Agni Tea Recipe

 

Agni = digestive fire = optimal health = alignment = physically matching vibration. Without Agni (digestive fire) and light, creation would not be possible. Agni allows us to see form, degrees of dark and light and various frequencies of color. When agni is strong, food is digested properly as are all your sensory perceptions. Encouraging your body to release waste and increase agni is a great practice for self care and optimal wellness.

Thie tea is great for loosening of all that mucous we may incur during Fall and Winter, and keep maintaining the excretion of mucous for optimal wellness.

I help my body burn up that mucous from the inside, by drinking tea. A real simple, and delicious tea.

Let's discuss what's in the tea.

Ginger

effective in aiding and alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders

increases the natural fire (agni) in the digestive system

an anti-inflammatory food, helping reduce inflammation, from which many dis-eases begin.

Cinnamon

Anti-microbial purifying the body

Heating to the body, increasing the agni

Anti-inflammatory

Cardamom

Anti-carcinogenic battling all the bad radicals in the body

Anti-inflammatory

Great for digestion, teeth, spasms, it's a must!

Star Anise

Great for PMS, as it has properties akin to Estrogen

Anti-inflammatory

Exporant, opening up the respitory

Ignite the Agni Tea Recipe

2 Cinnamon sticks

3 one inch slices of Ginger

1 Star Anise

3 Cardamom pods or 10 Cardamom seeds

2 cups of Water

Place all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Turn off and let sit for 10 minutes. Strain and add sweetner of choice. I am trying to reduce my sugar intake and didn't add sugar.

Drink often and feel free to add or remove any ingedient that doesn't resonate with you. 

En-Joy!

How To Breathe Properly.

 

How do you know if you breathe properly? 

Have you ever watched a baby breathe? 

When a baby inhales their belly inflates and as they exhale their belly deflates. 

The proper way to breathe is when you inhale, your belly inflates, and as we exhale your belly deflates.

When I first started taking yoga classes, breathing was the toughest part of the class. 

First, I did not know how to breathe properly. Secondly, it hurt my shoulders to take deep breaths. 

I now know that those are signs of a weak respiratory system. Even though I'm a swimmer, my lungs had never gotten a workout in the form of breath exercises. Most people breathe incorrectly, there by not receiving enough oxygen to their brain and nervous system.

The reason my shoulders hurt as I inhaled was due to the fact that I was not taking deep breaths, but rather shallow breaths. My lungs were not accustomed to taking in so much oxygen! 

 A yogic breath has three parts. The first inhale is through the nose, then the deeper inhale into the chest, and finally the deepest inhale into the belly. Anything less then the full, deep breath and you are depleting yourself of oxygen.

The yogic breath is always inhaling through the nose, and exhaling through the nose, using the mouth to exhale when necessary. As you inhale the oxygen hits your olfactory senses and then your nervous system and brain, immediately offering you the space to pause and reflect. 

The biggest shift I noticed in my healing Journey was learning to control and use my breath to empower me and my life. Learning how to control my breath has helped me conquer my monkey mind. Learning how to breathe deeply has allowed me the power to control my mood and emotions. Using my breath I am able to focus my attention where it needs to be.

In an effort to share the pleasure and benefits of Pranayama, I am hosting a pranayama challenge for the month of December. Every Sunday I will be sending you a tutorial on a specific breath exercise, which we will practice for that week. We start December 6th! Tutorials will be a YouTube video, for easy viewing. Finalizing details now - there is still time to join! Find me here!

Check out this breath tutorial- Nadi Shodhana (Alternate nostril breathing).

Namaste

Vata Pacifying Lentil Chili

 

Lentils are a must in my pantry during winter. Easy to prep and make, and soothing to the digestive system. These spices warm up your internal body as you enter the winter season. Let's get to it.

