Tumeric Elixir

Make this powdered magic Tumeric Elixir to calm inflammation and provide energy. Adjustable for immediate drinking or storage. 

Description

Sometimes we don’t have access to fresh turmeric but still NEED the magical energy of turmeric to heal our spirit or help with inflammation.  Not to worry — dry turmeric has similar properties and is just as easy to work with.  I love this elixir so much — I often keep the base ready to use, so I can make the tea even quicker.  

I have been drinking this my whole life.  The initial part I was forced! Now as an adult – I relish the tea. Now it is soothing and uplifting.   Looking back, I know that this must be one of the reasons that as children we were rarely sick.  Now I have it often, especially if I feel run down, emotionally or physically.  

When you look at the directions, many people think that the ghee part is strange.  I know it’s off-putting.  I understand.  Believe me, you won’t taste it.  It helps to magnify the properties of turmeric and basically, let’s turmeric do what it needs to do!  The concoction comes together quickly and in no time, you will be enjoying a warming and healing cup of homemade turmeric tea.

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons dry turmeric

1 Tablespoon of organic ghee

1 Tablespoon dry ginger

A couple shakes or grinds of black pepper or 9 peppercorns

4 cups of fresh water

2 Tablespoons fresh local honey

Juice of a half a lemon

Fresh mint

Steps

  1. In a small pot, add the ghee and put the flame to low heat.  As it warms, add the turmeric to let it bloom and its powers manifest.  Stir slowly and carefully.  Add the ginger and black pepper.  Stir some more.  This will all come together in a matter of minutes.
  1. Once you can smell an intense earthiness, this is the BASE.   You can let it cool, put it into a glass jar, and spoon out as needed.  Use within the  week.  You can store it outside on the counter, ready to be enjoyed.

If drinking now:

  1. Add in the water and increase the heat to medium.  Let it come to a rolling boil and then lower the heat, letting in heat for 20 minutes.   Add the fresh mint.  
  2. Take the pot off the heat.  Add fresh lemon juice.  Slowly pour a bit into a mug, add the honey and stir well.  Fill the cup –breath deeply.  Grounding yourself, take a full breath and set an intention for the rest of your day.  Will you approach the rest of your day with an assumption of the positive?  Will you remember the abundance that you already have?  WIll you KNOW in your soul that good things come to you? 

Golden Mylk

Golden Mylk is a warming tea of simple, flavorful ingredients perfect for connecting, revitalising, energizing, and grounding yourself in the present. 

Description

This.  THIS.  

In my childhood, anytime anything was WRONG, this is what my mother would make me.  But then again, when things were right, she would make this for us as well.  We grimaced.  We were not happy. If anyone had said this concoction would take over the wellness universe — well, I would not be a believer.  Never in a million years, I would exclaim.  I grew up with friends wondering why my house “smelled like that” and all sorts of other mean comments that stay with a young girl trying to find her way.  

Now, as a healer and mother myself, I love it when my MOMMY makes it for me! I make versions of this drink for myself daily.  She heals.  She uplifts.  She energizes.  She protects with a radiant energy, an all-encompassing golden light. Whether your day is just how it should be or more difficult than you had imagined, this is the warm soul hug that you need.  Since there is zero caffeine in this drink, you can have it anytime you want – it makes an ideal break in your day midday or mid-afternoon, as well as a beautifully warming drink to send you off to a good night’s sleep.  I have shared this drink with so many dear friends, new friends, and family members.  Offering this tea is a wonderful invitation to connect and share love.

I know it’s sold as tea bags and sold in bottles in the grocery store,  but making it from scratch will make the flavor profile stronger and more effective. And it’s so easy– not much more than you would 

I love this version warm – I just feel like it heals that much more, that much deeper, and that much better.  But you can drink it cold if you really must. 

Take a pause…know your worth. Stand in your power.  KNOW that you are a special someone.

