Golden Milk and Sleep Tonic

Golden Milk
in 1 cup of milk (nut or cow)
1/2 tsp each ground turmeric, ginger, cardamon

Bring to a gentle boil, turn off the heat immediately, cover for 10min
Add black pepper and 1 tbs honey
Pour and serve.

Ojas Building Before Bed Tonic
in 1 cup of milk (nut or cow)
2 pitted dates
3 soaked almonds
1 tbs unsweeted coconut flakes
1 tsp ghee or butter
1 tsp each turmeric and cardamon (add fennel to aid digestion)
1 tsp (approx) freshly grated ginger or a few ginger slices
pinch of salt and black pepper

Bring to a gentle boil, turn off the heat immediately, cover for 10min
add honey or maple syrup to taste
Blend, pour, serve.

Benefits of Bone Broth

I make bone broth at least once a week or whenever I have bones in the house like after a roast chicken (or the Thanksgiving turkey carcass) or these spare ribs that I make on very rare occasion, which are crazy good. I am more likely to buy flesh with the bone in for flavor when I cook it and for the bones to use in stock and soups and risotto. I learned how to make stock from my mom - not directly, but indirectly, she had this habit of just taking about what she was doing while cooking. I remember that sometimes I'd think, "Mom, why are you talking about cooking while you are cooking?", she was teaching me, she was always teaching me, in gentle ways. I remember seeing plastic containers in the freezer labeled "stock" with the date and never quite knowing what they were for. But she made most things from scratch and we ate at home most nights growing up. So, bone broth is home for me. I learned more about the benefits of bone broth from the work of Dr. Westin Price and the book Nourishing Traditions which I studied a lot when my boys were babes and I was a nursing mama and feeling depleted. Bone broths helped a lot with my post partum depression and overall wellbeing. 

I did a google search for "benefits of bone broth" and found these:

1. boosts immunity
2. alleviates the cold and brochitis
3. fights inflammation
4. strengthens bones
5. helps to build muscle and is a good source of glutamine, an essential amino acid which helps in muscle repair (this is a major for a dmd mama)
6. improves hydration and replenished electrolytes - I often fill a 32oz mason jar and add a few tbs of miso paste to take with me for the day.
7. improves mood - I think just being well nourished does this
8. its good for the gut, the joints, the cells, it improves sleep, and is anti-aging

I don't have a special recipe. I take left over bones and cover them with filtered water, bring to a boil and simmer for a few hours, then strain into a mason jar, return the bones to the pan and do it again.

Here is a recipe from goop.com

Saved

Witnessed an interaction recently, where one was sobbing and unable to catch breath, terrified and absorbed and unable to dole out socially acceptable niceties. The other, approached with utmost respect and gentleness like Jane Goodall and her apes, nearing this wild creature and able to make a very slight connection, sitting down on the ground close, but without a touch of invasiveness. This approach and this connection softened the other, allowed a little bit of letting go and pulled this frightened creature out of fear and into presence and intelligence - awareness, calm. No longer holding on so tight for survival. This one saved the other, or rather created space, and just enough connection, to let the saving happen. 

We, human beings, have incredible sensitivity and deep, multi-leveled, multi-faceted, shimmering intelligence. We are hard-wired for connection. We know we aren't alone, but we do need reminding. 
 

November

Colder and darker the days become and will continue in this way until Winter Solstice, the Yule, the Return of the Light, the Birth of the King. These are the times to welcome the knowledge and felt sense, that we are not alone. To consider seeing things that we fear as protectors for us. 

Sometimes the things that we fear which reside in the dusty dark places act as protectors for us without our knowing. It is heartening to discover that things that go bump-in-the-night are sometimes the energies which are looking out for us. -Pixie Lighthorse

To consider the words, the experiences, and the stories of those that came before us and connect in ways that we have always done, in ways that live deep in our cells and our souls.

The work of the soul, soul-crafting is potent during this time. We are asked to reconcile, forgive and let go. With Nature bidding us to continue as the leaves fall and the winds blow and the night comes. Each day a little darker, yet not without light. The light being so much brighter against the backdrop of black. 

Now is the time to ground, to set ourselves in front of the fire, broths bubbling and invitations flowing to and from to connect, to share, and to give thanks.

Fall Food

Braised Chicken with olives, apricot and rosemary and risotto
2 lb chicken
2-4 tbs olive oil
1 small red onion sliced
1 cup pitted kalamata olives
1 cup dried apricot
3 springs fresh rosemary (1 whole, 2 leaves removed and chopped)
3 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup white wine (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
1-3 cups dark leafy greens

preheat over to 4oo
brown chicken in a dutch oven (heat, then add 1-2tbs olive oil)
Remove chicken
add more oil
add onions, cook until slightly translucent - 5 min
add olives, apricots and 2 of 3 springs rosemary (chopped with leaves removed)
deglaze with wine and mix
Return chicken
add stock

send to the oven for 45min
remove and add greens and return to the over for another 5 minutes

Meanwhile make the ristotto
1 cup abriobo rice
3 cups chicken stock
1 tbs olive oil
heat oil oil
add rice, mix
add 1 cup of stock at a time until liquid is absorbed, stir continuously