I bought ginger root...now what??

13

Replies

  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    I want chimes now!

    Ginger is delicious! I'd love to make home-made ginger ale.. I make a quick fried rice that contains 1tsp of minced ginger.

    I was just going to suggest homemade ginger ale. Love.

    I also love ginger in Asian food -- pain to peel, but otherwise delicious (I think someone here said you don't actually have to peel it, but I haven't tried that yet).

    Can't help with the ginger tea since I buy mine pre-bagged, but some good ideas I might try.

    You don't have to peel it, but it's better to do so, IMO. And yes, it's a pain. I usually just cut it into 1" chunks and use a knife to cut off the skin. I lose a little bit of ginger in the process, but it's a lot faster and less of a hassle.

    Thanks!

    What if i told you... you can use a spoon to peel ginger painlessly and effortlessly.... :)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v908vjRX8Gc
  • patslitzker
    patslitzker Posts: 127 Member
    edited January 2017
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    Might as well take a fat burner. It will boost your metabolism more than any food will.

    "Fat burners" are a scam and a complete waste of money. At least food tastes good.

    No they aren't. They just don't provide miracles, they're supplements which are intended to do exactly that, supplement your diet and exercise. When used that way they work as intended. Not only that but most have appetite suppressants in them as well.
  • dietcepheus
    dietcepheus Posts: 26 Member
    pinuplove wrote: »
    Personally I'd skip the tea and use that ginger in a stir fry! :p

    Or a curry!
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    Hmm. Will try the spoon method. This thread is valuable! ;-)
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    edited January 2017

    What if i told you... you can use a spoon to peel ginger painlessly and effortlessly.... :)

    :open_mouth: You just changed my life forever.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    What to do with ginger root? The correct answer is ginger bread.

    I can't believe it took me on page 3 to mention this.

    MFP:
    1b785a74fbfd6aca1f0ba3f18b1a71baac5d0130df9ff873fc32f45a0293073e.jpg
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    pinuplove wrote: »
    Personally I'd skip the tea and use that ginger in a stir fry! :p

    Or a curry!

    :smiley: Anything with ginger and coconut milk is heavenly. I don't get the ginger hate (seriously, redheads are amazing!)
  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    I bought ginger root...now what??

    Sushi?
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    TeaBea wrote: »
    kimny72 wrote: »
    Most things that supposedly "boost" metabolism either don't, or the effect is so small it makes no difference.

    Ginger can sooth an upset stomach and tastes yummy :) I assume it has some kind of nutrition as well. Also you can just pour hot water over a couple of thin slices of ginger, or add it to tea you are already steeping.

    This^


    Green tea steeped with ginger root - add some citrus slices - makes yummy iced tea too.

    Lots of Chinese stir fries use grated ginger root.

    Back in the day I tried some diet book diet, before I became familiar with the word "woo". :lol:

    I don't remember anything about it except this "detox" water that was supposed to give you a flat belly (spoiler alert: it didn't). But I have continued to make it ever since, because it's super yummy, and your iced tea reminded me! You put sliced cucumber, lemon, ginger, mint leaves and a green tea bag in a pitcher with cold water over night. It becomes an awesome refreshing iced tea, you just have to strain as you pour obviously. I guess the cold water keeps the green tea from getting bitter steeping overnight.
  • VintageFeline
    VintageFeline Posts: 6,771 Member
    Curry, make a curry.

    I really love a ginger biscuit (cookie) but those are made with dried powdered ginger like gingerbread. Oooh Jamaican loaf, yum! Also enjoy an alcoholic ginger beer, and regular actually. Ginger wine was evil though.
  • VintageFeline
    VintageFeline Posts: 6,771 Member
    rainbowbow wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    I want chimes now!

    Ginger is delicious! I'd love to make home-made ginger ale.. I make a quick fried rice that contains 1tsp of minced ginger.

    I was just going to suggest homemade ginger ale. Love.

    I also love ginger in Asian food -- pain to peel, but otherwise delicious (I think someone here said you don't actually have to peel it, but I haven't tried that yet).

    Can't help with the ginger tea since I buy mine pre-bagged, but some good ideas I might try.

    You don't have to peel it, but it's better to do so, IMO. And yes, it's a pain. I usually just cut it into 1" chunks and use a knife to cut off the skin. I lose a little bit of ginger in the process, but it's a lot faster and less of a hassle.

    Thanks!

    What if i told you... you can use a spoon to peel ginger painlessly and effortlessly.... :)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v908vjRX8Gc

    Also came here to say this, super easy.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    The question is how much ginger do you need on a daily basis for there to be the desired health benefit? For most herbs and spices, it's far more than any of us can reasonably consume!
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    I want chimes now!

