The Turmeric and Health Newsletter for August 2025
- Alison Carroll
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
Welcome to my August Newsletter.
I hope this newsletter finds you fit and well and not too discouraged by all this rain.
Though I do wish that it would rain during the week and not at weekends!! There are times when I feel like a broken record but I’m sure that I can’t be the only one.
Mind you, I may have to get used to the rain as I’m off on holidays for a couple of weeks back to the UK to visit family and friends. And the last time I looked at the weather, there was plenty of rain in the mix and a max temp of 21⁰C. So, a typical English summer. 😊 It’s over 10 years since I have been able to get back, though I do keep in regular contact, and both my sisters have been over to see me in that time. However, it will be wonderful to go back for a visit. Especially as I now have two young nieces whom I have not yet met in person. So, that will be very exciting. As I have now been over here in Australia for 20 years, there are not many things that I miss in the UK, except family and friends, but there are a few foods that you just can’t readily find over here. One of my favourite curries is a good Balti, apparently it was created in the UK in the 1970s and the only time I have discovered it in Australia is when I have found Indian restaurants run by expat Brits. 😊 So, in honour of my going home – and my sister has assured me that the Indian restaurant near her home sells a great Balti, - I have given you the recipe that I used back in October last year. The other foods I am looking forward to are Pork pies, Scotch eggs, Cornish pasties, Gammon, tongue and a controversial one here faggots. (Look it up before you get too excited!!😊 ) I have made most of these, but I only know of one butcher, down in Dandenong who sells the gammon and the tongue. So, I will make the most of it whilst I’m over there and diet when I come home…
Whilst I am away, a good friend of mine Nan (she used to run Grumpy’s Ginger Beer) has kindly offered to step in and cover my markets and phone/online sales whilst I’m in the UK. She won’t be doing the Gloucester market, but she will be doing the Foreshore market instead, and all my other markets will be covered. So, do go along and make Nan feel welcome, and you can call the same number to do your phone orders.
Turmeric for Travellers
As you are all aware I’m off to the UK this month, for a couple of weeks, to catch up with family and friends. I always take my turmeric capsules with me as I couldn’t be without them for that long, before the aches and pains creep in again. Though I will also take my organic chocolate turmeric chai with me this time as well. I am obviously aware of the excellent anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric, but I was curious as to what other benefits it might have for the erstwhile traveller, and it did not disappoint.
Turmeric, particularly in the form of turmeric tea or capsules, can be a helpful companion for travellers due to its potential anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits. It may help with common travel ailments like motion sickness and mild digestive upset and can offer a boost to the immune system.
Benefits for Travellers:
Anti-inflammatory:
Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound with anti-inflammatory properties that may help with muscle aches and pains, which can be common after long journeys or physical activity while travelling. We are often exposed to extremes of inactivity – on a plane or coach for hours on end – and extreme activity – wandering round cities, towns villages or long walks in the countryside, to which we are not accustomed. All of which can exacerbate any aches and pains from which we may already suffer and are definite ways to find muscles that you didn’t even know existed!! Turmeric is here to help. 😊
Digestive Support:
Turmeric has been traditionally used to aid digestion and may help with mild digestive issues that can arise when travelling. This is especially true when you are travelling to countries with very different foods. I found it so useful when Lexi and I were in India last year.
Immunity Boost:
Turmeric is rich in antioxidants and may help support the immune system, which can be helpful in warding off travel-related illnesses. Especially when you are travelling for long periods on a plane or cruise with hundreds of other passengers.
Motion Sickness Relief:
Some travellers find turmeric, especially when combined with ginger, helpful in alleviating symptoms of motion sickness. Ginger is one of the key digestive activators to be found in our turmeric capsules.
So, as you can see, well worth taking your turmeric on holidays with you and not just to prevent any aches and pains. Happy travelling. :)
Chicken Balti Recipe
I love a good Balti - I think it's my British roots showing.
