Life Fit with Laura Lewis: Scents of the season - clove & ginger

Life Fit Chat with That's Fit Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis brings conversation provoking tidbits to your table, served up with a touch of spice! Byte-sized information that pack some punch, brought to you every Wednesday and Thursday!

Did you know ... For thousands of years ginger has been valued for its medicinal properties. Ginger is perhaps best known for its ability to assist the digestive system. Ginger contains both gingerols and shogoals, which are both substances that may help to calm stomach acid and tone muscles of the digestive tract. The thermoregulatory properties in ginger help regulate metabolism. Ginger may also assist in weight loss as it can boost the body in burning calories.

Ginger has potent flavor and is great for turning up the heat in your body while also adding a little spice to your food. Ginger can be taken medicinally to aid in the following discomforts:

• Soothes nausea, motion sickness and other stomach upset
• Relieves morning sickness
• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Eliminates intestinal gas
• Relaxes and soothes the intestinal tract
• Antioxidant properties
• Relieves dizziness
• Boosts the immune system
• Protects against bacteria and fungi
• Encourages bile flow
• Provides energy boost
• Aids in digestion and constipation
• Considered to be an aphrodisiac
• Promotes cardiovascular health
  

Cloves are another well known and widely appreciated "holiday" spice. Cloves have a potent but sweet and spicy, aromatic flavor. Cloves have been appreciated throughout Eastern cultures for over 2,000 years. Cloves are a great natural source for soothing tooth and gum pain, but are also used for the following medicinal purposes.

• Anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties
• Relief from respiratory ailments such as asthma and bronchitis
• Relief from muscle pains from injuries or arthritis and rheumatism
• Eliminates intestinal parasites, fungi and bacteria
• May encourage creativity and mental focus
• Excellent anti-inflammatory to treat bee stings

Both ginger and cloves are highly potent and should only be used as an essential oil under the direction of a certified aromatherapist or naturopathic physician.

Apricot & Ginger Fromage Blanc
Source: Crabtree & Evelyn Fragrant Herbal

Substitute Ginger Mint in place of Gingerroot for a refreshing and more subtle flavor.

What you need ...

• 6 ripe apricots
• Several sprigs of one of the following: peppermint, lemon balm, sweet cicely
• 1 cup fromage blanc
• 1 teaspoon grated gingerroot or ginger mint
• unrefined sugar to taste

Bring enough water to boil to cover the apricots together with a handful of your chosen herbs. Poach the apricots in simmering water for three to four minutes or until tender. Drain, let cool and skin the fruit, and then halve and pit. Discard the herbs.

Put the apricots in the food processor with the fromage blanc, ginger and sugar to taste. Snip in a few more sprigs of the herb and blend. Serve chilled.