Feb 16, 2013

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!)



11 comments:

  1. Dear Becky,
    Wow! What a great idea. I'll have to get some ginger and try your recipe for Ginger Tea. Thanks for posting your benefits as well as the ones in your research.
    Enjoy your day sipping tea and writing.

    Celebrate you
    Never Give Up
    Joan Y. Edwards

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    1. You'll have to let me know when you try it, Joan. I hope you are feeling MUCH better by now! We missed you last week!

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  2. Becky, it's wonderful!
    I had some fresh lemon wedges, adding it at the end, and what a treat, thanks!
    Good info about the healing properties, I'd heard bits and bites, kudos for pulling it altogether.

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    1. I am so glad you liked it, Roxie! I will have to try adding lemon to mine today, too.

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  3. perfect. aloha Becky. I've plopped in from Roxie's (blog) link. perfect, because a couple of days ago I plopped in 4-5 chunks of ginger into a little space where it can grow if it has the spirit to do so. something I've been considering for some time (with limited space). it's store bought (it would be preferable to have gone to a nursery, it's just easier this way and as I understand it, it often works just fine). now I'm watering and watching carefully—and have the ideal recipe for havest time. way cool. thank you. fun. aloha. Rick.

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    1. Thank you, Rick! Good luck growing your ginger. I hadn't thought of trying to grow my own. You'll have to let me know if it works!

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  4. I experiment a lot. right now I have no idea how long it might take to establish itself and then be ready to harvest. if these grow I'll know as each step is reached. when a second set of new shoots start to come up I can probably dig some up and set some back into the soil as havest and renewal (I will read up on it a bit as it gets to that point).

    I enjoy the process of finding out and watching plants grow. sometimes they become subject matter for my art too. that's probably when we'll know if they have established a place to grow. aloha.

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    1. I am impressed with your patience and dedication! I am definitely intrigued. And what a great reminder to take the time to watch things grow and develop--I started reading THE SECRET GARDEN to my boys about this time a year or two ago, and spring came in the book as it came to us in "real life." I really paid attention, and this awareness made an impression on me!

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  5. Becky,

    I LOVE your new blog and am so excited for you!!! The colors, content, and most importantly some time with "you" makes this blog awesome already! I am also a tea drinker and am going to try your recipe above. I can't wait to read your posts each week. Let me know if there is a way to set up an email notification that you have posted. Thanks for sharing your expertise!

    Diane

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    1. Thank you so much, Diane! There is a box on the upper left side of the blog that says "Follow by Email." I *think* that all you have to do is type in your email address to subscribe. My sister who is a missionary in Brazil has a wonderful blog on blogspot(www.thematiasfamily.blogspot.com)and will be visiting in April. I am going to ask her to help me out with some of the logistics--I am figuring things out but feel like I could be doing more. So far, this has been tons of fun!

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  6. Spooky, Becky -- I have some on my stove right now!! Ginger is wonderful.

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Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

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