My Top 10 Teas for Wellness

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My Top 10 Teas for Wellness

August 7, 2015

I have always been a lover of herbal teas and remedies and have been steeped (gosh aren’t I the clever writer lol) in this approach since childhood. For me its a generational thing, with a Grandma (Gigis as I call her) being ahead of her time and a total health and natural wellness guru. Here I will share some of my faves she schooled me to, as well as my grown up gotos I discovered while studying holistic nutrition.

I use a lot of these as part personal wellness codes that I write up for my one on one cliients and hopefully you will spot a few that could be of use to you 😉 XO

Holy Basil – Tulsi

Tulsi, also known as Holy basil is part of the mint family and actually the inspiration behind this blog post. After learning about its adrenal supporting properties and its incredible calming effect on anxiety (which I personally struggle with), it has been a constant companion in my cup. It is known as an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body cope with stress (who couldn’t use that). Its name Tulsi is Sanskrit and this plant has deep roots (pun intended) in Ayurveda medicine. It has high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has also shown to relieve some asthmatic symptoms. This comes in many delicious flavours…my fave being blended with a chai, but make sure its decaf so you don’t get the opposite effect of calm on your nervous system.

Lemon Balm

Another part of the mint family, lemon balm is a well-rounded herbal remedy with a delightfully lemon/mint flavour. This is an ancient healer was used as far back as the middle ages. It has historically been known to fight of viruses such as cold sores, mumps and shingles. I love this tea for its stress reducing ability and I often recommend it to clients to aid in restful sleep, as a great headache remedy or for reducing heartburn. You can also keep a cold pitcher in the fridge to take the irritation out of bug bites.

Peppermint

I’m sure there are more than a few of you out there that are familiar with the awesomness of this particular tea. It’s light and refreshing on a hot day when enjoyed as an iced tea, but is comforting and clearing in the winter when you are bogged down with a chest/head cold. My grandma (my original herbal healing teacher) would always have peppermint tea on hand for an after dinner drink to help reduce bloating and aid in digestion and readily administered it as my “medicine” when I was ill with a cold or flu. This plant can also reduce headaches, relieves nausea, as well as gas. Don’t believe me…think about why all those gas or upset stomach otc “cures” are flavoured with mint 😉

Chai (cinnamon)

Chai is one of my most enjoyed teas. It’s a black tea base (naturally caffeinated. Look for decaf if you don’t want the buzz). One of the main ingredients in this traditional Indian elixir is cinnamon. I love cinnamon …big fan! The smell and taste say autumn to me, inducing warmth, coziness and make me want to wear big sweaters and bake apple pies (all that from one little spice. Impressive eh). Cinnamon has been known to help with sugar cravings while increasing blood flow and circulation. This is obviously an excellent choice for all women who want to stay off the sugary snacks and warm up those chronically cold toes!

Matcha Green Tea

I could have just listed green tea here, but not all green tea is created equal. I actually wasn’t even aware of the vast difference in potency and quality of this tea until I started studying nutrition. Though green tea has detoxifying and energy boosting capabilities, you are only getting a fraction of the goodness that is steeped from the leaves. Match on the other hand, is the entire leaf dried and ground into a powder which is then whisked into hot water for full potency. It is higher in caffeine as well as much higher in the cancer fighting and brain boosting antioxidants and EGCG. It is rich in chlorophyll and is a regulator of blood sugar as well as cholesterol and mood. This is a must have in my books and even my Mom’s naturopathic oncologist (cancer doc) insists on her drinking a mug of it a day.

We choose DoMatcha brand because of its purity and its adherence to the traditional way of harvesting for an optimal product.

DoMatcha comes in a regular or organic version (I use the organic), and there is a price difference. If you are not that keen on shelling out the bucks yet, the non-organic one is still a far better choice than most others, as well most health stores carry their individual packets for under 3$ to try it out first. Here is a link to what those look like (I have even seen them at Thrifty’s by the till) http://www.amazon.com/DoMatcha-Green-Tea-Packets-Count/dp/B00BU4770Q

Chamomile

This is a classic. Most people have heard of chamomile for relaxation and aiding in a peaceful sleep…that’s because it works! This is one I am never without for those nights when my bran just won’t stop taking an inventory of all I have going on. Thinking, thinking,. ..Zzzzzz.

