Guest guest Posted April 8, 2008 Report Share Posted April 8, 2008 Hi Shannon and Amy - Undoubtedly, others will enjoy these recipes too! Several of these recipes include dairy milk, which properly used is very nourishing, delicious and building for both of you. You can enrich almond milk with dairy, or enrich dairy milk with almonds (and dates in both cases). Dates are high also in iron and other minerals. There are many conception tips, beginning with best thing I know of is to do one or two seasons of panchakarma, the ayurvedic cleansing. Inthe files section are instructions. But it is wise to consult with a practioner around your personal situation. If there are parasites, weak digestion, history of meds or petrochemical pollutants, history of accident, emotional trauma, even use of cheap body care products, there may be wisdom in differing types of cleanses and rejuvenation therapies, different herbs. Ayurveda has such wonderful rejuvenative tonic herbs. Things like Shaktipran is a deliciuos way to take some of them (and can be added to your " smoothies " here. The recipe from Dr. Lad is even simpler, and somehow ithasn't made it to the cookbook yet. Here are some yummy selections you and your son are likely to enjoy in that direction. There many more ways to make nourishing, rejuvenative beverages, but these are among the best ingredients. Apologies for the loss of formatting when pasted below. Please tell us how you two are able to enjoy these, and your favorites? Ysha Rich Restorative Almond Milk If you choose to leave out the cow, or goat milk, use just a few more almonds and fennel seeds per serving and soak a few dates overnight also, to add to the blender in the am. In other words, there are many ways to do this. Best to do the soaking overnight first, though; the dates will add to sweet creaminess when soaked. Dairy free options, beware of soy in early or for some, any postpartum or pregnancy. 16 - 24 raw almonds, soaked 1 1/2 c fresh raw cow's milk, or (less rejuvenative) goat's milk 2 c pure warm water optional 1 T rose petals (unsprayed!) 1 T ghee optional 1 t lecithin for smoothness and brain food 1/8 t ground cardamom 4-6 threads saffron (optional but beneficial, not just exotic sounding) 1 T raw honey, agave, or a few pitted soaked dates Soak almonds (and any dates and/or fennel seeds) in some warm not hot water overnight. In the morning, pour off the water and drain. Poor some additional boiling water over the nuts and when just cooled enough to handle, the skins should slip off easily. In a small heavy bottomed saucepan, bring the milk to a boil. Pour the milk in the blender with the almonds and the second cup of water and remaining ingredients except any honey. Blend until smooth. Add honey if used, when drinkably warm. Enjoy! Serves 2 Cooking Tips Comment: This variation on a traditional rasayana grounds vata, soothes irritated pitta and tonifies the nerves. The roses are wonderful for hot-blooded mamas and summer weather. Recipe Source Author: Amadea Morningstar Source: Ayurvedic Cooking for Westerners Hot Milk with Saffron and Almonds Rejuvenating and said to increase milk production, it also soothes the nervous system. Peel almonds to eliminate trace cyanide and tannins. 12 almonds, raw soaked 2 c whole un-homogenized organic milk 2 pinches saffron threads 2 t turbinado or other light sugar 1/8 t cardamom Soak the almonds in water for about 2 hours. Rinse and peel them. (To peel easily, pour fresh boiling hot water over the almonds and peel as soon as cooled enough to handle). In a medium to small, heavy bottomed saucepan, bring milk to a boil on medium heat. While milk is heating, grind the almonds in blender with enough water to make a fine paste. Add to the milk with saffron, sugar and cardamom. Stir well or blend all in a blender to puree. Drink it warm for breakfast with cereal or around bedtime, or as a snack in between meals. Preparation 10 minutes, Quick and Easy. Dairy free option* Cooking time: 10 minutes Ready in: 135 minutes Serves 2 Serve after birth as desired Cooking Tips If you are short on time just soak the almonds in hot water and slip the skins off. White sugar is known to be vata aggravating as it has cooling and drying properties as well as being sharp in its effect. Turbinado sugar or raw light cane sugar though similar in chemistry, has not been through such harsh processing and still has some of the minerals. It is heavier and in a more natural and whole form, and is a good replacement. Succanat is fine if this is a dairy free recipe, otherwise it can curdle the milk. * For dairy free rejuvenative tonic replace 2 cups milk with 2 cups hot water. Optionally add 1 tsp lecithin. Recipe Source Author: Aparna Khanolkar, Ayurvedic chef and postpartum doula Source: A Mother's