collagen hydrolysate
optional additional sweetener
Instructions
Add boiling water to mug or boil in mug, in microwave. Add tea bag and steep for 3 minutes.
Remove tea bag and stir in ginger juice. (if not using purchased ginger juice, search 'how to make ginger juice" at thefitfork.com
Stir in collagen powder. Great Lakes Wellness collagen dissolves perfectly into hot and cold liquids.
Taste. If needed, add a couple drops of liquid stevia or liquid monk fruit sweetener, to taste.
Gingerbread Chai Oat Milk Latte with Collagen is the perfect hot beverage to add spice and coziness to the holidays.
‘Tis definitely the season for comforting, hot lattes, cappuccinos, lattes and more, but so many coffee-shop favorites make the naughty list, filled with unnecessary calories and sugar. While I might partake in such an indulgence every now and then, a healthy chai latte or is what I’d make to drink at home.
This makeover chai latte recipe is easy to make, requiring just a few simple ingredients – a chai tea bag, a zero-carb sweetener, spices, oatmilk, and – surprise, collagen powder.
I use a couple tablespoons of unflavored collagen powder from Great Lakes Wellness –it dissolves amazingly and with no clumps in hot liquids. In addition to the many benefits of collagen, I love that it adds protein to my day.
Save 10% Great Lakes Wellness collagen and products with code THEFITFORK10off
A “Grande” (16-oz) serving of my healthy gingerbread chai latte has just 153 calories, only 4g sugars and 14g protein – while the popular coffee shop version has 310 calories and a whopping 54g sugar and only 2g protein per.
TIPS FOR MAKING GINGERBREAD CHAI OATMILK LATTE
Mug: Make sure you mug is large enough to hold all the liquids – air in the frothed almond milk gives it more volume, so to be safe and prevent overflows, I’d go with a 20-ounce mug.
Tea: Brew the chai tea of your choice, there are many varieties with varying flavor profiles, use your favorite loose or tea sachet. I used a Vanilla Chai tea bag from Aplenty (an Amazon brand, it tasted great and was priced very economically). Also, steep the tea in just 4 ounces of boiling water, no more. It should be concentrated so that it flows into the steamed and frothed milk.
Milk: While this particular healthy chai latte recipe calls for oat milk, it’s fine to swap out for what you have in the fridge or what works best for your dietary needs. When it comes to alternative milks, I feel like oat milk froths up thicker and creamier than almond milk – I use the Barista Blend by Good Karma , it’s also shelf stable, so I can always have a new carton waiting in my pantry.
To Froth or Not: A true latte has a shot of espresso (I’m using chai tea here), a layer of steamed milk, and a layer of frothed milk. Do this if you want to make a chai latte like Starbucks. I use Pitcher-style Milk Frother & Steamer, but a little hand-held frother works too. However, if you do not have these coffee tools available, simply heat milk in the microwave until hot – the latte won’t have froth on top, but will still taste amazing.
Sweetener: I avoid having added sugar in my beverages, whether hot or cold. Obviously, real milk has some sugar in the form of lactose and oat milk has maltose – I’m okay with that. What I don’t want is added sugar to make it taste sweet. Instead, I’ll use a zero or lower carb alternative like monk fruit or stevia. Better Stevia (liquid drops) from NOW is my favorite hot beverage sweetener, they even have a “chai” flavor which is what I used in lieu of additional spices. Honey, agave or maple syrup would work too, but will change the nutritional content. When it comes to sweeteners, I’m always like, “You do you!”
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Gingerbread Chai Oatmilk Latte withCollagen – my better-for-you version of a coffee shop favorite. Easy to make, no added sugar, and a boost of protein plus other benefits. So cozy and sweet andspicy, happy holidays!
5-10chia-spice liquid stevia drops or other sweetener option*if not using chia-spiced sweetener, add ground spice alternative (1/4 tsp each: ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg)
2tbspcollagen powder
8ozunsweetened Oat Milk
Pinchground cinnamon for garnish
Instructions
Boil water and steep chai tea for 3 minutes. Stir in collagen powder until dissolved.
Add chai-spiced stevia.* If using an unflavored stevia or other sweetener, add in approx1/4 tsp each ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg to taste.
Heat/steam half of the oat milk and stir into chai.