Also a helper of those of us with floating anxiety (comes on for no obvious reason) as well as a relief of mild throat irritation and cough.

Passionflower

Passionflower tea is a double whammy in the digestive and mood balancing arenas. Recently there have been a few studies showing potential benefits in protecting against stomach ulcers caused by alcohol or taking aspirin (which some do for blood thinning). It has shown great antioxidant properties and is generating a lot of buzz. On top of those benefits, it is proving to be a pretty powerful anti-anxiety “medicin

e”. It boosts your brain’s levels of GABA, a natural chemical that lowers brain activity and can help with sleep too. GABA is also released when you have that glass of wine after work, and that is why you associate it with unwinding. Try this for less sugar and no harm to the liver.

Ginger

This tea is a winter staple for me. Its smell and taste is warming and so is its effect on the body. Perfect for someone with the chills and can help induce sweating to break a fever. I keep this on hand for any nausea, especially when I have the flu, a far healthier alternative to teaching your kids to reach for ginger ale. Clearly that old home remedy stemmed from the ancient knowledge of ginger for an upset tummy, however, ginger ale is full of artificial flavours and a ton of sugar…get your kids familiar with the real deal, after all, pop is pop!

Lemongrass

I love the smell of lemongrass! So fresh and relaxing. A cup of this daily can calm your nervous system and actually aid in reducing high blood pressure. I also like to reach for this tea when I am experiencing the joys of PMS (I do enjoy a bit of sarcasm), as it is a gentle diuretic and can help rid you of fluid retention that contributes to all that belly bloat.

Rosehip

Another one from my Grandma’s natural aid arsenal. We prefer this one cold, but that may be a product of raising. This is also a fabulous immune booster full of Vitamin C. Also it improves adrenal function as well as increasing energy and the body’s ability to heal its tissues and cells.

These suggestions are based on the learning I have done in school for Holistic Nutrition as well as personal experience. I am not a doctor and I suggest consulting with yours before adding any new remedies to your health routine to avoid negative interactions or side effects.

Be safe and healthy <3 Daly

Raw Vegan Pad Thai with Spicy Creamy Cashew Sauce

August 3, 2015

Happy Monday and the last day of a long weekend here, in Beautiful British Columbia.

I have been a bit more on the move than usual this weekend, literally.

Normally I would be camping, hiking, marketing (as in exploring as many markets as possible..favorite pastime) and just lounging in the sweet August sunshine. Luckily, we have had no lack of sun this year on the normally wet west coast, in fact It has been an absolute scorcher. I have been very fortunate to enjoy a lot of it already, amongst all the business of being self-employed, and starting this budding blog, I have carved out many mini camping vacays this season!

So what have I been up to this log weekend instead??? The answer is, I am relocating:)

Normally I am not a big fan of moving at all..I am a Taurus through and through. I do delight in the freedom and excitement of travel and of doing things on the fly, however, when it comes to home..I get attached, and much prefer stability in this department. When I was I child I didn’t move often, but when I did, my Mother would practically have to club and drag (OK, a tad exaggerated) me from the premises! I would protest “But Mom, I love this house”…to which she would reply..”you say that about every house, if it was up to you we would never move forward”, “now get in the car” : /

This time is different though. I am feeling very blessed to move on from a situation that gave a temporary solution, but was not a happy match for my life. I felt sad, stifled and restless there. It was a very cramped and dark environment, and the energy felt dark there as well. Your home should be your sanctuary, and if you are a sensitive person at all, you will relate to how your surroundings can have a huge impact on your mood, energy and productivity.With all that in mind, I pushed through the uncomfortable feelings of uprooting again so soon and began the dreaded packing process. I can say that it was 100% worth it and I wish I had done it sooner…although, timing is everything isn’t it 😉 Now I can happily report I have moved into a bigger and brighter place, that immediately feels more cheerful and like the perfect little nest for my pupster (Axl – Like Rose…Big, huge, embarrassingly knowledgeable Guns N Roses fan right here) and myself. Looking forward to the inspiration and good times to come from this space.

