Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Cloves

How do you keep your energy from falling like the leaves this Autumn? Warming spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and cardamom will stabilize your health and boost your immune. You can add spices to anything ~ to breakfast, lunch and dinner, to salads, meats, milks, desserts and drinks.

Consider this Spice Tea Recipe and sage advice from our friend, Haunani Chong Drake  ~

During the change of the seasons, Vata, the energy of movement, is predominant. It’s important to avoid excesses at this time and to nurture moderation and stress-free living to keep the immune system functioning at its peak performance.

General food guidelines to follow at this time of the year include:
1) Eat foods that are sweet (whole grains, not cookies), sour & salty (rock salt, not potato chips)
2) Limit the intake of spicy, raw, cold, and light foods, i.e. cold salads, sushi, and cold bean salads.
3) Enjoy warm, cooked foods, a variety of proteins, and healthy fats.

Consider sipping on the following Vata Balancing Tea throughout the day to help make the transition of the seasons easier on the mind and body.

Cinnamon

Ingredients
Serving size: 1 cup
1 cup Water
1/4 tsp fresh Ginger, grated
1/4 tsp ground Cardamom
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Ajwain*
Optional: Sucanat or Rice syrup, to taste

*Ajwain is available at most natural or Asian food stores, but can be replaced with a lesser amount of Oregano if you can’t find it locally. 

Directions
Bring water to a boil. Remove from heat and add spices. Cover and steep, or use a coffee/tea press, for 3-5 minutes. Sweeten to taste & serve.

~

Haunani Chong

To learn more about Haunani, who is also a Yoga Teacher and Hawaiian Ha Healer, please visit her Blog, Haunani Chong, Transformational Leader in Integrative Medicine, where she has also posted Recipes for Pitta and Kapha balancing Teas. 

Wishing you a bountiful, balanced Autumn ~

Namaste!