Get Up and Go Juice
Get Up and Go Juice
(Inspired by Sparkling Hills Resort Sparkling Start Up)
Ingredients
4 cups apple juice - This is your base. Add as much as you want to/have space to store in the fridge. Adjust other ingredient accordingly.
1 stalk fresh lemongrass
4 tbsp grated fresh ginger (I freeze fresh root and then grate it as I need it. You can do the same with turmeric)
4 tbsp grated fresh turmeric
¼ cup apple cider vinegar (with the mother)
2 tbsp cardamom (pods or powder)
2 tbsp fennel seeds
2 tbsp caraway seeds
1 tbsp black peppercorn
1 bay leaf
3 tbsp maple syrup
3 tbsp honey
Directions
I first made this recipe flying by the seat of my pants with no recipe (of course I didn’t measure anything). I did my best to recreate my original. Please feel free to take ingredients, trust your gut (literally, trust your guts) and fly by the seat of your pants. This way of creating will feature your favourite flavours and will give you exactly what You need.
1. Pour apple juice into a large pot
2. Add all the other ingredients
3. Simmer on low for 30-60 minutes. Stir occasionally as honey and maple syrup can settle on the bottom
4. Remove from heat and cool until pot is cool enough to put in the fridge
5. Refrigerate overnight
6. Remove from fridge and stir well (if honey has hardened then heat slightly before straining)
7. Strain liquid through a fine strainer to get rid of seeds, pods and leaves
8. Keep liquid in a glass jar in the fridge for a few weeks
9. Adjust taste by adding water (hot or cold), bubbly water or drink it straight
10. Feel AMAZING!
The Benefits
Anti-inflammatory
Digestive support (Bay Leaf contains enzymes that help to breakdown proteins and digest food faster, helping to calm indigestion. This is only one among the many beneficial herbs in this mix such as fennel, ginger and apple cider to name a few)
Antioxidant
Heart health and circulation
Blood sugar control
Weight loss
Lung health
Healthy skin
Mineral support for brain and body support
The Story
Sometimes when you are reading a recipe, there is a long story before the recipe. This can be incredibly frustrating when you just want the recipe! So, I have included my story afterwards;) I appreciate all those recipe bloggers out there making a living on posting amazing recipes. Maybe one day that will be me and then you will have to fight with the adverts and the big Long story before the recipe… but until then, you only have to read the story behind the magic recipe if you want to.
A few years ago, my hubby and I had the privilege of spending 4 glorious days at sparking hills resort (made possible by incredible grandparents, friends, years of saving and gift certificates). This experience was dreamy and is necessary for any parent. The spa rooms were like something out of a movie and it was nourishment for our tried parent bodies.
One highlight was the breakfast. At breakfast they always had a large jug of Sparkling Start Up. Both Jason and I loved it (Jason doesn’t usually like my ‘healthy’ concoctions). Personally, I love the idea of apple cider vinegar shots to support digestive health but have never been able to convince myself to do them because they just taste so gross. But this creation was good for you And tasty. During our days at Sparkling Hills I would take an extra cup from breakfast for later in the day (I may have even filled a to go mug once or twice…..)
I snapped a picture of the ingredients with hopes of someday recreating this deliciousness.
Fast forward to 3 years later. I am hosting a block party and I want a healthy drink to complement my food choices. I cannot find the picture that I took in my sea of pictures. I scour the internet trying to find the Sparkling Hills recipe. I even call the resort in hopes to get the ingredients. I got sick of waiting on hold. I posted on Facebook and low and behold, someone had taken the same picture of the card containing the ingredients.
Trusting my gut and with a whole lot of faith, I threw ingredients into a pot in proportions that felt right and behold Get Up and Go Juice was created. It was a hit at the block party, my kids love it, my hubby loves it and best of all, I can finally drink my apple cider vinegar every day without crying;)
I hope your family loves it as much as mine xoxo