By Christmas, we will have entered wintertime, and our stores of energy from the summer sun and fresh foods are beginning to run low. This time of year can also be stressful for many reasons.
This is the time when we start looking for comforts from outside of ourselves. This involves food, and most often, sugar and flour seem to take center stage. The problem is, hollow foods made of processed sugar and flour are only going to lead to further depletion of the body’s reserves and heightened physical stress.
To counter that, we present to you some nutrient-dense, heart-warming, super comforting and low-guilt recipes to try out, that you can feel good about. Cheers to happy, comforting, and truly satisfying holidays!
No Caffeine Chai Tea
The following recipe uses all ground spices for simplicity and is perfect for your holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbs Cinnamon*
- 1 Tbs Turmeric*
- 1 Tbs Ginger*
- 2 tsp Black pepper*
- 1 tsp Cloves*
- 1 tsp Nutmeg*
- 1 tsp Cardamom*
- ¼ cup Loose leaf rooibos tea, or 4 rooibos teabags
- ½ gallon Water
*ground spices
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a lidded pot and bring to a boil
- Simmer for 15 minutes
- Strain through a fine strainer or cheesecloth
- Add desired milk and/or sweetener
For an extra special treat:
Add tea with sweetener, desired milk, and a little ghee or butter to a blender and whir until frothy. Sprinkle with turmeric, cinnamon and black pepper. Enjoy!
Nutrient-Dense Gluten-Free Cookies
This recipe is really flexible! Add some cocoa powder, peanut butter, chopped nuts, cinnamon & ginger, etc. to make any kind of cookie you would like!
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ Cup Almond Flour
- ½ Cup Arrow Root Flour
- ¼ Cup Coconut Flour
- ½ tsp Sea salt
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- 1 Egg
- ½ C Honey
- ½ C Coconut oil or butter, melted
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 1+ hours
- Preheat the oven to 350°
- Divide the dough into 1 Tablespoon portions. Roll into balls and flatten slightly (or make them into any shape you want!)
- Place on a baking sheet and bake for 9-11 minutes, allowing the cookies to become golden brown on the bottom and edges
Optional: Get creative! You can separate the dough and add different ingredients as desired.
Spiced Apple Cider
This this little gem is another party favorite. Because of the oranges, it does not need any extra sugar. Sweet and spicy, it is very satisfying on its own and will warm you up on cold winter days.
Ingredients
- 1/2 gallon unfiltered Apple Juice*
- 2 fresh Blood Oranges*
- 1 Stick Cinnamon Bark
- 1 Tsp ground Cloves
- 1/2 Tsp ground Cardamom
- 1 Pinch of ground Nutmeg
*Use organic fruit whenever possible. Apples especially are part of the ‘dirty dozen’; their organic version is much cleaner.
Directions
- Put apple juice into a large pot.
- Cut the washed oranges in half, then cut a couple of round slices of orange and put them into the pot with the cider. Squeeze the rest of the orange juice into it.
- Add the spices to the pot and bring to an almost boil. Put a ladle next to it and partygoers can take what they need. You can keep the pot on the stove and reheat if necessary.
Digestive health is foundational to overall health, and focusing attention here results in thorough, lasting improvements in health. Approaching health foundationally, from the roots up, inspires a lifestyle change that brings us closer to the earth, our community and ourselves.
Enjoy your holidays!