Ingredients - Serves 8

8 cups vegetable broth, divided 

1 medium yellow onion, chopped 

1 large red bell pepper, chopped 

1 carrot, chopped

1 small sweet potato, chopped

5 cloves garlic, finely chopped 

3 - 4 teaspoons chili powder (depends on your preference for heat)

1 (16-ounce) package brown lentils

2 (15-ounce) cans no-salt diced tomatoes 

1 Cinnamon stick

2 Cardamom pods or 1/2 tsp of cardamom powder (optional)

1 tsp. each of Cumin, Ground Ginger, Salt

1/2 tsp. Mustard seeds

Pinch of Black pepper 

3 cups chopped cilantro

Directions

1. Bring 1 cup broth to a simmer in a large pot over medium-high heat. 

2. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic and cook about 8 minutes or until onion is translucent and pepper is tender. 

3. Stir in chili powder, cinnamon stick, cardamon pods (or powder), cumin, ground ginger, salt and mustard seeds and pepper. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. If it gets too thick, add a splash of broth to prevent burning.

4. Add lentils, tomatoes, carrots, sweet potato and remaining 7 cups of broth. 

5. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially 

covered, 30 minutes or until lentils are almost tender. 

6. Uncover and cook 10 minutes longer. 

7. Stir in cilantro and serve.

Feel free to add any toppings you'd like. Great for the freezer and leftovers. 

Ayurvedic medicine has a rich history. Originally shared as an oral tradition, Ayurveda was recorded more than 5,000 years ago in Sanskrit, in the four sacred texts called the Vedas: the Rig Veda (3000-2500 BCE), Yajur Veda, Sam Veda, and Atharva Veda (1200-1000 BCE). In Ayurveda, each season is associated with a dosha, or body type.

When Vata is balanced: 

Vata is energetic, strong sense of humanity, adaptable, quick comprehension, easily adaptable, positive spirit, strong healing energy, flexible, true enthusiasm, good in communication, and able to initiate things.

When Vata is aggravated: 

Vata aggravation leading to excess causes debility, emaciation, liking of warmth, tremors, distention, constipation, dizziness, confusion, insomnia, depression, incoherent sleep, sensory disorientation, piercing pain, cracking of joints, dehydration, stiffness, astringent taste in the mouth and dark, or reddish brown discolorations.

Routine is the best way to pacify Vata, followed by pranayam, breath exercises. Focus on warm, spicy, and oily qualities and elements to incorporate during this season. Above all, stay grounded and rooted in this present moment. As Baba Ram Dass says, "Be Here Now or Be Nowehere".

Namaste

My Story

 

I'm an accidental Yogi. I was introduced to Yoga because on an injury, but before I speak about my injury I'd like to mention I became a vegetarian in 2004, a year and a half before my injury. I feel this is important because it sort of led me to Yoga, but more on that later. I should also mention I was in the fashion industry and only used high heels. For everything. Ok. Enough back story.

In January 2006 on a rainy week day I was walking into work, from the parking lot, and as I stopped at the front door, I fell. My right foot slipped on the concrete and kept going, making me fall onto my left knee. I tried to stay straight up, but couldn't. I heard a crack in my back and fell back onto my head. I was so embarrassed I didn't even care if I was injured, I just wanted to escape.

I went into the employee lounge and assessed the damage. A Human Resource employee saw me and immediately had me sent to the Employee Clinic. While there they took X-Rays and stated I had a sprained back. I was released and back to work I went, being told to contact the clinic if I had any further pain.

Six months went by and one day I went for a 15 minute walk, which uncovered my real situation. I couldn't hold my back up and it went out. I hadn't realized the gravity of my injury until that moment.

I went to Cedar Sinai and received an MRI. They scanned my back and saw a 4-5mm herniation in my lumbar between L4-L5. Yes, that detailed. The Specialist said surgery was routine for my back injury. I was 29 years old. I did not want back surgery. The Specialist suggested walking, swimming, and Yoga to help heal my back, stating some had healed completely with yoga. He also said no more high heels! To which I cried and died. I felt as if my entire identity has been robbed from me, and I was lost. Had no image, no idea who I was outside of my superficial self. Had no knowledge of inside self, at all. I fell into a depression which lasted about 2 years.

