Health Benefits and Recipe for Ghee
Support yourself not only with movement but also nutrition. Below is a recipe from Ayurvedic teacher Balaram Chandra Das, who taught a wonderful Ayurvedic workshop at Ananda.
Ghee
Considered to be the pure essence of a Cow's love. Sweet, Cold, Heavy and Unctuous. Ghee can enter and support all tissues of the body. It kindles digestion and all fires in the body, increases immunity, calms pitta, oleates all tissues, lubricates everything, reduces vata, rejuvenating, benefits and strengthens the eyes, clears poisons, strengthens the brain, and calms the nervous system.
How to make:
1 pound unsalted butter
Put the butter in a heavy, medium-sized pan. Turn the heat on to medium until the butter melts.
Turn down the heat until the butter just boils and continue to cook at this heat. Do not cover the pot. The butter will foam and sputter while it cooks. Whitish curds will begin to form. The butter will begin to smell like popcorn after awhile and turn a lovely golden color. Keep a close watch on the ghee, as it can easily burn. After awhile it will become a clear, golden color. You will have to take a clean, dry spoon to move away some of the foam on top in order to see if the ghee is clear all the way through to the bottom. when it is clear and has stopped sputtering and making noise, then it needs to be taken off the heat. Let it cool until just warm. Pour it through a fine sieve or layers of cheesecloth into a a clean, dry glass container with a tight lid. Discard the curds at the bottom of the saucepan. The ghee is burned if it has a nutty smell and is slightly brown.
1 pound of butter takes about 15 minutes of cooking time. The more butter you are using, the more time it will take.
Ghee can be kept on the kitchen shelf, covered. It does not need refrigeration. The medicinal properties are said to improve with age. Don't ladle out the ghee with a wet spoon or allow any water to get into the container, as this will create conditions for bacteria to grow and spoil the ghee.
Smoothie Recipe
From my trusty Nutribullet recipe book
The Immune Booster
This delicious elixir is packed with antioxidant goodness!
1-2 handfuls of rinsed spring greens
1 banana
1 peeled orange
1 cup of pineapple
1 handful of blueberries
liquid of choice (rice milk, soy milk, milk, etc.)
From my trusty Nutribullet recipe book
The Immune Booster
This delicious elixir is packed with antioxidant goodness!
1-2 handfuls of rinsed spring greens
1 banana
1 peeled orange
1 cup of pineapple
1 handful of blueberries
liquid of choice (rice milk, soy milk, milk, etc.)
Anti-inflammatory, immune boosting, digestion helping Ginger Turmeric Tea
Bring a pot of water to a boil
Turn down to simmer
Add approx. 1-2 Tablespoons of Turmeric (to taste)
Add approx. 20 slices of fresh ginger (to taste)
Simmer for 30 minutes
Add 1 Tablespoon of Ghee or 1 T black pepper (to enable your body to use the benefits of the turmeric better)
Add honey to taste
Enjoy!
You can store extra in the fridge for up to a week and heat up or serve chilled.
Check out some of these amazing benefits to turmeric:
http://draxe.com/turmeric-benefits/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/279740-what-are-the-benefits-of-ginger-turmeric/
http://lifespa.com/turmeric-health-benefits-outperform-curcumin-turmeric-extract/#
Bring a pot of water to a boil
Turn down to simmer
Add approx. 1-2 Tablespoons of Turmeric (to taste)
Add approx. 20 slices of fresh ginger (to taste)
Simmer for 30 minutes
Add 1 Tablespoon of Ghee or 1 T black pepper (to enable your body to use the benefits of the turmeric better)
Add honey to taste
Enjoy!
You can store extra in the fridge for up to a week and heat up or serve chilled.
Check out some of these amazing benefits to turmeric:
http://draxe.com/turmeric-benefits/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/279740-what-are-the-benefits-of-ginger-turmeric/
http://lifespa.com/turmeric-health-benefits-outperform-curcumin-turmeric-extract/#
Turmeric Tonic: Anti-Inflammatory Elixir
Ginger is a powerful antioxidant that increases circulation and reduces inflammation. It has long been used in folk medicine to soothe nausea.
Coconut water is often referred to as “Nature’s Gatorade.” It contains 13 times more potassium – an electrolyte needed for proper cell function – than Gatorade, plus twice the amount of another electrolyte (sodium).
Lemon is rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that is needed to manufacture glutathione, a tripeptide that assists with detoxification. Also, according “to Dr. Alexander F. Beddoe in Biological Ionization in Human Nutrition, the liver can make more enzymes out of fresh lemon juice than any other food element. Given more of the raw materials needed to function properly, the liver’s efficiency gets a boost from lemon consumption.”
Raw honey is rich in minerals and easily digestible sugars, which signal “the body to down-regulate the production of stress hormones like cortisol. ” It is also thought to boost the immune system, and certain types are even being studied for the potential ability to inhibit cancer proliferation.
Unrefined sea salt contains 84 minerals that support adrenal function, help regulate blood volume and blood pressure, and assist with the delivery if nutrients to cells. It also “reduces adrenaline levels and supports overall metabolic health.”
Ingredients:
4 inch piece fresh turmeric (or two teaspoons organic dried turmeric)
3 inch piece of ginger (or one tablespoon organic powdered ginger)
3 lemons, peeled
Dash cayenne
4 cups young coconut water
Raw honey to desired sweetness
Juice the turmeric, ginger, and lemons. Add the juice to the young coconut water (or spring water). Add the cayenne and stir well to combine. Store in the fridge for up to three days.
