The Shakti School

Feminine Form Sacred Technology

Recipe

Pitta-Friendly Summer Mocktail ft. Heart-Healing ROSE Water

Blog Featured Image (1200 × 628 px)

Wondering what to sip this summer that’s not going to dampen your agni but that’s still a little indulgent and fun?

(To my down-under ladies, you can enjoy this too, especially if you have more PITTA aka fire in your constitution!)

This cooling, goddess-worthy bev is perfect for when you wanna sip something cooling but still delicious, enjoy a mocktail, or get a hydrating boost on a hot summer afternoon.

The recipe makes 1 so be sure to double or triple if making it for friends 😉

Ingredients to help soothe inner heat while gently supporting agni:

🥀Rose Water

Rosewater is mildly astringent which gives it a cooling property both topically and internally. It’s great for balancing excess heat, aka pitta dosha in the digestive system, helping to aid digestive discomfort, bloating and heartburn.

Plus there’s nothing more nourishing to the subtle heart center than ingesting rose!

(See below on how to whip up your own rose water at home.)

🍋Lemon

If you’re not-so-new to Ayurveda you’ll know that warm lemon water is a key part of a traditional Ayurvedic morning routine—this is because lemon has a powerful agni boosting effect (meaning, it’s a major digestion helper!). Lemon gives our stomach the signal to start creating digestive juices and tells our liver to produce bile, both of which can help ease indigestion.

🍁Maple Syrup

Maple syrup encompasses the “sweet” quality in Ayurveda (plus, it’s derived from actual SAP - ojas boost, anyone?). The sweet taste soothes Pitta and Vata but can be a little aggravating to Kapha, so feel free to sub in some raw honey if you’re dealing with a Kapha imbalance.

Ingredients (makes one serving):

  • 2 tablespoons of rosewater (see how to make your own below or purchase rosewater already made!)
  • Juice from 1/2 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon good quality maple syrup
  • 1 cup plain seltzer (or sub in hibiscus infusion)
  • Optional garnish: cucumber, mint, orange, strawberries, etc.!

Directions:

Step 1. Make the rose water: add 1 teaspoon rose powder to a jar or glass measuring cup. Pour 1 cup boiling water over it. Allow to sit for 30 minutes then strain with a fine mesh strainer.

Step 2. Once cooled, add 2 tablespoons of rosewater into your mocktail glass.

Step 3. Add juice from 1/2 lemon.

Step 4. Add 1 tbsp good quality maple syrup. Stir up ingredients to combine.

Step 5. Top with 1 cup plain seltzer (or alternatively a chilled hibiscus infusion if you want to avoid seltzer!)

Garnish with a few cucumber slices, mint leaves, or orange slices!

Sip and stay cool 😎

Continue Reading

Herbal Sleepytime Mocktail

Blog Featured Image (1200 × 628 px)

We had to put our Shakti-fied twist on the Sleepy Mocktail 🍹This herbal sleepy time tonic is the perfect nighttime bev for getting your beauty rest! 💤⁣
⁣
Adding passionflower and ashwaghanda, which have both linked with stress relief, give this mocktail some extra relaxation oomf 💪🏼⁣
⁣
Passionflower has also been linked with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, and GABA reduces activity in the central nervous system which can support relaxation and sleep.⁣
⁣
Here’s what you’re gonna need:⁣
⁣
~ ½ cup passion flower tea infusion (make this ahead of time- add one teabag or 1 tsp of loose passion flower to 1 cup boiling water. Let steep for about 15mins (you can also make this in bulk and leave in the fridge to have on hand all week 😉)⁣
⁣~ ½ cup tart cherry juice⁣
⁣~ Magnesium powder (one serving according to your powder’s instructions!)⁣
⁣~ 1-2 droppers full ashwaghanda (or 1/2 tsp powder)⁣
⁣~ A pinch of mineral salt and squeeze of lime⁣
⁣
Add all ingredients and shake or blend!⁣
⁣
🍒Ayurveda Rebel Version: add a splash of sparkling water (we won’t tell if you won’t 🤫)⁣
⁣
🌬Vata-friendly Version: warm cherry juice slightly (or mix into your warm tea infusion to warm it up) and forgo the sparkling water. Enjoy 😉