I was sent to therapy, and introduced to Yoga, or rather therapeutic exercises, for 12 weeks.  After that, I signed up for the local Y and swam. For 2 hours a day, religiously, I swam. The backstroke, to be exact. I was focused and dedicated on strengthening my lower back. Which I did, and then some! I did this for 2 years. I even ended up teaching their Aqua Aerobics class! My back was strong and I was happy. In 2007 I ended up being an assistant manager at Dancing Shiva Yoga & Ayurveda Healing Center.

While working there I became enthralled with Yoga and Ayurveda! I took class every day, I ate accordingly, I was heavily into it and soon slid into Brahmacharya. I avoided everything and everyone. I began to strengthen my spirit, mind, body! My life changed immensely, for the better, after finding Yoga and Ayurveda. It allowed me to open up and be raw about life. I stuck with the Yoga and Ayurveda and able to birth 3 children, with no surgical assistance. I attribute that to Yoga, and God, of course.

I currently suffer from chronic pain if I do not practice yoga. If I eat badly, my back becomes inflamed. I stay active and practice yoga daily to maintain and manage my back pain. As a recovering alcoholicI don't believe in taking pain pills, so I do my best to use food as my medicine. Part of my healing process involved removing pain pills from my life, they were easy to get, because of my injury. Those pills only masked my pain, and kept me in a daze.

Yoga healed not only my physical self, but mental, and spiritual bodies as well. It continues to do so, everyday. My Yoga journey was so different, because I feel it started when I went vegetarian, before asana. My injury is a reminder on my humaness, but Yoga remind me that I'm not the body, and not the mind. My Health is in My Hands. I am empowered!

You can too! What are you waiting for?

My Name Is Irrelevant

Hello, my name is irrelevant, what's important is that I'm an addict. Recovering addict. I was addicted to telling the victim story. The one where "bad things happen to me", and "woe is me" story.

Things got so bad for me I began drinking...but first, the back story.

My roots are deep in First Nation (Dine), and Aztec Indian.  To say alcohol is in my DNA is pretty much fact. My family, on both sides, are purveyors of spirits. They have an intimate relationship, one which has led many to am early death.

I began drinking heavily after my back injury. I was depressed, medicated with Vicodin and muscle relaxers.  I had a major life style change and not by choice! My thirst for alcohol was small at first but my body has a very high tolerance. As the weeks went by, the number of drinks increased until I was drinking Johnny Walker Red straight up, no chaser. That was my favorite, followed by Dirty Martinis. Because Vodka and Olive Juice!

This went on for a year. Maybe 2.

Old age makes me forget.

But I'll never forget the day I stopped drinking.

Many, many moons ago,  around this time, I went to a Halloween party with my best friend, *Nick. This party was a partay! Drugs, booze, pool, BBQ, the whole ensemble! They kept serving us drinks and lines, which we greedily drank and inhaled. 
The next morning, because that's what I recall, I awakened in my bed and unable to recount the night before, it was hazy. The only thing I knew for sure was that I was safe. Nick had kept me safe and got me home safe. I got up to get dressed and walked to my closet and felt a wet spot on the carpet.

I thought, oh my God, I peed on the carpet.

Are you laughing yet? Or still in disgust?

I was horrified!

I had peed on the carpet right in front of my closet. Like an addict. Like someone who had lost it.

Because I had. In my world. In my mind.

I had blacked out and lost control.

And,

That was my rock bottom.

I vowed then and there to never drink again.

To drop the addiction.

To let it go.

Too often we say it's an addiction and it has us in its grip, but it's us who won't let go.

We won't let go.

Until rock bottom.

Maybe not even then.

And everyone's bottom is as deep as their trauma.

My fear of loss of control was stronger than my desire to lose control.

Read that again.

At first, I drank to lose control, to forget, to let go.

By the end, I was terrified to lose it completely.

I found my line, my boundary.

But most don't. Desire is stronger than fear.

While I do see the addictive part of me rear is egotistical head sometimes, I decapitate it with gratitude. For I'm in a much better place now than I was then.

For that, I'm grateful.

I have compassion for those who are addicted because their rock bottom is deep.

