arogya Archives | Page 7 of 13 | Arogya Holistic Healing

The Cleansing Wonders of Baking Soda & Vinegar

Over the past year, I have fallen in love with distilled white vinegar. My admiration is not due to its taste or somewhat pungent odor, but white vinegar’s incredible versatility as a cleaning agent, drain cleaner, an overly curious cat deterrent, and more.

In the heat and humidity of summer, I have found that a simple elixir of vinegar and distilled water is not only an excellent counter and sink cleaner, but also works wonders at keeping mildew at bay. This concoction is better for one’s health than store-bought all-purpose cleaners, even those labeled as “natural” and “non-toxic”.

A Healthier Twist on Rhubarb Crisp

Every summer when I was growing up, I would eagerly await the first bite of my mother’s delicious rhubarb crisp. Within hours of picking the vibrant red stalks from my aunt’s garden, she would transform them into this slightly tart seasonal treat. We’d enjoy it for dessert alongside vanilla ice cream or even by itself as a special breakfast delight.

Farm Fresh Seasonal Sauté

Every week, we’ll be posting a sweet or savory recipe featuring produce from the Westport Farmer’s Market. This week, we’re excited to share a seasonal sauté of bok choy, turnip and dandelion greens, fresh chives with their flowers, and miso. The greens were grown by Sport Hill Farm, one of our favorite small farms located in my hometown of Easton, CT.

In addition to being delicious, this dish is loaded with wholesome nutrients.

How to Make Dairy-Free Thai Iced Tea

On a sizzling day last week, we created this easy and refreshing recipe for dairy-free Thai iced tea. It’s a healthier twist to traditional Thai iced tea, using coconut milk instead of condensed milk and raw honey or organic agave nectar instead of sugar. It’s also chemical free. You might notice the color of our Thai iced tea is not as red or orange as the tea you might order at a restaurant. That’s because the vibrant color we’ve grown familiar is a product of artificial food dye.

Ramps & Kale Pesto

Before the ramps, or wild leeks, season comes to an end, we wanted to share this tasty pesto recipe. Made from ramps and kale, this easy pesto offers a delicious way to dress up quinoa, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, farro, or even a slice of toast. In addition to having a pleasant yet pungent garlicky flavor, ramps are loaded with vitamins A and C, as well the minerals selenium and chromium. Kale is an exceptional source of vitamins K, A, and C. It’s also rich in organosulfur compounds, which have been linked to cancer prevention. You might want to throw some toasted walnuts into the pesto, reinforcing it with nutritious omega-3 fatty acids.

5 Ways to Make your Home a Wellness Sanctuary

Our living space has a tremendous effect upon our mental and physical health and well-being. When people walk into our storefront in Westport, CT, very often they immediately take a big breath in and say, “Wow! it smells so nice in here.” Or as they walk around the store browsing our teas and wellness products they mention how calming the space is. And when clients come out of an acupuncture or massage session, they often linger in our store front to soak up the good vibes and peacefully drink a cup of tea before moving on with their day. Everyday I see people coming in to our store and immediately being uplifted, soothed and reminded to breathe deeply upon entering our peaceful environment. What makes a space healing for your mind and body? And how can you bring these elements into your own life so that you too can make your home a wellness sanctuary?

Ramp Foraging 101

Something we look forward to every spring is foraging for ramps, a delightful and pleasantly pungent variety of wild allium. Ramps are actually one of the first edibles of the year, making them a welcomed site after a long winter in the Connecticut. In essence, they are a symbol of rejuvenation and reminder of the warm months ahead.

A Soup to Soothe Spring Allergies

As some of us know all too well, the splendor of spring can be dampened by draining allergies. This cleansing daikon radish soup is a wonderful antidote to soothe spring allergies and counter that seasonal congestion and scratchy throat. Plus, it’s very easy to make!

How to make Delicious Miso Dressing

A few years ago, a friend inspired me to try my hand at making miso dressing. Not only did I discover a delicious and healthy way to dress up my veggies, but I also fell in love with this Japanese fermented soybean paste. Miso has since become a staple in my kitchen. In addition to using it in this refreshing dressing, miso’s a healing addition to marinades and soups. If I’m at a loss of what to make for dinner, a warming bowl of miso soup with tofu, greens, and seaweed always hits the spot (recipe to come!).

Wei’s Digestive Spice Blend

One of my favorite spice blends to uplift a pot of noodles or rice is the Japanese spice powder called shichimi togarashi. Being a lover of DIY kitchen projects, I decided to make my own adaptation of this digestive spice blend with an Arogya-touch. Not only does this blend bring an added dimension of flavor and depth to any meal, it also has medicinal value. In Chinese medicine, healthy digestion comes with good stomach-fire. When the stomach-fire is weak, digestion is poor, which also affects other systems of the body including immunity. This well-balanced, anti-inflammatory and flavor-enhancing powder promotes healthy stomach fire, and thus, improves digestion.