So, now that I have spent majority of this long weekend cleansing, purging and setting up, I needed to start thinking of what yumminess I had the energy to make for this week’s lunches. With an open mind, and a somewhat hungry tummy (always dangerous at the market), I headed out to see what fresh and organic veggies caught my eye and hopefully stir some inspiration.

Instinctively I headed for some full and firm looking dark green zucchini. These are a serious staple in my daily diet. I love their ability to soak in flavors as well as the versatility in ways you can cut and cook them. I grabbed a few knowing I could find some promising way to use them. Just then I spotted some red/purple cabbage which I love and haven’t used in quite awhile…wait, when did I last use it?? hmm… Then it dawned on me, it was for my fave healthy vegan Pad Thai dish. And I could use the zucchini too …Bam!

This dish is so perfect for summer dinners or lunches. It is light, fresh and creamy enough to feel like a sinful indulgence, and best of all..its oh so simple!

Give it a try, I would love to hear if you love it like I do, or any of your own twists you put on it 😉 Enjoy XO
Raw Vegan Pad Thai

Ingredients

1 large zucchini
1 large carrot
1/4 Red cabbage sliced thin
1 Green onion chopped fine
Small amount grated ginger and a few Crushed cashews or peanuts for the topping.

Direction
Use a spiralizer (or mandolin or vegetable peeler) to create “noodles” out of the carrot and zucchini. Place them in a large mixing with the other vegetables.
Pour the sauce over the vegetables and toss. I prefer this dish after 1 day in the fridge so the flavors really come out and stick to the veg noodles. Add toppings of choice when served.

Cashew Cream Sauce
Ingredients (makes about 2/3 cups or 3 servings)

1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked for 2-3 hours or overnight
1/4 cup water, + 1-2 tablespoons as needed for thinning
1 garlic clove
2 teaspoons nutritional yeast
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon sriracha chili sauce, + more to tastePut all ingredients into a food processor or blender. Blend until you get a smooth and creamy texture. Taste for your desired flavor and add extra chili sauce if needed. Thin with water to the rig
ht consistency using one tablespoon at a time. If you find it’s too watery add a few cashews and blend again until smooth. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to six days. I used a tiny pinch of pink Himalayan salt after and blended.Sure to be a new easy and delish staple for you as it has been for me!

Parsnip Patties

July 27, 2015

Good morning indeed my friends!

I am a morning person, and with that comes my fave meal of the day…Breakfast ;P

That is not to say I don’t adore all the other meal times, I am a self professed foodie after all, but breakfast reigns supreme. There are so many incredibly tasty options, it is even hard to choose just one a day (hello breakfast for dinner).

That being said, you cant beat a good egg and toast combo for a filling but not fussy choice, perfect for a busy workday. What happens though, to this great go-to when you are trying to cut out bread and or gluten? Well, I can tell you as someone who likes to keep their bread quota low, it all but put the kibosh on my egg enjoyment in any of the soft yolk varieties. Its just not the same without something to dip in it!

Enter the parsnip. These creamy colored tubers are a root vegetable that has a slightly sweet and earthy flavour. They are a common grocery store staple, but for some reason most people have only experienced them in a mash up with carrots, likely as one of Mom’s Thanksgiving dinner side dishes. The parsnip resembles a carrot and as I have just discovered, is an excellent replacement for your egg dipping toast pieces.. Hallelujah! (Too excited?) ;P

These resemble a rustic hashbrown patty or latke, but with a much higher fiber content than potatoes, less calories, is great for people on a Paleo diet or who are sensitive to nightshade foods (info HERE). Best of all…they are the perfect wheat free way to accompany your eggs!
Without further ado, here is the simple recipe (adapted by me from the book Eat, Nourish, Glow) ready in just minutes…unless, like me, you find the soft boiled egg part more difficult than most, and don’t like wasting 2 eggs before getting it right . In this case, I highly suggest you invest in THIS handy little indicator for perfection every time ( thanks Mom 😉

Parsnip Patties

Ingredients:

