By Leslii Stevens ERYT500, YACEP, Ayurveda Practitioner
Being on tour as a photographer with blues and rock legends like Johnny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shephard, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Dweezil Zappa, and Beth Hart sounds like the dream, right? Trust me, it is, until you realize that the glamour of backstage access is mostly you, crouched in awkward positions, balancing a camera lens the size of a small child, dodging stage techs, and praying you don’t trip over a cable mid-solo.
I’ve been that photographer. Running on adrenaline, fueled by the energy of the crowd, carrying equipment heavy enough to make my shoulders beg for mercy, and with a knee that liked to remind me it had been through some things. Then, after the last note rang out and the house lights went up, it wasn’t over. Nope. While the rest of the crew unwound with beers or whiskey, I was climbing into my bunk with my hands aching, my head buzzing, and a mental to-do list longer than the setlist for tomorrow’s show.
Enter: the Earth and Ember Golden Turmeric Latte.
My End-of-Day Rock 'n' Roll Ritual
When you’re on the road, finding small rituals to ground you is everything. After hours of running around in the dark, trying to get that perfect shot of Zakk Wylde shredding like his guitar owed him money, I needed something to help me hit the brakes. For me, that wasn’t a drink from the bar—it was a steaming mug of turmeric latte.
This golden drink became my saving grace. While others were swapping stories over cold beers, I was in my little corner, whisking together a blend of turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, coconut oil, and honey. Milk good ol’ cow’s milk was my base of choice, but on the road, I often carried powdered versions of almond or oat milk because hot water is easier to find on a tour bus than a latte barista.
Warm, earthy, and just the right amount of spicy, it was like a hug in a mug. And the best part? It wasn’t just comfort food for my soul, it was medicine for my body.
Rocking the Benefits
Let me break it down for you:
Turmeric: The star of the show. Packed with curcumin, it’s a natural anti-inflammatory, perfect for soothing my camera-weary hands and arthritis-twinged joints. After a day of cradling a heavy lens and crouching in odd angles, my body needed this.
Cinnamon: Not just for pumpkin spice lattes, folks. Cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar and has anti-inflammatory properties, which is key when you’re bouncing between caffeine highs and the late-night crash.
Ginger: This spice is a roadie’s best friend. Anti-inflammatory, great for digestion, and a lifesaver when the bus ride was bumpier than a backroad in winter.
Black Pepper: The unsung hero. It boosts the absorption of turmeric, making all that anti-inflammatory goodness even more effective. Plus, it adds a little kick, because why not?
Coconut Oil: This little addition gives the latte a creamy texture and a dose of healthy fats to keep your brain from going haywire while you’re editing for hours.
Honey: A natural sweetener with antibacterial properties that soothes your throat after yelling over amps all night.
The On-the-Road Hack
What made this latte a touring essential was how easy it was to prep. I carried a small jar of pre-mixed powder (turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper) and tiny sachets of powdered milk or non-dairy alternatives. All I needed was hot water. No fancy frother required, just a spoon and some enthusiasm.
On those cold fall and winter nights, this drink was my reset button. It helped me decompress, eased my sore joints, and let me face the next day’s editing marathon with a little less groaning.
Why You Need This Latte
Whether you’re a touring photographer, a desk warrior, or just someone who feels like life has been giving you the metaphorical finger lately, this latte is for you. It’s a moment of calm in the chaos, a way to take care of your body while treating your taste buds. Plus, you can make it warm or cold, depending on your mood, or your tour bus’s temperamental air conditioning.
So here’s the deal: I’m sharing my Earth and Ember Golden Turmeric Latte recipe with you. It’s simple, it’s soothing, and it’s saved me more times than I can count. The recipe’s in a downloadable PDF because I’m fancy like that.
Get your spices ready, turn up your favorite blues playlist, and let this latte work its golden magic. Because whether you’re on the road or just trying to survive Monday, you deserve a little rock star treatment, too.
Let’s shake things up, one mug at a time.
Enjoy this wicked wonder gift from nature.
Leslii
