True Spring

 

Tequila Raja

For low-down nights spent with the best of friends (including the furry ones) and toasting to the space in- between. 

Gather:

small mason jar of tequila

 1/4 orange peel

two vanilla beans

two cinnamon sticks

Cut open vanilla beans and scrape inside. Put into tequila. Infuse all other spices and orange peel in tequila overnight. 

The next night, Gather:

one can coconut milk (get the milk beneath the cream. The cream tends to lump up.)

maple syrup, to taste

carbonated mineral water

ice cubes

Strain spices out of tequilla. place ice cubes in each glass. Pour 1/2 of glass full of coconut milk. Add about a tablespoon of maple syrup into each glass. Pour a shot of infused tequila into each glass. Stir well. Top with mineral water. 

Wintery Spring

Cinnamon; Cinnamomum zeylanicum

"... I can be happy the rest of my life with my cinnamon girl..."  neil young

From Scientific Illustration

“When sattva predominates, the light of wisdom shines through every gate of the body” (Bhagavad Gita 14: 11)

Who doesn't love cinnamon? And who knew cinnamon was so beneficial?! According to Ayurvedic tradition, cinnamon is 'sattvic' in nature, meaning it supports the highest good of the mind. Sattvic herbs   stir and harness subtle essences that maintain a focused mind on physical and spiritual levels. This is important because it works to remove obstacles of the mind that inhibit meditation. With a clear mind, one's dharma, purpose or necessary action, is sure. By preparing our mind, we are more equipped to conquer swirling and doubting.

I don't really know if this has anything to do with it's sattvic nature, but cinnamon is also known to lower blood sugar levels- see how excess sugar influences hormones; and in result, all levels of tissue-- In ayurveda, quality of mind is a result of the health of the tissues. Cinnamon works on the plasma, blood. muscles, marrow, and nerve tissues to strengthen circulation. It's warming energy reduces inertia (heavyness, lethargy) while pacifying too intense of movement that causes anxiety. It helps to open up channels in order to absorb other medicines, as well.

Check out Tranquil Sounds  listing to learn more of cinnamon.


Resource:
         The Yoga of Herbs, Dr. David Frawley and Dr. Vasant Lad

REFRIGERATOR CHAI TEA RECIPE:

Put 3 cups of water in a pot and start to bring to a boil. Measure out 2.5 inches fresh ginger, cut thinly (no need to peel); 3 cinnamon sticks, broken up; 2.5 T black peppercorns; 1.5 T whole cardamom seeds; 2.5 t anise seeds, 2.5 t whole coriander seeds; and 1 t whole cloves. Add ingredients to water at any time. When water reaches a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Turn off heat. At this point you can add Black Tea if you wish and steep for 5 minutes. After steeping, or right after the 25 minutes if you do not use tea, strain into a gallon sized pitcher. You can add Honey to taste while still hot, if you please. Make sure to stir well. Fill the pitcher the rest of the way with cold water. Store in fridge. Heat as needed for use. Serve with milk or almond milk to taste.

Source for Bulk Herbs

ROSEMARY: Rosmarinus officinalis

Photo from Dr. Char

Lately, I've been overcome by the vastness of this seemingly average kitchen herb. Over the last 6 months, I worked at a bakery-cafe where nearly everything on the menu is hand-crafted from scratch. That I know for sure, three items on the food menu exclusively feature Rosemary, and two types of bread from the bakery also adorn this fragrant herb. Just gathering from customer's big-eyed reactions when they see the Blue Cheese Rosemary bread for the first time, or when they come back to the counter after eating their meal to ask if we individually sell the Potato Rosemary rolls that are made solely to hug the Excellent Chicken and Asparagus sandwich, Rosemary is special to the palate.

On my last day working at the bakery, I had the idea to steep in rosemary. We had some fresh plant growing in a pot in the dining area of the restaurant, so I took a small cutting home to try it out. What a good call. The infusion of rosemary, chamomile, and bayleaf I tried out was beautiful. Its potent, stinging-redolent taste blends all so well with other pungent and sweet tastes, creating a warming tonic that, for me, reaches the depths of the heart and pumps out to extremities to circulate nervous unease that rests in a stagnant expression of the self.

What a perfect remedy for my work transition,or any life transition; taking new routes to reclaim, hold onto, and ultimately remember the self.

I suggest using rosemary (oil,essential oil,tea,spice) when you seek courage to remember and take action upon your true self needs in order to purify and reconcile.

Ahhh, Mango! King of Fruits

The cast took a final bow, hands clasped down the line, hats removed- long hair flipping the last of played persona behind.

The now standing audience, moved upward by the starkness of just human, roared with deep reverence and maybe some fear.

The violent clapping doubled as a way to release Viola's own pent up shit.

As most people hurried to exit the theater, Viola remained standing for a minute, staring at the stage still, hands now silently clasped in front of her heart. She began to feel the blood rush back into her fingertips and started to gather her purse and coat. Exiting was more like a gateway to the entrance. The members of the cast were still somewhat lined up on either side of the hallway to the vestibule, now reflecting amongst themselves, smiling with laughing accomplishment, many carrying bouquets of flowers. Viola stammpered forward, her eyes dodging eyes through the hall into the more open vestibule. As she came to it, she took a last breath in and out.

Image from unknown source

Acting on a slightness, an impulse of necessity, after gently pressing her left molars and canine teeth together, her eyes in turn rolling to the left shoulder that her purse hung down from, she pivoted to the right and re-entered the hall. This time, her eyes caught his and did not fall. If it were any other time, he would be caught surprised to see her, but now, somehow, it was natural. He didn't really smile, though his eyes seemed soft and a bit hungry. He waited for her to speak first. Her eyes still unblinking, she ran her tongue across her top teeth, swallowed, reached into her purse and pulled out a ripened mango and cupped it in her hands as if it were a baby bird.

"You were really good," she said as she handed him the mango. "I guess I've always known that, after all."
"It's my last night in town. Funny it's the last night of the show. I'm glad I caught it."