Lucent Kitchen:
Yogi Tea One of my favorite beverages to make at home is Yogi Tea, a close relative to Chai Tea. I love making this tea not only because it makes my home smell Ah-mazing, but I get to add important ingredients like kindness & love. Call me crazy but I believe that when you cook or create anything, that the creation carries emotions and vibrations from the creator. You can spread love & kindness just as easily as pain & sorrow when you share these creations. Consider this as you prepare or create at your home. Even something as simple as packing a child’s lunch; think kind & loving thoughts as you create & your child will feel the love as they eat it later that day. Likewise, if we rush and think negative thoughts such as “Ugh, I wish I didn’t have to be doing this” or “I don’t have time for this”, your child will also feel this. As you take those thoughts with you & prepare to shop, create, & prepare this tea or anything else, take time to enjoy it. Spend a little extra effort & care as you fill the pot with love & kindness.
Hot Yogi Tea
INGREDIENTS: Love & Kindness (of course) 12 Cups of water 6-8 slices of Ginger root 30 Whole Black Peppercorns 20 Cardamom pods (split using a garlic press or the side of a knife to crack open) 20 Whole Cloves 3 Cinnamon Sticks 5-6 Black Tea Bags (Feel free to use caffeine-free) CREATE: Place water in large pot and heat to a boil over high heat. After the water is boiling, slowly add each item. As you add items, think of people & things that make you feel loved & gifts (physical or emotional) that you have received during your life. Stir slowly & gently allowing the ingredients to roll around the pot at a high boil for about 5 minutes. Cover pot & lower heat to a slow simmer, while gentle bubbles break the surface. Continue this simmer for at least 30 minutes. (The longer it boils the more caffeine & stronger the taste) I use a fine colander/sieve to strain ingredients into another pot. Add milk, cream, honey to your taste. Sit back, relax & enjoy at least one cup. Consider this time as a perfect opportunity to reflect on more love & joy or any other intention that you would like to cultivate. Keep the tea warming through the day on your stove. If I have any leftovers, I have a mason jar I pour leftovers in & refrigerate. The next day I either warm it up or pour over ice.
BENEFITS
Ginger: broad-spectrum antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-parasitic properties, immunity booster, anti-inflammatory, nausea reducer, may boost metabolism and reduce fat storage Cardamom: anti-microbial, may assist smoking cessation, breath freshener, reduces mucus Cinnamon: boosts circulation, anti-inflammatory, improves cardiovascular health Clove: boosts immunity, aids gum disease, anti-bacterial, promotes digestion, relieves colds through expectorant function Black peppercorn: boosts digestion, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial Black tea: antioxidant Love & Kindness: Well, let’s let this one be self-explanatory.