Better self-care is high on my list of new year resolutions.  As a mother of 3 little kids, I have also become an ULTRA-pragmatist.   Unless something is quick and easy (and financially reasonable), I know I won't do it on a consistent basis, no matter how good it is for me.  In other words, acts of self-care have to fit into YOUR life.  Committing to one Jamu drink a day has long been one of my self-care goals.  After playing around with various Jamu recipes, I'd like to share with you my 5-minute version of Kunyit Asem (a Jamu drink made with Turmeric and Tamarind) that is super easy to make but packs a punch.

This drink is a wonderful way to start the day or to calm down before you go to bed, or whenever you have a free 5-minute window in between.  Kunyit Asem has a long tradition in Indonesian medicine to treat and prevent a whole list of ailments.  Turmeric has potent anti-inflammatory properties that help with joint pain, stomach issues, diabetes and even depression, while Tamarind is said to help with cold & flu symptoms, nausea and blood sugar balance.

Also:  Obviously, if you are in a super hurry, an "instant" Jamu is the way to go.  Many people in Indonesia rely on "instant" Jamu for their daily dose of wellness, which is why we at JUARA also offer our Red Ginger Jamu.  But if you are in the mood for some homemade Jamu, this 5-minute Kunyit Asem is brewed in a breeze and will cost you about 25 cents per serving.  So here it goes:

You Need:

• Re-usable tea bag or coffee filter
• Grater (e.g. cheese or garlic grater; a zester would be too fine)
• Half a Knob of Fresh Turmeric
• Quarter Knob of Fresh Ginger (Optional.  Technically not part of Kunyit Asem, but yummy nontheless)
• Tamarind Paste
• Dash of fresh black pepper (makes the active in Turmeric more bio-available!)
• Raw Honey to taste

Directions:

1. Bring a cup of water to boil (takes about 3 minutes) and put reusable filter/ tea bag over a mug.
2. In the meantime, wash the Turmeric and Ginger and grate it straight into the filter/ tea bag.  Don't worry about peeling the Turmeric and Ginger if you wash it's organic and you wash it thoroughly.
3. Pour boiling water into the mug.  Steep for about 1 minute.
4. Remove filter and mix in half a table spoon of Tamarind Paste into the tea.  Add a dash of black pepper and raw Honey to taste.

Enjoy!

Notes on Ingredients and Tools:

• Reusable Coffee Filter:  I use Primula Single Service Coffee Brew Buddy, which is sold for US$6.75 at Amazon.
• Grater:  I use OXO Good Grips Coarse Grater, which is sold for US$11.99 at Amazon.
• Fresh Organic Turmeric is sold on Amazon for $8.65/ lb.  Wholefoods sells if for US$7.99  My Indian grocery store sells it for $6.99/ lb.
• Fresh Ginger is usually about US$4.99/ lb at a regular grocery store.
• Tamarind Paste:  I use SWAD Tamarind Concentrate which cost US$5.49 for a 14 oz jar at Wholefoods, US$3.99 at my Indian grocery store (52 half-tablespoon servings per jar) at the healthfood store.
• You can read more information on the ingredients' health benefits, click:  Turmeric, Ginger and Tamarind)