Cardamom Date Ojas “Smoothie”

Similar to the classic Āyurvedic recipe, Ojas Milk, this light but nourishing beverage includes all of the ojas-building “super foods” recommended for balancing vāta in the winter season. We’re looking at you friends in the Southern hemisphere 🙂 Enjoy this as a light breakfast, a pre-breakfast, or at night before bed (especially if it is hard to fall asleep). The spices are simpler than in typical Ojas Milk so that we don’t overload the agni. There’s an emphasis on all things sweet and moistening. This includes licorice root, which can also help repair the GI tract if there is damage from indigestion (a common symptom of any stress, but especially burnout).

Preparation time: Overnight + 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Serves: 1 generous mug, 2 smaller mugs

Ingredients

• 12 cardamom pods (or ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom)
• 1 ½ cups water
• ½ cup whole cow’s milk or almond mylk
• 2 to 3 Medjool dates, pitted, chopped, and soaked overnight
• 8 whole almonds, soaked overnight and skins removed
• ½ teaspoon ashwagandha powder (see Note)
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger (see Note)
• 1 teaspoon licorice root (see Note)

Steps

1. Gently crush the cardamom with a mortar and pestle or the back of a spoon.
2. Crack open the pods and remove the seeds inside (discard the shell).
3. In a medium saucepan, combine the water, milk, crushed cardamom, dates, almonds, ashwagandha, and ginger.
4. Place the licorice root in a tea ball, and add it to the pot, too.
5. Bring the liquid to a boil over medium heat.
6. When it starts to froth, lower the heat to simmer and cook for at least 8 minutes (if you are using the ashwagandha and/or licorice, cook for 20 minutes for the most potent medicinal actions).
7. Remove from heat and remove the tea ball with the licorice root.
8. Blitz with an immersion blender until smooth.
9. Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy without any distractions, wrapped up in your coziest clothes and blanket.

Note:

• Ashwagandha can be included for stronger rejuvenation, but only if your agni/appetite is strong and regular.
• Consult with a practitioner if you’re unsure about whether to include it.
• Do not use ashwagandha if you are pregnant or on your menstrual cycle.
• If you are experiencing excess heat in your body, substitute the ginger for nutmeg (preferred if you are drinking this before bed).
• If you don’t have licorice root, you can also use ¼ teaspoon licorice root powder and cook it in the liquid without the tea ball.
• An alternative would be to stir in a ½ teaspoon of ghee, if your digestion is not overly depleted, or 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup for additional sweetener as needed.