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This comes to us from Ric Scalzo, president and founder of Gaia Herbs. Gaia, formerly out in Harvard, has its fields and laboratories in North Carolina today. We stay in touch with Ric, and when we sent him organic Israeli Medjool dates, he pronounced them the best he ever had and perfect for the recipe below which builds Ojas (strength and energy in the Ayurvedic tradition).
Note the pinch of cardamom. Cardamom, a perennial member of the ginger family, helps digestion. Dates are considered energy and brain food. But did you know that weight for weight, dates contain more potassium than bananas? Potassium is an essential mineral needed by your body to maintain muscle contractions, including the vital heart muscle. Dates also are high in fiber, and help make hemoglobin, the red and white blood cells. In addition, they are loaded with vitamin B, the nerve and stress vitamin. Why the rose syrup or rose water? Rose is said to be a powerful tonic for the heart. It enhances positive emotions, and intensifies the experience of happiness and bliss. What better way to start the day! The pinch of cinnamon helps stabilize blood sugar, as does that date fiber….
Serves one, but feel free to double in your blender for two
| 8-10 ounces Pacific Almond, Hazelnut or Vanilla Milk | 1/2 teaspoon cardamom |
| 12-14 raw organic almonds (soak overnight?)* | ½ pinch cinnamon |
| 2 organic Medjool dates, pitted | 1-2 teaspoons Organic Rose |
| pinch saffron | Petal Syrup (Purely Organic) or rosewater |
Blend all together at high speed for several minutes and then drink as a morning energy drink.
Ric says, “Debra I have taken this milk every day since you sent the dates, and I am telling you that WOW it tastes great and my energy is so much stronger. My entire nervous system feels more on an even keel!” *Ric says almonds are more easily digested and blend more easily if you remember to soak them overnight. It’s not essential, he says, but nice if you can remember.
Why that pinch of saffon? Clinical findings from the Tehran University of Medical Sciences about the use of drugs and herbs for mental disorders, suggest saffron is a safe and effective antidepressant. In double blind studies, saffron performed as well as drugs like imipramine (Klonopin) and fluoxetine (Prozac). The amount above is not a therapeutic dose, of course, but it goes to show that old-time medicine was on the right track and knew what it was doing!