Coconut water is often referred to as “Nature’s Gatorade.” It contains 13 times more potassium – an electrolyte needed for proper cell function – than Gatorade, plus twice the amount of another electrolyte (sodium).
Lemon is rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that is needed to manufacture glutathione, a tripeptide that assists with detoxification. Also, according “to Dr. Alexander F. Beddoe in Biological Ionization in Human Nutrition, the liver can make more enzymes out of fresh lemon juice than any other food element. Given more of the raw materials needed to function properly, the liver’s efficiency gets a boost from lemon consumption.”
Raw honey is rich in minerals and easily digestible sugars, which signal “the body to down-regulate the production of stress hormones like cortisol. ” It is also thought to boost the immune system, and certain types are even being studied for the potential ability to inhibit cancer proliferation.
Unrefined sea salt contains 84 minerals that support adrenal function, help regulate blood volume and blood pressure, and assist with the delivery if nutrients to cells. It also “reduces adrenaline levels and supports overall metabolic health.”
Ingredients:
4 inch piece fresh turmeric (or two teaspoons organic dried turmeric)
3 inch piece of ginger (or one tablespoon organic powdered ginger)
3 lemons, peeled
Dash cayenne
4 cups young coconut water
Raw honey to desired sweetness
Juice the turmeric, ginger, and lemons. Add the juice to the young coconut water (or spring water). Add the cayenne and stir well to combine. Store in the fridge for up to three days.
Turmeric Tonic
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups coconut water (This brand doesn't have any additives/preservatives)
- 2 inch knob fresh turmeric (1 oz weighed) OR ½ - 1 teaspoon dried turmeric
- 1 inch fresh ginger root (about ½ oz weighed)
- 1 lemon
- ¼ teaspoon unrefined sea salt (where to buy unrefined salt)
- 1-2 tablespoons honey
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place coconut water, turmeric and ginger root in a blender and give it a whir.
- When the turmeric/ginger is finely shredded, strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve into a jar.
- Add lemon juice, sea salt, and honey to taste. Serve, preferably with a food containing healthy fats and black pepper for enhanced absorption.
Ginger + Lemon + Cayenne
Ingredients:
1 – 2, 2 in/5 cm piece(s) of ginger
1/2 – 1 lemon
pinch of cayenne pepper
Directions:
1. Wash ginger and lemon.
2. Peel lemon (or leave on rind for more zesty nutrients and bitter flavor).
3. Juice ginger then lemon in your juicer.
4. Pour juice shot into small glass and sprinkle cayenne pepper on top.
1 – 2, 2 in/5 cm piece(s) of ginger
1/2 – 1 lemon
pinch of cayenne pepper
Directions:
1. Wash ginger and lemon.
2. Peel lemon (or leave on rind for more zesty nutrients and bitter flavor).
3. Juice ginger then lemon in your juicer.
4. Pour juice shot into small glass and sprinkle cayenne pepper on top.
Apple Cider Vinegar Shots
Oh yeah! ACV will alkalize you for the whole day. Drinking ACV straight from the bottle could cause problems. That’s why you need to mix it with water.
Now, the benefits of ACV are huge. It’s one of nature’s most useful probiotic-rich and alkaline beverages.
To make an easy shot:
Now, the benefits of ACV are huge. It’s one of nature’s most useful probiotic-rich and alkaline beverages.
To make an easy shot:
- Mix 1 tsp. of Apple Cider Vinegar with 2-4 ounces of water
- Cheers!
Licuado de Nopal (Cactus Smoothie)
Produce
- 1/2 Cucumber
- 1 Lime
- 1 Ice
- 1 cup Water
Chocolate Cheesecake Muffins
-From State of Slim
Makes 12 muffins
You can make a batch on the weekend and freeze them in small, resealable plastic bags (2 muffins per bag). These muffins are low in fat and sugar and pack a punch of protein to get you going. Eat them for breakfast, after a workout, or when you want something a little sweet. They are one of our patients' favorite go-to meals.
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat 12 cups of a muffin pan with cooking spray. In a blender, grind the oats to a flour-like consistency. In a large bowl, whisk together the ground oats, stevia, protein powder, pudding mix, cocoa, baking powder, and baking soda. Pour in the egg whites and yogurt and whisk until smooth. Divide the batter evening among the muffin cups. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in a muffin comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Eat while still warm or freeze for later.
Tip: If you are going to use liners in the muffin pan, they need to be foil liners with the paper removed. Unlike muffins made with wheat flour, oat flour will stick to paper liners and give you a huge headache. Even the foil liners should be coated with cooking spray.
You can make a batch on the weekend and freeze them in small, resealable plastic bags (2 muffins per bag). These muffins are low in fat and sugar and pack a punch of protein to get you going. Eat them for breakfast, after a workout, or when you want something a little sweet. They are one of our patients' favorite go-to meals.
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
- 1/2 cup stevia (baking formulation)
- 2 scoops chocolate protein powder
- 1 tablespoon fat-free cheesecake pudding mix
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup liquid egg whites
- 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat 12 cups of a muffin pan with cooking spray. In a blender, grind the oats to a flour-like consistency. In a large bowl, whisk together the ground oats, stevia, protein powder, pudding mix, cocoa, baking powder, and baking soda. Pour in the egg whites and yogurt and whisk until smooth. Divide the batter evening among the muffin cups. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in a muffin comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Eat while still warm or freeze for later.
Tip: If you are going to use liners in the muffin pan, they need to be foil liners with the paper removed. Unlike muffins made with wheat flour, oat flour will stick to paper liners and give you a huge headache. Even the foil liners should be coated with cooking spray.