Blessing Hot Milk Tonic Basics You may remember from our discussion elsewhere, that according to the Ayurvedic medical texts, cow's milk, properly used, is the most rejuvenative food on the planet. Hot milk is such a soothing tonic. Excellent in the AM with cereals, for between meals snack, and or bedtime for smooth sounder sleep. Suits most women all through pregnancy and postpartum for rejuvenative, soothing, and immune building properties properly used. 1 quart un-homogenized (cream top) organic cow's milk 1 1/3 T ghee 1/2 t ginger powder 1/8 t cardamom or spices as desired 2 T sweetener, or as desired optional 4 large dates, pitted optional t of rose water Bring milk to a boil - this is different from pasteurization, making it more digestible and less phlegm producing. When starting to crawl up the pan, slide off the heat, then put back on the heat to let it boil up again 2 more times. Serve with 1+ t of ghee per c as part of your oleation therapy (and taste!) Add spices as desired. Sweeten with Succanat, raw sugar, stevia, agave, licorice powder or honey to taste. (Add honey at drinkable not super hot temperature). Options: Cook in the dates for iron and bowel softening effect in the evening. They are a better combination than the other dried fruits, according to Dr. Lad. Enjoy a splash of rose water when removed from heat for its many properties and cooling energetic to hot hormones. Add 1-2 T ground Almond-Herbal Rejuvenative Snack or Almond Energy Drink powder. Serves 3-4 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: varies with pan, stove, et al. About 5-8 minutes Serve plain after birth, spiced for agni and After milk comes in Cooking Tips Hot milk itself is a good sleep tonic. If you need more help settling into sleep quickly, or bowels are too loose add 1/8 - 1/4 t nutmeg. This also is a digestive for the milk, and yummy! Milk also offers serotonin, a natural antidepressant; adding the sweet, oily and warm qualities gives a quadruple effect that way. Adding spices is not just for taste - they are beneficial for digestive/anti mucolytic influence (and taste!) Cinnamon can be used, but alone makes the texture a bit slimy. Honey, along with turmeric, most of the spices mentioned, and boiling (without the honey) all reduce phlegm producing qualities. Opt: If feeling hot, use just pinches saffron and cardamom, maybe fennel seed and pinch clove, licorice, and or cinnamon. If one is chilled easily, add whole peppercorns, anise seeds, turmeric and dried or fresh ginger and/or cinnamon to the decoction. In other words, all the chai (Indian spice tea) type spices may be enjoyed; fenugreek also. Saffron has hormonal, pancreatic and other supportive effect. To add small pinch saffron, soak while the milk is coming to a boil, about 10 min in a little hot water first. Add before adding the ghee, which otherwise coats the saffron and prevents its release into the milk. Opt: Turmeric has antihistamine effects, and sometimes makes the difference for Mom or Baby via Mom, to adapt to receiving the benefits of milk at this time without problems. Instead of saffron, use ¼ - 1/3 t turmeric power per c milk. The best spiced milk uses whole spices boiled for 10 minutes or so in some hot water, cooked down and then add milk, bringing back just to boil. Easy spiced milk - steep 1 no caffeine spice/chai teabag per c in a little hot water, add 1 c milk and cook down gently to a c. Sweeten to taste opts: Honey is used at drinkable temp only, not cooked in. Light sugar such as Turbinado can be added while cooking, Succanat is more iron rich, but can curdle if cooked in, add at the end. Maple syrup occasionally may be fine, it can increase vata. Agave is good also, or barley malt or rice syrup. Hot Spiced Milk Tonic This is recipe has been shared with happy clients for years. It was first published on our AyurDoula flier by author's first real partner in the AyurDoula work, when we were called " Mountain Doulas " . (This is a basic chai spice without the black tea, and " mothered " for postpartum conditions.). This is so valuable, we want to put it in our quick and easy collection. Using whole spices, or even 4-6 teabags of spice tea will do it. 2 c water 1 t or so fresh ginger, or 1/3 t dried ginger 1.5 sticks cinnamon 5 whole cloves 7 whole black peppercorns (optional) 1 t cardamom seeds, no skins (if using powder, use 1/4 t at the end of cooking) 2 pinches nutmeg 1 quart or liter cream top whole milk or 3 1/3 c skim milk and 2/3 c full cream 2 T clarified butter (ghee) or unsalted butter (for early weeks after birth) 2 T suitable sweetener (below) or to taste (optional) Optionals: ¼ t anise, ½4 t fenugreek, ½ t turmeric, 2 t fennel, and/or about 8 threads of saffron, as desired Boil Water and spices down to 1/2 or 1 c Soak saffron about 10 minutes in small bowl of hot milk or water before adding at the end. Add milk and cream, and bring back to a boil. Yes, let the milk begin to rise along the sides of the pot. Be ready to remove from heat right away, it is tricky! Ideally, milk is brought to a boil 3 times like this and then it is most digestible. Serve hot or warm, with 1 - 2 t ghee per c and sweetener of choice. Serves 4 Preparation time:about 7 minutes Cooking time: about 15 minutes Serve afterbirth as desired Cooking Tips It is optional to add any of these herbs that you have. 1/4 t licorice root powder (avoid with high blood pressure). 