Browsing Tag

Cayenne

Some Like it Spicy (Spicy Tea & Spicy Smoothie Recipe)

January 6, 2015

Almost every morning, I drink this fiery concoction:

Kick in the Pants Tea

  • ¼ slice of lemon
  • Dash of cayenne
  • Dash of turmeric
  • 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
  • Hot water
  • 1 tsp. honey (if you like it hot and sweet)

I love coffee. But I was looking for a better way to start my day. Oftentimes, I noticed that coffee would give me headaches, or would make me crash hard mid-morning.

I decided that I needed something that wouldn’t just caffeinate me, but really wake up my entire body. Something that was working for my body rather than against it. So I did some research, and then I did some tinkering, and created this beauty. And HOLY SCHNIKES. This baby gives me a bigger jolt than java ever did. The reason? Because every ingredient serves a purpose.

WARNING: It can get pretty spicy if you let it. Start light on the cayenne and add more if you can take the heat.

Lemon (1)

  • Transforms toxins into digestible material (vitamin C)
  • Stimulates the liver’s natural enzymes by helping to oxygenate the body
  • Contains antioxidants and electrolytes (potassium, calcium and magnesium)

Cayenne (1)

  • Opens up the capillaries
  • Aids digestion
  • Helps regulate blood sugar
  • Increases the temperature of your body, in turn, speeding up metabolism first thing in the AM

Turmeric (2)

  • Supports healthy joint function
  • Promotes healthy skin (considered “skin food” for thousands of years in India)
  • Helps improve digestion

Apple cider vinegar (3)

  • Supports healthy immune system
  • Promotes digestion and pH balance
  • Helps soothe dry throats
  • Helps remove toxins

Don’t freak out. If you are a coffee drinker, I am not suggesting that you replace your coffee with lemon water. I am simply recommending that you use this as a coffee pre-gamer. Seriously, try it once. Add a teaspoon of honey the first time you do. You may fall madly in love. I know I have.

In fact, I have been trying to figure out how I can incorporate these potent ingredients into other recipes. After last week’s post on gluten-free breakfast ideas, it hit me:

I could turn this super drink into a super smoothie! 

Duh. Now, not only is it really good for you, but it tastes amazing and it’s part of a complete breakfast. Sweet!

Spicy Smoothie

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 cup greens (I used kale)
  • 1 cup frozen mangoes
  • 1 cup coconut water
  • 1 tsp. coconut shreds
  • 1 tbsp. Goji berries
  • ½ lemon (without peel)
  • Dash of cayenne
  • Dash of turmeric
  • (Add more water for desired consistency)

Directions:

  1. Throw all ingredients, in order, into your blender, Bullet or whatever you have.
  2. Blend for about 30 seconds.
  3. Taste with a spoon – can you handle more cayenne (I like it spicy)? Do you want it less thick (add more water)? Do you need it sweeter (add honey or a date)?
  4. After taste-testing and adding additional ingredients, blend it for about one more minute or until desired consistency.

I got a lot of feedback from you all on the smoothie recipe in the last post so I would love to hear how this one goes too. Please – good, bad, or ridiculous – comment on the post!

SOURCES:

  1. http://bodyunburdened.com/health-benefits-warm-lemon-cayenne-pepper-water/
  2. http://organicindia.mercola.com/herbal-supplements/turmeric.aspx
  3. http://bragg.com/products/bragg-organic-apple-cider-vinegar.html