A WRITER'S HOT TODDY

This is a bonus post for all of my friends who are suffering from colds and flu right now (and there are many). It is also snowing and raining where I live today (my boys dubbed it “snaining”), and is a perfect day to try this out! For the past several weeks, I have been battling a particularly stubborn winter bug. About a week ago my wonderful next-door neighbor Yin, who is from China, suggested that I make some ginger tea. “It will at least make you feel better!” she said. So I followed her simple recipe, and ended up with a lovely, spicy, soothing tea that warmed me up and attacked the most annoying symptoms. 

I have made this tea every single day since then, sometimes more than once! As I have been writing this week, I have also decided that it makes the perfect writer’s drink—it has a hefty spice that stays with you even when the tea itself cools, making “warm up” trips to the microwave much less necessary (I always drink tea when I write, and must stop from time to time to warm it up again).

I did some research and found out that ginger has some pretty amazing health benefits, as well. I was well acquainted with its more commonly-know uses, such as easing nausea, motion sickness, etc. But ginger can also reduce pain and inflammation, and is known to help digestion issues, heartburn, cold and flu symptoms, stomach flu and food poisoning symptoms, and migraines. Ginger can also benefit your cardiovascular system; it makes platelets less sticky, which ultimately improves circulation. These are just a few of the many benefits of ginger, and I must say, after drinking this every day, I do feel much better!

So stay well, wrap up, and try this great recipe to warm yourself up! HAPPY WRITING!

Here is how to make your own Ginger Tea:
* Fill a small saucepan with about 3 cups of water, and put it on the stove to boil
* Wash a piece of fresh ginger, then slice off several thin pieces (I use 4-5 per serving)
* Add honey to taste (I use 1-2 tablespoons)
* Bring mixture to a full boil, then bring down to a gentle rolling boil
* Cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally with a whisk
* Pour into your favorite mug and ENJOY (preferably while writing something brilliant!)