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Chai Tea

by Shelly

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This time of year you might find that you are eating more than usual, sleeping longer, moving slower, and ultimately gaining a few pounds. This is your body’s way of staying warm during cold months. When the weather turns chilly, your digestive fire intensifies so you can process and enjoy winter foods, which are higher in fats, proteins, and complex carbohydrates-think nuts, root vegetables, sweets, and dairy products. When you are strong and balanced, it assimilates nutrients from these foods to create a protective layer of warmth against winter wind and cold. You will also experience more energy and mental clarity, a healthier appetite, and immunity form illnesses. While it’s true that your body can handle heavy foods, eating too much of them can dampen the digestive fires. A weak body can lead to lethargy, congestion, lowered immunity, indigestion, poor circulation, aching joints, and even depression. Take care to limit your intake of sweets and dairy, which are likely to cause congestion. And instead of grazing all day, space you meals at least three house apart, eating your heaviest meal at noon, when your body’s digestion is the strongest.

To balance your body and mind, incorporate warming herbs and spices-basil, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, fennel, ginger, mustard seed, nutmeg, oregano, pepper, and thyme-into your diet. Digestion fired spices make a great addition to a traditional wintertime food such as soups, savory stews, mulled cider and even chai teas.

To get toasty on a chilly day, start from the inside out, with a warm, well-spiced food and drink that give a burst of energy to your digestive fire.

To make an digestive-enhancing herbal version you can sip all day try this Chai Tea Recipe.

• For a tea you can sip all day:

To make 1 quart of chai, grind in a spice grinder:
1 1/2 teaspoons coriander seeds
3 tablespoons fresh cardamom pods

Bring to a boil, then let sire overnight:
2 cups water
1/3 cup ginger, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoons black peppercorns
The ground cardamom and coriander
1 cinnamon stick
3 cloves
1 dash allspice
3/4 teaspoon licorice root (optional)

• For a rich and heavenly pick-me-up:

Follow the recipe to make chai then add 3 cups of milk and carefully bring to a low boil, stirring continuously so as not to burn it.

Add 2 or 3 tablespoons good-quality black tea and simmer 5 minutes.

Strain and sweeten to taste with 2 to 3 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup, honey or even baker’s sugar.
_______________________________________________________________
Earthly Eating Recipe

Corn Soufflé
Serves: 16

2 tbsp. butter
1 pkg. (8oz.) cream cheese, cubed
1 can (15 1/4 oz.) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (14.75 oz) cream-style corn
1 pkg. (8.5 oz.) corn muffin mix
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350ÄF. Microwave butter in a medium microwaveable bowl on HIGH 30 seconds or until melted.

Add cream cheese, continue microwaving 15 seconds or until cream cheese is softened; stir until well blended. Add both corns, the muffin mix and eggs, mix well.

Pour into greased 13×9-inch baking pan; sprinkle with cheddar cheese.

Bake 40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly.

Happy Eating!


Posted in Chai Tea on March 5th, 2008

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