Ayurveda and Iyengar Yoga with Greta—Ancient Wisdom for Modern Maladies
A nice herbal tea mix that I put together using whole, dried herbs:
Mullein, lavender, red raspberry, motherwort, coltsfoot, and sarsparilla. Fill a small pot halfway with distilled water. Bring to a boil. Add herbs, let simmer partially covered for about seven minutes. Strain and drink.
Mullein is a treatment for dry coughs, lavender is soothing, red raspberry has astringent qualities, and motherwort is good for soothing the nerves and for female hormone balance. Overall, a soothing blend.
It is my belief that the deliciousness of the parsnip is much underestimated. Here is a simple way to enjoy the tasty sweet root vegetable…
Parsnip Winter Stir Fry
a couple spoonfuls of coconut oil heated in a cast iron skillet, fresh thin-sliced ginger, circular cut raw parsnips, sliced portabellas, orange bell pepper, broccoli, Bragg’s, cinnamon, asafoetida, and a handful or walnuts and raisins at the end with a splash more of olive oil!
Lately, I have been making nutritious salad sprinkles with simple ingredients around the kitchen. I was paying for some of the raw salad sprinkles, but felt kind of foolish paying $5 for a little bottle or bag of something that I could make much cheaper on my own. I use a base of nutritional yeast (rich in B vitamins, which is crucial for nerve and thyroid function), then add ground flax seeds, spices, seaweed flakes…whatever is yummy! I made a nice one with herbs de provence and partially ground flax seeds. Add a little savory goodness to salads and other dishes!
Ahh Winter…the year comes full circle. We are shocked that the holiday season is upon us and yet another year has gone by. With more time spent indoors, shorter days, longer nights, and perhaps ultimately a bit more nostalgia, I don’t need to tell you that the Ghost of Christmas Past may come to haunt. The colorful seasons of expansion seem like mere memories, and we are left to snuggle in with our loved (or, ahem, not-so-loved) ones. Though the crisp air and Christmas lights can be merry, Winter can be a rough patch for even the hardiest among us. Be kind to yourself during this time, and take the necessary measures in self-care. Now more than ever, it is vital to give your body the physical activity it needs; and be sure to get out there and soak up whatever sun rays you can manage. Also, it is easy to dry out with the winds and heaters blowing. I find that drinking fresh squeezed lemon in water, as well as coconut water is of great help. Also, minimize the sugar, and get your essential fatty acids. Cook with coconut oil, dress with olive oil, garnish with a little avocado, ground flax seeds, or walnut. In addition, vitamin B is essential for healthy nerve, liver and thyroid function. Gogi berries are a great source of Vitamin B, E, and essential fatty acids, You can also get Vitamin B from eggs, nutritional yeast, and bee pollen. Eat your greens and citrus too! These seasonal fruits and veggies will keep you vibrant, and make your liver happy!
Above all, appreciate the Winter for what it’s worth. When the leaves fall off, there is death, but there is also opportunity for growth, reflection, and ultimately renewal and transformation.