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Holiday Digestive Support: Ginger + RECIPE

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Around the holidays, or anytime you’ve over-indulged, consider sweet and zesty ginger for nourishing the digestive organs.

 

Looking for holiday digedtive support? Current research indicates that ginger stimulates the production of enzymes in saliva and along digestive pathways. | KalenaSpire

 

BENEFITS OF GINGER

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a knobby, horn-shaped rhizome with a long history of supporting metabolism, aiding digestion and reducing inflammation. It helps heal upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea, motion sickness, and morning sickness.

Current research indicates that ginger stimulates the production of enzymes in saliva and along digestive pathways. Biologically active compounds in ginger bind to receptors in the digestive tract, which seems to be instrumental in minimizing the sensations that create nausea and indigestion. Ginger also plays a role in the breakdown of starches and fatty food. All good things when your tummy has gone sour.

 

WAYS TO CONSUME GINGER

There are many fresh and dried preparations for ginger including tincture, extracts and capsules prepared in different strengths; consult with an integrative and functional medicine physician to determine your medicinal needs.

Ginger is also available as a “chew” or lozenges and tea infusions, all of which are ideal for upset stomach. Don’t forget to try a cup of homemade Ginger Ale, enjoyed with a side of Gingerbread, both prepared with a freshly grated ginger rhizome.

 

GINGERBREAD RECIPE

Who doesn’t love this old-fashioned favorite holiday dessert? Just thinking about the aroma of warm gingerbread wafting through the air is bound to put you in a festive spirit. Enjoy gingerbread after your meal or with your morning tea.

 

Gingerbread to help support digestion. | KalenaSpire

 

Ingredients for Bread

  • 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup molasses
  • 2/3 cup boiling water
  • 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted grass-fed butter (or dairy-free alternative), cut into chunks
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ginger or gingerbread spice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped

 

Ingredients for Dairy-Free Ginger Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted grass-fed butter (or dairy-free alternative)
  • 1/2 cup dairy-free cream cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ or glazing sugar (or Swerve)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped

 

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9″ square pan.
  2. In a large bowl, blend the sugar, molasses, water and butter, stirring until the butter melts. When the mixture is lukewarm, add the baking soda, salt, and egg.
  3. Sift together the flour and spices, and add to the wet ingredients. Gently stir in the crystallized ginger.
  4. Pour the batter into the pan, and bake the gingerbread for 25 to 28 minutes, or until it tests done with a clean skewer in the center.
  5. Remove from oven and turn out onto a wire rack. Allow to cool completely.
  6. While cooling, beat together the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the sugar and vanilla, then stir in the crystallized ginger. Apply icing as desired.
Recipe adapted from King Arthur

 

 

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY DIGESTIVE SUPPORT? SHARE IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!

 

 

References
  • Mars, B. & Fiedler, C. Home Reference Guide to Holistic Health & Healing. (2015) p.186. Beverly, MA: Fair Winds Press.
  • Johnson, R.L., S. Foster, Low Dog, T. and Kiefer, D. National Geographic Guide to Medicinal Herbs: The World’s Most Effective Healing Plants

    .(

    2012) p.140; 158-160. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic.
  • WorldsHealthiestFoods.com “Ginger” Accessed October 4, 2016. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=72
  • Borrelli F, Capasso R, Aviello G, Pittler MH, Izzo AA. “Effectiveness and safety of ginger in the treatment of pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting.” Obstet Gynecol. (2005) Apr;105(4):849-56. PMID:15802416
  • Hoffmann, D. Medicinal Herbalism. The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, Healing Art Press 2003.
  • University of Michigan Health System. “Ginger root supplement reduced colon inflammation markers.” University of Michigan Health System, 11 October 2011. http://www.uofmhealth.org/news/ginger-cancer-1011
  • Homemade Ginger Ale: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/homemade-ginger-ale-358033
  • Recipe Resource: https://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/hot-and-sweet-gingerbread-recipe
Photo Credits
  • stockphototrends/bigstockphoto.com
  • margouillatphoto/bigstockphoto.com

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Alexandria Z., M.S.

Christine is my wellness goddess. Her amazing support, extraordinary expertise, and undeniable compassion invited me to a world of freedom from digestive discomfort that I didn’t know was possible. The whirlwind of bloating, constipation, brain fog, and digestive upheaval was consuming my life. Exhaustion and frustration were becoming my very existence. And then I met my health goddess! Christine’s astute listening and meticulously tailored guidance, transformed my thinking and whirlwind of digestive discomfort. She helped me achieve a state of equilibrium. The balance I now experience is the center of my wellness existence—the core of my life with digestive happiness.

 

Christine instilled in me the power to embrace the grace and strength of my very own body! She has taught me to internalize the boundless evidence of my body’s functionality to heal digestively. While working with Christine, my exhaustion, pain, and bloating were overshadowed with energy, digestive comfort, glowing skin, and knowledge. Her coaching raised my awareness of food sensitivities, and promoted better food choices, which led to better sleep, a stronger link to overall wellness, clarity in my thinking, and ultimately, more joy in my life.  Christine’s remarkable spirit of wellness will forever echo in my digestive wellness journey. I bestow upon Christine the well-deserved exceptional title, “my wellness goddess.”
2015-07-27T17:47:59-04:00
Christine is my wellness goddess. Her amazing support, extraordinary expertise, and undeniable compassion invited me to a world of freedom from digestive discomfort that I didn’t know was possible. The whirlwind of bloating, constipation, brain fog, and digestive upheaval was consuming my life. Exhaustion and frustration were becoming my very existence. And then I met my health goddess! Christine’s astute listening and meticulously tailored guidance, transformed my thinking and whirlwind of digestive discomfort. She helped me achieve a state of equilibrium. The balance I now experience is the center of my wellness existence—the core of my life with digestive happiness.   Christine instilled in me the power to embrace the grace and strength of my very own body! She has taught me to internalize the boundless evidence of my body’s functionality to heal digestively. While working with Christine, my exhaustion, pain, and bloating were overshadowed with energy, digestive comfort, glowing skin, and knowledge. Her coaching raised my awareness of food sensitivities, and promoted better food choices, which led to better sleep, a stronger link to overall wellness, clarity in my thinking, and ultimately, more joy in my life.  Christine’s remarkable spirit of wellness will forever echo in my digestive wellness journey. I bestow upon Christine the well-deserved exceptional title, “my wellness goddess.”