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Sweet and Spicy Tea Recipe and Digestion Tips

Some rights reserved by stevendepolo
Some rights reserved by stevendepolo

Today is one of those transition days – where early winter becomes deep winter, Vata season transitions to Kapha season.  We still need to focus on warm food and drink, but the emphasis moves from heavy, towards spicier, lighter foods.  These foods help keep stagnation – or clear it – from settling into the lungs, and lethargy from taking hold.  I love this simple, spicy tea recipe, so wanted to share it with you.

Spicy and Sweet Tea

3 small cinnamon sticks, or 1 tsp powder

1 T licorice root

2 c water

Place water and cinnamon and licorice root in a small pot.  Simmer for 5 or 10 minutes over low-medium heat.  Strain and pour into a mug.  No need to add sweetener!  Helps to curb sweet cravings, especially helpful before bed.

Tips for Optimal Digestion:

It doesn’t matter how well you eat, if you’re not digesting it well!

1. Eat only when you are hungry.  If you are not hungry, it may be recommended to fast until true hunger returns.

2. Eat three meals per day, with emphasis on lunch being the largest.  As a general rule, avoid snacking unless you are experiencing true hunger between meals, not cravings.

3. Always eat fresh fruit on its own.

4. Sit down to eat, with full attention on your food.  Eat slowly, and chew well.  Light, pleasant conversation is ok, but do not eat when you are sad, mad or upset, and do not eat in front of your computer, or while driving.

5. Sip warm water or ginger tea while you eat your meal, but avoid large amounts of water directly before or after eating.  Also avoid iced water at all times.

Learn more tips like these, and put them into practice in my 7 Day Ayurvedic Cleanse Course – registration is open!

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How to Make Ghee

Gorgeous Ghee: How to make it and how to use it

Ayurvedic Education offered at The Ayurvedic Center of Vermont, with Adena Rose Harford

Thursday June 13, 5-6:30 p.m.

Cost: $18, Includes ghee to take home

The Ayurvedic Center of Vermont, 34 Oak Hill Road, Williston

Want to know more about ghee?  Join Adena Rose Harford and Scott Marion in the kitchen at The ACV for a class all about ghee – clarified butter.  We will learn about the ancient and healing uses of ghee, as well as make our own ghee from organic butter to take home.  Ghee is used for many different purposes in Ayurvedic medicine.  It is a healthy, nourishing fat when taken in moderation, used often in Indian cooking – though it’s much more than that!    We will learn how to use ghee in over 8 different ways internally and externally, most that you can start utilizing right away at home.  

Not only a wonderful cooking oil, learn how to use ghee for self-care, first aid and beauty

Please call or email to register:

(802) 872-8898 or ayurvedavt@comcast.net

or

Use the Contact Page

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Recipes for Nourishment in the New Year

Welcome your new year with nourishment

I’ll admit, partially I just love the alliteration of these words.  Yet, it’s not just that they sound nice, it’s truly the right time to heed them.  Throughout the Fall I hadn’t noticed many people who had chronic colds, or fevers, or flu, but in just the past week it seems those sicknesses have emerged in lost voices, sinus headaches, and the many-times-overheard mantra of ‘it’s just going around.’

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I’ll be the first one to admit, it’s hard to heed our own advice. Pragya paradha, or ignoring our intellect, is one of our greatest challenges to health and happiness.  In my latest post, I wrote about some tips for staying healthy during the holidays.  I was able to practice most of what I wrote about, and I hope it brings me out clear on the other side.  After driving 700 miles through 7 states to visit 4 families over the past week, I know what I need now is nourishment: warm, home-cooked foods filled with good oils and nutrients.

According to Ayurvedic understanding, this deep winter is the time of transition between Vata and Kapha dominance.  The elements involved are space, air, water and some earth.  Notice what is missing – FIRE. It’s cold, and it’s a deep cold, sinking into our bones.  We may notice imbalance in the space and air elements in dryness of our skin and nasal passages (despite a constantly running nose), anxiety, insomnia, and constipation.  A Kapha imbalance tends to show up with heavier qualities, mucus, lung congestion, lack of hunger, and sticky, yucky colds.  We need warming teas, lightly spiced grains, and healthy soups (keep reading for recipes!)

Continue reading Recipes for Nourishment in the New Year

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Cooking for Health Thursday November 29, 2012

New Class at Dharma Door in Underhill

Cooking for Health: Kitchari Thursday November 29, 5 – 7 p.m.
Learn to Cook ~ Share a Meal ~ Make Friends ~ Nourish Yourself

What is “kitchari”? This simple dish made from mung beans and rice is an ancient and healthy combination.  Ayurveda, a holistic philosophy, suggests eating kitchari at times when the immune system is compromised and for special seasonal ‘cleansing’ purposes.  In Ayurveda, kitchari is considered a holy food.  One can think of kitchari as the Ayurvedic (and vegetarian!) equivalent to chicken noodle soup.  Nourishing for mind, body and soul, it is said kitchari can kick up the metabolism and benefit the immune system.

There are many ways to make kitchari, and we will explore a few of them.   If you’re looking for a simple and wholesome meal to prepare for yourself and your family, or interested in learning why and how the practice of Ayurveda uses food for health, then learning how to make kitchari can empower you.

Come and share a meal made with local vegetables and organic ingredients, and learn to make this dish hands-on in the kitchen at Dharma Door Retreat in Underhill.  We will discuss Ayurvedic eating practices in relation to health.

Sliding Scale – $25 to $15, pay what you can

All are welcome ~ no cooking or Ayurveda experience necessary!

Advanced registration is encouraged – for more information call 802.310.7029 or email adena@adenaroseayurveda.com

 

Sign up for this Class

Cooking for Healing Nov 29th Sign up