Equipment

Mortar and Pestle, if you have one

Ingredients

4 inches fresh Turmeric

4 inches fresh ginger

9 black peppercorns

4 Cups of fresh water

2 Tablespoons fresh local honey

Juice of a half a lemon

Fresh mint

Steps

  1. Wash and crush the fresh turmeric and ginger in a mortar and pestle — that pounding is so CATHARTIC, isn’t it?  Or roughly chop in medium to small’ish pieces.  Sprinkle in peppercorns — take one full juicy breath to ground yourself.   Fill with the fresh water. 
  1. In a small pot, let it all come to a rolling boil and then lower to medium heat for 20 minutes.  
  1. Removing the pot off the stove, sprinkle in the mint if using.  
  1. In a mug, add lemon and honey.  Using a strainer, slowly pour in a small amount of the elixir and stir well.  Fill the mug. 
  1. Breathe deeply a few times to let the healing energy flow all the way into and around your body.  
  1. Drink and feel your vibrations RAISING!

HEALTHY HINT: Be especially careful when pouring — turmeric definitely leaves her mark on clothes, fingernails, and counters

CCF tea – AKA Your Digestion’s Bestie Tea (Cumin, Coriander, and Fennel Tea)

If you are seeking an herbal tea to adopt into your routine to aide and soothe your digestion track, Cumin Coriander Fennel Tea is the perfect elixir. Quick and simple to make with good, whole ingredients, this tea will ensure everything is running smoothly and at an optimum level.

Did you overeat? Are you feeling bloated? This is a simple, quick herbal tea infusion to make for yourself to get your digestion back on track.  When used regularly, it helps your digestion work at an optimal level. It’s the simple and powerful trick that you always wanted!

This herbal infusion is an old ayurvedic recipe to aid in digestion. I remember my mother making it for us whenever we had a stomache–usually after too much Halloween candy or too much COTTON CANDY from a carnival. 

I started incorporating it into my life again when I began my Ayurveda studies in my 40’s – having completely forgotten how powerful it is.  I won’t lie.  It was certainly not love at first sight.  The first time I thought….hmmmm.  This isn’t what I want to be drinking.. However, SHE PREVAILED, as we now know say! 

I love how it promotes healthy digestion, and helps with the discomfort of indigestion, or too much eating.  I try to live a balanced life — but I am very human and NOT PERFECT.  I have eaten too much at that delicious restaurant I have been trying to go to for months!  You know the one…that makes the delicate pasta by hand.  Or had a few too many bites of my mother in law’s flavorful chicken biryani. Or too many bites of my daughter Anisa’s homemade chocolate pudding…it is so silky and luscious. 

It’s this magical potion that saves me EVERY TIME.  This tea has so many benefits that make it worth adding to your daily habits. Or, you can also just incorporate it when you “need it the most”, for example after a too heavy to digest meal or a meal that you indulged in too much!  CCF Magical Tea to the rescue.  Even too much of a balanced and healthy meal can cause digestive distress. This Ayurveda tea is here to save the day by doing wonders for your gut health.

Confession —  It may take some getting used to the taste, it’s a very different taste than most of us are used to.  It is not going to taste like your usual mint tea!  But it really does the JOB!  Believe me – it’s a gamechanger.  An easy new habit to add into your daily practice, have this tea daily for 7 days and see how you feel.  You will feel lighter and less bloated, I promise.  

I know it sounds strange…these are spices I cook with (or don’t cook with! Ha ha!).  How can this be tea? Technically, it’s more of an infusion.  The combination of these three spices come together and create something bigger with profoundly healing properties.  It’s one of those, wow! If I had known it could be so easy, I would have done it years ago. 

Healthy Hint to make your life easier – Once I mix a jar of this, I  keep it right there with all my teas. Let them be tea Besties!  It makes it much quicker to have it when I need it and it lasts several months.

In the beginning, I advise you to try it a few times, maybe make it a few different ways as your taste buds adjust.  I drink this many afternoons, it’s especially comforting during the first chilly days of Fall.  I like to add a tiny taste of local honey and some fresh lemon, especially in the beginning as you get adjusted to this taste.  You can also add a sprig of fresh mint from your garden.

