A Glass of Sunshine
— mint leaves
— 2 lime wedges
— ice cubes
— 118 ml (1/2 cup) sparkling water
— 60 ml (1/4 cup) Root to Fruit Activated Turmeric Elixir (Pineapple Ginger, Pineapple Super Green, or Lemon)
— 1 sprig of rosemary
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In your favourite glass, muddle the mint leaves with the lime wedges. Add ice, water, and the elixir. Garnish with rosemary.
Elixir Vinaigrette Spring Salad
— 60 ml (1/4 cup) extra virgin olive oil
— 15 ml (1 tbsp) white or
— dark balsamic vinegar
— 15 ml (1 tbsp) Ginger & Lemon elixir
— 227 g (1/2 lb.) local spring arugula, spinach greens, and sprouts
— 1 avocado, sliced
— a sprinkle of hemp seeds to garnish
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For an update to the same old oil and vinegar salad dressing, I like to substitute half the vinegar for Ginger & Lemon elixir. For the dressing, combine the olive oil, vinegar, and elixir. Toss the salad greens with the dressing and top with sliced avocado and hemp seeds.
Drawing recipe inspiration from this local product will add a turmeric boost to your health.
by Anna Potvin // Photography by Anna Potvin
Every morning, I drink a shot of elixir. It is my morning coffee, or what I imagine that would be like—my kickstart. Elixirs are a symphony of health and wellness ingredients, a sweet-flavoured liquid that when consumed promotes good health.
Elixirs are widely available, but my favourites are from Root to Fruit, a family-run company based here in Thornbury, Ontario, that uses fresh, locally-sourced ingredients—not only because of their wide selection of flavours and medicinal powers, but also because they all use a base of organic, activated turmeric.
Turmeric is renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties (think joint pain, allergies) as well as other health benefits for treating depression, detoxifying the liver, and fighting cancer and other diseases. A shot of elixir is an easy way to get your daily dose along with a wealth of other beneficial ingredients.
Root to Fruit activates turmeric for maximum bioavailability by adding pepper and just the right amount of heat. They also emulsify the elixirs with coconut oil which helps the turmeric time-release within your system over 24 hours, thus allowing full absorption of the curcumin (turmeric’s active compound).
Some people might shy away from elixirs because of the price—just under $20 for a half-litre bottle in Root to Fruit’s case. But keep in mind that a small amount goes a long way. Your body needs only two tablespoons (30 ml or one ounce) a day to get the recommended daily dose of turmeric (about four grams). (The equivalent dose of dry turmeric powder is a half-teaspoon.)
The main ingredient base is the same in every flavour: ginger, lemon, raw honey, and turmeric (curcurmin). Beyond the turmeric alone, these ingredients are antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal, not to mention alkalizing. Eating more alkaline foods (balancing your pH) can promote a stronger immune system, boost energy, improve digestion, and help fight disease.
Michelle Green, owner of Root to Fruit, created the original elixir in 2009 after a family member went through cancer, before the health benefits of turmeric had become mainstream. Michelle was determined to bring her back to good health—and succeeded. She first sold her concoctions to friends and family, then started to supply local businesses in 2013.
“I found it fascinating to learn how to work with elixir to maximize its ass-kicking properties, marrying it with other ingredients that together create the best absorption rate,” says Michelle. “Every ingredient has a supportive role to the turmeric!”
Michelle says she has never strayed from her fundamental recipe to cut corners or save money; it is still made in small batches. Michelle and her daughters continue to grow the company today.
I prefer to take my elixir daily as a shot, straight up. A feel-great way to start the day. But there are a variety of other ways you can use elixirs: diluted in water or juice, mixed into drinks, or as a cooking ingredient. Get creative! Non-turmeric elixirs, such as Meredith’s lime ginger elixir, blend nicely with carbonated water—a great non-alcoholic drink to serve guests (drop a raspberry in it).
Try elixir in salad dressings, desserts, and your favourite marinades for poultry or fish.
Above is one of Michelle’s favourite elixir drink recipes, along with my recipe for a simple spring greens salad with a zesty and health-boosting elixir dressing.
