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) 

Difference between Chai and Ayurvedic Chai

About 10 years ago I started blending my own spices for Winter Chai
(A recipe from my Ayurvedic Teacher).

So what is the difference between Ayurvedic Chai and normal chai?.

The differences is the spices. When we boil the spices in water, it has a detoxifying and cleansing actions.

Sugar and milk provide nourishing and tissue building elements, while Assam black tea is invigorating when prepared in this way.

Ayurvedic Chai is detoxifying,rejuvenating, warming and mucus reducing.

Recipe -Winter Ayurvedic Chai

To 2 cups water

add

1/2 inch fresh grated Ginger

3 green Cardamom pods

1 Black Cardamom pod

1/2 ts Ajwain seeds

1/2 ts Cinnamon powder or 1/2 inch stick

1/4 ts Black pepper

boil for a few mins

add 2 ts raw sugar

add 1 1/2 ts Assam loose tea (not green tea)

immediately add non homogenised milk

let it boil for few mins

serve warm