I posted a link on my Facebook page recently about the benefits of turmeric as there are so many reasons why and how it is capable of healing. I use it a lot in my cooking for that reason, but also to spice (or colour) certain things up in the absence of nightshades. You need to be a little cautious with how much turmeric you use, though. Too much and it's earthy flavour gives out a bitter, peppery aftertaste which the children, especially, don't like at all.
As with all herbs and spices, it's important to source a good quality one and it really should be organic and, of course, gluten free. I love this brand because their products are sustainably sourced, GMO free and non-irradiated, which means they haven't been treated with irradiation or chemicals in any way. Also buy them in reasonably small quantities unless you use them super quickly, in order to maintain their freshness and healing properties.
We love shakes and smoothies in our house and I always see them as yet another perfect way to get some essential collagen into our tummies. And this one is also a crafty way to sneak in a bit of turmeric without being found out! Here's one we've been enjoying recently, which I think you're going to love.
raspberry turmeric collagen shake
You could happily use fresh raspberries and a frozen banana if you prefer, but you may need to adjust the liquid content slightly)
(makes 2 large or 4 small)
1 cup (120g) frozen raspberries
1 large banana, peeled and roughly chopped
1 cup (250ml) coconut milk
1/2 cup (125ml) filtered water
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
2 tbsp collagen hydrolysate
1 tbsp lemon juice
pinch salt
Put all ingredients into a high speed blender and whizz until completely smooth, adding a dribble or two of filtered water if you find it too thick. Serve immediately, or watch the colour turn from raspberry to turmeric in front of very eyes!
I love all things raspberry! I haven't ever combined it with turmeric! This sounds delicious! 🙂
I love raspberry too .. and I'm always on the look out for ways to get some extra nutrients in. Thanks Marissa 🙂
I'm allergic to banana. What could i use instead?
Hi Jemma, how about choosing one from the following - flesh of an avocado, coconut yoghurt, canned pumpkin or extra frozen raspberries?
This looks delicious! I will try it this morning. Thanks for the great recipes all around.
I have a question about turmeric: I feel like I've read somewhere that it is necessary to combine it with pepper to activate its properties. Have you heard anything like that? I may have seen it on Green Med Info--wish I could remember the source. I also recall that fat is necessary (the coconut milk would serve that purpose in this instance).
Hi Jennifer, you are right that turmeric and pepper are a good combination but they aren't essential to benefit from the turmeric's goodness. Because pepper is not strict AIP I don't do this but it's also true that mixing turmeric with fat boosts effectiveness, which is another reason why this Shake is so good. As well as the taste, naturally 😉
I am so excited to have found this recipe! New to turmeric and looking for ways to incorporate it into our family diet. Curious, what is the difference between the collagens? I don't have hydrosylate, but have just the unflavored gelatin by the same company. Do they react differently in shakes? Just wondering if I could use what I have instead?
Thank you for your site! It has been such a life-saver for me as I journey through new territory with AIP as a mama of two. So far my family loves everything!
Hi Kristen, thanks for popping in and I'm so pleased you like the recipes. Gelatin is used to set liquids (think gummies and jelly/jello), Collagen is like a protein powder and can be used in cold or hot liquids. It's useful to have - I like to add it to bone broth, oatmeals and soups to keep up the intake. Unfortunately if you put gelatin into your smoothie it will sit there in a nasty clump of gloop.
Thank you SO much for explaining the difference! I appreciate it! Off for some collagen now 😉
I used to use the collagen but had the leap150 test done and found I was sensitive to beef (and bananas so thanks for the avocado idea!), so now I can't have that anymore. Now it's back to gelatin because I can get porcine-derived gelatin. I find if you use a stick blender it does not end up as "a nasty clump of gloop":) I do miss the hydrolysate You don't happen to know of a porcine derived form of this, do you?
Hi Kathie, you don't actually need to use any collagen in this recipe, it is there as a good way to get some into you should you wish. If you do a google search on porcine collagen powder there are a few sites that come up but I'm not mentioning them here because I don't know anything about them I'm afraid. You may be interested to know that Vital Proteins make a marine collagen which is derived from wild caught snapper - and this company is very well respected.
Thanks for the info! I don't like to eat fruit without any protein, so that's why I would put it in the smothie. I miss the collagen, but the gelatin is ok. I looked up the Vital proteins marine collagen and that's a little too expensive for me, though I'm sure it's a great company. I've tried some of their other products. I'm going to try your recipe tonight! Can't wait!
I hope you love it Kathie 🙂
I just tried it and it was WONDERFUL! I replaced the banana with 1/2 avocado as you suggested. It was perfect! I was glad to see that I couldn't really taste the turmeric. I'm used to my turmeric drink which had a whole tablespoon in it, not very good, but I wasn't drinking it for the taste but for the anti-inflammatory properties.
Hurrah! That's great to hear, thanks for letting me know!
Could I use a different protein powder instead of the collagen?
If you are not AIP then you could use what you have or prefer. If you are AIP then I'm afraid collagen is the only one I can think of. You don't need to put it in at all if you don't want to, it's there for the protein and gut healing properties and not the taste or consistency.
I saw this on your FB, made it the same afternoon and it was yummy without a banana (a no no for me). Thanks!
I'm so pleased you enjoyed it Vanja!
Does it have to be coconut milk?
Hi Michele, you could use whatever you prefer, however if you are on the AIP the only milks you could use are coconut or tigernut, which I believe you will need to make yourself. Hope that helps.
Hallelujah! You have inadvertently answered a burning question for me!
Coconut milk makes me feel sick and I couldn't find another AIP alternative with my Google searches other than avocado milk.
I will be investigating making tigernut milk ASAP. THANK YOU.
Pleased to be of service 😉
As for making your own, check out Erin's method here http://realfoodandlove.com/tigernut-milk/
Thank you ☺️