    Ginger is delicious! I'd love to make home-made ginger ale.. I make a quick fried rice that contains 1tsp of minced ginger.

    I was just going to suggest homemade ginger ale. Love.

    I also love ginger in Asian food -- pain to peel, but otherwise delicious (I think someone here said you don't actually have to peel it, but I haven't tried that yet).

    Can't help with the ginger tea since I buy mine pre-bagged, but some good ideas I might try.

    I stopped peeling years ago and don't notice that it is still there.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    I love ginger tea, it's one of my favorite drinks during the winter!

    I usually peel it, chop it up and boil it for about 20 minutes, until the water gets brown. While it's boiling, I add cinnamon, and lemon or lime. Then I drink it with honey.

    As everyone said, it doesn't boost your metabolism, but it does boost your immune system. It also helps with digestion, as it assists the body to absorb foods.

    Check out this article on benefits of ginger root and ways to make it:

    http://www.chopra.com/articles/the-health-benefits-of-ginger-tea

    Ya, that's how I make ginger tea when I'm sick.

    How to Make Ginger Tea

    To make 1 quart of ginger tea, chop an unpeeled 2-inch piece of whole ginger into coarse pieces and place in a 2- to 3-quart pot with one quart of purified water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, allowing the tea to simmer for 15 minutes. Strain the tea and store in a thermos bottle or glass jar.
  • Rocknut53
    Rocknut53 Posts: 1,794 Member
    What to do with it? Throw it away! Ginger tastes nasty :confounded:

    Unless it's in a pumpkin pie. :D
  • violetta5345
    violetta5345 Posts: 33 Member
    When I was looking into using ginger, I read that storing the root in the freezer made it easier to grate with a fork. I also read that it loses pungency quickly in heat, so add it to your pot last and late. That's all I got.

    If you freeze it you can grate it easily using a rasp and measure it. It also keeps it fresh for longer. I use it all the time in Asian/Indian cooking.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    TR0berts wrote: »
    What to do with ginger root? The correct answer is ginger bread.

    I can't believe it took me on page 3 to mention this.

    MFP:
    1b785a74fbfd6aca1f0ba3f18b1a71baac5d0130df9ff873fc32f45a0293073e.jpg

    Well, my Joy of Cooking gingerbread (and gingersnap) recipes call for ground ginger, which isn't really the same as ginger root :P

    I discovered Guy Fawkes Day Cake aka Parkin next to the gingerbread recipe. Because of the rolled oats, it feels healthier to me. This recipe is very similar, with the following changes:
    • It has 1/2 C molasses and 1/3 cup maple syrup instead of 2/3 C molasses.
    • It decreased the ginger from 1 t to 1/2 t

    http://hungrygemini.blogspot.com/2012/11/guy-fawkes-day-cake-parkin.html
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    Might as well take a fat burner. It will boost your metabolism more than any food will.

    "Fat burners" are a scam and a complete waste of money. At least food tastes good.

    No they aren't. They just don't provide miracles, they're supplements which are intended to do exactly that, supplement your diet and exercise. When used that way they work as intended. Not only that but most have appetite suppressants in them as well.

    Is this a joke? Of course fat burners are a scam. Why else would they add "works on conjunction to diet and exercise). At the very most they would increase your TDEE by a very tiny percent. May as well go for a 15 minute walk.

    The only way to be successful at weight loss is to eat below your maintenance..and yes, any diet falls under this.
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    Throw the ginger root as far as you can, run after it. Then throw it again and follow after it.

    That is the only way ginger will help you lose weight
  • patslitzker
    patslitzker Posts: 127 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    Might as well take a fat burner. It will boost your metabolism more than any food will.

    "Fat burners" are a scam and a complete waste of money. At least food tastes good.

    No they aren't. They just don't provide miracles, they're supplements which are intended to do exactly that, supplement your diet and exercise. When used that way they work as intended. Not only that but most have appetite suppressants in them as well.

    Is this a joke? Of course fat burners are a scam. Why else would they add "works on conjunction to diet and exercise). At the very most they would increase your TDEE by a very tiny percent. May as well go for a 15 minute walk.

    The only way to be successful at weight loss is to eat below your maintenance..and yes, any diet falls under this.

    So I guess the improved results that I and people I know have had while taking them are just imaginary? Do you even have experience taking them or is your opinion based on what you've seen others say? My opinion is based solely on what I have experienced myself while taking them and yes I have had improved results while on them vs while I'm not, and before this is said; no I am not talking about the initial water weight these cause you to lose.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    Might as well take a fat burner. It will boost your metabolism more than any food will.