Continue Reading

Shakti Fire Cider

Blog Featured Image (1200 × 628 px)

Here’s your winter immunity boost recipe (and home-made gift idea!) ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Here’s how to make it:⁣⁣
⁣⁣
~ 1 medium onion, chopped⁣⁣
~ 10 garlic cloves, smashed or roughly chopped⁣⁣
~ 2 jalapeños, sliced⁣⁣
~ 1 organic lemon (grate it and juice it)⁣⁣
~ 1/3 cup grated ginger⁣⁣
~ A bunch (3-4 sprigs) of fresh rosemary (dried is also fine!)⁣⁣
~ 1 T black pepper seeds, crushed⁣⁣
~ 1 T cardamom pods, crushed⁣⁣
~ 2 blood oranges, finely sliced⁣⁣
~ A few of cinnamon sticks⁣⁣
~ 1 T cloves⁣⁣
~ A big dollop of raw, local, honey ⁣⁣
~ Apple cider vinegar⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Add all ingredients to a quart size jar. Cover completely with ACV (push down everything in the jar so that it’s below the ACV). Place a piece of parchment paper between the lid and the jar to prevent any transfer from the lid. Shake daily, storing in a cool place for about a month.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Then sip daily (you can also add it to your salad dressing or food, but don’t heat because of the honey! 🍯🍯🍯)

Continue Reading

Heart-Opening Winter Elixir

Blog Featured Image (1200 × 628 px)

The holidays can be a season of both feelings of connection and grief. We’ve created this special Shakti School heart opening elixir featuring skullcap, damiana and rose to get you through the waves of beauty, bliss, and pain.⁣
⁣
🌹 Skullcap: Think soothing, stress relief, and relaxation - this nervine is an emotional balance supporter and restores the functioning of the nervous system.⁣
⁣
🌹 Damiana: This aphrodisiac helper pairs well with skullcap for relaxation while also giving a little boost to mood and digestion.⁣
⁣
🌹 Rose: Associated with the heart chakra, rose is said to help heal a broken heart and enhance feelings of self-love and emotional balance.⁣
⁣
Here’s how to make it:⁣

~ 1/4 cup dried skullcap⁣
~ ¼ cup dried damiana⁣
~ 1/4 cup dried rose petal⁣
~ A few cinnamon sticks⁣
~ 1 T gently crushed cardamom pods⁣
~ 1 T gently crushed star anise⁣
~ 1 T gently crushed cloves⁣
~ an orange peel⁣
~ 1/2 c honey⁣
~ Brandy to cover ⁣
⁣
Add all ingredients to a mason jar. Cover completely with brandy (push down everything in the jar so that it’s below the liquid). Place a piece of parchment paper between the lid and the jar to prevent any transfer from the lid or vice versa. Shake daily, storing in a cool place for about a month.⁣
⁣
Enjoy in small servings as a healing tonic for your heart ❤️

Continue Reading

Ojas-Building “Hot Shake”

Blog Featured Image (1200 × 628 px)

We have to clue you in on one of our ultimate Ojas-building aphrodisiac tonics!
⁣⁣
Ojas is our core immunity- our bodies’ ability to renew itself. In the body, it’s related to our reproductive, hormones, and cerebrospinal fluid. ⁣
⁣
It’s also your psychophysical shield, helping us ward off stress and disease (both physically and emotionally). ⁣
⁣
Having strong ojas isn’t just about building it up, it’s also about not losing it. What (and WHO) we pour our creative energy into (if you know what I mean 😉😉) can deplete our ojas especially if we’re not being intentional. ⁣
⁣
But, when we make love with an attitude of complete surrender, and without fear or reservation, Ayurveda says that it can actually BOOST our sense of trust which in turn builds health. ⁣
⁣
Aphrodisiacs can help turn up our passion-pleasure-zest. What we consume also helps build our emotional-physical-resiliency, aka our ojas. That’s where this ojas-boosting love tonic comes in. ⁣
⁣
This warm, spicy-sweet milk is amazing for building ojas, and when combined with these virility-boosting super herbs, it gives our inner lover just the boost we need. Make it for you and your lover before or after your holy lovemaking sesh (or for yourself!)

