INTRODUCTION

I bet I’m a lot like you. I want to be healthy and energetic, I want to feel good, and I want to look good—who doesn’t? But, because I’m perpetually busy with work, family, and other assorted aspects of life, I can’t (okay, fine, I don’t) put a colossal amount of effort into achieving the ultimate wellness nirvana. I want to—really, I do—but the truth is, even though I know about spirulina and kombucha and bone broth and chia and goji berries and açai—I’m certain the science is there to back up the health claims around those foods—the ever-growing inventory of miracle products is overwhelming! I mean, just how many seeds, powders, roots, and greens can I actually cram into a smoothie before the day comes when my blender looks me in the eye and says, “Sorry, I just can’t”?

The good news for all of us who want the best fuel for our busy lives and an easy ticket to health, beauty, and—what I believe is the real key to happiness—delicious food, is that there’s an incredibly versatile and extremely powerful one-two punch that can get us there pronto. And likely, it’s already hanging out in your spice cabinet. Ginger and turmeric, two mighty spices (cousins, actually) that have been used for thousands of years for both culinary and medicinal purposes, are not only easy but a pleasure to incorporate into your lifestyle. They will lead you squarely to vital, healthy, glowing territory, and you won’t have to settle for “kinda healthy” or “healthy enough” anymore.

Ginger has been used in folk medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, and Ayurveda, to name but a few, and among its potent benefits are improved circulation, strengthened immunity, and defense against motion sickness. The oils in ginger are antiviral and contain antioxidants. Plus, ginger stimulates digestion and aids in transforming and transporting the fluids in the body, so it’s super anti-inflammatory. It’s also spicy and delicious.

Turmeric, a plant that’s botanically related to ginger, packs an insanely healthful punch, too. It brightens skin, reduces inflammation, and even combats fatigue. It can improve digestion, support liver detoxification, boost circulation, and, because it’s packed with antioxidants, including a compound called curcumin, it may even help fight off cancer-causing free radicals and Alzheimer’s disease. Its gorgeous color lends itself to beautiful-looking food and also makes it a useful tool in tons of beauty applications.

I love both ginger and turmeric for their versatility in the kitchen—there’s so much you can do with these spices! They enhance both sweet and savory dishes, so I use them all over the place: in teas, curries, soups, broths, chicken, cakes, even ice cream! From stir-fries to holiday cookies, these spark plugs can go all day. But in my house, we also turn to ginger and turmeric to solve all sorts of problems outside the kitchen: to treat a cold, soothe a headache, calm a cranky digestive system (or a cranky kid!), relieve skin irritations, and boost our overall immunity. I use them as part of my daily skin care and hair care regimen and have even been known to run to the spice cabinet when faced with a last-minute makeup emergency!