Froth remaining oat milk and gently pour on top of chai-milk mixture.
Happy 2023! A new year is a great reminder that watermelon can be incorporated into a fit and active lifestyle year-round! I’m sharing some fun ways to use watermelon to fuel workouts and even be part of your fitness routine during every month this year. Let’s get watermelon fit in 2023!
You might be wondering, “Is watermelon only a summer fruit?” No! The good news is that these days, a ripe watermelon is always nearby in any season – spring, summer, winter and fall. More than 30 states in the U.S. boast watermelon crops and the harvest timing starts on the East coast and rolls westward. When the U.S. season is finally over (it’s very long here in Texas, lucky me!), farmers in Mexico and other parts south of the border can deliver fresh watermelon plucked just a few days from the field. Also available markets are watermelon juice, watermelon seeds, and even frozen chunked watermelon flesh can be found in most stores on the freezer aisle. Read more about the Watermelon Year ‘Round story HERE!
WINTER WATERMELON FIT TIPS
Finding Watermelon in Winter: If your market doesn’t have fresh watermelon, check the freezer aisle for chunks (usually next to the frozen berries), or packaged watermelon seeds, or watermelon juice. If you have the planning gene, you can also meal prep all this watermelon goodness for the freezer when it is more abundant.
Good-for-you Watermelon Drinks: Make a mocktail for winter celebrations using watermelon juice, citrus juice and fresh ginger – or my recipe for Mulled Watermelon Cider is always welcomed with a crowd. Or, take the chill off cold days (or blustery outside runs) with warmed watermelon juice with a squeeze of lemon, fresh ginger and pinch of Himalayan Sea salt – it’s a homemade hot sports drink! My recipe for Hot Watermelon Lemonade is also a unique sports recovery drink.
Vitamin C: Not only is watermelon hydrating (over 92% water), it’s also high in vitamin C that may help you get through the winter season well.
Indoor Home Workouts: Stay inside and work toward your fitness goals. No weights? No worries, you can use a watermelon (from a few pounds to 20+ pounds) as your exercise equipment! I’ve shared lots of fun watermelon home workouts, here’s a watermelon workout to try this winter – WATERMELON HOME WORKOUT!
SPRING WATERMELON FIT TIPS
Spring Salads: Take advantage of watermelon benefits and toss chunks into your grain bowls and salads, heck – throw on an entire wedge! Adding watermelon is a great way to dress up boring salads with some unexpected color and sweetness. Check out a few of my favorite watermelon salad recipe I’ve come up with over the years:
Watermelon Holds for Fitness: This season, if you want to add a watermelon to your workout, try a static hold to complement your runs, walks or dynamic strength training sessions. Static holds are isometric exercises that hold the body in one position for a duration of time. This means your muscles don’t contract and change length as in dynamic exercises, but you still benefit from the “time under tension.” Here are some static holds to try: most variations of planks, v-sit (boat pose), squat hold (or wall sits), overhead hold, front hold, and glute bridge hold.
How to Pick a Ripe Watermelon: Look for the “field spot” where the watermelon was resting while it grew. The more yellow, even almost yellow-orange, the riper – quite white means not ripe! Also, this takes a bit of intuition, but if the watermelon feels “heavy” for its size, this typically means it will be juicer and sweeter. Some also say rounder watermelons are sweeter than elongated watermelons, but I’m not so sure of that! I’ve had great watermelons of every shape. Also, you can look for “sugar webbing” (the coarse, brown web texture on some watermelons)/
SUMMER WATERMELON FIT TIPS
Watermelon Floats: Yes, watermelon floats! This makes the fruit a fun item not just to eat in the summer but to play pool games with at a party. My kids always loved to stand on paddle boards and toss the watermelon back and forth to see who would fall off first! The buoyancy of watermelon also makes it useful for pool workouts by adding resistance when you push or pull it under watermelon.
Grilling Watermelon: Many of us are outside, grilling all the things in the warm weather months. Why not grill watermelon?! Grilling watermelon lends a smokey, savory vibe to the light sweetness that is oh-so magnificently summery. Check out my recipes for Grilled Watermelon with Cherry Balsamic Salsa and Spicy Sweet Watermelon Shrimp Kebobs for summer meals with watermelon inspiration.
