For many of us, summer is a time of heightened activity that often involves food. Backyard barbecues, picnics in the park, weekend weddings and patio parties beckon us to eat, drink, and make merry. It can be easy to accidentally overindulge and wind up with a tummyache. Of course, prevention (making healthy choices) is the best medicine. But if you find yourself feeling green, here’s a delicious and fast-acting alternative with no negative or long-term side effects.

Remember how Mom used to give you ginger ale when you were sick? She knew that ginger is a powerful stomach soother. Here’s my favorite recipe for ginger syrup – make a batch ahead of time and store in the fridge for cases of tummy trauma:

Ginger Syrup
4 cups water
2 cups ginger root, chopped
1 cup raw honey or turbinado sugar
1 oz. lemon juice

Cut ginger into 1/4 inch slices and then pulse gently in a food processor or blender until it is in coarse, mulchy pieces (peeling the ginger is optional). Bring water to a boil and add 2 cups of ginger. Cover with lid and reduce heat to simmer for 45 minutes, stirring often to prevent scorching. Turn off heat and allow mixture to cool before placing in fridge overnight.

Once the ginger has steeped in the fridge for 12-24 hours, strain the water through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove all of the ginger pieces. You will have approximately 3 cups of dark, cloudy liquid.

Place the ginger water in a medium saucepan and slowly bring to a simmer. Add 1 cup of raw honey (you can substitute turbinado sugar if you have a honey allergy) and stir until completely dissolved. Remove from heat.

Once the syrup has cooled to room temperature, add lemon juice and refrigerate the mixture.

1 or 2 teaspoons of this potent brew will knock out most tummy aches on the spot. You can also add this syrup to sparkling water for your own spicy ginger ale, or add to hot water to make ginger tea.

It pays to be prepared and organized in so many ways!

To your health!