INGREDIENTS:
300g basmati rice
25g butter
1 large onion, finely sliced
1 bay leaf
3 cardamom pods
1 small cinnamon stick
1 tsp Health2all turmeric
850ml chicken stock
4 skinless chicken breasts, cut into large chunks
4 tbsp Balti curry paste
85g raisins
30g coriander, ½ chopped, ½ leaves picked
2 tbsp toasted flaked almonds, to serve
INSTRUCTIONS:
Soak the basmati rice in warm water, then wash in cold until the water runs clear.
Heat the butter in a saucepan and cook the finely sliced large onion with the bay leaf, cardamom pods and small cinnamon stick for 10 mins.
Then add the chicken breasts, cut into large chunks, and the curry paste. Cook until aromatic.
Stir the rice into the pan with the raisins, then pour over the chicken stock.
Place a tight-fitting lid on the pan and bring to a hard boil, then lower the heat to a minimum and cook the rice for another 5 mins.
Turn off the heat and leave for 10 mins. Stir well, mixing through the Health2all Turmeric and the chopped coriander.
To serve, scatter over the leaves of the remaining coriander and the toasted almonds.
RECIPE TIPS
LEFT OVER RICE
The next day, enjoy a Coronation chicken rice salad for lunch. Mix the cold rice with mayonnaise and a squeeze of lemon juice and serve with Baby Gem leaves and sliced cucumber.
Enjoy. 😊
THIS MONTH’S MARKETS AND EVENTS
Hopefully the weather will play nice, though I’m not sure how we will all go on the first weekend as the weather forecast isn’t very promising. So, we will have to keep our fingers crossed for the rest of the month. Do get along to those markets where Nan will be covering for me and give her a wonderful Turmeric welcome. I will be back by the end of the month. Hope to see you then.
Saturday 2nd Aug – Kempsey Market - 9am – 1pm. Held up in the carpark by the river. We should be fine up there. so do come a long for a great day out. CANCELLED
Sunday 3rd Aug – Blackhead Car boot – 8am – 12pm (The Blackhead Bazaar is on its winter holiday). Held in the car park of the IGA. I’m not sure exactly where I will be but look out for my orange gazebo roof – I shouldn’t be too hard to find. 😊
Saturday 9th Aug – The Foreshore Market, Port Macquarie - 9am – 1pm. Held at Westport Park, down by the river. I’m away this week, which is why the change of venue. Nan will be manning or should I say womaning my stall for me today. So, go on down and say hello.
Sunday 10th Aug – Forster Town Market – 8am – 1pm – Held on the green off Head Street. Great little market. Nan will be in charge again today.
Saturday – 16th Aug - Forster Farmers Market – 7am – 12pm Along the river by the Police Station. We are now back in our old spot where the Visitors Centre and the CWA used to be. Getting bigger and better all the time. I’m away again this month, so you will be helped by Nan.
Sunday 17th Aug – Laurieton Market - 8am – 1pm down by the river on Short and Tunis Streets. Let’s hope that the weather is better and we won’t all get blown away. Nan will be running my stall today.
Saturday 23rd Aug – Tuncurry Market – 8 am – 1pm See you over the bridge at the John Whiley Park. I’m back this week, but Nan has kindly agreed to help me out – in case of jet lag!!
Sunday 24th Aug – Old Bar Market – 8am – 1pm. Held down by the beach and surfing club. Not sure where I will be, but my orange gazebo is easy to see.
Saturday 30th Aug – I get a day off!!
Sunday 31st Aug – Pacific Palms Market - 8am – 1pm. At Elizabeth Beach, another great market for all the family and dog friendly, so come along for a fun day out.
For those of you who can’t get to those markets all you need to do is ring me or Nan - if you ring whilst I'm away, on 0406 036 845 or you can now go to my website – www.achealthysolutions.com.au and order from there, and I will arrange for it to be posted or delivered to you. The cost is the same as at the market and postage/delivery is free on all orders over $100 with a flat rate of $10 below that.
To your happiness & health,
Alison Carroll
aka The Turmeric Lady
AC Healthy Solutions
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