Look what I found in the produce section at Target!

In a perfect world, I would buy nothing but organic, local produce and meats from farmers that I know and trust.  And while I actually do that whenever I can, this is not a perfect world

In the real world, I shop at Target quite a bit.  Where else can you buy organic spring mix, cute dog toys, and pleather leggings all in one place? (I love to say pleather. And love to wear it.)  So here’s what I saw yesterday:

Now maybe Target always carries fresh ginger.  This is the first time I noticed it.

What’s so great about fresh ginger?  Ginger has been known to have powerful benefits for thousands of years.  First of all, it is a potent source of antioxidants.  It also has anti-inflammatory properties than can be helpful for muscle pain, migraines, and menstrual cramps, and relieves motion sickness and digestive upset.  Oh, and ginger also has antibacterial, antiviral and antiparasitic properites.

It also tastes great!  So what am I doing with this fresh ginger?  I’m combining it with another one of my favorites, lemon, for a hot drink on this cold day.  It’s so easy…

Cut off a small chunk of ginger (maybe the size of half of your thumb) and peel it.  Doesn’t need to be perfect.  Cut into smaller chunks and put in a large mug.  (If you have a ginger grater, that is even better.  I don’t.)  Pour almost boiling water over the ginger.  Let it steep for at least ten minutes, then use your lemon squeezer to squeeze half a lemon in it.

And there you have it!  A warming drink on a cold day.  I don’t bother to strain it.  I just leave the chunks of ginger in the mug. You could add a little raw honey if you like, or maple syrup if you want to keep it vegan.  Or don’t sweeten it…enjoy the tart lemon and spicy, warming ginger on their own. That’s the way I am drinking it now.

Ok, so I noticed this drink on the shelves when I was at Target.  Why not buy this instead?  Well, you could.  The ingredients are decent.  I’m not a huge fan of agave nectar, but this drink is still a way better choice than most bottled drinks.  But here’s the thing…even though they started with organic lemon juice and ginger, the whole thing had to be pasturized so it could sit on the shelf for awhile.  This is destroying the beneficial enzymes in the fresh ingredients.  There is definitely something to fresh lemon juice…my 103 year old grandmother can’t be wrong!

Sooooooo, the question I like to ask…how can fresh lemon and ginger help you feel happy, healthy and hot?  You will be happy enjoying a warm drink on a chilly day.  The antibacterial and antiviral properties of the ginger, along with the vitamin C in the lemon, may help you stay healthy this winter. Ginger also contains antioxidants that are said to protect against aging and improve skin elasticity.  And as I’ve told you in previous posts, the vitamin C from the lemon supports collagen production to firm your skin.  Youthful, firm skin?  Very hot!