So deep they are still falling.

Breakfast Smoothie for Kids

Organic India blessed me with an awesome package featuring their brand new product! This is a sponsored post, as I am an Organic India ambassador, and proud to be so. I've been using their products since 2010! Here's the awesome package I received.

It's their 5-in-1 Psyllium Pre & Probiotic Fiber!

 

 In an effort to offer life skills to my children and nephews, I asked my oldest nephew, Ayden - 10, if he wanted to add the psyllium pre and probiotic fiber in cinnamon spice to his smoothie. He happily agreed. Watch him make it below.

It was delicious!! Psyllium is a form of fiber made from the husks of the Plantago ovata plant’s seeds. It is considered a mild laxative. Research shows that taking psyllium is beneficial to many parts of the human body, including the heart and the pancreas.

Consult your physician when taking anything new to you. Remember that a key component of how psyllium works in your lower intestine is its ability to soak up liquid, so make sure to drink lots of water, daily.


      

Enjoy, friends!

How To Use Spices Internally and Externally - Ginger

Ginger is a rhizome - the underground stem of a plant (not the root). It derives its intense flavor from its gingerols, which vary, depending on where and how the plant was grown and harvested. Gingerols is a phytonutrient which properties are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antiviral and anti-disease. Half of the world's ginger is produced on India's Malabar Coast. According to ginger loving chefs, the best ginger in the world grows in Jamaica, and it's considered the best due to it's mild flavor.

Energetics of Ginger
Ginger is pungent and sweet in taste, it's heating to the body and has a post-digestive affect of sweet taste. It pacifies Kapha, Vata and aggravates Pitta, when consumed in excess. Ginger nourishes all the dhatus (tissues) and supports the respiratory and digestive systems. It is effective for poor circulation, coughs, colds, flu, arthritis, headaches, nausea, morning sickness, indigestion, and motion sickness, to name a few. Ginger is a stimulant (increase all organic functions by stimulating the power of digestion), diaphoretic (induces perspiration and thereby restoring circulation), expectorant (promotes the discharge of phlegm), carminative (relieves gas, pain and distention), antiemetic (helps with nausea), and analgesic (relieves pain).

Ginger may be the best and most sattvic of all the spices. Ginger is a tonic for the heart.

How to consume for best benefit?
Dry ginger is hotter and drier than fresh ginger. It is a better stimulant and expectorant for reducing Kapha and increasing Agni (digestive fire).

Fresh Ginger is a better diaphoretic, which is better for colds and coughs and excellent for Kapha overall, as it is an expectorant and stimulant.

RECIPES

Ginger Lime Mocktail

Ingredients:

Fresh Ginger

1 Lime

1 scoop of chlorophyll

A little bit of water

Seltzer water

Directions:

Finely slice ginger for a total of 10 slices. Place in bottom of glass.

Squeeze lime into glass. Gently muddle together with spoon. 

Add scoop of chlorophyll and mix with lime juice and ginger. Add water to help mix.

Fill with seltzer water and add ice.

Serve immediately.

Ginger Carrot and Squash Soup

Ingredients:
1 1/2 tsp coriander seeds
1/2 tsp yellow mustard seeds
2 tbsp oil
2 cups of onions
1 tbsp fresh ginger
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp curry powder
1 lb carrots, peeled and chopped
1 acorn squash, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 tsp lime zest
6 cups of veggie broth
1/2 cup cream (regular or vegan)
1 tbsp of fresh lime juice
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup parsley

Directions:
*Dry roast the coriander and mustard seeds and cool. Place in grinder and grind to a fine powder.
*Add oil to frying pan, on low medium heat, and saute onions until they are golden brown.
*Add the ginger, turmeric, ground coriander and mustard seeds, and curry powder. Stir for 1 minute.
*Add carrots, acorn squash, lime zest and cover and cook for 5 minutes.
*Add the veggie stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.
*Cool soup and then ladle into blender and blend. Return to pot and stir in cream, lime juice, salt, pepper, and parsley.

So far we've learned about Black Pepper and Turmeric in our Spice Series.