Watermelon Juice: Quench your thirst this summer with watermelon juice. I simply collect the juice from a watermelon while cutting it up. It’s easiest to do this if you cut it in a big rimmed baking sheet (so juices to spill out onto counter) and then pour juice out one corner of pan into mesh strainer over glass jar to remove any seeds and excess pulp. I also collect the juice that seeps out of cut watermelon and collects in my plastic storage container. This raw juice stays fresh for up to 72 hours in the fridge or can be frozen for several months. Learn more watermelon juice benefits at my post, Watermelon Juice – How to Prep, Store and More.
FALL WATERMELON FIT TIPS
Watermelon Ruck: Rucking is a big fitness trend right now, but it’s actually ages old and really simple. A ruck is just a walk, hike, run, or other similar workout with a weight on your back. In simple terms, you wear a rucksack (aka backpack) and walk! Rucking and watermelon are a natural fit. Stick the watermelon in your backpack for weight to carry, and when you’re done, slice it open and enjoy as a refreshing, way to refuel.
How to Ruck-Cut a Watermelon: If you’re out on a ruck, then simple slices or wedges of watermelon with the rind on will be the easiest to prep and also to eat. You’ll want to carry a camping knife in a protective sheath for safety. If it’s a personal-sized watermelon, just whack it in half and dig the flesh out with a spoon (or an implement from your Swiss army knife). Also, it’s a smart idea to stash a big zip-top bag in your rucksack in case you need to carry leftovers home! If you’re not cutting the watermelon until you get home, check out my favorite way to cut and store a big watermelon in 5 minutes.
This post is sponsored by National Watermelon Promotion Board.
Watermelon warms the soul and spirit in any season! Simmer a pot of Mulled Watermelon Apple Cider for friends and family this holiday season, it’s a hot holiday punch that is naturally sweet and delicious.
Bejeweled with fruit and fragrant with seasonal spices, this easy-to-make hot punch is features watermelon juice. Fresh watermelon juice is available for purchase in the produce department of many larger grocery stores, or make your own by blending cubed watermelon and straining off the pulp. Check out Watermelon.org for a great demo on how to make watermelon juice.
This warm holiday punch is primarily watermelon juice, an amazing fresh juice that offers vitamin C, lycopene, l-citrulline, and other beneficial nutrients. I also added spiced apple cider and always use the fresh, no-added-sugar, 100% juice cider from the chilled section of my market.
Check out the Pinterest Video Demo at: <<LINK>>
For a show-stopping presentation (and to make a drink that you can also snack on), add a generous amount of fruit to the pot including diced watermelon, fresh cranberries, pears and apples. Is it a fruit salad, beverage or both? You decide!!!
While simmering on the stove top, add whole spices such as cinnamon sticks, star anise and whole cloves. Watermelon and cinnamon make magic together, you can even just sprinkle a little on a wedge for an instant flavor experience. Also, allspice, nutmeg and cardamon are additional spices that would work well in this hot watermelon drink, use all mentioned or any combination you prefer! Used frequently in in hot beverages, these warming, aromatic spices are called “mulling spices.” Add smaller bits, such as cloves and allspice, to a tea ball so that they can be easily strained out before serving. However, keep the whole cinnamon sticks in – they make fun stirrers!
Completely optional, but a nice add-in to this watermelon apple cider is a bit of brandy – it just blends in so nicely with the fruit juices and spices!
Pro tip: For a lingering brunch gathering or holiday open house, keep the watermelon punch warmed for hours in a slow-cooker set on low.
For more ways to enjoy watermelon during the holiday season, including more watermelon beverages and pairing suggestions perfect for a grazing tray, visit Watermelon.org .
Watermelon is wonderful in every season! Ladle mugs full of this warm watermelon punch that is bejeweled with fruit and steeped with mulling spices like cinnamon and cloves!
Mulling spices of choice*including cinnamon sticks, star anise, whole cloves, grated nutmeg, cardamon
1cupbrandyoptional
2cupsdiced watermelon
1small applesliced crosswise and quartered
1small pearsliced crosswise and quartered
1cupfresh cranberries
Instructions
In large pot or slow cooker, add watermelon juice and apple cider.
Add mulling spices. Cinnamon sticks and big pieces of star anise can be used whole, but smaller spices should be placed in a tea ball for easy discarding after simmering.
