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Superfood Hot Chocolate

Not only are we using raw cacao powder not to be confused with cocoa powder which is processed. We also added ginger, cinnamon, turmeric and coconut oil, which are all immune boosting and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Which makes this hot chocolate a superfood. Drink up and enjoy. But first let’s talk about the health benefits of these raw and plant based ingredients.

Cacao: Contains high amounts of magnesium and high levels of flavonoids, an antioxidant responsible for decreasing inflammation and ridding the body of free-radicals. If possible, buy raw cacao powder instead processed cocoa powder. Cocoa powder is heated to high temperatures, which destroys some of its healing qualities.

Ginger: A reliever to GI upset, but also a potent anti-inflammatory. Gingerols, a substance found in ginger is responsible for decreasing pain and inflammation in people suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Cinnamon: Similar to ginger, cinnamon has anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties. Some studies even suggest that cinnamon helps with insulin resistance.

Turmeric: A very potent anti-inflammatory agent due to curcurmin, the compound that gives turmeric its bright yellow color. In addition to decreasing inflammation and pain in those suffering from arthritis, turmeric protects cells from oxidative stress.

Coconut Oil: Contains lauric acid, which may fight off bacteria, fungus and viruses. Also, a good source of medium chain triglycerides that contain anti-aging properties.

Ingredients:

2 cups of milk of your choice (hemp, soy, almond, etc.)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ginger
¼ teaspoon turmeric
2 tablespoons cacao powder (or cocoa powder if you don’t have cacao!)
2-3 tablespoons maple syrup (adjust according to your taste)
2 tablespoons coconut oil
pinch sea salt

Instructions:

-Warm all ingredients in a saucepan over low heat, whisking occasionally.
-Transfer to a blender and pulse until frothy.
-Top with coconut, soy or rice whip for fun!

Enjoy!

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Raw Vegan Cashew Cream Cheese

This vegan cashew cream cheese is exceptionally easy to make: just pop all of your ingredients into a high powdered food processor (Like vitamix) and blend until creamy. How long you need to blend for will depend on your equipment – this took less than a minute in the Vitamix – so keep checking as you go. Without a Vitamix or equivalent, it may take significantly longer but I haven’t tested this. If it comes out too thick, adding a little water should get you to your desired consistency.

Raw Vegan Cashew Cream Cheese

A creamy dairy-free spread that’s perfect on a bagel, with fruit or anything you would normally put cheese on.

Ingredients:

-60g plain cashew nuts, soaked in hot water for at least an hour
-1tbsp garlic-infused oil
-1 tbsp lemon juice
-1 tsp apple cider vinegar
-Pinch of dried rosemary

Instructions:

-Drain the cashews and add into a high-powered blender along with the oil, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar.
-Blend for around 1 minute in a high powered blender, or around 3-5 minutes (or longer if needed) in a lower powder unit, until it has formed a smooth, thick paste that resembles cream cheese. If it is too thick, then add a little warm water.
-Transfer to a small dish and sprinkle over the dried rosemary. Serve on a hot bagel or use as a substitute to cream cheese in any other dish!
-Store in an airtight pot in the fridge for up to three days.

Notes
The garlic-infused oil can be substituted for one tablespoon of plain rapeseed or olive oil and one small crushed clove of garlic but the taste from the garlic will be stronger.

Depending on the strength of your blender, you may need to soak the cashews for longer or blend for longer. Older cashew nuts will also need soaking for longer than fresher ones.

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Cinnamon Ginger Anti-inflammatory Tea

For years, people have recommended drinking ginger ale when sick to help reduce nausea, and throughout history ginger root has been coveted as a powerful medicinal spice. While there are several ways to prepare and eat ginger, my favorite way to experience the benefits of this spice is by making ginger tea with cinnamon.

Ginger is known for a wide variety of health benefits, including:

Anti-inflammatory
Pain Relief
Anti-Nausea
Immune-Boosting
Anti-Fungal
Cancer-fighting
Antioxidant

Plus, it’s absolutely delicious! I usually drink ginger tea at night after dinner to help prepare myself for bed. Ginger is a warming spice, so it’s great for warming yourself up on colder nights.