1t Shatavari herb powder. 1 t Ashwaganda herb powder. (These last 2 herbs are wonderful Ayurvedic rejuvenatives and strongly support lactation, best used after 8-10 days and before any growth spurt. Not to be taken alone, be sure to use digestive spices with them after childbirth.) For sweeteners, choose most suitable to you for warmth, iron rich good postpartum but best used in other ways for two reasons. Iron and calcium don't absorb well together. Also darker sugars can curdle the milk unless added after cooking. Diabetics would favor stevia, agave, or xylitol. Pittas would favor lighter sugars or maple syrup perhaps in hot weather, though postpartum they are vata too. Kaphas will do well with molasses, honey, agave, or stevia, and Vatas a dark raw sugar like Succanat, or some honey come up tops. Please avoid any artificial sweeteners, including Splenda. They all have been shown to have toxic influences. This recipe may be too spicy for those who get hot easily, or in hot weather, otherwise GREAT for mid to late pregnancy and through postpartum. Early pregnancy, if pitta prone, should use minimum spicing and serve cooler temperature. Recipe Source Author: Laurel Rew, RN; Tovia Safford, Herbalist; Ysha Oakes - AyurDoulas Hot Milk with Poppy Seeds This is a soothing drink served to the newly delivered mother in the morning or, especially good at bedtime. Poppy seeds and nutmeg are vata pacifying; they are soothing to the nervous system, grounding, and induce cozy sleep. This is valuable for proper healing after birth and encouraging to needed nap times for mother and baby. Use nutmeg in small quantities, more can be constipative. Good as long as you aren't driving or constipated! Through pregnancy and postpartum. 2 T white poppy seeds 1 T ghee 3 c cream top whole organic milk 1 T turbinado sugar 2 pinches saffron 1/3 t cardamom 2 pinches nutmeg Fry the poppy seeds in ghee for about 5 minutes on medium low heat. Actual time will depend on the stove and whether gas or electric, of course. Stir often to avoid burning. Grind poppy seeds and ghee mixture in a blender with some of the milk – A T, a C?? till it is somewhat smooth. Place the milk, poppy seed paste, turbinado sugar, saffron and cardamom in a heavy bottomed saucepan and bring to a boil on medium heat. The consistency will become like that of porridge. Just before serving, add a pinch of nutmeg and enjoy it nice and warm! Serves 3 Preparation time: Cooking time: Serve After: Cooking Tips A microplane grater is best for grating nutmeg, says chef Aparna. Recipe Source Author: Aparna Khanolkar, Ayurvedic chef and postpartum doula Source: A Mother's Blessing This one below is Particularly nice for moms and anyone feeling/looking depleted. You can do with or without the dairy milk, but it is more nourishing/rejuvenating/building if you use it (bring to boil first). Spicing measures have been adjusted so there is not excess of cardamom, which can become sharp in larger quantities. Here's is Dr. Desai's " Ojas Drink Recipe " I mentioned a couple of weeks ago: Blend together: 1 tsp Shatavari Powder 1/8 tsp Cardamon 1/8 tsp Cumin 1/4-1/8 Coriander 1/8 tsp pippali or 1-2 pinches black pepper or clove 10 Soaked and peeled almonds 1 cup Milk Optional sweeten with dates or maple (agave, dates or honey are generally better postpartum). Use (maple syrup or light raw sugar and) 1 tsp rosewater for Pitta type Drink 3-4 times a week in the early morning Lee www.transcendencespa.net (303)440-8435 > hello, > a while back ysha mentioned a date almond milk > smoothie for toddlers. is there a recipe? do the > dates have to be soaked? is the almond milk store > bought or is that a separate recipe? i'm hoping to > conceive this spring and so i thought for me and my > toddler this would be a good strengthening recipe am i > right? any other ayurvedic approaches to conception? > > thanks and much love > > shannon > > > ______________________________\ ____ > You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost. > http://tc.deals./tc/blockbuster/text5.com > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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