Bring juices to low simmer, for 15 minutes, allowing spices to steep. If using slow cooker, heat on high for 1 hour, then reduce heat to warm for serving.
If desired, add brandy in the last few minutes of cooking. Drink is equally delicious without alcohol, option is yours.
Ladle out and pour into mugs.
Recipe Notes
*During the holiday season, “mulling spice” blends are sometimes available in the bulk or spice aisle of store for convenience
This post is sponsored byWatermelon.org, however all editorial opinions and content, unless otherwise noted, remain my own – as does the enthusiasm for watermelon.
Many of us are still avoiding the gym and working up a sweat in the family room, garage or backyard instead. But, what to do if things start to get boring or you don’t have the right equipment on hand?! Do what I do and just improvise to freshen up your home fitness routine – and add a WATERMELON to your workout!
This Freestyle Fresh & Fit Watermelon Workout will sweeten up your home workout and bring a smile to your face – it’s a silly and a serious sweat sesh at the same time. If you know me, you gotta realize by now that exercising with a watermelon is one of my FAVORITE home fitness hacks. I’ve done everything from watermelon pool workouts to home watermelon workouts you can do inside on a mat to high intensity interval workouts with watermelon for the backyard or park.
Jumbo, standard and personal-sized watermelons offer different weight options. I’ve used watermelons as big as 30 pounds to exercise with – you DON’T want to drop them! Today, I’m keeping it more moderate (but still challenging) with a 15-pounder and a 5-pounder mini watermelon.
Also, I’m showing many watermelon exercises with an “in the bag” trick that allows the unwieldy, round-ish fruit to be used safely for even more movements. Adding a watermelon to a totebag with sturdy handles is a great way to turn it into a piece of equipment you can swing like a kettle bell, hang over your shoulders like a wieght vest, and more safely hold overhead or in other exercise positions without worry of dropping and smashing the watermelon . . . or your face!
The Freestyle Fit & Fresh Watermelon Workout, lets you choose your order of cardio exercise holding watermelon and strength exercise with watermelon. I’ve squeezed my demo of this garage or backyard watermelon workout on super speed above so you can get the idea.
Another great way to use the whole fruit is to DRINK THE WATERMELON JUICE. There are so many great reasons to drink this fit and fresh beverage. It’s 100% natural, just juice from a watermelon. No funny colorings, preservatives or added sugars. Of course, there are some natural fruit sugars in it, but that’s a good thing in my opinion because topping off glucose stores during and after intense, prolonged exercise is needed for optimal performance.
Also, Vitamin C and amino acid l-citrulline, both found in watermelon and watermelon juice, are beneficial for my active lifestyle. There are more watermelon benefits for runners and athletes. For example, some studies have shown that Vitamin C can help boost immunity during high training cycles and that l-citrulline may help to minimize post-workout fatigue and soreness by increasing reparative blood flow to the muscles.
Another sports hydration trick I like to do with watermelon juice is to mix it with an electrolyte drink mix for even more “oomph” on those days when I’m slogging through many miles in the Texas heat. To save money and have more control over the ingredients (I don’t want artificial colors or flavorings), using a recipe for homemade electrolyte powder (with sodium, potassium and magnesium) is the ideal mix in for watermelon juice. I also water down the watermelon juice too so the natural sweetness doesn’t overwhelm me when I’m out there working hard in the sun and my stomach is a little off.
There are several ways source watermelon juice. It’s can be expensive, but purchasing already prepared is an option. But buyer beware, make sure you are getting the actual juice and not some sort of sugar-added drink. If you want a lot of juice in a hurry, you can put cubed watermelon in your blender, blend up and pour through a strainer to pull the pulp off (Watermelon.org has a great demonstration of how to make watermelon juice this way).
BUT the method usually share when people ask “how to make easy watermelon juice” is to just pour it off the container of my big watermelon I buy every week in the summer. Once cut, juice slowly seeps out and I always pour it off every morning to drink later – even freezing portions. ALL OF THE WATERMELON JUICE you seen in that sports bottle above was poured off the cutting up of a single watermelon. But that makes total sense actually, as watermelons are nearly 93% water!
Drop me a comment if you try the watermelon workout or making watermelon juice!