If ginger isn’t enough of a health boost for you, consider the health power-punch of this drink once cinnamon is added!

Cinnamon is also known for a variety of health benefits:

Antioxidant
Anti-Inflammatory
Diabetes Fighting
Supports Heart Health
Supports Brain Health
Antimicrobial
Antibacterial
Anti-viral

Wow! Sometimes I have a hard time believing how insanely powerful this ginger tea can be with cinnamon added.

Making ginger tea at home is very easy. And it can be stored in refrigerator for 2 weeks.

Start by cutting about an inch-long piece of ginger off the root and peeling it. Then chop it into coins and place in a pot with about 2 cups of water. Add in the cinnamon stick.

Bring the water to a boil and then turn down the heat and let the tea simmer for about 20 mins.

Remove from the heat and let cool for about 15 minutes after that. This step is very important, as the cinnamon stick must cool for the nutrients to be extracted.

Filter the tea through a fine mesh or colander to remove the ginger pieces and cinnamon stick.

At this point, you will have very strong tea, so I usually dilute it by at least half with fresh water before drinking. Whatever I don’t drink right away I pour into a jar and keep in the fridge. I’ve never pushed the limits on how long it will keep, but I know it stays good for at least 2 weeks.

If you want your tea to be a little sweeter, you can add some raw honey to it while it’s hot.

This ginger tea has become my new favorite tea.

Ginger and cinnamon are both powerful anti-inflammatory agents, among a myriad of other wonderful health benefits. This ginger tea with cinnamon is a perfect addition to a healthy diet, and can protect against colds, the flu, cancer, diabetes, and more!

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DIY ginger oil mask for hair growth | cure for dandruff & thinning hair

Whether searching ancient Ayurveda remedies from India, Chinese herbal remedies or folk medicine from Europe and America, you’ll find ginger plays a prominent role. If your mother every gave you ginger-ale for stomach problems, you probably already know about the benefits for nausea.

However, it’s used for so many ailments, such as easing the effects of the common cold and aiding in relieving the pain of arthritis. One of the primary pain relieving components is gingerol. Today, science backs up the benefits and add to them even more uses, such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

Health & Body Benefits of Ginger

Not only is ginger good for your health, it’s a fabulous beauty aid too.
Ginger contains many phytochemicals and nutrients that can help you look your best.
It has anti-aging properties due to the antioxidants. It improves circulation when applied topically, repairs damaged hair follicles and contains keratin proteins that helps hair grow and softens hair.
It comes in a number of different colors, but all of the have the same benefits. Ginger can be yellow, redo or white on the inside, but the light brown skin of this root is always similar.

Because of the ability of ginger to stimulate circulation and the keratin proteins, a hair mask made of ginger can bring life back to your hair and make it look fabulous.

It works both on the hair shaft and the scalp to create stunning, strong, soft follicles, so you’ll get benefits immediately and even more benefits the longer you use it. This recipe takes only minutes to make and apply and won’t cost you a fortune.
mask

If you have a scalp or dandruff problem, you should try this hair mask as it really cleanses your scalp thus, helps with the new hair growth.

INGREDIENTS

3-4 knobs of fresh ginger
olive oil or coconut oil

INSTRUCTIONS

Peel the skin of the ginger
Grate the ginger (the easiest to get the juice of the ginger)
Using a strainer or a cheesecloth, squeeze the grated ginger and separate the juice from the pulp (this is optional – you can dilute the mixture with water because the ginger may sting your scalp or you have a sensitive scalp)
Add olive oil or coconut oil – just eyeball the amount but use more oil than the ginger juice
Mix the mixture and apply it by section into your scalp by using cotton pads or cotton balls.
Make sure your scalp is fully coated.
You can do this routine once or twice a week to see improvements.
Do a 3 minute scalp massage and wrap your hair with a plastic bag
Let it sit for 20-30 minutes and wash it off with shampoo and conditioner.