Food As Medicine

I recently took a course titled ‘Food As Medicine’ and the key message is how to nourish and heal our bodies using food. For many people, food is something they shove down their throat mindlessly in response to hunger or to stave off hunger.

On recent trips to Nigeria, my birth country, I have seen an explosion of the fast food industry and I can see an epidemic of obesity and other health issues on the horizon. This is critical as we are not the biggest on regular exercising and stress levels can be pretty high for most people.

I’m reminded of the power of food whenever I think back to a trip that I took to Poland a few years back. It was in winter, my body was pretty run down and I had the symptoms of the dreaded flu.

I, along with some friends, went to a restaurant in the Jewish Quarters even though all I wanted to do was crawl into my bed. I scanned the menu and came across this Middle Eastern tea that I can only describe as Vitamin C on steroids.

The ingredients included a regular tea bag, spices and loads of citrus fruits with honey. It came in a large mug and I felt like I was being hugged by this warming and spicy liquid with a rich aroma.

The next morning, I woke up feeling much stronger, healthier and most of the flu symptoms were gone.

As soon as I got home, I tried to recreate it and while I don’t claim to have perfectly nailed their version, mine comes pretty close.

The beauty of it is you can make it your own and play around with the spices until you hit those perfect notes.

You can put as much fruit as you like in it. I can guarantee that once you make your home-made version, you won’t settle for a fruit tea bag again. Check out my version.

My Middle Eastern Pick Me Up Tea

Ingredients: for up to 4 large mugs

2 tea bags – Lipton, Rooibos or any other black tea will do

1 orange

1 whole lemon

1 thumb size of ginger

A few cloves – up to 10

Cardamom pods – crushed to let out the flavour and aroma

3 – 5 Star Anise – lightly crushed

1 – 2 Cinnamon sticks

Juniper berries – only if you have it

Method

Add the teabags to a pan of cold water

Add the spices

Wash and add the citrus fruits – including the rind

Bring to a gentle boil and leave to simmer for a few minutes

Add some honey to taste

Serve in a large mug with slices of oranges, lemon, Kiwi fruits, Satsuma, Clementine and Tangerine wedges and any other fruits that take your fancy.

You can also serve it cold over some ice-cubes for a refreshing drink on a hot day.

This drink was a timely reminder to see food as medicine – a way of life that I had grown up with but since forgotten.

Over the years I have played with whatever ingredients I have at home including adding Kaffir lime leaves or Lemongrass to it. Each ingredient adds its own note to the tea.

It’s a great introduction to herbal teas and helps you to cut down on sugary drinks. It is my ‘go-to’ pick me up drink when I’m feeling rundown.

Have a go and let me know what you think.

See you next week and thanks for reading. Here’s to our purposeful health going forward. Please share the post with others.