    "Fat burners" are a scam and a complete waste of money. At least food tastes good.

    No they aren't. They just don't provide miracles, they're supplements which are intended to do exactly that, supplement your diet and exercise. When used that way they work as intended. Not only that but most have appetite suppressants in them as well.

    Is this a joke? Of course fat burners are a scam. Why else would they add "works on conjunction to diet and exercise). At the very most they would increase your TDEE by a very tiny percent. May as well go for a 15 minute walk.

    The only way to be successful at weight loss is to eat below your maintenance..and yes, any diet falls under this.

    So I guess the improved results that I and people I know have had while taking them are just imaginary? Do you even have experience taking them or is your opinion based on what you've seen others say? My opinion is based solely on what I have experienced myself while taking them and yes I have had improved results while on them vs while I'm not, and before this is said; no I am not talking about the initial water weight these cause you to lose.

    then how about you eat in a surplus and take the fat burners and see how well they work,then report back to us. then you will be able to tell if they work compared to a deficit of calories
  • jennybearlv
    jennybearlv Posts: 1,519 Member
    edited January 2017
    I love ginger, but I don't think it has any effect on metabolism. I mince it along with the green onion bulbs and garlic and saute in fat as a base for many Asian dishes. I also make tea by slicing an ounce thinly, no need to peel, throw in my carafe, pour a quart of boiling water over it and let it steep for 30 minutes or more. I've used powdered ginger in baked goods before and it was delicious. I'll have to try fresh some time. Homemade ginger bread is the delish.
  • jennybearlv
    jennybearlv Posts: 1,519 Member
    rainbowbow wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    I want chimes now!

    Ginger is delicious! I'd love to make home-made ginger ale.. I make a quick fried rice that contains 1tsp of minced ginger.

    I was just going to suggest homemade ginger ale. Love.

    I also love ginger in Asian food -- pain to peel, but otherwise delicious (I think someone here said you don't actually have to peel it, but I haven't tried that yet).

    Can't help with the ginger tea since I buy mine pre-bagged, but some good ideas I might try.

    You don't have to peel it, but it's better to do so, IMO. And yes, it's a pain. I usually just cut it into 1" chunks and use a knife to cut off the skin. I lose a little bit of ginger in the process, but it's a lot faster and less of a hassle.

    Thanks!

    What if i told you... you can use a spoon to peel ginger painlessly and effortlessly.... :)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v908vjRX8Gc

    I am glad I live somewhere where ginger is cheap. I used to grow it in a pot on my patio when I lived in Vegas, very attractive plant. I just use the cut the big chunks off the sides to make a cube method and throw the peel chunks in the compost. Saving them for tea is a good idea though.
  • patslitzker
    patslitzker Posts: 127 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    Might as well take a fat burner. It will boost your metabolism more than any food will.

    "Fat burners" are a scam and a complete waste of money. At least food tastes good.

    No they aren't. They just don't provide miracles, they're supplements which are intended to do exactly that, supplement your diet and exercise. When used that way they work as intended. Not only that but most have appetite suppressants in them as well.

    Is this a joke? Of course fat burners are a scam. Why else would they add "works on conjunction to diet and exercise). At the very most they would increase your TDEE by a very tiny percent. May as well go for a 15 minute walk.

    The only way to be successful at weight loss is to eat below your maintenance..and yes, any diet falls under this.

    So I guess the improved results that I and people I know have had while taking them are just imaginary? Do you even have experience taking them or is your opinion based on what you've seen others say? My opinion is based solely on what I have experienced myself while taking them and yes I have had improved results while on them vs while I'm not, and before this is said; no I am not talking about the initial water weight these cause you to lose.

    then how about you eat in a surplus and take the fat burners and see how well they work,then report back to us. then you will be able to tell if they work compared to a deficit of calories

    I think the point is being missed. Most people call them fat burners which is why I referred to it at such but they don't "burn fat" they're actually called thermogenics which raises your BMR. If you really need proof just track your heart rate, my normal Resting heart rate is 55 and while on a thermogenic or "fat burner" my resting heart rate is 80 consistently throughout the day. That makes a difference in the amount of calories burned in the day, more so than these metabolism boosting food which was my original claim in my first post.
  • snickerscharlie
    snickerscharlie Posts: 8,578 Member

    Check out this article on benefits of ginger root and ways to make it:

    http://www.chopra.com/articles/the-health-benefits-of-ginger-tea

    According to the link -

    Drinking ginger tea can:

