Ever since the Mr brought an article to my attention about the health benefits of turmeric, I've been trying to incorporate it more into the things we eat. When you see studies about how it can be more effective than medication and can help with memory when dementia has poked its ugly head into your family, you take notice. I did notice that a few bloggers would use turmeric root in their smoothies and I always wondered what it tasted like and where I could find it. While it's not necessarily easy to find, one of our big box grocery stores had it so if you have a store with a good produce section, you may end up in luck.
If you've never seen it before, here's what it looks like.
Looks a lot like ginger, huh?
When you peel it, it looks like a carrot. Kind of smells like it too but with a spicy, earthy undertone.
Just be aware that if you peel or grate it, it stains everything from fingers to clothes. It's often used as a natural food coloring. (Matter of fact, this is one of the spices that'll be used to color Kraft Mac and Cheese soon if they haven't switched yet)
When I use it, I like to grate it so there aren't big chunks in my smoothies and I use about 1 tablespoon. That's just enough to let me know it's there.
It is fat soluble so you need to combine it with a fat source for the full effects to be absorbed. I've mixed the powder with peanut butter and spread it on sprouted bread or added it to a smoothie with avocado. They say to mix it with ginger to amp up the fat burning power. I do it because I like the way they taste together.
Health Benefits Of Turmeric (source:http://mavcure.com/health-benefits-of-using-turmeric/)
I don't use it every day, maybe 3-4x week depending on if I remember or not. I know some people think herbal additives are mumbo jumbo but if it even does a fraction of what it claims, I'm willing to try it whether I go for the root or the convenient powder.
It sure does make whatever you use it in a pretty color!
**As with any herb you may choose to use, always check with your doctor before adding them to your diet. There can be side effects with turmeric for specific conditions, click here then click the side effects tab to view potential concerns.**
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My Orthopedic doc, who is a DO, suggested I take tumeric curcumin supplement as a natural pain reliever since I have chronic pain from my ankle. I was willing to try it since I'm sick of taking advil
ReplyDeleteNOPE.
Tried it and within half an hour or so, I was in MORE pain radiating from my ankle.
I don't think herbal additives are mumbo jumbo, but I do think that we need to be careful with what we mix and match and make sure to do personalized research before starting anything. For example I looked on your link and it says that Tumeric is good for high cholesterol and can potentially worsen GERD symptoms. So, if a person has both it's kind of a crap shoot.
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