A Cup of Ginger Tea A Day Will Keep the Doctor Away

As the weather transitions from winter to spring, cold to warmer, wet to wetter, maintaining a healthy balance can be challenging. The unpredictable changes in temperature are common during the Kapha season resulting in a cold, the flu or just feeling sluggish. There are many things we can do to help us during this time like increase our vitamin C intake, take shots of echinacea, oregano oil, and many more. All of these can help, but I am not sure how well they work with the root of where disease begins, our digestion. In considering the importance of maintaining a healthy digestive system to prevent diseases I prefer consuming ginger. The heating element of ginger not only increases the digestive fire needed to maintain an active digestion, but in-turn helps prevent colds. A quick, easy way to incorporate ginger into your daily routine is making ginger tea. A cup or two of fresh ginger tea takes minutes to make and provides the hydrating benefits of water with a little extra zing!

Ginger Tea on the Go!

Time: as long as it takes to boil some water

Ingredients:

• Boiling Water
• 2-3 thin slices of ginger (no need to peel it)
• 12 oz thermos (if larger increase amount of ginger)
• Lime juice -optional
• Honey - optional

Directions:
Pour boiling water into thermos and 2-3 slices of freshly sliced ginger. Cover and steep for five minutes before drinking. Beware it's hot! Add honey and lime to taste prior to steeping (optional).
 

Enjoy!

P.S - If you make yourself a cup of tea every morning, add the 2-3 ginger pieces to it. Get your caffeine and help maintain your digestive fire too. 

 

Tips:

• Ginger is pretty strong, replenishing your thermos with more hot water a couple more times will still give you a boost

• Store ginger in a cool space on your kitchen counter or with your fruits and veggies. Refrigerating ginger takes away its heat in my personal experience

• Ginger travels well! Pack a small piece in your suit case. I get made fun of but it's a great remedy! And helps keep you regular. Many of my sniffles never became colds as I sipped on ginger tea throughout the day. Ginger tea was especially handy on days I had to sit in cold air-conditioned conference rooms for hours

• Like your ginger tea extra spicy? Grate some ginger instead of slicing it or boil ginger and water together for 5 minutes

• Already have a cold? Grate 1/2 teaspoon of ginger, mix with 1 teaspoon honey - and eat! make sure you chew it a bit to release the spices. Do this in-addition to sipping ginger tea throughout the day 

• Taking a little time to treat your body with an affordable, quick, homemade, natural remedy will help reduce or eliminate the time taken away from being sick
  

 

Squash Stoup (a soupy stew) to Welcome Fall

I thought I would share this recipe of a zucchini soup I made today to take me from summer to fall. It's light yet filling with a little warming hydration that is easy on the digestion.  In other words, a nice meal that's still summery, but has qualities that help to balance vata as we step into Fall. Hope you enjoy.

Squash Stoup (a soupy stew)

serves 1 as a meal with some leftover or 2 with another course

Ingredients:

Broth

4 cups water*

1/2 turnip chopped in small pieces*

2 thin slices of ginger (add more or less depending on your taste)

1-2 t chopped oregano or 1/2 t dried oregano (or rosemary, thyme, basil, tarragon)

* substitute 4 cups vegetable broth

Stewy part

1/2 a medium zucchini - quartered and very thinly sliced or grated

1/2 a medium summer squash - quartered and very thinly sliced or grated

1 small onion sliced

1 clove garlic sliced or minced

1 1/2 T olive oil

1/2 t cumin seeds (a big pinch)

1/4 t fresh ground pepper (about 5-6 turn on the pepper mill)

salt to taste

optional: a pinch of basil to garnish and a squeeze of lemon or a dash of yogurt)

In a pot bring to a strong simmer all the ingredients for the broth. In the meantime, prepare the zucchini, squash, garlic and onion.  After the broth has been simmering for about 15-20 minutes, pour into blender jug and let steep while you begin the saute process. 

I used the same pot on a medium flame with the 1 1/2 T of olive oil. Once the oil was very warm but not hot, I added the black pepper,  cumin, onion and garlic and let saute for about 7-10 minutes.  I cooked the onions until they were soft slightly golden.  Next, I added the squash + salt and stirred for almost 5 minutes or until the squash was bright in color. 

While the veggies were cooking I blended the broth.  After the 5 minute saute time, I added the blended broth and let simmer to blend all the flavors for another 5 minutes adding the pinch of basil. I added a little bit of yogurt halfway through my first bowl for a little creamy tartness. 

Bon Appetite !

Notes: I happen to have a turnip I need to use up but anything other vegetable you have to make a quick instant veggie broth would work. Like a potato, carrot, onion, etc... Just remember to cut in small so that it cooks and blends quickly.

More Notes: Consider how you like the consistency of your veggies in the cooking times. I like my veggies with a little bite, not too cooked not raw.

What makes this a good soup for the fall/vata season?

Broth: The light consistency made with root vegetables provide grounding qualities and the light consistency allows for a good consumption of liquids to stay hydrated. The warm temperature and heat from the ginger offset the cold qualities of vata while aiding digestion (important for preventing colds.

Veggies: Squash is in season! always a good sign. Squash is a great vegetable for both summer and fall as its not too heavy (for the days it's too hot to eat) yet it's filling, easy to digest and pacifies both vata/pitta.  The cumin (cold), pepper (hot) balance each other aiding in digestion. The olive oil provides the good fat and the internal moisture especially as the days get drier in the is season.

Optional ingredients: Both yogurt and lemon are sour in taste and have qualities help balance vata

Chit Chaat Chai: Hi Fall – Hello Vata Imbalances

Chit Chaat Chai: Hi Fall – Hello Vata Imbalances