arogya Archives | Page 8 of 13 | Arogya Holistic Healing

The Allure of the Matcha Latte & How to Make a Perfect Cup of Matcha

Matcha is having a good year. If you are unfamiliar with Matcha, it’s a powdered green tea made famous by Japanese Zen monks. It has been used for centuries to create a sense of calm and focused alertness in both meditation and mindful living. We’ve been seeing all kinds of recipes lately using Matcha in sweets, hot drinks, and cocktails. Matcha is also showing up more and more in coffee shops and cafés. Even Starbucks now features a Teavana Green Tea Latte made with Matcha (and a whopping 40 grams of sugar per 12 oz cup). Though I’m familiar with traditionally brewed Matcha, which creates a naturally creamy, frothy, sweet, umami, and tremendously satisfying cup of opaque green tea, I was inspired by the Americanized recipes using Matcha. I set out to make an Arogya-style Matcha Latte, made with homemade almond milk and our ceremonial grade Matcha.

Assam Tea with a Medicinal Kick

During my most recent trip to India in January, an inspiring young man named Lokesh Jadev taught me a delightful, throat-soothing way to prepare Assam tea. Before I tell you more about this spice-up twist on a classic black tea, however, I’d like to share a little but about Lokesh.

Tulsi, an Herb for Everyday Health and Stamina

With so many delicious and healing herbs in the world it would be hard for me to choose a single favorite, but without a doubt Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, would be high up on the list. Lately, Tulsi has been an herb of choice for my morning quart of tea, which I feel helps me get through the day with ease and sustained energy. If you haven’t tried Tulsi, which we feature in our Calming De-Stress and Detox blends, the taste is reminiscent of mint, clove and fennel. With a delightful aroma and a host of medicinal properties, Tulsi is a wonderful herb to get to know.

Clearing Space in the Chinese New Year

The first full moon of the Year of the Goat is upon us! This full moon is an exciting and auspicious time of culmination, intensity, and celebration. In China, it is celebrated with a lantern festival where millions of lanterns are released into the sky for good luck, abundance, and happiness in the New Year. What wishes would you send your good luck lantern off into the sky with? Whether or not you actually send off a lantern, this is an important time to investigate your deepest wishes and take action to help align yourself with what you desire for your life.

Savory Lapsang Souchong Tofu

I’ll never forget the first time I encountered the unique, sweet pine-smoked aroma of lapsang souchong tea. I had recently begun my work with Arogya. I walked in on a cold winter day and contently went to pour myself a cup of tea. I noticed a beautiful, warm, and smoky scent drifting up from one of the teapots. As I soon learned, this was lapsang souchong, a traditional black tea from the Wuyi mountain region of Fujian Province.

Lapsang souchong is most likely the world’s oldest black tea.

Aunt Gayathri’s Ragi Roti

During my most recent trip to South India this January, I had the privilege of spending time with my dear friend Gayathri Muralidhar and her family. I met Gayathri in 2006, when I visited Myosre, Karnataka for the first time. In the years since, Gayathri has become like an aunt to me, and her house a second home. In addition to being one of the most kindhearted and generous individuals I have ever met, Aunt Gayathri is an exceptional chef. In fact, her food is by far some of the best I’ve ever had in India (and the world) and I find myself longing for it all year long.

Overnight Raw Muesli Recipe

I recently returned from a trip to central Brazil, far from the rain forest, and days from the beach, in a savannah-like region known for its national park, hundreds of waterfalls and quartz crystal deposits. There’s nothing like escaping the cold of winter to a warm climate! Though it was challenging to leave behind the sun, waterfalls, fresh mangos and papayas, I was able to bring back something that is as easy to enjoy here as it is in Brazil; a recipe called Muesli Viva, or “raw muesli”. It’s a combination of rolled oats, soaked nuts and seeds, rehydrated dried fruit, and whatever seasonal fruits are available. Muesli Viva makes a wonderful breakfast, hearty snack, or healthy dessert. I’ve been enjoying this treat in the mornings and whenever I need a nutritional boost.

A Perfect Breakfast or Anytime Biscuit

In August of 2006 I did two things for the first time. First, I made a trip to Karnataka, South India and fell in love with the place. Secondly, I tasted what would become one of my favorite grains of all time: Ragi, or finger millet.

Ragi is a red, gluten-free millet varietal that’s notably high in iron, calcium, fiber, protein, and the amino acid methionine.

A Resolution for the Earth & Your Garden: Compost!

Over the holidays, I was particularly excited to receive a new compost bin from Wei and Gregor of Arogya. I know… this doesn’t sound like the most glamorous gift, however it will play an invaluable role in nourishing my gardens and a small but still important part in combating global warming.

How a Yoga Teacher and Therapist is Giving Back

A few days ago, I published a blog about my recent visit to the Deenabandhu Trust Children’s Home, an organization in Karnataka, South India that’s committed to building brighter futures for orphaned and destitute children. Today, I’d like to expand upon the giving efforts of Anouk Prop, a psychologist, yoga teacher, and trauma-healing therapist from the Netherlands who has been volunteering at Deenabandhu for the past four months. I feel so fortunate for the time I spent with Anouk and the ability to witness her work.