Luckily, we live in a world where many spices are available at local supermarkets.  Most likely, you will be able to find all three spices at your Whole Foods, Kroger’s, Ralph’s, Gristede’s or wherever you market. You will certainly save yourself money by visiting your closest Indian store.  These spices are versatile and long lasting, so do yourself a favor and pick up a larger bag of all three.  Or, you can always order online.  If you feel so inclined, there are smaller spice purveyors who are making sure working conditions and wages are fair that I highly recommend looking into for the future, including Diaspora Co., Curio, SOS Spices, and Zameen spices, among many others.  I love spending time at SOS Spices in the East Village of New York.  Atef Boulaabi’s shrine to  spices and cooking is tiny, crowded, and beautiful.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Most often there, she is welcoming and ready to talk cooking whether you are a celebrated chef, or a home cook looking to try something new.  I love sharing what I’ve been making, what I want to try, and what I am afraid to try!  Single source spices are super fresh, and she also makes blends that I love.   

Take a smooth, deep breath.  Close your eyes.  Feel the warmth inside you.  Connect to that love that you have for yourself.  Self care can look many ways.  Take good care of yourself.

Equipment

Kettle or pot to boil water

Ingredients

  • -1 tablespoon cumin seeds
  • -1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  • -1 tablespoon fennel seeds

Steps

  1. Add one tablespoon to a mug of just boiled water.  Cover.  Let steep for five minutes. 
  2. Set a timer and meditate for 5 minutes.  
  3. What a relaxed and focused afternoon you will have!
  4. Strain into a mug, using your strainer.
  5. Add local honey to taste.
  6. Breathe it in and toast your health!

Substitutions

You really can’t substitute – but, if you only have fennel, just chew on that.  A handful or two will help.  

If you only have two out of three, give it a steep – a little is better than nothing.

You can certainly ADD things – ginger, mint, chamomile, tulsi, to round out the flavors and add additional benefits.

Storage

Mix up larger quantities in a glass mason jar.  It will last for several months.

Healthy Hint:  I mix a jar of this and keep it right there with all my teas.  It makes it much quicker to have it when I need it and less to put away.

Healthy Hint: Add a small spoon of local honey and a juicy squeeze of lemon to help you adjust to the taste.  

Beef Keema

Looking for a simple, healthy Indian recipe to throw together any night of the week? Beef Keema is the perfect dinner with its flavorful spice and sauce, quick prepare-time, and versatility with ingredients, diet restrictions, and picky eaters. 

When my kids have friends staying over for dinner, this is my go-to recipe. Well, second to dal, that is. Beef keema is a gateway into what we eat at home–the fastest and surest way to invite guests to LOVE Indian food immediately–with all its subtle spices and fresh ingredients. 

As with most things I cook, this is so versatile and flexible.  Not too many spices — not a problem.  Hate peas (that’s for my little perfect child!) — skip the peas.  Add some spinach.  Not into ground beef…try ground lamb…or ground turkey…or ground chicken.  It’s really all so easy and so doable.  I usually serve it with rice and possibly some quickly chopped, crunchy cucumbers.  I love sprinkling everything with loads of cilantro — but if the littles don’t, leave it out or on the side. We usually serve it with warm rice.  If you are limiting rice for yourself, this dish is perfectly satiating without the rice.  Or, you can make cauliflower rice as well, see my recipe for a seasoned and FLAVOR-packed cauliflower rice. 

This was a go-to in my husband’s house growing up, and still a favorite of his even today.  It is saucy and rich but without the heaviness. Funny story, my sweet mother-in-law, who is an incredible cook, would sometimes call her beef keema “Italian meat sauce” to convince her kids that she could cook “American” food.  While she WOULD serve it over spaghetti noodles, she didn’t switch out the flavors!! My husband and his siblings were not amused!

Additionally, when friends ask me to teach them how to make something or want to experiment with an “easy” recipe, this is the one I share the most often.  It doesn’t have too many spices involved, many are likely to be in your larder for other cuisines, and it really isn’t labor-intensive. I am pretty sure I have a 100% success rate! With both the cooks and the eaters. Bold but true!