Here's my latest YouTube regarding Dhatus and Digestion.

Here's my interview with Colin Zhu from Thrive Bites. I share tips on boosting immunity and staying sane during this Pandemic.

Still offering free Dosha Quiz assessment for those who are interested in learning their dosha and beginning their path onto Ayurveda.

How To Use Spices Internally and Externally - Black Pepper

Black Pepper, known as Piper nigrum (Piper nigrum), is a part of the family Piperaceae. Usually dried and used as a spice known as a peppercorn, it is an excellent aid for stimulating digestion. It's qualities are Hot and Dry, pacifying Kapha and Vata. It is a powerful expectorant and mucus-cleanser when added to honey. Vipaka, post-digestive effect, is pungent, and heating. Black pepper strengthens the plasma (Rasa dhatu), blood (Rakta dhatu), fat (Meds dhatu), marrow and nerve tissues (Majja dhatu).

Black pepper is native to Kerala in Southwestern India and is extensively cultivated there and other tropical regions. Used in ancient remedies for: constipation, insect bites, tooth decay, sunburn, arthritis, lung disease, toxins in the colon, fever and more! Because black pepper is a carminative (expels gas from the body), it discourages intestinal gas from forming, in addition, the outer layer of the peppercorn aids in the breakdown of fat cells. It promotes sweating as well, which can help rid the body of ama (toxins). This common condiment comes from a lineage of royalty and was considered the King of Spices during the Middle Ages. At that time, Black Pepper was more valuable than gold. Only the wealthy could afford to keep and store. Now, it's considered a staple in most homes.

Why is Piperdine so important?
Black pepper contains essential oils like piperine, which is the source of its bold character and heat. This compound zaps your taste buds and triggers a sneeze when it hits the nerve endings inside your nose. Piperine stimulates the taste buds, activating the pancreas to start producing digestive enzymes. It tones the lining of the intestines, and speeds up the time it takes to move all the way through the digestive tract. Piperdine is is exceptional in its influence on the liver, drug-metabolizing system and improves digestion and metabolizes medications faster.

How to consume for best benefit?
A pinch or more is enough. You can put black pepper on anything, including fruit. Add pepper last, as adding in too early may leave a bit of bitterness. Store in glass, metal, or plastic. Never store in wood, as wood leaches the oil from the peppercorns, making them stale. Use in moderation as it is Pitta aggravating when used in excess.

RECIPES

Black Pepper Gravy

Ingredients

• 5 tbsp olive oil or vegan butter
• 7 tbsp all-purpose flour
• A pinch of garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning, optional
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg
• 4 cups cashew milk, at room temperature
• 2-3 tsp Fresh cracked pepper (or more)
• Salt, to taste

Directions

• In a medium sized pot heat oil over medium-high heat, add flour and stir for 2 – 3 minutes, until it turns light golden brown
• Add the garlic powder, poultry seasoning and nutmeg, mix well, stir for a minute or so. Mixture will form a ball of sorts
• Slowly add the milk and continue to stir
• Bring just to a boil, reduce heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until gravy has thickened to desired consistency, about 10 minutes.
• Gravy will thicken a bit more as it cools. Season with plenty of pepper and salt to taste. Set aside with lid on, or slightly askew stirring every now and then until ready to serve. If gravy cools too much, heat over low until warmed

Black Pepper Tea

Ingredients

• 2 cups filtered water
• 1 Ginger tea bag or 1 tsp chopped fresh ginger
• 1 tsp. freshly ground Black Pepper
• 1 Tbsp. honey 
• 1 tsp. lemon/lime juice
• 1/8tsp Turmeric (optional)

Directions

• Bring the water to a boil. 
• Turn off heat.
• Add all other ingredients 
• Steep for three to five minutes
• Strain and drink while hot

Would you like to learn more? All year long I'll be sharing about spices, herbs and how to use them for healing internally and externally.  Coming up next is Ginger! Stay tuned!

