Spice tea for Christmas

Spicy tea during the festive feast is a great way to help digest heavy foods.

My top 5 spice teas are:

1) ginger 

2) black pepper

3) clove

4) cardamon

5) lemon

All these spices are great as a tisane or blended with Assam tea leaves making a great spice chai.

    

Masala Chai

 

I love my masala chai : fresh with whole spices with an organic Assam black tea leaves.

What's up with Tulsi? 7 reasons why you should take Tulsi.

1. Healing Power: Next to Lotus, Holy Basil or Tulsi is the most sacred plant in India. The tulsi plant has many medicinal properties.

2. Stress: Tulsi leaves are regarded as an 'adaptogen' or anti-stress agent.  It is recommended  that one should chew 7 to 10 leaves daily to prevent stress.

3. Pure : Tulsi has the quality of Sattva( purity) opening the heart and mind, bestowing the energy of love and devotion. 

4. Holy: Tulsi known as holy basil - gives the protection of the divine by clearing auras and strengthening the immune system. The stem of tulsi plants are worn as rosaries.

5: Cleansing the home: it absorbs positive ions, and energizes negative ions.

6: Coughs: Tulsi is an important constituent of many Ayurvedic cough syrups and expectorants. It helps to mobilize mucus in bronchitis and asthma.  Drinking tulsi tea relieves cold and flu. It removes excess kapha from the lungs.

7: For all you Vatas: Tulsi removes high vata from colon, improves absorption and strengthens the nerve tissue....increasing memory. 

As an Ayurvedic Teaologist my best selling tisane has been Rumi's Blend. Base notes organic tulsi and peppermint combined rose, Australian lemon myrtle and blue cornflower petal.  It's now been prescribed by Ayurvedic Practitioners as a support tea for stress, adrenal fatigue, skin disorders and overall balance. 

www.teacoup.com

Ayurveda says, pickles and chutneys are good for you!

Why pickles and chutneys are good for you.

- great way to get antioxidants in meals

- a good pickle can give you all six taste in just a spoonful.

- it aids digestion

- adds colour to your meal, brings balance to mild dishes. 

- suitable for vata, and kapha.  Pittas can enjoy occasionally as it may be too spicy and heating.

Recipe

I used about 7 carrots which I shaved with a peeler instead of chopping them up.

- heated a large pan with 3 tsp of ricebran oil, traditionally mustard oil is used.

- added black mustard seeds, cumin seeds and black whole peppercorns.

- to the whole spices I added  fresh grated ginger. When the spices started popping I added my carrots.

- allow to cook for few minutes then add pickle mix,  little more turmeric, and salt.

- cook for a few more minutes, take it off the heat, let it cool and store a glass jar.

Pickle mix contains- red chilli, fenugreek, hing, mustard, turmeric. ( mother in law's recipe) 

Benefits of Almonds in Ayurveda

When I was pregnant with my first child my grandmother told me to soak 10 raw almonds every night, peel them in the morning and eat them with my breakfast.  This would nourish my nervous system, balance my vata, strengthen my memory and make my baby healthy and intelligent. It was through my formal studies in Ayurveda did I realise how true this knowledge was. For the elders in most Asian families these rituals weren't great science, it was just simple living to maintain health and wellbeing that was passed from generation to generation. 

When consumed in moderation, up to ten nuts a day, almonds provide essential proteins and Vitamin E for the body. They are rich in magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and manganese. 

What does an almond do?

Sweet almonds which possess a mild sweet taste and hot potency are the best for pacifying Vata dosha (Air-element) in the human body. As per the science of Ayurveda, almonds lubricate the skin and support all the seven dhatus (tissues), especially Shukra dhatu(reproductive tissues) and the Ojas (the overall vitality). However due to their heavy nature, one needs a strong jataara agni (digestive fire), to metabolize them. 

The best way to eat almonds.

Buy whole almonds, blanch and peel. Soaking also helps their digestibility. If eaten without soaking, they can aggravate Pitta in the blood. The best way to prepare them is to soak them overnight and peel the skin off in the morning. 

Morning Almond smoothie :  blend soaked peeled almond with dates and raisins.  Energy and nourishment in cup. Awesome for children.