Category: Ayurveda

Ann Grace Yoga, Ayurveda

Make Your Own Chai

Ann

I’ve been making my own Masala Chai! Yum! Perfect timing as the weather turns colder here in the Northeast. We tend to incorrectly call this “Chai Tea.” The word chai means tea. Masala means spiced. Here’s a quick recipe that I adapted from a few different recipes:

  • In a pot, add 2 tablespoons of loose black tea, 1 cinnamon stick, (not pictured, a bit of sliced up fresh ginger,) and a bunch of spices that you grind yourself for the absolute best experience. 
  • The spices I chose were 1/2 of one whole nutmeg, 2 whole cloves, the seeds from 4 cardamom pods, 1/4 of a star anise, 3 black peppers, and a teensy bit of cayenne pepper. I have a nice mortar and pestle for this.
  • Add 2 cups of water and bring everything to a simmer for 5-7 minutes. 
  • Then add some of your favorite sweetener (I use raw turbinado sugar,) and a cup of milk. Let milk simmer until the skin forms. Don’t break the skin, let all the spices roll around under the skin for another 5 minutes. 
  • Strain out the tea leaves and spices and enjoy!

I am definitely no expert on this, just trying variations out – and this turned out too strong for my taste. So I use it as a concentrate that I add to my black tea in the morning, to go with my morning practice. Share your chai recipe if you have one.

It’s super warming, and just the way I like to rock n’ roll these days!

Ann Grace Yoga, Ayurveda

Lime Cooler

Ann

Try this cooling Ayurvedic mock-tail to whet your whistle during the summer months.

“Many individuals reach for iced drinks, popsicles and other frozen treats when the temperatures increase, but these can dampen and harmfully affect the agni or digestive fire,” to quote the Ayurvedic Institute, the organization started by Dr. Vasant Lad.

I recently received a recipe for this Lime Cooler from the Ayurvedic Institute, which thought I’d share it here as well since was so delicious! I adapted it slightly, and served it to the beautiful women warriors in my Self Care for Women workshop last weekend.

Spending time near or in water is beneficial to Pitta types especially during the summer months

“In Ayurveda, agni is often referred to as your digestive fire. Agni governs all metabolic activities in the body and mind so we must keep this fire in balance for vibrant health. It’s also important to note that keeping the body’s temperature cool during this Pitta summer season is as crucial as maintaining a healthy agni.”

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 limes (depending on how tangy you like your beverages)
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 5 teaspoons fresh mint, minced and ground
  • 4 tablespoons organic maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon ground chia seeds 
  • Tiny pinch of ground ginger

Directions:

  • Juice the limes and mix all of the ingredients together in a mason jar.
  • Let the mint steep into the water for approximately 20 minutes, then drink at room temperature or place in the refrigerator to cool slightly.

How I modified the above: I doubled the limes and water for 6 servings, and only added a little more maple syrup and mint. I didn’t use ground ginger, but brewed some ginger tea instead. I also didn’t use any chia seeds. And, after the mint had steeped, I strained it out entirely. Have fun making it your own.

Pour into your favorite glass, add a sprig of mint, and enjoy this cooler in a peaceful, shady spot! I loved the way this tasted – it wasn’t too sweet, and the tanginess of the lime was smoothed out by the addition of the mint. It was easy to make, and such a treat during a heat wave! Let me know how it goes if you try it.

Ann Grace Yoga, Ayurveda, Women's Health, Yoga for Everybody

Self-Care for Women

Ann

Summer Self-Care for Women Workshop

We’ll explore using the tools of Yoga and Ayurveda to develop self-care routines that support a woman’s health after the age of 35. 

  • 3 Saturdays in Summer from 10am-12pm
  • June 25, July 23, August 27 at the PAC Center in Swarthmore, PA

Find out more about your dosha, or personal constitution, and learn new (but ancient) ways to manage your current imbalances.

Expect to do gentle yoga, breathing exercises, and guided relaxations tailored to harmonize with the summer season.

Get acquainted with the subtle anatomy of the chakra and kosha systems.

Find fellowship within the communal support of the group while sharing an Ayurvedic drink and snack.

Bring a yoga mat, yoga blocks, and pillow. Chairs are available if sitting is preferred.

Ayurveda means “science of life,” and is a 3,000 year old system of living originating in India that focuses on preventing dis-ease by living in alignment with one’s personal constitution, the seasons, and one’s phase of life.

sign up here

Bio: Ann MacMullan, E-RYT 500 Yoga Therapist Candidate, and Breath Coach has been joyfully sharing the gift of yoga since 2015. A native of Swarthmore, Ann has 150 hours of training in Ayurveda and has completed Women’s Health and Hormones  through Dr. Claudia Welch.