We yogis know it. Yoga expands beyond our daily asana practice. And that is what unfolds as a whole lifestyle or what we call “life off-the-mat” including the food we eat, and how we eat, and how we live our lives from the inside out.
Few years ago, I found what’s called a smoothie for health to stimulate the ojas*, or Ojas Smoothie. It is said that if you drink this simple smoothie daily you will not get sick.
And not too long ago, I discovered this other ancient yogic remedy, called Golden Milk, traditionally used to cure diarrhea, fever, bronchitis, colds and non-specific viral infections, headaches, parasitic worms, leprosy, bladder and kidney infections, and to reverse joint and muscle pain due to inflammation or arthritis.
Give it a try and let me know what you think. Here is the recipe:
Golden Milk Recipe
Ingredients
Serves 1
• 1 cup homemade almond or coconut milk (or store bought. I also love hemp vanilla –unsweetened- milk)
• ½ tsp. ground turmeric
• ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• ½ tsp. pure extra virgin coconut oil (skip if you are using coconut milk)
• ⅛ tsp. ground cardamom, or to taste
• ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon, or to taste
• Pinch of Pink Himalayan salt, optional
• Fresh ginger, as much as you like
Now What
Heat the milk. Add the cardamom and cinnamon. Add the turmeric, pepper, ginger and coconut oil while stirring constantly. Heat the mixture until steaming but not boiling. Serve with extra cinnamon sprinkled on top. Enjoy!
Knowledge is Power
The pepper and the oil will help your body to absorb the turmeric. Studies show that in combination with pepper, turmeric may be absorbed 1,000 times better. Honey (or bee pollen) on the other hand has a great anti-viral and antibacterial properties. I added some spices like cardamom and cinnamon for extra delicious flavor (not to mention the incredible health benefits that they have).
Kitchen Notes: Not all ingredients are soluble, so stir occasionally while drinking to avoid a strong turmeric flavor at the last sip.
Glossary: Ojas is a Sanskrit word which literally means “vigor”. According to the principles of Ayurveda, it is the essential energy of the body which can be equated with the “fluid of life”. (Source Wikipedia)