Happy New Year loves!

This is officially my very first post for 2013, so I wanted to make it a goodie and share one of my [not so] secret tips on how I went from getting a cold at every change of season to working harder than ever before and never feeling anything that even resembles a sore throat in FIVE years now.

I won't deny that it's due to much much more than just one thing- green smoothies, raw foods, balanced meals, exercise, healthy thinking, periodic detoxing, skipping in the rain, aloe vera, forgiveness, high fives, group hugs, food combining, alkalising, laughing, blowing bubbles, and the list goes on- but if I had to single out vital player in all of this, then ginger it is!

So if you've had a ginger root staring at you from the supermarket shelves and needed one good reason to add it to your diet, how about three...


Natural anti-inflammatory.
Ginger- like turmeric, hop extract, ashwagandha, boswellia and aloe vera- helps to reduce the overproduction of leukotrients that cause inflammation. It is a powerful supplement for reducing pain and swelling for those with arthritis, especially when taking 500-2000mg or eating/juicing a ½ inch of fresh ginger root daily. Ginger essential oil drops in your bath will help with aching muscles and joints.

Digestion’s buddy. 
If you suffer with minor or serious indigestion, your first step will always involve a detox. Whether you decide on a spring clean for your body, a strict change of diet or a serious intestinal tract clear out (involving colon cleansing and taking fibres such as psyllium husks, herbs, oat or beet fibre, incorporated with juicing and exercise), you will soon notice that ginger is on the menu. And no wonder every expert recommends it- ginger has the power to fire up your digestive juices, whilst improving the absorption and assimilation of nutrients, so you don’t only get the bad stuff out, but keep the vital stuff in.

Immunity booster.
Don’t wait to get congested and unfit for work to resume to a ginger honey tea (although- excellent idea!), but add ginger to your diet on a regular basis and let your immune system know that you are serious about kicking bugs and viruses. Ginger promotes healthy sweating, where a potent germ-fighting agent (dermicin) produced in healthy sweat gets transported to the skin’s surface. This not only removes the toxins from inside the body, but protects it against invading microorganisms from the outside. If you suffer from motion sickness or nausea, this wonder root will be the best therapy to eliminate gastrointestinal distress, calm and prevent the symptoms.


You may remember me posting this photo to Facebook before my long flight, followed by a 15 hour bus journey to Ecuador (note the ginger extract I used and click on the image to get it):

"All other antioxidants are jealous of my breakfast right now! I'm flying this morning, so got up extra early to make this beet+carrot+celery juice. But first- the double shot of berry aloe vera drink & ginger extract. Jet lag who?"

Then Christmas rolled around just as quickly as it went. Elliot and I, along with Tim and Kirsty (our London family for the third Christmas already!) decided to spend the festive break in Prague.

I've dreamed of this city for far too long to spend the time blending and juicing while we are there, so left all the gadgets at home. But not before making a batch of Ginger Heaters (as seen in 'Nourished- Comforting Raw Food Recipes For Winter' eBook) and making sure I get my dose of immunity boosting before the trip. Here's the recipe:











Do you like this recipe? How about another 38 warming, hearty and healthy raw food recipes for winter? In my brand new eBook 'Nourished', you will find only the healthiest, enzyme rich and nutrient dense ingredients, which I specifically combined to support you and your immune system during the cold months of the year. Check out what you will find>>