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Spices To Warm You Up

In Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicine, warming herbs are used to improve blood circulation, promote digestion, and bring warmth within the body. The author of The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook, Dr. Alan Tillotson, Ph.D. states “Herbs that are warming help to disperse and counteract pathogenic agents present when the body has excess mucus. Warming herbs also reduce disturbances to the nervous system.”

Here are some spices you can incorporate into your diet this autumn and winter:

Spices

Try adding these herbs more to your food or sipping them as teas throughout the day.

Recipes

Soups

Sarson Ka Saag (Mustard Greens with Spinach)

Chickpea Pulav

Aloo Methi (Potatoes with Fenugreek Leaves)

Spiced Lentil Soup With Roasted Beets & Delicata Squash

Sweet Corn and Pepper Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

Spicy Shrimp Pho

Spicy Thai Curry Noodle Soup

West African Peanut Soup

Spicy Zucchini Soup

Spiced Moroccan Vegetable Soup with Chickpeas, Cilantro, and Lemon

Spiced Sweet Potato Soup

Harissa Chicken Wings

Beverages

Golden Milk

Instruction

  1. To a small saucepan, add coconut milk, almond milk, ground turmeric, ground ginger, cinnamon stick, coconut oil, black pepper, and sweetener of choice (I usually add 1 Tbsp (15 ml) maple syrup).
  2. Whisk to combine and warm over medium heat. Heat until hot to the touch but not boiling – about 4 minutes – whisking frequently.
  3. Turn off heat and taste to adjust flavor. Add more sweetener to taste or more turmeric or ginger for intense spice + flavor.
  4. Serve immediately, piding between two glasses and leaving the cinnamon stick behind. Best when fresh, though leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave until hot.

Spiced Hot Chocolate

Instructions

  1. In a medium pot over low heat, whisk together milk, cocoa, maple syrup/brown sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and chilli/cayenne. Stir in cinnamon sticks and star anise and bring to a simmer.
  2. Remove pot from heat. Cover and leave to steep for at least 1 hour (when it has cooled, place in the fridge). Just before going on your picnic, warm the spiced hot chocolate over a low heat – adding more sweetness to taste, if you like – and pour into a Thermos.

Spiced Chai

Instruction

  1. Place milk, water, and sugar in a medium pot.
  2. Boil for 30 seconds, and add black tea and spice mix. Turn off heat.
  3. Steep for 5 minutes and strain.

Lemon Ginger Tea

Instruction

  1. In a heatproof pitcher or pan, combine lemon juice, ginger, honey, and boiling water.
  2. Steep for 6 minutes. Enjoy

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