Wellness is like fashion; the trends come and go quicker than you can pronounce "Yves Saint Laurent." From lemon water and kale, to hip hop yoga and HIIT, people go crazy over all of it.

Now, not all wellness trends are created equal. First off, there’s the lemon and cayenne cleanse….. Run away. Far, far away. Then, there’s the oh-so-funny low fat diet…..Comical. And don’t even get me started on the waist trainers….I think I just threw up a little. Trends like this pop into the public eye and fade away just as fast.

But, there are those trends that are here to stay and for good reason. As a health & wellness professional, there are those healthy habits, kick-ass workouts, and “superfoods” that you’ve been preaching to your clients and friends for years. Once they finally gain some light in the public eye, they now become the next “wellness trend” to try.

I could talk all day about my favorite health and fitness trends, like smoothie bowls, meditation and matcha, but for the sake of this article not being a million miles long, I wanted to address just one in particular. There’s one wellness trend that I truly believe you should’ve started yesterday, and no it's not colonics or soy milk...

I’m talking about TURMERIC!

Turmeric is right up there with coconut oil, the mother of all Superfoods. With coconut oil becoming the new norm, I wanted to touch some light on the next big thing gaining ground; turmeric.

Now, I know some may say turmeric is not a superfood, and that it’s just a spice, but I classify any thing edible with superhero powers as a superfood. So we will have to just beg to differ ;)

Turmeric is a bright, yellow substance (usually in powder form) from a plant of the ginger family. It’s nothing new to Eastern Culture as this spice has been used for centuries to help your immune system, treat cancer, cure the common cold, and aid in digestion among a hundred other things (no joke).

It’s not as commonly found in Western Culture, as this spice isn’t used in our daily cuisine. It is, though, very well recognized as an ingredient in one American staple....Ever wonder how mustard gets it’s bright yellow color? Yep, you guessed it; turmeric.

Turmeric’s active ingredient is curcumin. It is a very powerful anti-inflammatory substance with a super high level of antioxidants. It is, however, poorly absorbed by the body and into the bloodstream. That’s why adding black pepper with turmeric will allow for easier absorption (nearly 2000% increase) of curcumin. It’s also fat-soluble, meaning you should consume turmeric with a good quality fat (like coconut milk) so the nutrients can be better absorbed.

Turmeric has amazing health benefits. Such as:

1. Helps fight inflammation by returning your body to homeostasis…wonderful for after a workout.

2. It has very high levels of antioxidants, which are known to help protect our bodies from free radicals which damage our cells…hint hint, anti-aging!

3. Leads to improved brain function by increasing the growth hormone that controls the brain.

4. Lowers your risk of heart disease by improving the lining of the blood vessels.

5. Can help prevent (and possibly treat) cancer.

6. Fights depression by boosting serotonin and dopamine…the “feel-good” hormones.

7. It helps you sleep. Good quality turmeric will provide a tingling sensation on your tongue, and in turn, a warming sensation throughout your body which eases you into a relaxed state for better sleep.

8. And (my favorite) it improves digestion! It helps in releasing stomach bile to break down your food and allows your upper digestive tract to relax.

In other words, turmeric is the shit.

I have seen people use turmeric in a variety of ways such as face masks, curry dishes, teas, and natural dyes. If you've been following me on snapchat these past couple of weeks (everydayathlete), you've probably seen me drinking "Golden Milk" almost every other day. Golden Milk is a drink made from various ingredients (including turmeric) that are known to help boost your immune system. After experimenting with Golden Milk (here's my favorite recipe from Wellness Mama) the last time I was sick (thanks, Jenna <3), I was hooked. I also swear it fought off my cold in less than 24 hours.

With this new found flavor combo, I've been experimenting with other ways to combine turmeric and the sweet + savory flavor of Golden Milk into my daily meals. That's when I discovered that it pairs exceptionally well with peanut butter.....but really, what doesn't?? So it brought me to my next creation; a new #TWRsmoothie. This time, one with enough healthy fats and protein to boot. Here's the recipe for my Golden Turmeric Smoothie

The Number One Wellness Trend To Start NOW

Golden Turmeric Smoothie

½ large frozen banana (peeled)
½ c coconut milk
½ c water
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 tbsp chia seed
½ tsp turmeric
½ tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 tbsp peanut butter
dash black pepper
ice or water to thin or thicken
1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger (optional)

**Combine all ingredients in blender. Blend on high for 1 minute or until well combined. Enjoy!

This smoothie is nutrient-dense, filling, and just enough cals to act as a meal replacement. It’s also perfect as a post-workout smoothie with upwards of 25 grams of quality protein to refuel your muscles. If you make my Golden Turmeric Smoothie, show me! Be sure to use the #TWRsmoothie on Insta so I can see and repost <3

I hope this article and smoothie recipe will turn you into a turmeric-lovin’, healthier human because we could all use a little more gold in our lives. Whether that be sunshine, jewelry or turmeric…

How do you use turmeric? I would love to know! Leave me a comment below.

XO, Cass

The #1 Wellness Trend You Should Have Started Yesterday

Golden Turmeric Smoothie