Traditional Chinese Medicine recommends that in cold seasons you use more warm spices and eat heated foods to promote balance.  I was teetering on the brink of an actual flu when my friend came by yesterday to give me the recipe for this tonic created by Shelly Alexander of A Harmony Healing.  I took away a few ingredients and put my own twist on it, though her ideas and recipies are superb.

I simmered some up and feel fantastic.

While I don’t know if this will “cure” your cold, it is a great anti-inflammatory tonic that can help you stay warm from in the inside out, and anything that reduces inflammation can help you to feel better when you are achey and not feeling well!

To make it: boil 6 cups water, 2 fuji apples peeled and cut into quarters, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 tsp powdered turmeric, a nice size hunk of peeled, raw ginger (a few inches), 1/8 tsp cayenne (I do a single, lofty shake) 1/8 tsp of black pepper and 2 tbs of honey.

*Note: You will also need 3 or 4 green tea bags and a few lemons later!

After it reaches a boil, reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes.

Turn off the heat and add the green tea bags.

Let them steep for 5 minutes.

Add the juice of a few lemons.

And drink up!

Note: You can also eat the spiced, boiled apples on the side. They are surprisingly great, and bright yellow from the turmeric!

Enjoy! xoxo Dana

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