A morning wellness shot for digestion and immune support
A morning wellness shot for digestion and immune support
And it takes just minutes to make a week's worth!
Have you seen the olive oil and lemon juice drink recipe that made the rounds on social media? It went viral months ago, and there have since been countless recipe re-makes, so once I discovered it (late per usual!), I decided to give it a try.
This drink is like a homemade version of those immunity shots you can buy at the grocery store. It’s a combination of lemon, ginger, olive oil, honey and water, plus a dusting of cinnamon, which blends together and turns into a creamy concoction that supports wellness.
I don’t know about you, but I need all the wellness and immune support I can get right now. My husband and I have been fighting off the sniffles all week and we’re just waiting to see which virus our school-aged kiddos will bring home next. Our eight-week-old Millie is still recovering from RSV (anecdotally, our pediatrician said it has been the worst year he has seen for RSV).
With all that said, who couldn’t use a little extra immune support this time of year? This homemade morning wellness shot is my crunchy(ish) mom hack that I hope can keep the sickies at bay, at least for a while.
Lemon is known for its vitamin C and digestion support, ginger is anti-inflammatory and extra virgin olive oil is a good source of antioxidants and polyphenols. A little bit of honey sweetens the drink (and also contributes its own health benefits) but if you’re strict keto or diabetic, you can substitute your favorite sweetener instead.
The original recipe (which I believe is courtesy Jen Jones) is so simple and easy! It will be on the blog very soon, but I’m sharing it here as well in case you prefer to view the recipe ad-free. ;)
Olive oil and lemon juice wellness shot
Yield: 5-6 servings
Ingredients:
1 organic lemon, thoroughly washed and cut into quarters
1 small nub fresh ginger, about ¾ to 1 inch long
3 cups filtered water
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1-2 tablespoons honey (see notes)
A dash of cinnamon
Instructions:
Add the lemon, ginger, water, olive oil and honey to a large, high-speed blender.
Blend on high for 1-2 minutes or until all of the ingredients are well combined.
Set a small strainer over a large mason jar or bowl. Pour the drink through the strainer and discard the pulp.
Pour a serving and sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon. Or, store in a mason jar in the refrigerator to enjoy later.
Recipe notes
Make sure to use organic lemon and ginger, if possible, since the rind and ginger skin is also being blended into the drink. If you can’t find organic lemons, thoroughly wash the lemon (I recommend this regardless, actually). You can also peel the skin off the ginger, if preferred.
Honey is used in this drink for its own health benefits. If you don’t consume honey, you can substitute a low-carb sweetener like pure monk fruit drops, stevia drops or liquid allulose. Sweeten to taste.
What I’ve been making
I’m getting back into a routine of posting new recipes on Stem and Spoon in a regular cadence, as well as refreshing a few older posts that need it.
This Coconut Cauliflower Rice is a new one we’ve been enjoying lately (if you make it, try the cilantro-lime variation!). It goes great with my keto turkey meatballs in curry sauce as well as this keto Thai curry soup (made with leftover chicken!) but there are countless ways to serve this simple side dish.
With soup season still in full force, I’ve also been making this Keto Tuscan Soup with Beef and Vegetables. It’s such an easy dinner to pull together and it’s especially great if you’re looking for a cozy, comforting meal to bring a friend.
Tip: save a bit of time and use ground Italian sausage instead of the ground beef and spices. The spices in the soup are there to mimic the flavor of Italian sausage anyway, so either protein works!
I’m also working on a warm Brussels sprouts and chicken sheet dinner with a creamy, Caesar-inspired sauce that is similar to the dressing I use for my Grilled Steak Caesar. I’m testing it once more again for dinner tonight and hope to share that one soon!
Things I’ve loved this week
My husband got me hooked on the Office Ladies podcast, a podcast for fans of The Office which is hosted by Pam and Angela (IYKYK) and breaks down every episode. It’s a fun, mindless listen when you need one. ;)
This Brownie in a Mug for a quick chocolate fix.
Glucose hacks from Glucose Goddess (a great account to follow!) that anyone can implement.
What to bake this weekend
I’m leaving you with a few easy bakes that will make your weekend a bit brighter. Note that a few of these feature beautiful citrus- it’s the season!
Until next time!
Abby