Ginger might be the vegetable you’ve been missing out on. The benefits are truly worth it and not to forget to mention that it is quite budget friendly to incorporate it into your diet.
What is it in ginger that holds the magic? Gingerol is a powerful anti-inflammatory. It also holds antioxidant properties.
Stop a cold in its tracks
Tea lovers listen up. Ginger tea with honey and lemon might be your new favourite drink during the cold season. Not only does the sweet and spicy taste warm your body up, it is a great way to fight signs of a cold. Choose a fresh root rather than dried powder to gain from its antiviral effects. I drink gallons of hot ginger tea. Cut up fresh ginger, there is no need to peel. Pour hot water over it. Add honey, fresh lemon and viola. The perfect winter drink.
Digestive System
Just like everyone else, I suffered from an upset stomach before. Was it ginger that helped me? Who knows? All I know is that after consuming ginger, within a few minutes my stomach settled. Ginger is known for its soothing properties. It works wonders for your intestinal tract. Just something to consider next time.
Morning Sickness, Nausea?
Another uncomfortable condition to be in. Let ginger take care of it. It is unlikely it will affect vomiting, but it should help with the feelings of nausea. Still not convinced why ginger is so great?
Reducing menstrual pain
Have I got your attention now? One of the traditional uses of ginger includes pain relief. I have looked at a couple of studies to make sense of this. Studies showed that ginger is as effective as drugs such as ibuprofen. Now, for some that may not be of any help especially if ibuprofen does not change a thing. Maybe going the more organic way could have a different effect? Worth a shot.
Recipe time!
Spicy Ginger Chicken
I am about to share a big secret of mine with all of you. I have discovered a recipe for spicy ginger chicken from the website Food52. I’ve made some adjustments to suit me. Now, if I’ve somehow convinced you to try ginger and you need a way to introduce it into your diet, I got you. Obviously, ginger tea is the easiest way to start, however, let’s have a look at a proper, nutritional meal.
Stir-fry lovers, this one is for you. It is also budget friendly. If you’re wondering about the taste, I would say it’s sweet, spicy and sour.
Ingredients:
- Fresh Orange Juice – 1 Cup
- Soy Sauce – ¼ Cup
- Fresh grated ginger – 3 TBSP
- Fresh Garlic 2 – TBSP
- Sriracha 2 – TBSP
- Oil – up to you
- Rice Vinegar – 1 Cup
- Brown sugar – 2 TSP
- Orange zest – 2 TSP
- Cornstarch – 1 TBSP
- Skinless chicken breast cut in strips – as much as you’d like!
- Rice of your choice or quinoa
- Handful of chives/scallions
Method:
- For the sauce take a bowl and whisk all liquids, ginger, garlic, sugar, orange zest.
- Place chicken strips into Ziploc bag and add 1/3 of whisked mixture to act as marinade. Refrigerate for an hour.
- Add oil into wok and heat. Cook marinated chicken until golden brown.
- Remove chicken from pan and add 2/3 of whisked mixture (bring to boil)
- In another bowl, mix cornstarch and one TBSP of water. Whisk into marinade and boil for one minute.
- Return chicken into wok and cook for a minute or two.
- Serve over rice and sprinkle with scallions or chives.
