Ginger Spice and Everything Nice!

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​I love ginger!  It wasn't until I discovered the power of nutrition that I purchased whole ginger root in the store and incorporated it into my diet regimen.  It's very healthy and very versatile in the kitchen.  If you're looking for another way to boost your health, ginger can be a great tool!

​Ginger's Health Benefits:

Ginger is actually a perennial herb that has thick tuberous roots.  It's taste is pungent, fragrant, and hot.  It comes in many forms: whole fresh roots, dried roots, powdered ginger, preserved or "stem" ginger, crystallized ginger, and pickled ginger.  Ginger is native to southeastern Asia, India, and China, where it is commonly used in the local cuisine.  It has long been valued for its aromatic, culinary, and medicinal properties.  It is even mentioned in the ancient Chinese writings of Confucius.  

Here are 2 important features:

1.  It's very effective in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress.  It helps with motion sickness symptoms and with nausea because it absorbs and neutralizes gastrointestinal hormones, toxins and acids.  Use ginger the next time you need to "settle your stomach".

2. It is a potent anti-inflammatory food through it's compounds called gingerols.  Many people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis experience reductions in their pain and improved mobility when they consume ginger regularly.

Ginger is potent, so dosages do not have to be high to achieve beneficial effects. Although powdered ginger works well, fresh ginger root is believed to yield even better results due to having more active enzymes.

Source Book: Encyclopedia of Healing Foods, By Michael T. Murray, Joseph Pizzorno, Lara Pizzorno

Selecting & Peeling Ginger Root 

Fresh ginger is commonly found at the grocery store in the produce section. Whenever possible, choose fresh ginger over powdered because it is superior in flavor and higher levels of  anti-inflammatory compounds. Ginger can be stored in the refrigerator up to three weeks if not peeled.  Dried ginger should be organic to insure it has not been irradiated.

Do you know to peel fresh ginger?  I always try to look for pieces that are straighter, which are easier to peel.  Simply take a potato peeler and peel the skin off your ginger.  However, all ginger is somewhat bulbous.  So, to get into the tiny curves, take a spoon, turn it over, and scrape it with the edge of the spoon.  Easy! And no precious ginger will be wasted!

However, ginger does not necessarily need to be peeled!  
It all depends on its usage.  For my smoothies, I just wash the ginger & throw it in... skin & all!  Ginger can also be grated with a fine cheese grater.  Try freezing it first for ease of grating.  Add it into "old" recipes for a new twist!

​6 Ways to Use Ginger:

Have a stomach ache?  
Drink some ginger tea!  Make your own by steeping some ginger root shavings in water, then straining.  Or, find ginger tea bags HERE.

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Making a green vegetable smoothie?
Fresh ginger root is a wonderful addition that really gives smoothies a nice flavor kick!
See my green smoothie recipe HERE.
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Have company coming?
My gingerbread recipe tastes like Christmas, but is nice to enjoy all year-round.  It's  a great after-dinner cake or lovely to enjoy for breakfast, too!
See the gingerbread recipe HERE.

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Need something fancier to impress your guests?
​This soup was an assignment for my master's degree in Health and Nutrtion. Gotta love those!  I was hesitant to cook it, because I've never liked cooked carrots, nor creamy soups, but it was scrumptious!  Carrot Ginger Soup with Cashews

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Feeling under the weather or just in need of a nourishing hot meal? 
This healthy, whole-food soup is just what the doctor ordered!  It has many anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and immune boosting qualities.  
Chicken Vegetable Soup with Ginger Meatballs
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Need a new vegetable dish idea?
Have you ever cooked with bok choy?  It tastes great with ginger!  
For a great vegetable side dish, make the recipe:
Baby Bok Choy with Sesame and Ginger.


Tell me: How do you incorporate ginger into your diet regimen?

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