cardamom

Winter is an optimal time for fostering reflection and contemplation.

The holiday season is the time of year for sweets. So many sweets, that by the time the new year rolls around we might be ready for something a little less over the top, but still festive! This is the perfect time for spiced poached apples. Although they have lots of flavor, they won’t send you into a sugar coma, and, they actually come with some nutritious benefits. Plus, they can be served simply and rustically, or dressed up for special occasions.

Fall, when we increasingly gather with friends and family, is a time when you can’t have too many side dishes. Today I’m sharing a side dish recipe that just might make it to your list of standbys: roasted carrots with vegan coconut cardamom yogurt sauce. It’s a little classic, a little spiced, a little different, and vegan, which means there’s something for everyone in this simple dish.

Ever notice how certain foods make you cranky?  Or sad? Or tired?  How does that work, anyway?

Wandering the streets of India, I notice the smell of cardamom fills the air, especially when approaching a sweets shop. I had never been immersed in its heady fragrance before my sojourns to India, but now it is one of my favorite scents and flavors. Perhaps it is because in all of its uniqueness, cardamom encourages a sense of self-responsibility, an owning of what is.

If you are craving a nutrient-rich energy kick in your diet, try this Ayurvedic recipe for Ojas Balls. This superfood provides a delicious and power-packed snack to increase immunity and vitality. According to Ayurveda, “Ojas” is our most refined by-product of digestion. It is the force that supports immunity and promotes longevity. It serves as the container of strength in times of change and transformation. It makes us resilient in the face of physical and emotional stress. Ojas is the nectar that keeps us healthy and happy.

When I first studied aromatherapy and learned that perfumery was part of the course I thought “Well, that part’s going to be boring.”  Perfumery is now my favorite part of aromatherapy. Natural perfumes are fun to make and the more developed your nose gets from blending, the more nuanced your perfumes will be. 

It’s that time of year. The children in my jiu jitsu class have been showing up with runny noses for the past week or so.  They range from ages 4 to 6, and it’s common for their fingers to be in said runny noses.  As careful as I am, this is a full contact sport and the day after class, my throat often starts to itch, a little cough starts, or I get the chills (or all of the above).

Last week I talked about some great herbs to help light the way through the darker months of autumn and winter.  A beautiful time of year, for sure, but difficult for those who don’t respond well to the loss of light or the holiday season. 

This week, let’s get into some fantastic essential oils to lighten the heart as the outside light grows dim.  

Tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world, and its popularity in America seems to continue to rise. The thousands of tea varieties available, from traditional caffeinated teas to herbal infusions, can make choosing one overwhelming.