Seasonal Ayurvedic and Other Delicious Recipes
Maya Hot Chocolate Recipe:
Ingredients for 1 serving 1 cup organic cow milk (or non-dairy substitute, or water if you are hard core and want to try the bitter original version). 2 tbsp. raw cacao powder (nb: this is different from cocoa - read my article ;) 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg 1/4 tsp. ground chili pepper 1-2 tbsp. honey (depending on desired sweetness) Preparation: • In a small mixing bowl, stir together cacao and spices. • Adding a small amount of the milk, whisk into a paste. • In a saucepan, heat remaining milk slowly over medium heat, making sure to remove just before boiling. • Slowly add the paste to the saucepan and bring it back to a simmer until slightly thickened. • Pour into a mug and stir the honey in. |
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Spicy Turmeric Latte This delicious spicy turmeric latte is a warming, jitter-free, grounding and nourishing alternative to coffee during the winter season.
Ginger, turmeric and cinnamon have incredible anti-inflammatory properties, which means this soothing and delicious latte is also really good for you. Turmeric is high in anti-oxidants and rich in zinc, B vitamins & iron. INGREDIENTS (1 drink) 1 cup of your preferred choice of milk (almond,soy, hafer, coconut milk) 1 tsp fresh grated or powdered turmeric root ½ tsp cinnamon 1 tsp fresh grated ginger or ginger powder 1 tsp coconut oil 1 Tbsp honey or maple syrup Pinch of pepper PREPARATION On a low heat, combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and stir. Leave on a low heat for 5 minutes but don't let it boil. To make really creamy you can take off the heat and place liquid into a blender. Blend for around 30 seconds so the liquid can turn creamy. Serve immediately. |
Basic Kitchari
Kitchari is a potent blood purifier and also supports proper kidney function. There are several variations to a basic kitchari recipe and the one below is basic, easy to start with, and balancing to all three doshas (vata, pitta and kapha). Ingredients: 2–3 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter) 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds 1 teaspoon cumin seed 1 small pinch of asafoetida (“hing”) powder 1 cup yellow mung dal, rinsed well, soaked overnight and drained. (It is best to use mung dal with the hulls still on if you tend toward constipation). 1 teaspoon natural mineral salt 1 teaspoon turmeric powder 1 cup basmati rice, rinsed well and drained. 4 cups water if using a pressure cooker or about 6 cups if using a regular pot. 1 teaspoon cumin powder 1 teaspoon coriander powder 4–5 thin slices of fresh ginger root Preparation Using either a pressure cooker (faster) or a heavy-bottomed pot... Read on ...heat the ghee on Medium watching not to burn the Ghee. Sauté the mustard seeds and cumin seeds in the ghee until the seeds pop. Then add the drained mung dal, asafoetida powder, turmeric and salt. Stir until the mix almost starts to stick to the bottom of the pan. Then add the rice, water, cumin powder, coriander powder and ginger. Stir well, making sure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pressure cooker or pot.If using a regular pot - cover and bring it to a boil on high heat, otherwise pressure cook. Then turn the heat down and let it simmer until both the rice and dahl are mushy. You may have to experiment with how much water you use to find a consistency that you like. (The more water, the thinner the consistency). A thinner consistency is preferable if your digestion is weak. You will notice that kitchari will thicken when it cools and you may need more water than you originally thought. In order to provide the best quality of energy to your body, Kitchari should be made the day that you wish to eat it and served hot. Garnish with fresh cilantro (great for pitta—ok for vata and kapha), Coconut (great for pitta, good for vata, but not so good for kapha) or Lime (ok for everybody) Source: Banyan Botanicals |
Any Season "Dairy Free Golden Milk" Serves 2
Turmeric has been long known in Ayurveda as a powerful natural medicine that helps people with relief from various kinds of aches and pains, colds, congestion, sore throats, skin problems, not to mention its reputation for reducing tumours, inflammation, diabetes & Alzheimer’s. This is why this ancient & popular Ayurvedic recipe for Golden Milk is so effective – Ayurveda knows that turmeric’s potency is enhanced when its bitter taste is balanced by a sweet taste. Bitters help the body detoxify, while sweet increases the bio-availability to carry the medicinal qualities of bitters into your deeper tissues. Ingredients (NB: Wear an apron. Turmeric stains! ) 2 tsp Turmeric powder or a 2-inch coin of fresh turmeric root, peeled 2 cups fresh Almond milk or Coconut Milk 2 tsp Honey, optional 1 tsp Ghee or Coconut oil, optional * Add the ingredients to a blender on high speed and mix for a few minutes to heat the drink. Enjoy it warm. For Vata: Blend in a date and skip the honey. Add a shake of ginger + a dash of cardamom For Pitta: Replace the honey with maple syrup For Kapha: Add generous shakes of ginger, black pepper + cinnamon |
Winter Season Booster Recipe
"Turmeric Tonic" Take a shot of this healing tonic to detoxify the liver, boost immunity, stimulate digestion & regulate stomach acid.
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1 tsp powdered turmeric (or 1" fresh turmeric, finely grated)
Turmeric is a power root with anti-cancer nutrients + pinch cayenne pepper Fantastic for warding off colds, sinus infections and sore throats and is an anti-inflammatory + raw honey to taste Raw honey has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, & anti-fungal properties and promotes body and digestive health, is a powerful antioxidant, strengthens the immune system, eliminates allergies, and more + juice of 1 lemon or 1- 2 Tbsp unpasteurized apple cider vinegar Cleanses liver, kidneys & blood, high in Vitamin C & minerals, helps with digestion & is highly alkalising + warm water (not boiling) Preparation: Pour warm water over ingredients in a mug. Use more or less water depending on taste & let cool slightly. |
Interested to learn more about the science of Ayurveda, understand your unique constitution and how to apply the wisdom to your daily life? Find more information on my Ayurveda in Daily Life Workshops, here.