This one is saucy and thick, so if you are not eating rice, you honestly won’t miss it.  Give the spinach or kale you are cooking a little bit extra love and serve yourself up a heap of veggies to balance it all.  Another great thing about this beef keema is that it lends itself easily to a variety of eating preferences.  Are you serving kids with different eating styles?  Kids want nothing touching anything else? No Problem. You want a big, spicy bowl with everything tumbled together? No problem.  You are a MAGICIAN!

By now, your house should smell amazing— you likely won’t even have to call the children to the table — they will come running. Dinner is served!

Take a moment to ground yourself with one full deep breath and say a very specific in-the-moment gratitude.  I am so grateful for these friends around my table tonight, I value their support and their kindness.

Enjoy the beauty around your HEALTHY family table! 

Equipment

Medium pot or saucepan, whatever your preference

Wooden spoon to stir

Ingredients

2 tablespoons ghee, butter, grapeseed oil, coconut oil

1 pound of ground, grass-fed beef or lamb

1 cup peas

1 or 2 small shallots, chopped

2–4 garlic cloves, crushed

1 — 2 inches Ginger, grated or finely chopped

½ medium green jalapeno, chopped  (omit if you don’t have and add more red chile)

1 Tablespoon Tomato paste

1/c cup pureed tomato or freshly chopped tomatoes.

1 teaspoon turmeric

1 Tablespoon cumin

1 Tablespoon coriander

1 Tablespoon red chile powder 

Small cinnamon stick

Fresh Cilantro

Salt to taste

Steps

  1. On low, heat a large saucepan or pot, once warm, add the ghee or oil.  Once that is warm, add onions  to begin caramelize, cooking the onions low and slow for 15 minutes, stir, but not too often.  Take a deep breath — the onions will smell sweet and fragrant. MMMMMM….Add the garlic and ginger, stirring, so the garlic doesn’t burn and turn bitter. Sprinkle all the spices and the cinnamon stick.  Stir slowly but continuously to not burn the spices.  Once the spices have bloomed — about 30 seconds or so, add the tomato paste.  Sitr frequently so it doesn’t burn–adding a little water if you need to.  We aren’t cooking as much as trying to expand the flavor profile of the paste and make it taste less “tinny.” 
  2.  Now, add the pureed tomatoes.
  3. Add the ground beef, sprinkle with some sea salt and continue to stir to brown the meat.  Add more water as necessary.  You want it to be saucy but not too thin and soupy. Cover to let the flavors come together and the sauce to become integrated.
  4. After 10 minutes, check and add the frozen peas, if using. Let that cook for just a couple minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, wash and chop the cilantro.  Sprinkle liberally!

By now, your house should smell amazing— you likely won’t even have to call the children to the table — they will come running.

We usually serve it with warm rice.

Substitutions

If you are vegetarian, you can substitute garbanzo beans, kidney beans, or your favorite beans, or whatever you have on hand!  This would then be similar to chole or rajma, also a delicious and hearty meal.

You can substitute tofu as well.  It will be a saucy spicy scramble, which would be lovely served with sauteed greens or warm rice.

For a low carb option, substitute with cauli rice, broccoli rice,  or serve over a bed of sauteed spinach, steamed broccoli, and cauliflower, or our sauteed mushrooms.  If I am not having rice, I actually love eating it without rice.  It’s just as warming and so filling in all the best ways. 

I have made this countless times with other ground meats.  Lamb is traditional, ground chicken is fantastic, ground turkey absorbs the flavors well.  

Storage for Beef Keema

This dish stores really well – in fact, it’s one of those magical dishes that continues to taste better as the flavors continue to come together.  Store in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.

Lucky with Leftovers

Beef keema is delicious wrapped in a corn tortilla, cauliflower wrap, whole wheat tortilla, or roti. Throw on some fresh arugula and some warm veggies.  Lunch was never so good.