DECEMBER
Cooking in the winter is a joyfull. We love to stand by the warm stove, its heat and aromas will fill the Kitchen.
The winter chill is softened by this warmth. A cozy evening indoors is all the more appealing when as you cuddle up by the fire
with your loved one, a home cooked meal is a special way to enjoy the season.
The holiday is in full swing and will probbably fill up your calendar. It can be challenging to stay grounded and present to routine when your social life is full of late night celebrations that keep you up past your bedtime. Social activities may include foods you try to avoid.. Couple that with the stress, and you could easily run yourself ragged. A candlelight dinner is a warm way to invite December's intimacy into your life, and lift your spirits. Get out in he sun, even if just for 15 minutes, to ward off depression. Think about taking Vitamin D supplements. Wear bright colors. Move. Dance, walk, pilates, workout videos, and racquetball - these will all get your blood moving, rekindle your metabolism, and lift your mood. Whatever your pleasure find a way to get regular exercise - even if it's indoors. Warming, blood moving herbs are an important way to prevent blood stagnation in December. Cold temperatures slow down the heart and cause blood vessels to constrict. This makes skin appear dull and lifeless. It also causes a buildup of toxins.
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Holy Basil steeped in a hot cup of milk is a perfect December treat to warm up and restore healthy circulation. You'll feel warmed and nourished to the core.
Cloves are another strong vasodilator and move blood by pushing it to the surface of the skin. Cloves have an earthy feel to them and an acrid taste.
Turmeric is renowned for being both warming and anti-inflammatory. It cleanses, invigorates and thins the blood, making it ideal. Don’t forget to add some nil and black pepper.
Cinnamon and dried ginger continue to be supportive for warming up the blood.
Red meat can go a long way in December. You don't want to overburden digestion with large portions, but moderate servings of red meat provide rich nourishment and iron for the blood.
A Traditional Roast Leg of Lamb
with a Smooth Mint and Pistachio Sauce
Serve this dish on a Sunday afternoon to bring the whole family together. Use this quality time at the table to catch up and share stories of the week passed. Walk off the heaviness of a this meal with a post meal brisk walk or short family hike.
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Roast Leg of Lamb with a Smooth Mint and Pistachio Sauce
1/2 cup asparagus | 1/2 cup butternut squash | 2 cloves of garlic | 6 lb lamb | 1 Lemon | 2 cups of mint | 1 cup of olive oil | 1/4 cup of pistachio | 6 potatoes | 3 tbsp of rosemary | 1/2 zucchini
PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE
1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Combine 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 clove garlic, rosemary and use to baste lamb.
3. Roast in a large oven dish for 1 hour and 30 minutes, then add chunky chopped vegetables.
4. Continue to cook for another hour until vegetables soft and lamb cooked to personal preference.
5. Meanwhile, prepare the mint sauce by blending mint, pistachios, remaining 1/2 cup olive oil, lemon juice and 1 clove garlic.
6. Allow the lamb to sit for 15 minutes before carving.
Cinnamon Barley Porridge with Prunes
Light, dry and easy to digest, Cinnamon Barley Porridge with Prunes will warm your tummy on a cool morning. It can take a little time for the digestive system to wake up. This recipe will ease you into your morning without burdening your belly. If you're finding your daily bowl of oats is getting a bit repetitive, mix things up with barlwy. You'll feel grounded and satisfied after this breakfast, without feeling weighed down.
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Regulate Bowel Movements
The combination of rye and prunes in this recipe is sure to keep your bowels moving as they should, particularly if you are prone to slow type digestion. Barley is a suitable grain as it is warming and dry. It's high fibre content will keep you feeling full for hours, limiting the likelihood of habitual snacking. The heavy, sweet nature of prunes have a tonic and gentle laxative effect. They are a great choice to move slow digestion along and keep the colon in working order.
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Cinnamon Barley Porridge with Prunes
1 tsp. cinnamon | 1 tbsp. ghee | 1 tbsp. maple syrup | 4 prunes | 1/2 cup barley | 2 tbsp. walnuts | 2 cups Water
PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE
Soak the barley overnight to reduce cooking time.
This recipe can also be made using rolled barley flakes.
1. Blitz the barley in a blender to partially break down.
2. Simmer in water for about 40 minutes or until all the water is absorbed and the barley is tender.
3. Add maple syrup and chopped prunes. Stir through.
4. Serve with ghee, chopped walnuts and a sprinkle of cinnamon for garnish.
Cardamon Cherry Pie
Juicy, tart, tangy Cardamom Cherry Pie brightens your holiday table with its enthusiastic vibrancy. It's as bright as can be! Piled high with sweetly spiced cherries over a crispy crust, this pie happily accepts rave reviews. Even after a heavy meal (say, on Christmas?) there's room for Cardamom Cherry Pie. Why? It's full of juicy fiber, deliciously warming digestive spices, and is even gluten free...! Treat the tummies of your friends and family this holiday season to the growing fame of Cardamom Cherry Pie. Enjoy!
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Cardamon Cherry Pie
1/2 tsp. cardamon | 3 cups. cherry | 1 tbsp. Cornstarch | 1 cup ghee | 1 tsp. dried ginger | 3/4 tsp. cocounut sugar | 1 tsp. mineral salt | 2 cups. almond flour
PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE
Crust
1. Add the flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly.
2. Cube chilled butter. Add it to the dry ingredients, rubbing it in with your fingertips. Work until nearly smooth.
3. Slowly add 1/2 cup of very cold water, teaspoon by teaspoon. Gently work the water into the dough with a spatula or wooden spoon until all flour is incorporated into the dough. Knead the dough just a few times, and press into a rough ball shape.
4. Flatten dough into a circle. Wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at minimum one hour.
5. Remove from refrigerator, and roll out into a pie crust shape. This recipe calls for only the bottom crust, but feel free to be creative and add a top if you like.
Filling & Finish
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. If preparing with dried cherries, use 1 1/2 cups dried cherries and 4 cups water to rehydrate them. If fresh, use 3 cups cherries and and 2 1/2 cups water. In a medium saucepan, add ginger, sugar and cherries and water. Simmer the mixture for one hour. Now, add cardamom and cornstarch. Simmer ten minutes or until mixture thickens.
3. Meanwhile, place crust into a pie pan, pressing the dough into the corners. Bake the crust for fifteen minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven. Pour the cherry mixture into the crust. Mixture will continue to thicken as it cools.
4. Serve hot!
