Health & Wellness

Neem

Neem is a natural herb that comes from the neem tree. Its consumption is beneficial for the digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems, the urinary tract and the reproductive system. On a broader scale, neem supports the natural cleansing of the body, and the rejuvenation of healthy tissues. Various medical records state that regular intake of neem provides the following benefits:

• Helps maintain a healthy digestive system
• Strengthens the immune system and liver function
• Helps maintain a good metabolism
• Helps maintain a healthy respiratory system
• Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antiseptic & antifungal
• Supports healthy blood sugar levels, blood purification & detoxification

Copper

Water stored in copper vessels can play a significant role in cleansing our system of various toxins.

“Because water has memory, we are very concerned with how we store it. If you keep water in a copper vessel, preferably overnight or at least for four hours, the water acquires a certain quality from the copper which is very good for your liver in particular and your health and energy in general.” 

Copper is an antimicrobial. It kills bacteria and viruses, sometimes within minutes. Research Studies

Spinach Khichdi(Spinach, Lentils and Rice Porridge)

This is a great dish for when you are feeling under the weather or sick. Not only is it comforting but it is packed with vitamins, iron and magnesium that will help boost your immune system.

Servings: 3-4

Ingredients:

• 1 cup short grain rice
• 1/2 cup mung dal
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 4 cups water
• 1 lb baby spinach
• 1/2 inch ginger
• 3 tbsp ghee plus more for serving
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp black pepper

Directions:

1. Rinse rice and lentils and drain the water. Add rice, lentils, water and salt to the pressure cooker and pressure cook for 6 minutes followed by 5 minutes natural pressure release.
2. In a large pot bring 8 to 10 cups of water to boil. Add baby spinach and blanch for 1 to 2 minutes or just until all the spinach wilts. Drain out the water completely.
3. Add ginger and blanched spinach and black pepper to a blender and make a smooth puree.
4. In a pot heat ghee . Add cumin seeds and allow them to sizzle, about 30 seconds. Stir in spinach puree and salt. Then add the cooked rice and dal (from step 1 above) and mix everything together. Serve immediately with more ghee and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Lentil Gooseberry Soup

Servings: 4-5

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup red lentil
• 1/2 cup green moong dal
• 2 cloves
• 2-3 peppercorns
• 1/2 cup chopped spinach leaves
• 1/2 chopped carrot
• 1-inch ginger
• 2 tomatoes chopped
• 2 gooseberries cut into small pieces

Directions:

1. In a pot, add all the veggies including the gooseberries in 4-5 cups of water, stir and cover. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Remove from fire, allow it to cool and puree them once cooled down.
2. Take a pressure cooker and add a tsp of ghee. Add the red lentils and moong dal and mix well. Add the water, salt and pressure cook it for 3-4 whistles and allow the pressure cooker to cool naturally. Open the pressure cooker and blend everything to a smooth puree.
3. Heat ghee in a large pan over medium-low heat. Once hot, add the peppercorns and cloves and allow to splutter. Now, add the ginger paste. Once the raw aroma goes, add the vegetables puree and lentils daal to it.
4. Add water to make it the consistency of a soup and allow it to simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Add cilantro to garnish.

Turmeric-Ginger Tea

Servings: 5

Ingredients:

• 5 cups of water
• The yellow peel of 1 lemon – use a veggie peeler
• 2 inch piece of ginger cut in thin rounds, skin on
• 2 inch piece of turmeric root cut in thin rounds or grated, skin on
• 1 crack of black pepper
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon virgin coconut oil, butter, or avocado oil
• 1 tsp honey, preferably raw

Directions:

1. Bring the water, lemon peel, ginger, turmeric, and black pepper to a bare simmer, turn the heat down to low, cook for 7 minutes.
2. Remove from heat, squeeze in the lemon juice and stir in the coconut oil. Strain the tea into a cup and add 1 teaspoon of honey. If using raw honey, wait for the tea to cool down a few minutes so the heat doesn’t destroy some of its nutrients. And Enjoy!

Elderberry Tea

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 2 tbsp dried elderberries
• 2 tsp raw honey (optional)

Directions:

1. Put water and elderberries into a small saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for about 15 minutes. This helps bring out the beneficial properties of the elderberries.
3. Remove from heat and let cool for about 5 minutes.
4. Finally, strain through a fine strainer and pour into individual mugs.
5. Stir in raw honey.