Yep! This was a picture the Soldier snapped this past Monday. Why, no, friend. I’m NOT getting my splint removed. What you see here is me getting a NEW flippin’ splint put on!! Not just any splint, either!! The orthopedic surgeon told the Ortho tech at our post’s hospital to put me in a cast!! RIGHT!?! Can you believe it!?! Me either!!! So, this is me on the verge of tears trying to convince her to just give me another splint. I would be needing lots of serenity and calm after this appointment. This is was a definite, so this Turmeric Almond Milk Tea is on tap.
First, just let me start off by saying that honesty is not always the best policy. No, it isn’t. The doctor came out with guns blazing talkin’ ’bout, “I’m going to keep you in this splint for a month.”
I was all, “Hol’ up, Sir! You can’t do that, I cook for a living and take pictures with, and of, my hands. Can’t you give me one of those metal-foamy-finger splint deals instead?”
“No.”
So, I was honest and straightforward with the doc. I told him, I said, “Sir, I’ma be honest with you, okay? Okay, so, I will probably take the splint off to do my work, but I won’t move my finger. See, this is what I’ll do, I’ll ‘pretend’ to be using it; but I won’t really use it. Then, I’ll put the splint right back on. Okay? That’s cool, right?”
He just shook his head. So, I took that to mean I was straight. I mean, I still wasn’t happy about the “splint for a month thing” but I was going to be able to get around it, right?
Well, this QUACK!!! **okay, maybe he’s not a “quack”, he’s probably a really great Ortho doc. Honest? No. But probably really nice. At any rate, at this point I was cursing generations of his family** So, guess what he did? He tells this Private that he wants her to put on a cast!! Like, a legit PLASTER cast!! You know why, he said? Because he, “Thinks I may try to remove the splint.” For real!?! Dude!! I told you I would. That was damn near a confession and you violated, Dude! He violated, Friend.
So, now here goes poor ol’ PV2 “B”, just doing what the Lieutenant Colonel wrongfully ordered her to do, and me on the verge of tears. Hector’s over there all, “AT least your finger won’t be crooked,” he said actually said that crap. I looked at him like I was going to rip his vocal cords out through his rectum, so he shut it.
But, then the Private has an epiphany (or she felt sorry for me- same difference) and she put on a splint!! Only, she didn’t tell me it was a splint. She just formed it and walked away. I look at the Hector like, “It’s a splint! This is a splint, right? It’s a splint?!? I can totally take it off?!?”
PV2 “B” comes back and and hands me some extra ace wraps and padding and says, “In case it just so happens to ‘fall off’.” I gaped y’all. I gaped at her like she was the Jesus coming to take me home.
“Huh? Yeah, yes…yes! Okay!” I stammered, nodding ferociously. “Yes, I’ll take those ‘just in case’.” Now I’m winking like a psychopath. Tears of gratitude started welling up in my eyes…
“Relax, Babe,” the Soldier whispers in an attempt to keep me cool.
“Huh? Yeah. Okay. Okay. Yes…I’m calm.”
So, while I avoided the demon plaster manacle, I am still saddled with this annoying splint. Removable, thank God, but still annoying. **Just a sidebar, I have yet to remove it, but it has only been three days.** Attempting to work on the blog and recipes has been a feat akin to torture. The splint is hard fiberglass, so whenever I use my hand for long periods of time, my hand begins to swell and it presses against the splint.
“Well, don’t use it! Rest!” People will tell me. To which I reply, “Shut it!” No, I don’t say that. I do think it, though. For me, not doing anything is like a shark that doesn’t swim. I feel like I’ll roll over and die. Death doesn’t look good on your girl, so I have to work. As a result, I’m in pain. It’s a catch twenty-two.
All that is to say that I’m making an honest effort to rest when I can. While today hasn’t been one of those days, I am still thinking about resting…someday soon. Today, I wasn’t resting because I needed some soothing. For me, nothing says “soothe” like my Turmeric Almond Milk Tea.
I’ve talked about the benefits of turmeric before. Turmeric has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. It’s touted as having great anti-inflammatory properties, which would help in reducing my swelling, but it’s also good for minor pain relief. Turmeric STAINS like nobody’s business. I’m typing this with neon yellow fingertips- that’s how bad it stains. When preparing it, be mindful of that. If you prefer, you can slice, instead of grate the turmeric. Don’t peel, cut or place on any surface you want to keep stain-free. The slightly mustardy flavor of turmeric becomes earthy when mixed in with the other ingredients in this tea.
My milk tea also calls for cinnamon, star anise, nutmeg, black cardamom, and ginger. All of which may have medicinal properties, depending on which school of traditional medicine you subscribe to. I come from the school of “Abuela Leria says they work,” so I’ve added them to my tea. The final, all important, component is almond milk. While I’m using almond milk, you may substitute cow’s, soy, cashew, or coconut milk with the same great results. It will no longer be Turmeric Almond Milk Tea, since, well…no almond; but it will still taste delicious.
