So, I bought some ginger root, now WHAT?

[nmm2112]

:D I bought some ginger root at the store today and am wondering what I should do with it?
I'm about 6-7wks along and the morning sickness has started (and lasts all day)....
I can't remember what I've heard about it...
Peel it and dry it in the oven and eat it or something like that? :blush
And ideas!
Thanks! :p

[zonapellucida]

*a thumb-sized piece of ginger
*2 cups (1/2 l) milk
*1 cups (1/4 l) water

Peel the ginger and grate or slice very fine. Simmer very slowly for about 20 minutes in the water. Now add up to 2 cups (1/2 l) milk and let it boil up. Remove from the heat and sweeten with honey. Ginger tea is often taken in small sips over the course of the day, as required. In the morning and before meals it stimulates digestion; on cold winter afternoons it warms and protects from flu. Many women take the tea after miscarriages, abdominal surgery and hysterectomies.

Ginger tea is so effective against ailments of the reproductive and digestive systems because it stimulates circulation and supports a good blood supply to these organs. Bloating can be treated with this tea, by adding a pinch of cinnamon. In the presence of stomach ulcers, however, modest amounts of this tea are recommended and the quantity of ginger can be cut down. Similarly, in the early weeks of pregnancy, the further stimulation of blood flow into the abdomen is not recommended, so go easy on ginger at this time. Modest amounts, however, are a fantastic remedy for morning sickness nausea.
http://www.femhealth.com/ginger.html

[OnTheBrink]

Ginger Lime Fizz (http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=recipe1020&search=true&resultNo=3)

Makes 8 servings
The ginger syrup made in step one may be stored in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to a week.


1 1/2 pounds fresh ginger, thinly sliced
2 cups sugar
4 cups water
1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1 liter seltzer or sparkling water

1. Combine ginger and sugar with 4 cups water, or enough to cover, in a medium saucepan. Place over medium-high heat until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce to a simmer; stir until sugar dissolves completely. Continue to simmer about 20 minutes. Remove from heat; let cool to room temperature, at least 2 hours. Strain out the ginger, and discard.

2. Combine the ginger syrup, lime juice, and seltzer in a pitcher. Pour into ice-filled glasses, and serve immediately.

[beachcomber]

Slice 4 thin discs from the ginger root and place in a big mug with a teaspoon of honey. Add hot water and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Give it a good stir and drink. You can add some lemon, too.

[beachcomber]

When I was going through morning sickness, I actually bought and ate candied ginger. I just ate the pieces by themselves. They were sweet and tasty and seemed to help me a lot. I could slowly nibble at a piece over 5 minutes and then face the idea of eating.

[nmm2112]

:D These are such great ideas!!!
I'm off to the kitchen! Thanks for the help! :thumb

[nitareality]

I've been making a chicken broth with ginger in it (home made chicken broth for no sodium) and add some rice noodles and scallions later. It's very good, mild and perfect for my M/S.

[ktkb]

Slice 4 thin discs from the ginger root and place in a big mug with a teaspoon of honey. Add hot water and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Give it a good stir and drink. You can add some lemon, too.

This is what I did at 1am the other night for an upset stomach! :LOL It works. :thumb

[crsta33]

What is the shelf life of ginger root? My midwife recommends having some on hand for the birth, but I wasn't sure if it was okay to have it sitting around.

Christa

[ktkb]

What is the shelf life of ginger root? My midwife recommends having some on hand for the birth, but I wasn't sure if it was okay to have it sitting around.

Christa

IIRC, according to Rachael Ray of the Food Network (who I swear dd will call mommy first!) if you keep ginger root in the freezer it can go almost indefinitely.

I keep mine (I usually buy a piece that's about the size of my index & middle finger together) in the fridge for a couple of weeks at a time--I use it semi-often in cooking...cut off the shrivelly ends and the middle is still usually fine.

[Kam]

Ginger and garlic are the type of spice that are best bought very fresh. Both lose flavor quickly, and ginger rots easily, even in the cheese drawer in the fridge. My mom took a cooking class with a world-class chef once, and was told that both ginger and garlic can harbor harmful bacteria that can make you sick, so to always buy them specifically for certain recipes, and not to keep them too long. Don't know how true that is, but since then, we've always been careful to toss it after a week or so. We use it a lot, though, so no biggie.

Has anyone else heard that too much ginger can cause contractions? I have read that in the first tri, you should avoid ginger (just when you need it). Another thing to check out....

Wow, I'm quite the naysayer today. Think I'll go back into my "nothing fits and my face is a wreck" hole until the sun comes out.

warmly,
Kam, mamamama! to Meg and one more, due March 2006

[beachcomber]

I've been making a chicken broth with ginger in it (home made chicken broth for no sodium) and add some rice noodles :LOL
This was my evening supper for about 5 straight weeks during my first trimester. Chicken broth with lots of minced ginger and rice noodles and some grated carrot. It was all I could eat. Since it was all I could cope with we just bought organic broth, ginger, carrots, etc and used that.

Kam,

Where'd you read that about too much ginger and how much did it say was too much? I have read the opposite in the pregnancy books I've read and my midwife recommended the candied ginger. She also recommended papaya extract, which is supposed to work really well.

[Kam]

I read it here all the time, it seems, but in searching back, of course, I can't find any cited sources. :rolleyes

It does seem that ginger is mentioned in connection with contractions most often when either: 1) miscarriage is threatened or inevitable; or 2) labor is immanent and desired. So for ordinary, healthy moms with no history of miscarriage, in their early pregnancies, less than 2 grams a day seems to be an acceptable amount. Sorry I can't be more specific than that. If I find more, I'll post it.

[Kam]

Here's one place you can find it, but again, no citable references:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=289269&highlight=ginger+contractions