 

Ojas-Building Hot Shake Ingredients:

Ojas-Building Hot Shake Directions:

  • If you wish, soak the almonds and dates overnight, then drain. (This makes them more digestible, but is not required.)
  • In a small saucepan, bring the milk to a low boil. Add the herbs and spice and whisk.
  • Pour the milk mixture into a blender, add the almonds and dates, and blend on high for 30-60 seconds, until completely smooth.
  • Enjoy with your lover (or inner lover 😉)
Continue Reading

Carrot & Winter Squash Chutney Recipe

Blog-Featured-Image-1200-×-628-px-1-min

Ingredients: 

  • 1 small delicata squash or any other winter squash (acorn or butternut would work well), seeds removed and chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 1/2 cup roasted and unsalted almonds
  • 1 small piece of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil or ghee
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon asafoetida (hing) - a pinch
  • 1/4 teaspoon ajwain
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground fennel
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon mustard seed
  • Water
  • Salt to taste

Directions:

  1. In a large pan, add the cumin seeds and roast them for a minute or until they become fragrant. Remove and set aside.
  2. In the same pan, melt 1 tablespoon of ghee over medium heat and add chopped squash and carrots. Add 2 tablespoons of water, cover, and cook 25 minutes, or until softened all the way through. Stir occasionally and add water as needed to keep from sticking to the pan.
  3. In a food processor, combine the roasted almonds, ginger, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of water. Blend until you have a coarse paste.
  4. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil or ghee, ¼ cup of water and all the spices (asafoetida, black pepper, ajwain, coriander, fennel, mustard seed and turmeric) to the mixture. Once the carrots and squash are softened, remove from the pan and add to the food processor.
  5. Blend again until everything is well combined. You can adjust the consistency by adding a little water as needed.
  6. Taste the chutney and adjust the salt and seasonings according to your preference. Keep in mind that Ayurveda recommends reducing salt for Vata balancing, so be moderate.
  7. Heat a small amount of ghee in a small pan. Add the roasted cumin seeds to the ghee and let them sizzle for a few seconds. Pour this over the chutney and mix well.
Continue Reading

Pumpkin Blow-Ya’ Mind Smoothie (it’s hot!)

Blog-Featured-Image-1200-×-628-px-min

I love a hot fall smoothie. It has both deeply nourishing elements, and some reducing spices to counteract the heaviness. 

This is my go-to. So easy. So good for the time of the season!

Ingredients:

- 1 cup canned organic pumpkin puree

- 1 cup almond milk (or any milk of your choice)

- 2-3 fresh organic figs, chopped (dried if you can’t find fresh)

- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (adjust to taste)

- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

- A pinch of Himalayan rock salt

- Whipped coconut cream (optional, for garnish)

- Chopped dried figs and a sprinkle of pecans and cinnamon (for garnish)

 

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Figs: If using dried, start by chopping the dried figs into small pieces. You can use kitchen scissors or a sharp knife.
  2. Heat the Almond Milk: Pour the almond milk into a saucepan and heat it over low-medium heat. Heat until almost boiling.
  3. Blend the Ingredients: In a blender, combine the canned pumpkin puree, hot almond milk, figs, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves, and a pinch of salt.
  4. Blend Until Smooth: Blend the mixture until everything is well combined and the smoothie is creamy. Be careful, its hot! I place a towel over the lid for extra safety. 
  5. Serve: Pour the hot pumpkin smoothie into mugs or cups. If desired, top each serving with a dollop of whipped coconut cream, chopped figs, and a sprinkle of cinnamon for added flavor and presentation.
  6. Enjoy: Serve your hot pumpkin smoothie immediately while it's still warm and enjoy the cozy fall flavors!

Feel free to adjust the sweetness by adding more or less maple syrup according to your taste preferences. This hot pumpkin smoothie with fall spices and figs is perfect for warming up on a crisp autumn day or as a comforting treat by the fireplace.

Continue Reading