A cup of Chai in the Season of Gratitude

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Matthew 22:37

LEARN

As seashell collecting and sunburned shoulders transition to pumpkin filled doorways and cozy knitted scarves I will get out the banner that I needle felted the word Gratitude on many years ago, and hang it above a large window in our living room. It serves as a yearly reminder of my desire during this season to refocus my heart and my mind to be filled with gratitude for all that Christ has done and continues to do within and around me. Just as the season brings to mind memories of apple orchards and evenings by the fire my hope in this season is to intentionally draw nearer to Christ with thanksgiving in my heart. Seeing this banner throughout the day is such a practical reminder to me that God is always so good. And he is always worthy of our praise.

Yet, the constant information, strife and confusion we are bombarded with in our world can leave our minds and our bodies in a heightened state of stress and anxiety. When we experience long term levels of stress our bodies over time become taxed and depleted leaving us physically and mentally exhausted. In this state we can easily develop a weakened immune system, which can lead down the road to serious illness. It can be so easy in our fast paced world for us to ignore our body’s signs of distress and to continue pushing forward. As followers of Christ we are called to take care of our bodies well and to actively use our mind and body in service to him. But, if we do not take the time to care appropriately for ourselves we can become unable to mentally and spiritually focus on and honor Christ, even becoming unable to serve him in the ways in which he has called us to.

KNOW

Spending daily time in the word, meditating on the scriptures and intentionally focusing my heart on being filled with gratitude quiets my mind and lessons any anxiety and stress. As a part of a holistic wellness lifestyle I know the necessity of also maintaining a diet of nourishing nutrient dense foods and herbal remedies that will care for and strengthen my body. As an Herbalist there are many ways in which I use the plants that God has provided for us as methods of maintaining and strengthening the health of my family and myself. By far my favorite of all the herbal remedies I make is definitely Chai Tea! Rooted in India, Chai or Masala Chai is a warming, nourishing, soothing and immune boosting drink traditionally made with spice infused black tea, milk and sweetener. This spicy drink is helpful in preventing colds and flu, to relieve inflammation and to promote healthy digestion. Not to forget it is also delicious!

Usually year round but especially in these months leading up to winter I brew a large batch weekly and keep it handy in my refrigerator to make a daily cup of tea. Using the traditional spices and sweetened with honey I prefer mine with homemade almond milk and because I live in Southern California over ice until at least November. Along with the usual ingredients during this time of year I will add Astragalus, used in traditional Chinese Medicine it adds additional immune support, improves energy, strengthens the adrenals and has been known to improve heart function, kidneys and the liver. For those who wish to avoid caffeine the black tea can either be substituted with Red Rooibos or completely omitted. The recipe below is for a small batch, around three to four cups. I triple the recipe to have a weeks supply for our family. Hoping this season you will be filled with gratitude for the love and work of Christ, find time to slow down and enjoy a nourishing cup of tea!

DO

IMMUNE BOOSTING CHAI TEA RECIPE

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp. Cardamom Pods
1 Tbsp. Whole Allspice 1 Tbsp.
Dried Astragalus Root
2 Tsp. Anise Seeds
2 Tsp. Whole Cloves
2 Tsp. Fennel Seeds
2 Tsp. Whole Black Peppercorn
2 Cinnamon Sticks
1-2 Inches Fresh Ginger Root
4 Tsp. loose leaf or 4 Black or Rooibos Tea Bags
4 Tbsp.
Honey 2 c.
Water 1.

Directions:
1. In a medium pot place cinnamon sticks and ginger root.
2. Grind all remaining spices with a mortar and pestle and add to the pot.
3. Add water and bring to a boil.
4. Turn stove down to a simmer, cover the pot and leave for 10 minutes.
5. Add the tea, return to a boil, turn off stove and let it sit another 10 minutes.
6. Strain (making sure your strainer is thin enough to catch the spices)
7. Add honey and once cool keep in the fridge.
**To make a cup of tea heat on the stove 1/3-1/2c. Concentrate to 1c. Milk or place both ingredients in a cup over ice…however you want to enjoy your tea!