Healthy Turmeric Almond Smoothie

Turmeric Almond Milk Shake is a quick and easy way to get a delicious dose of healthy turmeric into your diet. Lightly sweet and satisfyingly creamy.  Perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack-time.

Most of us are familiar with turmeric. The bright yellow spice is commonly used for color and flavor in curries and other ethnic dishes.  The Chinese have incorporated turmeric into teas and remedies for natural healing for thousands of years.  Made popular by Indian cuisine, turmeric is also considered an important spice by many cultures around the world.

Turmeric is native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Turmeric was first discovered near New Delhi around 2500 BCE.  For centuries, turmeric was used for both food and medicine and is one of the most effective natural healing herbs in the world.

In traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda (a 5000-year-old system of natural healing), they use turmeric as a potent anti-inflammatory remedy because of the impressive health benefits it offers. Just a few of these benefits include:

• Boosts immune system
• Eases joint pain
• Protects skin from free-radical damage
• Cancer-fighting properties
• Protects against heart disease
• May help to prevent dimensions and Alzheimers disease
• Improves memory and brain health

According to Ayurveda, in order for the body to absorb turmeric properly and enjoy its medicinal properties, the combination of beneficial fats (like coconut oil) and black pepper are essential in the spice's effectiveness for healing.

Although turmeric side effects are rare, there are some who should not take turmeric including pregnant women, diabetes, hormone conditions (breast cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroid, etc.), bleeding issues, gallbladder dysfunction, iron deficiency, and men with fertility concerns.

In these cases, it is always best to consult your doctor before taking turmeric. It is also important to note they recommend not consuming turmeric two weeks before any scheduled surgery as it may interfere with bleeding.

Given the essential health benefits of turmeric, I like to use turmeric in recipes whenever possible. Turmeric Almond Milk Smoothie is a delicious way to get a daily dose of turmeric for breakfast, mid-day snack, or a healthy option for those late-night cravings. Finally, on days when someone in my family is feeling under the weather, I whip up a batch of one of my favorite healthy healing beverages, Turmeric Coconut Milk Tea with Cardamom.  Also, try my Turmeric Bread and Butter Pickles for a flavorful touch of turmeric to sandwiches, burgers, and more. No matter how you enjoy turmeric, I highly recommend adding more of it to your diet whenever possible.

I hope you enjoy this recipe! If you’ve made it please share it with me by tagging @culinarybutterfly on Pinterest.

Below are a few other recipes with turmeric for you to try!

Joojeh Chicken Kabobs

Murgh Korma

Persian Eggplant Khoresht

Koofteh Persian Meatballs

Pumpkin Dip - Turmeric Chips

Persian Kabob Koobideh