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.

Vegan Bolognese with Zucchini Noodles

This recipe is a hit with the vegans and the carnivores! It definitely fools the plant based crowd, as I always hear "does this have meat in it?" because it is so flavorful and chunky!! This was originally from My Darling Vegan but I customized it for the retreat I'm catering this week. Let me know if you make it!!

Mushroom Bolognese with Zucchini Noodles

Ingredients

4 lg. Zucchini

3 tbsp olive oil

2 carrots, chopped

1 c. raw walnuts

¼ c fresh parsley, minced

¼ c. fresh basil, minced

¾ c. coco amino acids

2 lbs. Cremini mushrooms, sliced

28 oz. crushed tomatoes

¼ c. tomato paste

2 tbsp. Nutritional yeast

1 tbsp maple syrup

Salt and pepper to desired taste

Instructions

Begin by slicing mushrooms and cooking in 2 tbsp of oil (your choice). Once they are cooked, allow to cool.

Then

- In a food processor, pulse mushrooms until they are well minced and set aside.
- Pulse carrots and set aside.
- Pulse walnuts a few times until they are well minced, set aside.
- In a large pot heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat.

- Transfer carrots to pot and sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once carrots are fragrant and a little soft, add fresh herbs and coco amino acids, bring to a simmer for a few minutes.
- Add mushrooms to the skillet and stir for 5 to 7 minutes.

- Add tomatoes, tomato paste, nutritional yeast, and maple syrup. Stir to combine, season with salt and pepper, then cover again and let cook on low for 45 - 60 minutes.
- While sauce is simmering, make your zucchini noodles with a vegetable spiralizer.
- Top noodles with mushroom bolognese and serve immediately with fresh herbs.

EnJOY!!

How to make vegan Sopa de Fideo With Quinoa

Photo by: www.budgetbytes.com

Sopa de Fideo is a staple in my home. My daughters love this simple soup, easily made with a few ingredients. I have to be extra, and used this recipe with a few changes. Of course my children prefer the simple ingredient version, and I usually only make that version, but Momma needs her taste buds satisfied sometimes. Without further ado:

INGREDIENTS

• 1 medium brown onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped and minced
• 3 tomatoes, diced
• 4 Tbsp ghee or grapeseed oil 
• 8 oz uncooked Vermicelli/Fideo noodles
• 1/2 tsp cumin 
• 1/4 tsp oregano 
• 6 cups water 
• 1/2 c. quinoa
• Juice from 1 lime 
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro and parsley, chopped, separated into 2
• 1 avocado (optional)

DIRECTIONS

• Add oil and Vermicelli (split in half)/Fideo noodles to soup pot and heat on medium low for 1 minute. Stir constantly. It will brown very quickly, so stir, stir, stir.
• Add onions, garlic, tomatoes and spices. Stir for another 3 -5 minutes or until fideo is golden brown. Do not burn the pasta, or do and start all over, no big deal.
• Add water, and quinoa. Stir and cover.
• Bring to a boil on high. Cover. Simmer on reduce heat to low for 15 minutes.
• Lime juice and chopped parsley may be added to the soup 5 minutes before soup comes to an end. 
• Let sit for 5 minutes.
• Serve with avocado, lime and cilantro on the side.

This is an easy and quick mealtime solution and adding quinoa makes it protein rich and nourishing. This stores and freezes well. I like to re-heat on the stove in a pot and add water, but microwaving works. This is definitely one of my comfort meals and I usually adjust flavors depending on what my body may need at that moment. I like to use parsley and cilantro for the additional cleansing factor and to balance the tomato. I've also been known to toss in some cashew cream, but maybe that will be an upgrade to this recipe and another blog post. 

How do you take your sopa de fideo?