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Ginger is commonly referred to as the spice of Immortals!

Zesty and aromatic, ginger is a spicy root that has a long list of health benefits for both baby and mommy. It can help ease digestion, reduce nausea, help fight the flu or common cold and even lower blood sugars, just to name a few. It also has therapeutic properties including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects!

For baby, ginger works wonders for an upset tummy or intestinal gas that your little one is having. Chances are when you are introducing new foods to baby, their sensitive tummies are going to get a little out-of-whack. Ginger is a great natural remedy that helps their tummies. Learn more about the health benefits of ginger here.

Ginger is also great for pregnancy and postpartum care as it helps relieves nausea, morning sickness, increases breast milk, promotes digestion, reduces inflammation by improving blood circulation, strengthens immunity and it also (probably most importantly) relieves stress.

When using fresh ginger, simply remove the tough skin with a small paring knife and then mince, slice or grate depending on how you are using it. For baby food, I find that mincing works best. You can either stir in the minced ginger directly into a pre-made purée, or if making a homemade batch of baby food, you can add the minced ginger right into the blender before puréeing. A little fresh ginger goes a long way…so a small pinch in baby’s food is all you need. Ginger is usually easy to find at any grocery store and can be bought year round.

Try these Beech-Nut purées with a pinch of ginger

• apple & blackberry
• sweet potatoes
• spinach, zucchini, and peas
• carrots, sweet corn & pumpkin
• apple, pumpkin & cinnamon
• banana, orange & pineapple
• mango, apple & avocado

For Baby: Carrots, Sweet Corn & Pumpkin with Ginger and Quinoa

A healthy meal filled with potassium, vitamin C, beta-carotene and protein. You can use whole cooked quinoa for 9+ months.

• 1 jar carrots, sweet corn & pumpkin purée
• 2 tablespoons cooked quinoa
• 1 small pinch fresh ginger, minced

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, mix together the purée, cooked quinoa and ginger and stir until well mixed and serve.
2. If baby prefers a warm purée, gently heat the chunky purée in the microwave or on the stove top until just warm and then serve.

Yield – 1-2 servings depending on baby’s appetite and age

Storage – store in air-tight container in fridge for 2 days

For Mommy: Peach Ginger Cooler with Raspberries

A fun summer drink that contains calcium, vitamins and antioxidants. Make as a refreshing cooler or kick it up a notch with a little white wine for an adult summer spritzer.

Cooler Recipe

3 cups sparkling water

2 cups fresh peaches, pitted and sliced

1 cup fresh raspberries

1 batch ginger simple syrup

1-2 cups ice

Ginger Simple Syrup

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup fresh peaches, pit removed and chopped

1/4 cup honey

1/3 cup fresh ginger, skin removed and sliced

Instructions

1. To make the ginger simple syrup – in a small saucepan add in the water, honey, fresh peaches and ginger and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let boil for 5 minutes, take off of heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a medium bowl, discarding peaches and ginger. Place syrup in the fridge and let cool completely.
2. At this point, I like to place all of the ingredients into the fridge to have them get really cold before serving. This step is optional.
3. To make cooler – in a large pitcher add in the peaches, raspberries, ginger simple syrup and ice. Pour in sparkling water, and gently stir.
4. Pour cooler into a glass filled with ice and serve with a fun straw and a sprig of mint.
5. To make a fun White Wine Spritzer – feel free to replace 1 cup of sparkling water with 1 cup of a bubbly white wine.

Yield – 4 servings

Storage – serve Cooler immediately for best results. Ginger simple syrup will last 5 days in fridge.