Always try to use cold, filtered water when making drinks of any kind. Something about chemical-laden, metallic-esque tea throws me off, so I about tap water at all costs.
The first spice to add to the cold water are cinnamon sticks. In the past, I’ve attempted this tea with ground spices with abysmal results. This “spice sludge” forms at the bottom of my mug by the time I’m down to the last sip. To say it’s gross is an understatement. That said, if your cinnamon doesn’t inundate you with cinnamon-y aroma when you open its package, you should use more than the recommended amount. You want to taste that spice.
Next is star anise. This spice tastes faintly like licorice which, in small quantities, I love. If you can’t find it, or think it’s not economical, you can omit it. You may think there’s no use for anything in your kitchen, but I have this Soup, as well as this Chai Latte, that you can use it in. At this point I turn on the heat to begin warming up these larger spices.
Now I add cardamom. I was finally able to find black cardamom at a local Indian grocery store, so I’m using them here. The black cardamom doesn’t taste minty like the green variety, so I love using it in drinks like this.
The final spice added is nutmeg. This nub has been grated down quite a bit, so I’m dropping it in whole, along with a pinch of salt. Now, bring the water to a boil.
Once the water begins to boil, add the grated turmeric and the ginger.
Stir the tea to mix everything together completely.
Reduce the heat to low and allow the tea to simmer for five minutes. After five minutes, turn the stove off and cover the pot. Allow the tea to steep for ten minutes. Once it has finished steeping, strain it with a fine mesh sieve to remove the spices. You may find that your pot has stained a bit, the yellow tinge should wash out after a few rinses. Remember, this is one of the downsides of fresh turmeric. But, it’s not Earth-shattering.
While the tea is steeping, heat your almond milk, over medium heat, until it begins to steam.
Now I use honey to sweeten my Turmeric Almond Milk Tea, but you can use white or brown sugar, agave, or any other sweetener you prefer. Just add it to your mug.
Then add your hot, steamed almond milk. **check out my nail, LOL!!**
Finally, add your hot, strained turmeric tea. Give it a quick stir.
Just look at this nonsense!! How the heck am I supposed to be all Instagram-worthy with that crap on my hand?!? Ugh!!! Pray for me, y’all. I don’t know how long I can truly be compliant…in the meantime, pin this recipe and share it with your friends and family. And share with me below: Have you ever had to deal with a cast/splint/sling? If so, how did you manage?
Turmeric Almond Milk Tea
at Sense & EdibilityIngredients
- 4 cups cold filtered water
- 3 cinnamon sticks or 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 star anise pod optional
- 3 black cardamom pods or 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 small piece of whole nutmeg or 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- pinch of kosher salt
- 2 " piece of fresh turmeric grated or thinly sliced
- 1 " piece of fresh ginger grated
- 4 cups almond milk cow, coconut, cashew, or soy milk may be substituted
- honey or your preferred sweetener, to taste
Instructions
- In a saucepan, bring the water, the spices, and salt to a boil.
- Add the grated turmeric and ginger to the pot and stir to combine. Bring to a boil once again.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and simmer for five minutes. Turn the heat off, cover the pot and allow the spices to steep for ten minutes.
- While the tea is steeping, warm the milk over medium heat just until it begins to steam.
- Once the tea has finished steeping, strain it through a fine mesh sieve. Discard the spices.
- Pour your preferred amount of honey into your mug, followed by 1 cup the steamed milk; finally, add 1 cup of the turmeric tea.
- Stir well to combine and enjoy while hot.
Notes
- This recipe makes four large mugs of tea. The recipe may be divided for smaller portions or amounts.
- The use of ground spices may result in residue at the bottom of your mug.
I’ve tried other teas similar to this one before. BUT, they always leave that spice mess at the bottom of the cup. This one though is just so much better than all the rest! It smells amazing while heating, and it’s so smooth and yummy. Making this my treat yourself better tea.
That makes me glad to read, Risha! That sludge at the bottom of a mug is so gross!! I thought I was the only one who experienced that, LOL!!
I love cinnamon in tea! Sorry about your splint!
Yes! Me too, on both topics, LOL! I am a huge fan of cinnamon in most teas. It just feels a warm hug to me.
This tea is spectacular! I think people call it golden milk if it has coconut milk or algo asi. I’ve made an easier version of this with the coconut milk but I’m definitely going to have to try your version! Xoxo
It’s called golden milk no matter the milk used, but I hate that name for some odd reason. You know how I feel about “easier” it usually involves a lot of not fresh ingredients, so treat yourself and craft a fresh drink. You’re worth it!
Turmeric is one of those incredible, good-for-everything kind of things!! Hope you feel better soon!
I totally agree!! Thank you for your well wishes. I’m being very compliant for once!