This is my first winter in Canada... And, it is soooo cold!!! I never imagined that one day I'll refer to -8 degrees as "Wow! I's a warm day toady!"
I can't deny, though, that I love the white blanket of snow that covers everything, I kind of enjoy the fluffy texture and the reflection of the sun on the far-reaching horizon.
After my first experience of freezing rain, I took my camera and spent the whole day outdoors capturing the amazing splendor of frozen nature... The trees, branches and grass blades were elegantly wrapped in a thin layer of transparent crystal ice... Needless to say, I spent the next 2 days in bed with sore throat and aching bones... I learnt my lesson! Now, I know that I need to melt my winter cold away with daily doses of warming soups and immune boosting teas... Here is one of my favorite recipes...
In a pint mason jar, put 3 staranise, 1 cinnamon stick, 4-6 clove buds, 2 black cardamom pods (green will do if you can't find the black ones). Add freshly cut ginger root and 2 freshly sliced strawberries. Add boiling water to fill the jar, cover, and shake. Leave to steep for 30 minutes to an hour... then, enjoy drinking your immuno-boosting infusion and munching on your strawberries.
Personally, I do not filter it, I drink it straight from the jar. You can add honey or maple syrup to flavor, although I find the sweetness of the strawberries just right. You can also experiment with other fruits like peaches, oranges or lemons.
Personally, I do not filter it, I drink it straight from the jar. You can add honey or maple syrup to flavor, although I find the sweetness of the strawberries just right. You can also experiment with other fruits like peaches, oranges or lemons.
The spices used are all warming spices and each has its own immune booster touch. Ginger is anti-inflammatory and known for its respiratory tract and sinus decongestant power and its healing digestive properties.
Cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant, it balances blood sugar levels and has its own antibacterial effects. Clove buds are rich in phytonutrients, and known for their anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial actions. Black cardamoms are loaded with healing essential oils, they also show antioxidant, expectorant, tonic, antiseptic and digestive actions.
Cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant, it balances blood sugar levels and has its own antibacterial effects. Clove buds are rich in phytonutrients, and known for their anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial actions. Black cardamoms are loaded with healing essential oils, they also show antioxidant, expectorant, tonic, antiseptic and digestive actions.
Star anise is rich in shikimic acid, the precursor of oseltamivir- the antiviral medication sold as Tamiflu. Although research has yet to prove the anti-viral properties of the shikimic acid itself, Chinese medicine has been using it for centuries to treat respiratory tract infections and digestive disorders.
The strawberries, lemons and oranges are rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids with powerful antioxidant, immune booster, anti-inflammatory and mucous membrane protective actions.
Peaches also come loaded with beneficial nutrients like vitamin C, bioflavonoids and beta-carotene.
Enjoy!
The strawberries, lemons and oranges are rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids with powerful antioxidant, immune booster, anti-inflammatory and mucous membrane protective actions.
Peaches also come loaded with beneficial nutrients like vitamin C, bioflavonoids and beta-carotene.
Enjoy!
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