golden milk

Like the recipe for Yogi Tea, I learned this recipe from my teacher. Golden Milk is every bit as delicious and nourishing as Yogi Tea. Golden Milk is the beverage to drink that will address those aches and pains in your body. I was taught that this recipe is good for the spine as well as all the joints in the body.

Be careful working with the turmeric as it can stain materials. Below is the recipe for a cup of Golden Milk as well as the way to make a paste - which, is great because anytime you want golden milk - you just scoop from the paste)

For one cup:

1 tsp turmeric (heaping)

¼ cup of water

8 oz. milk (can be cow or plant milk

2 tblspn. Raw almond oil (optional- substitute coconut if nut allergies)

Honey to taste

Boil the turmeric in the water for about 8 minutes. You are looking for a thick paste. You can add more water if you need to- the operative word being “paste”. In another pan, gently heat the milk and almond oil. If you are omitting the almond oil then warm just the milk. When the milk comes just under boiling, remove from heat and mix into the turmeric paste. Add the honey to taste. For me, the honey is a key part of the Golden Milk appeal. I am not a fan of the taste of turmeric alone. If it is summer time and you feel resistant to a hot beverage, you can add the honey to the hot turmeric paste and then add the milk at room temperature, stirring well.

To make the spiced turmeric paste:

1/4 cup oil (coconut is my favorite)

1/2 cup turmeric powder

1 tsp nutmeg (optional)

1 heaping tsp cinnamon

2 - 3 tablespoons of grated ginger root (adjust for your taste preferences)

scant tsp of black pepper

1 cup of water * sometimes more, sometimes less - add slowly

Melt the oil over low heat and add turmeric and other spices, including fresh ginger root. Use a wide, flat wooden untensil if possible - constantly stir and scrape the pan. It will thicken up pretty quickly, so begin adding your water in a steady stream, stirring all the while. Ideally, you want to cook as long as possible while keeping it consistent and smooth (with the exception of the ginger bits). Once you have a gorgeous golden paste - put into a glass jar with fitted lid. Paste will keep for 2 weeks at least.

To make a cup, take a heaping tablespoon of the paste and whisk in pan over low heat with milk of choice. When nice and hot, add sweetner of choice and enjoy.

This drink is really quite delicious and I always feel that I am nourishing my bones and body when I drink it. There are many, many studies that verify the health claims made about turmeric. The primary active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Recent research has shown that turmeric:

*addresses the pain and stiffness of arthritis

*decreases the inflammation caused by arthritis

*could be an effective tool in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease

*inhibits the growth of cancer

*delays liver damage that can lead to cirrhosis

All I know is that I feel a difference in my body and my yoga when I add Golden Milk to my weekly diet. Many of the studies about the health benefits of turmeric are readily accessible online as well as other recipes for enjoying turmeric. Next time you are in the supplement aisle of your local co-op or health food store, scan the labels of supplements- many of them contain turmeric. It is almost always better to boost your health and nutrition through whole foods and whole beverages than supplements.

An overview published in 

Advanced Experimental Medical Biology 

in 2007 attributes Turmeric with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer properties. It would seem that a little Golden Milk can go a long way.

Enjoy.