FRESH CRANBERRIES SUPPORT DIGESTION.
Cranberries are a fall and winter seasonal food that can be used to support liver, gallbladder, and kidney health. The tart and sour flavors trigger our body to release digestive enzymes once consumed. This is perfect timing because fall and winter is also a time of year when we tend to eat more sugar and difficult to digest foods. Hence why cranberry sauce is a holiday meal staple, intuitively it graces many table settings to balance the heavier foods. Instead of feeling guilty about eating that extra slice of pie, how about making a pot of fresh cranberry tea to help you process the extra sugar.
GRACE AT MEAL TIME.
Giving yourself grace and understanding instead of being uptight about food and health rules is much easier for the spirit and will allow joy to flow. Holiday’s can be stressful because expectations are for over-the-top joy and splendid moments. When these expectations are high, the stress to deliver can trigger eating habits that are indulgent.
FRESH CRANBERRY STORAGE.
Every year when fresh cranberries are available I stock up because they are shelf stable and can be used in many different ways, not just cranberry sauce. Fresh cranberries will keep in the refrigerator for quite a long time, they also freeze well to make them last for months. If you eat foods to support thyroid health, cranberries should be added to that list. They surprisingly contain iodine, up to 400/mcg per 4 oz, as well as antioxidants for fighting free radicals throughout the body. Free radicals are connected with poor thyroid function and eating more foods with high quantities of antioxidants can support the health of your thyroid.
CRANBERRIES SUPPORT BLADDER HEALTH.
Cranberries are historically associated with cleansing the bladder of infection. Very commonly the doctors orders for a bladder infection is to drink pure cranberry juice. More recently we see cranberry as a popular ingredient for liver cleansing. Instead of only serving them as sauce, cranberries can be boiled to make tea. After you’ve made the tea, save the boiled pulp and blend with a fresh fruit to make dehydrated fruit candy. Fresh cranberries can also be fermented for a nice fizzy drink. Of the many ways cranberries are prepared, tea is one of the easiest ways to enjoy them and an excellent way to support the health of your liver and kidneys.
Cranberry Mint Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 quart spring water
- 1-2 cups fresh cranberries
- 2 large sprigs fresh mint
- 1 tsp dried stevia leaf powder (optional)
Instructions
- In a large sauce pot bring all ingredients to a boil. The tea is finished when cranberries pop. Strain off tea and enjoy! Store unused tea in the refrigerator.
Cheers, and enjoy your tea!
Much Love,
Jessie
