Golden Milk Ayurveda
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“The preparation of food also serves the soul in a number of ways. In a general sense, it gives us a valuable, ordinary opportunity to meditate quietly, as we peel and cut vegetables, stir pots, measure out proportions, and watch for boiling and roasting. We can become absorbed in the sensual contemplation of colors, textures and tastes as, the alchemists of the kitchen, we mix and stir just the right proportions. The colors and the smells can take us out of ‘real’ time, which can be so deadening, and lift us into another time and space altogether, the time of myth created by cooking. The kitchen is one of the most soulful rooms in a house, often the center of family life.” ~ Thomas Moore, from The Re-enchantment of Everyday Life
I love the above quote because it links food with soul.
Incorporating Ayurveda into my lifestyle has been a journey into mindful eating. It is said that Ayurveda is the oldest system of healing, originating in India centuries ago.
Ayurveda is really a science, where the needs of the physical body are kept in balance. We are not only flesh, so as we care for our bodies, we also care for our spiritual health.
Our food comes from living, breathing entities, whether we are omnivorous or vegan—what we put in our mouth for sustenance was once alive, enjoying its incarnation, and as such, it imparts the whole of its vibration to the meals we prepare. Because of this, we are blessed with the soul of the entity we partake of. Ayurveda recognizes, with great reverence, what a gift each food is.
Right now, as I write down this recipe to share with you, I am drinking a cup of warm, golden milk. It supports one of the three doshas in the Ayurvedic system. We can present either predominantly Vata, (element: air), Pitta (element: fire), Kapha (element: earth) or a combination of these types.
Coming into the busy holiday season, the Vata dosha can easily become out of balance, as we rush around preparing, overloading on our cell phones and computers, and not getting enough rest. The element of air can be grounded, however, with some heavier, cold weather foods.
If you happen to be a Vata type, or a combination of this and another dosha, you are likely to be a creative and energetic with a propensity for anxiety, fatigue or depression if not well cared for. Other symptoms of Vata imbalance can be constipation, poor circulation, dry skin and fear. Warm, golden milk offers a calming, warming effect.
It is very easy to prepare, and in minutes you will feel the soothing effects. By adding one ingredient to the original recipe, it can become a bedtime treat to induce rest. There are other recipes using fresh ginger and turmeric, but this one is good for early work mornings, or when fresh ingredients are not in supply. Overall, I believe that it’s better to be able to enjoy the benefits of an easier recipe than to altogether skip the experience because of a degree of difficulty.