How To Use Spices Internally and Externally - Turmeric

Turmeric is a staple across kitchens in India and is a rhizome, or underground stem. It is one of nature's most powerful healers, and owes its preventative and curative nature to its active ingredient: curcumin. Curcumin is a compound rich in anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory actions that have been proven to improve and protect every organ in the body. Curcumin has been shown to combat more than 70 ailments, including heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes, poor circulation, skin disorders and more.

Turmeric is a natural antibiotic, strengthens digestion, and improves intestinal flora (gut health). It also purifies the blood and stimulates formation of new blood tissue. It reduces Kapha Dosha but can increase Pitta and Vata when consumed in excess. Turmeric is energetically bitter, astringent, pungent and heating and works on all the 7 tissues (dhatus), which effectively cleanses the Chakras, purifying the channels of the subtle body.

Why is the fact that Turmeric is an anti-oxidant with powerful anti-inflammatory abilities so important?? 
Oxidation is a kind of internal "rust" caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) - which are molecules that are missing an electron from their outer ring and so they steal an electron from other molecules, creating oxidative damage or oxidative stress. These little thieves! The oxidative stress leads to chronic low-grade inflammation, which may trigger or advance many dis-eases.

The East has used this spice for over 2,000 years. Natural Medicine uses for Turmeric include:

• antacid to soothe digestive problems
• topical paste for skin problems
• analgesic to relieve headache (curcumin is the active ingredient in Tylenol!)
• decongestant to clear nasal passages
• speed wound healing and prevent infections

How to consume for best benefit?

A teaspoon a day, spread throughout all meals is suggested. Turmeric is a key ingredient in Curry, however they are not the same. Turmeric is what gives Curry its bold yellow color, which used to be incorrectly called the "poor man's saffron" due to Marco Polo mistakenly identifying this powerful, healing spice. Adding Black Pepper with Turmeric has shown to improve absorption, when consumed together.

Turmeric and Black Pepper?

"Curcumin only makes up about 5% of turmeric, similar to black pepper where the active ingredient, piperine also makes up about 5% of the spice. Piperine is responsible for black pepper’s rich flavor and helps inhibit drug metabolism. For example, the liver gets rid of foreign substances by making them water-soluble so that they can be excreted, and piperine can inhibit this process so that curcumin is not excreted. This explains how piperine can help to make curcumin more bioavailable. With just 1/20 teaspoon or more of black pepper, the bio-availability of turmeric is greatly improved, and turmeric’s benefits are further enhanced.

Another way to increase the bio-availability of turmeric is to consume this spice with a source of fat (such as avocado, nut butters and nuts, fish, etc.), and therefore curcumin will directly be absorbed into the blood stream and bypass the liver."

Recipes

Tri-doshic Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

• 4 cups mixed vegetables according to what’s in season 
• 8 cups of water
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 6 black peppercorns
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 10 cloves
• 10 cardamom pods
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• a pinch of salt

Directions

• Cut vegetables into bite sized pieces and cover with water. 
• Cook on medium heat until tender. 
• Grind cumin seeds, peppercorns, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods and cloves in pestle and mortar or blender. 
• Add ghee to large saucepan and then ground spices. 
• Sautee for a moment but be very careful not to burn them. Remove from heat once they become fragrant.
• Add the vegetables and 4 cups of the water they were cooked in. 
• Boil for 2 minutes, reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes,
• Add salt and serve. Serve with toast.

Face Mask

Ingredients

1/2 cup besan (garbanzo bean flour)

1 1/2 tsp turmeric

odorless oil (coconut or sesame)

water

Directions

Mix the flour and turmeric in a container with a lid. 

To Make Mask

Mix 1 tablespoon of the mixture with 5 drops of oil. Add enough water to make a paste with a consistency like cake batter. 

Application

Using your fingertips, spread mixture on your face and neck, staying away from the eyes. Remember this stains, so use old t-shirts and towel.  Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse off. Pat face dry with clean towel.

After learning about this healing spice, will you be giving it a try? Would you like to learn more? All year long I'll be sharing about spices, herbs and how to use them for healing internally and externally.  Coming up next is Black Pepper! Stay tuned!