Here at The Garden we are always doing our research to stay up to date with products and ingredients that we add to our menu to keep things exciting and nutritious.
As the days get shorter and the temperature drops, we are looking for ways to best take care of ourselves and keep ourselves healthy over the festive period. Take a look at some of the ingredients we use in the café and the products in which you can find them – it might make things a little easier when popping into the café for your healthy fix!
Turmeric
Turmeric contains a beneficial active compound called Curcumin.
There is evidence to suggest Curcumin has anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties, and that the powerful anxioxidant could work to support the healthy functioning of our immune system along with contributing to good joint health. Hurray!
Top Tip:
Combining turmeric with a pinch of black pepper could help to increase absorption in the gut!
At the Garden: You’ll find turmeric in many of our dishes on the food menu, as well as in hot and cold drinks. Try our Golden Mylk or I am Well hot tonic if you fancy something warming, or the Thrive juice or Om love smoothie for your cold drink turmeric fix!
Ginger
Ginger is a warming, anti-inflammatory spice which has been suggested to help relieve feelings of nausea. That hot ginger flavour often provides a bit of a ‘wake up’ boost, helping us to feel energised and present, which is why I love going for a ginger shot first thing…natural wake up call!
Top Tip:
You can grate ginger in just about anything to reap those nourishing benefits! Lately I’ve been grating it into my porridge with some cinnamon, for extra warming autumnal flavours!
At the Garden: Just like turmeric, ginger is present throughout the whole of our menu – find it in our I am Well hot tonic, Thrive and Alkalise juices, and of course, everybody’s favourite - the powerful Ginger shot!
Ashwaganda
Ashwagandha is a powerful herb grown in the dry regions of India, northern Africa, and the Middle East. It has multiple health benefits, including the potential to reduce blood sugar, stress and anxiety levels.
Top tip: Some people add a small amount of Ashwaganda to their smoothies, hot cacao, or even their morning coffee in order to make the most of those stress relieving benefits!
At the Garden: You’ll find ashwaghanda in our ‘Grounded’ hot tonic.
Spirulina
Spirulina is a blue-green algae that is usually consumed either in powdered form or as a supplement. It’s a powerful antioxidant rich in iron, and containing the highest amount of protein per gram than any other plant, meaning it works as a great plant based protein booster.
Top tip: Just like we do here at The Garden, spoon some spirulina in your omelette or scrambled eggs – protein rich way to start the day!
At the Garden: Spirulina is present in our Supergreen omelette or Green Peace smoothie – yum!
Cacao
Cacao is a seed (shaped like a bean) grown on a tree, mostly in West Africa and used to make chocolate. It’s rich in calcium, iron and magnesium. Cacao is a natural mood booster, and contains polyphenols; a micronutrient that travel around the body to lower inflammation. Health benefits galore!
Top tip:
Combine some cacao powder with melted coconut oil and maple syrup. Add a pinch of salt and leave it to set in the fried; homemade chocolate – thank me later!
At The Garden: Find this cacao goodness in our holy cacao smoothie – one of our most popular cold drinks, bursting with benefits!
Chaga Mushroom
Chaga Mushroom are fungi which grow on birch trees in colder climates across the northern hemisphere. They contain antioxidants which may contribute to helping lower oxidative stress.
All mushrooms contain beta glucans, which are types of fibre found in the cells of certain foods, including fungi, which could help to fight inflammation and support the immune system.
Top Tip: In the café, we blend our chaga powder with some nut butter, dates, cinnamon and hot milk – it’s a great caffeine replacement with extra added benefits – why not try at home!?
At The Garden: You’ll find chaga mushroom powder in our I am Well hot tonic or Adaptogenic brew.
Picking up one of our Garden juices or smoothies is a really easy way to ensure you are getting some all important vitamins and nutrients into your body, especially when you feel like you’re lacking the motivation, time or creativity to prioritise healthy choices.
When we have so much to juggle, it can feel like a relief knowing you’re getting some quality nutrition from one of our colourful bottles!
Whether it’s helping to kick-start your healthy habits, or picking up a juice or smoothie for some added nutrients, take a look at some of our options, and if something takes your fancy, you can purchase online or pop into the café when the time is right. Hope to see you soon!
*Please note, like all things health, what works for one person and their diet doesn’t always work for another. If you’re interested in trying some of these products / powders and you have never tried them before, it could be worth starting with small portions so you can see if they suit you and your bodies individual needs. Be sure to chat to a nutritionist if you are looking into including these powders regularly and would like some support / information.