RECIPES FOR YOU TO ENJOY

YOGI TEA

As you will see this tea not only taste great, its energizing without causing shakiness and irritability and it brings a wonderful aroma to the entire house. Plus, once you have gone out of your way to find the ingredients the first time, it becomes so easy to make. At some point it may even replace your morning coffee!

1 litre of water (yes you will always want to make at least 4 cups) 12 cloves - 16 green cardamon - 16 peppercorns- 2 cinnamon sticks 4 slices of ginger root Boil 10-15 minutes. Add 1tsp of black tea and boil another 2 minutes.

Add two cups of milk wait until it boils and then remove from heat. Add honey to taste. Although the original recipe calls for milk and honey we use soy milk and maple syrup.... ENJOY!!! Do let us know how you like it. Also please note that at this point we don't plan on keeping a record of the weekly tips, so once they are off the site they are off...We may keep last weeks tips but no promises.

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Spinach and Pear Smoothie

Brian comes home one day after visiting our friends, the owners of the Wild Oat and says, “I just had the best smoothie — Spinach and Pear.” My first words were “we so don't have the same taste buds” but he assured me that it was fabulous, so I thought, “okay I will try it.” WOW!! It's absolutely delicious!! Of course I have been talking about it non-stop in class, and a few courageous souls decided to give it a try. Not only were they surprised at how delicious it was, but they have started to drink it regularly, first thing in the morning. They report improved digestion and increased energy levels.

This past weekend we had our annual yoga retreat at New Life, and I asked the chef to make the smoothie for us. Well this is the reason the recipe is up today. Everyone liked it; In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that most actually loved it and asked that the recipe be this weeks' Health Tip.

Before I continue with the recipe, I would just like to say that I strongly believe that we are socially conditioned to think that a thick green drink would be gross. I mean, really think about it; green is a lovely colour that is often used to inspire calmness and a positive healing attitude; the vibrant green of spinach leaves is no exception.

Recipe:

•  Spinach (the more you put in the greener it is)

•  Pear (the sweeter the pear the sweeter the drink)

•  Water (the more you put in the less thick it is)

You see, it's a matter of taste. Play with it and find your preference. Just make sure to blend it well so you are not left with chunks. If you do not have a green palate and are not used to green smoothies start with a little less spinach.

Brian and I use approximately 6 oz of spinach, 1 bartlett or bosc pear and 12 oz of water and thats what we share in the morning. The best method is to to blend the pears first then add the spinach.

The health benefits of pears and spinach:

•  specifically affect the lungs, eliminating mucus

•  moistens the lungs and throat to stop coughing associated with hot lungs

•  quenches thirst

•  builds the blood

•  diuretic

•  laxative

•  cleanses the blood of toxins

(Paul Pitchford. Healing With Whole Foods).

A good source of fiber, potassium, Vitamin C and phytochemicals, a rich source of iron, chlorophyll, sulphur, and Vitamin A.

***Caution*** because of its sliding nature, spinach is not for those with loose stools and urinary incontinence.

If you are interested in finding out more about green smoothies and their health benefits, I recommend visiting simplyraw.ca. Last year I did the simplyraw detox program and learned so much about green smoothies that it changed my diet. I even registered again for the March 9 th program.

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