Lemon-Ginger-Pepper-Honey Cleansing 'Tea'

I think a lot about food ideas that are healthy and taste good.

I saw an ad about a ginger drink today that didn't look quite right to me, so I decided to experiment. This one would be great if you're trying to cut down on caffeine or alcohol, or just want a good cleansing drink to keep you on track with healthier lifestyle and food choices. 

4-6 cubes of candied ginger

½-1t ground cinnamon

½t finely ground cayenne + black pepper

1-2T local honey - optional

½-¾c fresh lemon juice

filtered water

Heat several cups of filtered water in a stainless steel pot. Chop the candied ginger and add that to the hot water. Stir and let stand to soften the ginger. Pour this into a blender and blend on high for a minute. Add the rest of the ingredients plus more filtered water - enough to fill a glass pitcher, and blend again. I'm thinking a couple mugs of this each day could be helpful in ridding our bodies of toxins. . .Lin

Cinnamon Honey Butter

4oz. salted butter

2-3T local honey

½t ground cinnamon

Heat the butter, just enough to melt. Stir in the honey and cinnamon. Chill, stirring occasionally to keep everything suspended and blended. Store in the refrigerator. Spread on toast,  muffins, use as a topping for mashed sweet potatoes, or mix with hot steamed carrots, just prior to serving. . .Lin

Another Great Smoothie!

1/2 lg. banana

1sm.-med. carrot

1c frozen strawberries

1-2T lime zest - optional

1/2 to 3/4c plain Greek yogurt

3/4c pure pomegranate juice

1T local organic honey

1T fresh ground cinnamon

Combine everything in a blender, on medium or high for a minute, and it's ready!  I keep hearing wonderful, healing and anti-viral information about the Honey-Cinnamon combination.  I forgot to put it in initially.  Tasted it, then remembered - it was a very nice addition. . .Lin