Anti-Inflammation Golden Oatmeal

An insta-worthy food photographer, I am not!

Any active person knows that the foods we eat make a difference in how we feel when we're out and about. Since messing up my knee, I've been drafting any and all strategies I can into play to help me get back out there. That includes trying to make the most of the nutrients I'm putting into my body. Right now, my ingredient MVP is turmeric.

Turmeric is a spice that comes from the turmeric plant and is commonly used in Asian foods and curries. It's golden color gives foods that feature even a small amount a warm, earthy glow. According to WebMD, Turmeric has been used to treat a litany of conditions from high cholesterol, heartburn, and stomach pain to arthritis, joint pain, and inflammation. It's that last part that is interesting to me.

Turmeric contains a chemical that is thought to decrease swelling. Although its therapeutic benefits are best achieved by taking supplements that standardize the amount of curcumin (the helpful chemical), cooking with it is helpful for daily maintenance and  is thought to yield longterm benefits. 

This turmeric oatmeal, published on the vegan lifestyle website Lauren Caris Cooks, is a delicious way to integrate the herb. I switched it up a bit in my version to maximize anti-inflammatory ingredients. The recipe can even be modified to be trail-friendly!

INGREDIENTS: 

Oatmeal

• 1/2 cup Whole Rolled Oats

• 1 cup Water
• 1 splash Almond Milk
• 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric Powder

Toppings

• Raspberries
• Bluberries
• Chia Seeds
• Chopped Walnuts
• Dried Cranberries
• Desiccated Coconut
• Mint Leaves
• Local Honey optional