For the #medicinal-cooking challenge this week my recipes include:

Lemon Ginger Turmeric Ice Tea
Make a tea with fresh ginger & turmeric root slices, crushed, with the juice of a lemon and honey or stevia to sweeten to taste. Drink as a hot tea or cool, then refrigerate and serve cold.

This drink gives you the wonderful medicinal qualities of ginger and turmeric.

Ginger root is a cleansing herb which has a warming effect and supports digestion. It has an anti-nausea action and reduces the total volume of acids in the stomach and prevents the formation of ulcers.

Turmeric is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fungal, anticoagulant, analgesic plus more. It is used for nausea, digestive disturbances, and in cooking it aids fat and protein digestion.

Stuffed Squash Flowers
Ingredients:
2 cups cooked rice
1/4 cup calendula pesto (recipe below)
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped yellow bell pepper
1 egg slightly beaten (vegans can just add more oil to their pesto to help it stick together)
8 squash flowers (any large edible flower will do, like zucchini, squash, pumpkin or day-lilies)

Directions:
Mix in a bowl the rice, pesto, cheese, and egg if using (or extra oil if vegan). Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon into flowers.
Placed stuffed flowers in a lightly oiled baking dish, cover. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until stuffing is set.

Squash flowers are loaded with essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals which are essential for a healthy body

Calendula Pesto
Ingredients:
2 garlic cloves
2 ginger squares in syrup or 1/2- inch piece of fresh ginger root chopped
1/2 cup unblanched almonds
1 cup fresh calendula petals
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup fresh thyme leaves (I prefer the lemon thyme)
3/4 cups freshly ground Parmesan cheese
3/4 cups olive oil

Directions:
Mince garlic and ginger in a food processor or blender (I use a Vita-mix.) Add almonds and process until coarsely chopped. Add calendula, basil, thyme and cheese; process until minced. With machine running add olive oil. Process until blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper if desired.

Calendula acts as an aid to digestion and as a general tonic. It is also taken to ease gastritis.

Sweet Potato Chips
Peel a couple of sweet potatoes and slice diagonally into elongated rounds. Make the slices as thin as possible. About 1/8 inch. In a bowl toss the potato slices with 3 tablsp of olive oil and then spread them out on a baking sheet. Put them into a pre-heated 375 degree oven and bake for 12 minutes then flip the potato slices over and cook for another 7 to 15 minutes until lightly brown and crisp. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Sweet Potatoes are a good source of vitamin C which plays an important role in digestion and vitamin D which plays an important role in our energy levels and helps to build healthy bones, teeth, nerves, heart, skin and it supports the thyroid gland. Sweet Potatoes contains iron which helps metabolize protein amongst other things. It also contains potassium, an important electrolyte that help regulate nerve signals and heart beat plus it protects and helps controlling the activity of the kidneys and more.

Baked Corn Zucchini Carrot Casserole
Ingredients:
3 corn cobs (kernels removed along with any other solids and corn "milk" - achieve this by running the blunt side of a knife down each cut cob) or you can use one 10 oz. can of corn
2 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped zucchini
1/2 cup chopped red onions
3 cups shredded carrots
1 cup cooked spelt kernels
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese or Mozzarella cheese
3 tbsp fresh thyme leaves and flowers

Directions:
In a large skillet heat oil and add corn kernels, zucchini and onions; cooking and stirring for 5 to 6 minutes or until lightly browned. Stir in carrots, spelt, cheese, thyme and corn liquid.
put into a lightly greased casserole dish and bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and mixture is bubbling. Serve immediately.

Corn has many health benefits because of the quality nutrients it has. It is a good source of pantothenic acid, which helps metabolize carbohydrates and protein. Corn is a good source of vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects against illness and diseases plus is essential for growth. The insoluble fiber in corn feeds good bacteria in your gut, which aids in digestion and helps keep you regular.
Corn has manganese which helps regulate the blood sugar levels and also helps fuel the body by breaking down complex carbohydrates.

Zucchini has the same benefits as mentioned with the squash flower plus Zucchini is a low glycemic food, which leaves you feeling full for the long hours, this helps stabilize consumption patterns for those concerned about weight lose. It is also low in calories.

Carrots provide a well-rounded influx of vitamins and minerals. Carrots have the ability to improve digestion and help detoxify the body.

To top things off we have a lovely Peach and Rose Water Compote
Ingredients:
6 peaches, peeled and coarsely chopped
2 cups fresh pitted apricots, quartered
1/4 cup rosewater (orange water can be substituted for the rosewater)
2 tbsp ginger syrup
1/2 cup fresh rose petals
Directions:
Combine all the ingredients but the rose petals in a large saucepan and cook over a medium heat, covered. Bring to a simmer then reduce heat. Gently simmer for 15 minutes or until apricots are soft. Stir in rose petals.

Who knew that these delicious fruits can help in detoxification, as well as improving digestion and cellular health. Peaches have a broad range of nutrients that are vital for the healthy functioning of the body. So enjoy peaches and be healthy!

I added rosewater to this recipe which has it's own health benefits -
It's loaded with vitamins - vitamin A/C/D/E, and even B3 which can lower cholesterol.
Antioxidants which help with aging skin.
Helps with digestion and constipation.
Decreases bloating. It contains flavonoids which aid with inflammation.

Here's to your health! I hope you enjoy these recipes and I'd love to hear your comments if you try them or know of any other health benefits from these foods.