Oh Tea How We Love You...Let Us Count The Ways

1) You come in so many flavors. No matter what we are in the mood for, you are always there

2) Although we adore you warm, putting you on ice is totally an option for any time of the year!

3) You are the beverage equivalent of comfort food

4) You often come in lovely packaging and make an excellent gift

5) Your smell floats around the house. You are like a mini humidifier on a cold day!

6) and on and on and on....

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Perhaps you are already a tea connoisseur. Perhaps you know one. Perhaps you are cutting back on the coffee and looking for a replacement. No matter what your level of tea obsession, here are some of our personal favorites to add to your collection!!

Know in the Swan realm as "best tea", Good Earth Sweet and Spicy is an absolute must own! (there is a caffeinated version as well!)

This Tulsi Vanilla Creme Tea by Organic India is absolutely wonderful!

The New Mexico Tea Company has two that we love, Chocolate Mint and Hot Cinnamon, and so many more we want to try!

DAVIDsTEA has a limited edition tea that is perfect for your holidays. Snow Day is everything you hope it to be!

Take your Earl Grey to the next level with Mariage Freres's Earl Grey French Blue.

This Kukicha Twig tea is best served with maple syrup and almond milk!

Don't let the name deter you from falling in love with this Harney & Sons tea. It is not just for special occasions!

You have heard us talk about the health benefits of turmeric before! This Turmeric Ginger tea by Rishi is delicious and nutritious! Buy it loose or in tea bags!

This Licorice Spice Herbal Tea will make your insides happy!

Concerned about the buying loose leaf tea? This tea pot will change your life!

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Two New Turmeric Recipes!

We just can't get enough and these look SO very yummy.

Coconut, Tumeric, Ginger, Berries?  Doesn't get better than this.

This one is a little more involved... but ROSE COCONUT TURMERIC LASSI? Yes, puhleeeezz.

picture courtesy of mindbodygreen

See more recipes here!

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Scrambled Tofu with Turmeric

This is my absolute favorite recipe when I am feeling sick, my tummy hurts or my joints ache! It is packed with turmeric (which always makes me feel clean on the inside and reduces inflammation) and butter (mmmmm). This is a real comfort food. Some of these ingredients are found at Indian specialty food shops. My favorite store for spices is called Kalustyan's. You can order online or visit their brick and mortar store on Lexington ave between 28th and 29th. Kalustyan's also has a great deli counter upstairs!

This recipe serves two. I like to double it up and use the leftovers as filling for my swiss chard rolls that I bring for lunch during the week! (note: hing is also called asafoetida).   

Ingredients

1/2 pound (1/2 package) tofu
1 tablespoon ghee or butter
1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/8 teaspoon hing
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin

Warm ghee or melt butter in heavy skillet. Add mustard seeds and heat until they begin to pop. Add tofu, putting whole cube into skillet and then mashing it into small pieces with a fork in the skillet. Add rest of ingredients, stirring well. Cook on medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes. 

We Swans love to eat this with a side of sautéed greens and a healthy grain. It is a quick, easy and comforting meal, perfect for nights when you get home late from work but still want something healthy and home cooked!

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Three Turmeric Recipes

I may be a little bit obsessed with the Spring so I have been thinking a lot about sunshine and feeling good inside. Here are three recipes that are beautiful, delicious and inflammation reducing. I like to buy my turmeric from Kalustyan's.

This beverage recipe from Sense-Serendipidy.com breaks down why turmeric is so good for you as well as talking in depth about the other ingredients. Simple and delicious!

This elixir recipe from iFood.tv is a little bit more involved because it requires a juicer. Not to worry, there is a video detailing how to make the juice. AND it uses coconut water! YUM.

And this recipe from Ascensionkitchen.com is a raw mango turmeric tart. Need I say more?

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Curried Lentil, Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Soup

Curried Lentil, Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Soup

Need to detox from your Holiday? This soup from Nava Atlas has it all, right down to immune boosting and inflammation fighting spices. 

Ingredients

1.5 tablespoons coconut oil

1 large onion, chopped

4-6 cloves of garlic

1 cup of raw red lentils, rinsed

1 large celery stalk, diced

6 cups of water (can substitute in 1 cup of broth)

2 large sweet potatoes scrubbed and diced 

One 16 ounce can of diced tomatoes undrained

2 teaspoons of good quality curry

1 teaspoon of garam marsala

1/2 to 1 teaspoon of turmeric

Pinch of nutmeg and ginger

2 1/2 finely chopped cauliflower pieces

2 cups of finely fresh chopped spinach

2 tablespoons of fresh cilantro

Juice of 1/2 a lemon

salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oil in a soup pot. Add onion and sauté until translucent. Add garlic and sauté until both are golden.

Toss in the lentils, celery and water. Bring to a rapid simmer. Lower the heat and cover  to simmer gently for 10minutes.

Add in the sweet potatoes, tomatoes, curry powder, turmeric, nutmeg and ginger. Simmer until the potatoes are half was done. (10-15 minutes). Add cauliflower and simmer until the lentils and vegetables are tender. (15-20 minutes). 

Stir in the spinach, cilantro and lemon juice. Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes. Serve immediately. 

YUM!

Turmeric. Add it to your diet. Add it to your health.

Turmeric (aka curcumin) is a powerful spice found in curries and mustard, known for its vibrant yellow color. This spice is made from a root in the ginger family--it looks like skinny ginger on the outside but is BRIGHT orange yellow inside.  It is widely used in the tradition of Ayurveda for its medicinal properties.  

Why consume it?

Turmeric is a multifaceted anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and has immune supporting properties.  Studies are being done to prove its claimed benefits of fighting different types of cancer, psoriasis and Alzheimer's.  

Now we aren't here to claim that turmeric is a magical cure all.  BUT from personal experience, eating turmeric on a regular basis decreases inflammation.  You can feel it in your joints!  Anything that can decrease inflammation without overtaxing the kidneys and liver and upsetting the stomach (like over-the-counter pain medication) is definitely worth a try.

How to consume it?

Here are several recipes for utilizing turmeric in your own kitchen, from least complicated to more involved.  Check them out!

Turmeric and Ginger Tea 

Mango Turmeric Tart

Turmeric Tonic (You need a juicer for this recipe.) 

Not into the taste?

Pick up a concentrated shot of Turmeric tonic at a health food store or juice spot near you and shoot it rather than sip it. OR you can get it in pill form here .  

At The Swan we are all about preventative self care for the physical body.  Think of this like preventative medicine for your insides to take care of inflammation that we all have.  Give it a try, adding it to your other self care activities and see if it works for you!