Sleepy tea:
“But I can’t sleep, you didn’t give me my sleepy tea!!”
That was my 6-year-old daughter, two nights ago, making me feel like the worst mother alive. It’s been a busy week?.. Month?. . Year?. . How long has it been since my eldest was born??? Anyway, I’m a tired mummy, a working tired mummy, a working tired mummy with chronic illness, which all translates to. . . I forget things A LOT! Seriously, if it’s not written down we have a problem and of course, there are the times I lose the piece of paper I’ve written my list on.
At the end of the days
However, on this particular night, I had broken my solemn vow to my children. The vow that every night I would provide them with a warming, healing, tasty drink to help them drift off to sleep. Cue the dramatic meltdown from my youngest little darling. As she cried, you could hear the life slipping away from her. She flailed over the edge of her bed, sliding to the floor as her body could no longer hold her. . . Oh, the weakness brought on by the lack of her beloved golden milk. It should be noted that she was not, in any way, at all, not even a little bit, tired! She assured me of that. . . Over. . . And over. . . And over. . . The cat had retreated back to the living room.
My 9-year-old was TRYING to help by shouting over her sibling’s wails “You don’t NEED it, if you don’t stop mummy will take a teddy away.” “Thank you, darling, but I didn’t ask for your input” this of course set off World War 3. “I was only trying to help” ” But you’re not a grown-up, your just my sister” “We’ll you shouldn’t be shouting, it’s not mummy’s fault she forgot” “But I need my sleepy tea!!” Even most of the teddies had fallen face down by this point, even they had given up.. I’m pretty sure one or two are now missing, having fled in the night for calmer shores!
“It’s fine!! I’m making It!!”
I know, I know. . . Don’t let them dictate to you. However, by this point, I was in serious need of something to calm and relax me, and in her defense, I had forgotten. . . So had she until she was in the bed of course but I do my best not to get into tit-for-tat with a 6-year-old (not always successfully!). Off I trotted to the kitchen. Thankfully, I’d made a batch of golden paste the day before! Both children snuggled under blankets on the sofa in anticipation. “She stole the corner of my plan. . .” “It’s ready! Here you are, my beautiful little darlings!” Ah, bliss. There I sat, in my recliner sipping on my warming, sleepy tea while my children did the same. Most importantly, they did it in silence. . . “Thank you, mummy, it’s made me all sleepy now. Can I please go to bed” “yes my sweet little angel, yes you most certainly can!”
Why golden milk?
Well, for starters it’s delicious!! Regardless of its many health benefits, it just feels good to drink. It’s warming, soothing, soul healing even. It’s the kind of drink that, when made, makes your troubles melt away. All this from a drink? You’d better believe it! If you want to find out more about the health benefits of turmeric, I’ve done a whole blog post on it here! But for now, let me just say, you can feel confident that this drink does a lot more than just tasting great. I will also confess, I always have a stash of this mix in my cupboard for the times I run out of paste and don’t have the time to make more. (Hey, I’m only human and it has enhanced levels of curcumin so I can still feel confident we’re getting the benefits ????)
Ingredients:
1 Ltr Almond milk (or milk of choice, use coconut milk for AIP)
3 Tbsp Golden paste
1/2 cup raw honey
Sprinkle of cinnamon
1. Whilst Bringing the milk to a simmer over medium heat, constantly whisk to avoid burning. Once simmering, add the paste and continue to whisk over the heat for 2-3 minutes. This step helps to take out the bitterness from the turmeric but we must avoid heating it for too long or it can damage the curcumin. Learn more about the benefits of curcumin here.
2. Allow cooling slightly before adding the honey. You don’t want to add it while it’s too hot or it will damage the beneficial properties of the honey. Then pour into cups before finishing off with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
This makes about 5 cups as I also top each cup with a little cold milk or water. If you are drinking larger portions I advise cutting down the amount of paste you use.
Adding protein powder (or collagen for AIP) when you add the paste can help make it more filling and give you another boost of goodness. I tend to use a stick blender when I do this to ensure it’s completely mixed in and it gives it that lovely frothy top as well!
If you don’t have time to make your own, you can buy these fantastic drink mixes here.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with not only our latest offers and health news but recipes too!