Turmeric Latte

Having realized that I was sensitive to caffeine I try not to have coffee, but I miss having a warm delicious drink in the mornings. I went out to lunch with friends and tried turmeric latte from +Pomegranate Cafe in Ahwatukee a few weeks ago - and totally fell in love. 

Fresh Turmeric Root, similar to Ginger

Turmeric is incredibly healing and great for weak, stiff joints, and inflammation, boosting your immunity and helping ease sore throats from a cough or cold.

Sipping turmeric latte felt nurturing, delicious and healing. It feels energizing to have in the morning and calming to have at night. You'll feel like your in heaven!


If you enjoy the sweet and spicy flavor of a chai latte and are looking for some excellent health benefits at the same time, try the turmeric latte recipe below.

1 cup fresh nut milk (regular cow's milk or soy milk will work fine too, I used 50/50 almond milk and coconut milk)

½ teaspoon turmeric powder

½ teaspoon ginger powder

¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

2 teaspoons organic agave, honey or maple syrup(adjust to your taste)

Heat nut milk over medium-high heat and add turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon. Begin whisking to froth the foam and reduce heat to medium-low when mixture beings to simmer. Watch carefully and to prevent from scorching. Continue whisking until the foam thickens. Stir in and agave and remove from heat and pour into your favorite mug and enjoy.

What's your beverage of choice in the morning?

Carrot-Beet-Zucchini Bread

I was pondering with what to do with all the zucchini I had just purchased and the pepita I had leftover from making granola; happily I came across a recipe for Carrot-Parsnip-Zucchini Bread. After some experimenting, I replaced sugar with agave and substituted parsnip with beets; as parsnips tend to have a rather spicy taste which can be off putting for some. Here is my adapted recipe below.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 (or less) cup raw cane sugar or 1/2 cup agave, or 1/3 cup honey

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves or ground ginger

1 medium carrot, shredded

1/2 medium golden beet, shredded

1 small zucchini, shredded

3 large eggs

1/2 cup apple butter or pumpkin butter if (less, if using sugar)

3 tbsp. extra-virgin Olive oil

1 tbsp. vanilla extract

2 tbsp. pepita 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Oil two 8 1/2 X 4 1/2 X 2 1/2 loaf pans with olive oil or line with parchment paper.

In large bowl, combine flours, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon,nutmeg, ginger, and shredded carrots, zucchini, beet and mix well. It will look like you have way too much vegetables; but don't worry, the vegetables will break down as it bakes.

In another bowl whisk eggs, apple butter, olive oil and vanilla. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Do not over mix.

Divide batter between the loaf pans and sprinkle with pepita and bake for 30-35 minutes until toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. Allow to cool before serving.

This slightly sweet hearty bread is perfect for lazy days in front of the fireplace. Enjoy it for breakfast or anytime of day.

This recipe has been adapted from Dr. Andrew Weil's book "True Foods" 

Homemade Granola

I love granola and until recently have always bought it at Costco. I didn't realize how easy it was to make your own; until my friend Gayle shared her recipe with me!

Homemade Granola

I am happy to pass on the recipe to you! Here's my version of her recipe:

3 cups old fashion oats
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup *each walnuts, almonds, pecans, dried tart cherries
1/2 cup butter
1/2 1/4 cup canola oil or coconut oil
1/2 to 3/4 to 1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup golden syrup (you can make your own if you can't find it at your specialty grocer)
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon (optional)
1 tsp. orange zest (optional)

Combine oats, flaked coconut, and nuts in bowl and mix well and set aside.

In small saucepan melt, oil, brown sugar, golden syrup, maple syrup, molasses, honey, and cinnamon and bring to boil. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour syrup mixture over oatmeal mixture and mix well until incorporated. Spread on parchment lined cookie sheet (you may need two cookie sheets) and bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. Stirring every 10 minutes. Remove from oven add dried fruit and orange zest and let cool. Granola will clump as it cools down.

* Use any combination of nuts and/or dried fruit according to individual taste.

Recipe modified to reduce butter and sugar. Enjoy!