Health Bites: Coconut Turmeric Balls!

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About Turmeric

  • A flowering plant in the ginger family
  • Native to Indonesia and southern India
  • Turmeric has many health benefits, among these as a powerful anti-inflammatory long used in both Chinese and Indian medical practices

Nutrient Profile

A great source of:

  • Iron
  • Manganese
  • Vitamin B6
  • Dietary fiber
  • Potassium

Health Benefits of Curcumin

  • It is a potent anti-inflammatory (has been shown to be comparable to over-the-counter anti-inflammatory agents such as Motrin)
  • It has powerful antioxidant effects
  • Cancer prevention and therapy; specifically breast, lung, colorectal, prostate and skin cancers
  • Provides cardiovascular protection
  • May protect against and/or slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases (i.e. Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis)

Selection and Storage

  • Select organically grown turmeric
  • Should be kept in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark and dry place
  • Fresh turmeric rhizome should be kept in the refrigerator

Tips for preparing

  • Be careful when using turmeric since its deep color can easily stain
  • To enhance absorption of turmeric combine it with black pepper or piperine

Here’s a delicious recipe for you!

  • 1 cup dates
  • 1/4 cup almond butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil (soften a bit so you can blend it with the almond butter and honey)
  • 1/8 cup dried turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom 

Mix together, form into balls ( a bit tricky as the mixture is quite soft), roll in shredded coconut (tip: take the balls as best as you've been able to shape them, and continue shaping them in the coconut), refrigerate until firm (I put mine in the freezer for a few minutes and then moved them to the refrigerator).  Enjoy!

I truly hope you enjoy this recipe and that it helps you live a healthier life.  I would absolutely love to hear from you, so please leave a comment below and let me know what you think.  If you enjoyed this post, share it with your friends and family!

Lots of love,

Judith

This year we have launched an exciting collaboration with Soul Food Salon. Each week, we feature a delicious, seasonal, and nutritious ingredient. We not only tell you a bit about it and all of the nutrition it represents, but also we provide you with a recipe so you can cook it at home. Please share pictures of your meals on Instagram using the hashtag #SoulFoodSalon. We can’t wait to learn and cook with you!