Smooth, creamy and delicious, this Organic Papaya Leaf Tea Latte is a prefect afternoon pick-me-up with amazing health benefits.

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Food enzymes,  yeah we don't think about the much but there are necessary for optimum health.

There are three types, Metabolic, digestive and food.

Metabolic builds blood and tissue and aids cells in the production of energy.

Digestive as you may have guessed by the name helps to break down foods for easier absorption.

Finally there's food enzymes, which comes from you guessed it, our food, fresh foods to be exact. Cooking foods at high temperatures destroys enzymes. That's why it's important to include an abundance of whole fresh foods to our daily diet.

Both metabolic and digestive enzymes are produced within the body. Unfortunately as we age our bodies slow in the production of enzymes which is why it's so important for us to get additional enzymes from whole fresh foods.

Digestive enzymes can also be taken as supplements, which I highly recommend. I generally take a digestive enzyme with my first bite of food to prevent gas and bloating from the healthy complex carbs which are known to be the culprit.

The first time I went shopping for a digestive enzyme supplement I was so overwhelmed by the number of choices. I tried several until I found several that work well for me.

I suggest plant-based enzymes, it's closer to what our bodies produces naturally. Look for supplements that contain the following enzymes:

• Protease - helps digest protein
• Amylase - helps digest carbohydrates
• Lipase - helps digest fats
• Cellulase - helps break down insoluble fiber from cellulose  

One supplement I've tried recently and really like is Herbal Papaya Green Papaya Supplement. I had heard about the benefits of Papaya products but hadn't given them a try, but I truly like this one. It aids in breaking down protein, fats and carbs.

Some of the other products I've tried is their Organic Papaya Seed Powder, which can be easily added to eggs, smoothies, salads, hot cereal, just about any food.

And finally their Organic Papaya Leaf Teas. In the afternoon I sometimes make myself a latte as a pick-me-up.

A natural energy drink with digestive enzymes. If you want to try some of Herbal Papaya products head on over to their site and use code“BBQPAPAYA” for 10% off your order until August 31st.

If you make this Organic Papaya Leaf Tea Latte or a version of it, take a picture and share with me on Instagram, tag it #thewholeserving or leave a comment below. I’d love to see or hear about your version of an afternoon pick-me-up.

Clean, crisp and refreshing, this Pink Moscato Limoncello Spritzer is perfect for hot summer evenings relaxing with friends.

I'm definitely not your go-to person at gatherings for making cocktails, but I must say, I nailed it with this one. This drink is fruity, not too sweet, and vibrant with a touch of lemon citrus.

I had some leftover pink and red moscato wine from my get-together with my girlfriends and after finding some pink lemons, yes, pink lemons at Trader Joe’s, I came up with this pretty little drink.

I had never seen a pink lemons before, never knew there was such a thing. Pink lemonade is made by using cranberries, raspberries or strawberries for the pink color.

After returning  home from my grocery trip I had to research this strange on the outside, and beautiful on the inside fruit.

Here’s what I found. This variety of lemons were first discovered in California in 1930.

Pink lemons are variegated with yellow and green stripes and comes from the Eureka tree. Lycopene the same antioxidant that gives pink grapefruits their ruby color, also gives pink lemons their color. When the green fades the fruit is ripe, and it only gets pinker the more they ripen. Pink lemons have a fruity, floral flavor making them perfect for desserts and drinks. I’ve been rocking them in my water. To read more about this delightful fruit, check out Specialty Produce.

This is a simple uncomplicated drink, the best kind I my opinion. I had some limoncello that I hardly ever use, this was my chance to use it. 

There are two ways to prepare this lovely drink. The first way is to simply mix wine, limoncello, lemon juice together and finish with sparking water or club soda to taste and garnish with lemon slice and mint leaves.

The second way is to muddle the lemon and mint first, for those mint lovers, add wine and limoncello, pour into glass and top off with sparking water or club soda.

Be prepared to enjoy this crisp refreshing drink and when it's gone you’ll want more, but please, please drink responsibly.

If you make this recipe or a version of it, take a picture and share with me on Instagram, tag it #thewholeserving or leave a comment below. I’d love to see or hear about your version of Pink Moscato Limoncello Spritzer.

Healing Turmeric Golden Juice - A healthy anti-inflammatory drink you and your body deserves.

Several months ago I started to have pain in my left shoulder and arm. I was unable to lift my extended arm above my shoulder without experiencing pain.  I had been including turmeric in my diet but not everyday. That was it, time to make a batch of turmeric paste.

Turmeric paste can be made using fresh or powdered. The recipe I'm sharing today is made with organic turmeric powder because it is much less expensive than using fresh grated. Once you have a batch of this paste you can use it in almost anything like smoothies, teas, lattes,and of course everyday cooking. It should be stored in the fridge and used within two weeks or you can freeze and use as needed. I like to freeze in ice trays and use when making smoothies, makes a nicely chilled smoothie.

Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and there are some that say it can be used to reduce pain and fever much like some of the over the counter pain relievers, without tons of side effects. For the most part turmeric is safe and well tolerated and rather tasty in this Healing Turmeric Golden Juice. 

What gives this tiny root its power?

The answer is curcumin!

Curcumin is the main curvuminoid of the turmeric plant and is also found in ginger, but in much smaller amounts.

Curcumin has potent anti-inflammatory effects and scientist think that it also has protective effects against some forms of cancer cell progression.  There is much research being done with curcumin, for both cancer prevention and treatment.

A very important thing to know about curcumin is that it is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. However, studies show that if consumed with cracked black pepper it's absorption is greatly increased. It's the piperine in the pepper that makes it more bio-available. Curcumin is also fat soluble and consuming with a bit of healthy fat like coconut or olive oil aids in its absorption as well. I like to include both black pepper and coconut oil for a little extra assurance.

Now that you know all of that I bet you want to know how much?

Well the University of Maryland recommends up to 3 grams a day, which is 1 ½ teaspoons of turmeric powder. The medical community recommends 2000 mg as the maximum, but studies have used up to 8000 mg without toxicity.  

I generally use 1 teaspoon of paste in a prepared drink in the morning, like the Lemon Ginger Turmeric Tea below that I drink when I first wake up in the morning and another teaspoon in another late afternoon drink or before bed.  A glass of Golden Milk, warm Latte or another Lemon Ginger Turmeric Tea. 

I noticed that I can now lift my left arm extended past my shoulder. To test it, I stopped consuming the turmeric for while and the nagging pain came back. Started the Turmeric again and the pain improved. I'm going to continue to consume Turmeric everyday and I'll let you know what happens. I'm not saying that this will work for everyone, I am not a trained medical professional or  nutritionist. I'm only sharing what has worked for me.  Always check with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or exercise program.

There are many healthy benefits to including Turmeric to your daily diet, a few are getting rid of a headache, indigestion, arthritis pain and heart health, For more information check out Dr Weil.com or Health Beckon. There are some that include their pets in the daily ritual of consuming turmeric.

If you make this recipe or a version of it, take a picture and share with me on Instagram, tag it #thewholeserving or leave a comment below. I’d love to see or hear about how the Healing Turmeric Golden Juice or adding Turmeric to your diet works for you.