    Help the body absorb nutrients
    Help alleviate the stomach pain
    Help with irritable bowl syndrome
    Help with weight loss
    Help fight cancer
    Help manage glucose levels
    Improve circulation
    Improve the food digestion
    Increases the production of gastric juice
    Protect against Alzheimer’s Disease
    Open inflamed airways
    Reduce arthritic inflammation
    Relieve menstrual discomfort
    Relieve stress
    Stimulate appetite


    I'd buy maybe three of those.
  • jdhcm2006
    jdhcm2006 Posts: 2,254 Member
    A Chinese friend just taught me to steep slices of it in hot water as you would a tea bag. The longer it steeps, the stronger it gets. It's great for a cold or stuffy nose. You can also use crystallized ginger to get the same effect.

    This is what I use it for.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    edited January 2017
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    Might as well take a fat burner. It will boost your metabolism more than any food will.

    "Fat burners" are a scam and a complete waste of money. At least food tastes good.

    No they aren't. They just don't provide miracles, they're supplements which are intended to do exactly that, supplement your diet and exercise. When used that way they work as intended. Not only that but most have appetite suppressants in them as well.

    Is this a joke? Of course fat burners are a scam. Why else would they add "works on conjunction to diet and exercise). At the very most they would increase your TDEE by a very tiny percent. May as well go for a 15 minute walk.

    The only way to be successful at weight loss is to eat below your maintenance..and yes, any diet falls under this.

    So I guess the improved results that I and people I know have had while taking them are just imaginary? Do you even have experience taking them or is your opinion based on what you've seen others say? My opinion is based solely on what I have experienced myself while taking them and yes I have had improved results while on them vs while I'm not, and before this is said; no I am not talking about the initial water weight these cause you to lose.

    then how about you eat in a surplus and take the fat burners and see how well they work,then report back to us. then you will be able to tell if they work compared to a deficit of calories

    I think the point is being missed. Most people call them fat burners which is why I referred to it at such but they don't "burn fat" they're actually called thermogenics which raises your BMR. If you really need proof just track your heart rate, my normal Resting heart rate is 55 and while on a thermogenic or "fat burner" my resting heart rate is 80 consistently throughout the day. That makes a difference in the amount of calories burned in the day, more so than these metabolism boosting food which was my original claim in my first post.

    your heart rate can be raised from caffeine,certain meds, etc. its not going to be a big enough of a raise for it to matter when it comes to weight loss. there are days my resting heart rate is in the lower 50s and other days its in the lower to mid 60s. I dont burn much if anymore calories that day compared to the lower heart rate. even on days I drink coffee(but then again coffee does not give me energy). the calorie burn is not significant.heart rate is not a big indicator of calories burned either.not to mention a lot of fat burners include ingredients that could be harmful,foods have a thermogenic effect too, but its also small,except for the exercise it would be more than the food or pills,I would assume.

    which is why people are saying fat burners dont work because most of the bottles or packaging state when used in combination with diet and exercise. its the exercise and diet(mostly the diet) thats causing the fat/weight loss. The pills arent going to be a larger difference than food.if it is, it still wouldnt be much more.They may give you more energy to exercise longer(not saying they do as I dont take them and I never will),but coffee for a lot of people do the same. But thats as far as it would go.
  • patslitzker
    patslitzker Posts: 127 Member
    Having a higher heart rate definitely will cause more calories burned, your body is working harder. But anyways I'm just speaking from personal experience and offering my viewpoints in case the op was interested. A lot of people have bad views on them but they can be useful. I wasn't too concerned with any Heath risks when I took them and other people probably are.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    Having a higher heart rate definitely will cause more calories burned, your body is working harder. But anyways I'm just speaking from personal experience and offering my viewpoints in case the op was interested. A lot of people have bad views on them but they can be useful. I wasn't too concerned with any Heath risks when I took them and other people probably are.

    yes your body is working harder IF you are working out,therefore your body needs more oxygen. I guess people who have heart issues burn more calories at rest then? http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/17661/1/The-Connection-Between-Heart-Rate-and-Fat-Loss.html as for views being bad on them. they are bad, they can cause health issues or interact with meds if they have other ingredients in them,heck caffeine can be fatal for some people.they arent useful because they dont burn fat,at one point in time they most likely had a better effect because they contained ephedra in the past. they no longer do so they are just basically caffeine pills with other ingredients that also have been proven not to work. but if you want to take them thats your choice.
  • successgal1
    successgal1 Posts: 996 Member
    Make a smoothie with carrot, apple and a bit of ginger.
This discussion has been closed.