Here are a few recipes that we sampled at the recent Christmas yoga class. These are very healthful things to enjoy over the holidays, and to keep you warm!
Yogi Tea
This is Yogi Bhajan’s original recipe – which people over the years have adapted to their own tastes. It’s great in winter to ward of colds and bring energy – and it makes your house smell wonderfully cozy. Yogi Bhajan used to say “God lives in cozy homes”. To get the best taste, use fresh/whole spices, and grind them in a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder.
1 ½ litres water
about an inch of sliced ginger
20 cloves
20 black peppercorns
12 green cardamom pods
1 stick of cinnamon
Boil this together for 15-20 mins. Turn the heat down, and add one black teabag. Let steep for a few minutes.
At this stage you can either keep the tea and add milk and honey as you drink it. My preference is to add milk or soymilk, and bring this to a boil (with soymilk you have to watch carefully that it doesn’t boil over), and then serve.
Healthy Cookies
This is a very flexible recipe that can be mixed with whatever nut butters and seeds you have on hand.
Mix together:
½ c peanut butter (or other nut butter)
1/3 c honey
½ c sunflower seeds
½ c coconut or other seeds (I used pumpkin seeds)
¼ c carob powder (often sold in UK as carob flour)
drop of vanilla essence
Roll into one inch balls, and then roll in coconut or sesame seeds.
Chill and store in fridge.
Enjoy and wish you all a happy winter solstice and Christmas!
See you in the New Year!