When I first started on my clean eating journey, I scrutinized medical journals and books looking for disease prevention ideas. While many of my doctors don’t believe in a superfood to cure cancer, per se, it was hard to ignore all the literature on the health benefits of using turmeric with black pepper. Used medicinally for thousands of years, turmeric has been widely known for its anti-inflammatory properties. The root of it, curcumin, has been a potent healing agent in ancient Chinese and Indian practices. Even today, integrated practitioners tout the possibilities of lessening the side effects of arthritis, joint pain, stomach pain and several chronic diseases with turmeric. So, I thought I’d try it.
First, I added 1/4 tsp. of turmeric with a dash of black pepper to my meals. I sprinkled it on salads and in soups regularly. Because turmeric stains easily, I found it challenging to contain and sometimes clean. So, I was determined to create an easy recipe including turmeric and pepper. My goal = a smoothie. They’re easy to cook, clean and consume. While the bitter turmeric and pepper blend may not sound appealing, I found a sweet combination that overpowers the bold turmeric flavor. My husband even liked it especially when I called it a healthy creamsicle treat.
- 5 cups of milk (I prefer oat, rice or almond milk)
- 3 cups of frozen cauliflower
- 1 cup of sweet potatoes (frozen/cut are easiest)
- 1 tbsp. of turmeric
- 1 tsp. of black pepper
- 1-2 tbsp. organic vanilla extract
- 8 medjool dates
- Add cauliflower, sweet potatoes and dates to high speed blender
- Pour milk into blender (be sure that milk covers most of veggies/fruit)
- Add spices and vanilla extract
- Blend for two-minutes or until smoothie is liquified consistency
- Optional: Add coconut or chia seeds. Add more dates or agave/syrup if you like a sweeter smoothie.
In terms of whether or not the healing properties are working…I do believe in an integrated approach. My treatment side effects are minimal and I feel great. If you are looking for recommendations on how to use turmeric/curcumin therapeutically, check out Dr. Mercola’s site.
Do you drink smoothies? If so, what are your favorite combinations? If not, would you try them?
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Sources: WebMd, National Center for Biotechnology Information, Progressive Health, Mercola.com
