As a nutrition coach, there’s one thing I hear clients say constantly: "I just want to feel better!"

If you’ve ever felt tired, achy, low energy, unfocused or can’t seem to lose weight, you might be suffering from inflammation in your body. In addition to our daily eating habits, stress also creates inflammation in our bodies and directly affects how we feel. And now that we’ve entered the final stretch of 2018, we’re also entering the holiday season – a time when stress can be at an all-time high.

If you’re looking for a simple and quick way to fight inflammation this winter, I’ve got the solution for you! This holiday season, drink your way to health with the help of turmeric, a bright yellow superfood spice known to reduce inflammation.

1. Zyn

Zyn is a fruity beverage created right here in Milwaukee! It’s got all the inflammation-fighting benefits of turmeric, and tastes fruity and refreshing. As an added benefit, Zyn uses a proprietary pepper extract blend to help your body absorb the turmeric even more. You can find Zyn beverages at Sendik’s, Health Hut, Outpost Natural Foods Cooperative, Good Harvest Market, and other locations as well as online at drinkzyn.com.

2. Golden Milk recipe

Looking for a cozy and warming drink to help you through the impending Midwest winter? Try Golden Milk, a dairy-free and caffeine-free drink to stop inflammation in its tracks! The pepper and coconut oil help you absorb more of the turmeric’s superpowers, so be sure to add them to your Golden Milk.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups oat milk or unsweetened almond milk
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of black pepper
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup (optional)

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a saucepan, and heat over medium heat for 3-4 minutes.  Whisk constantly.

Tip: If you want your Golden Milk even frothier, add the warm drink mixture to a blender and blend on high for 30 seconds. Enjoy immediately.

Looking for more nutritious recipes?  I create easy, nutritious, and seasonal recipes each week at my personal blog!

3. Golden Milk at Urban Beets Café

On the go and no time to make your own Golden Milk? Swing by Urban Beets Café, where they serve up a steaming mug of Golden Milk using their housemade turmeric blend. You’ve even got a choice of almond milk, coconut milk or hemp milk! What dairy-free milk would you chose?

Cheers to your health, Milwaukee!

4. Ginger shot at Beerline Café

Need something to wash down one of Beerline Café’s delicious crepes? Try a Ginger Shot (juiced ginger) or Lemon Bomb (lemon, carrot, ginger, cayenne and a salted rim), which both contain the powerful anti-inflammatory compound gingerol.  

There’s just something about taking a shot of ginger in the morning that feels super healthy!

5. Blended juices Beans and Barley 

Beans and Barley has several nutrient-dense drinks to boost your health this holiday season. Choose from a wheat grass shot, carrot juice, Carrot Blend and Electric Green juice (which includes kale, apple, pear, spinach, parsley, cucumber and lemon). Which healthy elixir will you choose?

6. Healthy Roots

Healthy Roots was the first USDA-certified organic cold-pressed juice company in Wisconsin! Organic and raw cold-pressed juice without added sugar, fillers or preservatives? Sign me up! They even deliver these vitamin and mineral rich drinks right to your door. Find them online at Healthy Roots' website.

7. Matcha at Colectivo

Matcha tea is made with the entire green tea leaf; the leaves are ground into a very fine powder which then dissolves into hot water. Matcha contains an antioxidant called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which helps reduce inflammation.

Swing by any of the Colectivo cafes for a matcha latte, where they combine organic stone-ground Japanese green tea with steamed milk.