1 parsnip, peeled and grated (use a bigger one)
2 tbsp coconut flour ( I used 1 1/2 and it was enough for me )
1 tbsp Parsley
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 small onion finely chopped or grated
A pinch of salt and pepper
1 tbsp coconut oil

Directions:
Mix all the ingredients (minus the oil for cooking) together in a bowl, then divide into six patties with your hands and fry in the oil for a few minutes on each side. You will need to watch not to burn, as the heat needs to be medium/high to make them crunchy (don’t worry, as coconut is a healthy oil for high heat cooking unlike canola).
That’s it…now ENJOY XO

Banish Burnout For A Sweeter Summer

July 24, 2015

Everything in our universe has Yin and Yang qualities.

They are the extremes; they each have both positive and negative attributes that are needed to create balance and harmony.

Yin- Winter, feminine, introspective, focused, cool, dark and quiet.

Yang- Summer, masculine, social, energetic, hot, bright.

The summer is the time of Yang and the organs related to that in Traditional Chinese Medicine are the heart and small intestine. The heart is the queen of our body, enlivening and feeding all other organs and functions through the circulating of our blood, keeping us going mentally, and helping us physically grow through this time of go go go.

In addition, Fire is the element associated in this season. This is represented with strong digestive “fire” in the belly, as well as joy, expansion, love and light in the heart. It is the manifestation of all we have sowed in the Spring.

Opposite to this is the very Yin counterpart winter and its related organ, the kidneys. This is a time for rest, reflection, going inward and meditation. Much like when animals hibernate, our emotions and sometimes our physical self must retreat from too much socializing to conserve energy, restore and replenish our inner beings.

Taking that all in to account, as we celebrate this season of plentiful energy, longer lighter days, and an excess of socializing, be sure to take a moment to check in and notice if you are getting energetically as well as physically overheated.

Exhausted bodies mixed with too many imbalances, a large emphasis on Yang and very little attention or energy left to nurture your Yin, results in a stressed heart. This can manifest itself in a lack of sleep, restlessness, anxiety and anger, which can all result in a slowing of the blood throughout the body, causing fogginess in the mind, scattered emotions and some major burnt out symptoms.

This is why we must support our Yin in the summer to maintain a balance of our internal harmony both emotionally and physically. We are naturally Yang at this time, so we must eat foods that feed our Yin organs and support our body to help it come down from the crazy high of the heart-centered summer.
Here are some ideas for fun ways to incorporate more Yin activities:

Sitali Pranayama – a yogic breathing technique that is cooling – If you can roll your tongue, do. If not,make an open pout with your lips like you are sipping through a straw, and inhale through your lips or rolled tongue. Close your mouth around your tongue and exhale gently out your nose. Repeat as needed.
The air passing over your tongue is cooling, and it slows the breath, which is perfect for calming your heat both physically and emotionally. This can be a very helpful tool for anyone on the go, especially during times of anxiety and for those who have a tenancy to overheat, are menstruating, pregnant or in menopause.
Take a slower paced summer vacay. This is a wonderful time weather wise to just lay by the lake in reflection or go camping and take a hike through the cool forest for some quiet contemplation.
Photography is another great hobby in the summer in which we can capture the ripe beauty of this Yang season while balancing it with some introspective gratitude and celebration of all it has to offer.
Hot yoga is popular these days and while I do enjoy it (when I don’t mind dedicating the extra time to re-straighten my hair after), going into that heat during this time of year would likely make me frazzled and aggravated. To dial it down through the warmer months, try a restorative, slower Yin yoga class.
If you are unsure about trying something new, or can’t make it to a class, try out some Yin on my favourite FREE yoga website with a multitude of different types, teachers and lengths…filmed outdoors, right here on beautiful Vancouver Island. http://www.doyogawithme.com
Eat fresh, juicy yin foods, such as cilantro, watercress, asparagus, zucchini, salads, cucumbers, and fruits. Melons are replenishing, and antioxidant rich blueberries are cooling. Dates are also a supportive yin food, as they nurture the heart, while roasted sesame seeds or sesame oil, can nourish the blood.

This is a list of Yin foods to balance you this season & a special Yin Restoring Smoothie recipe from my heart to yours!

Coconut Water
Chard
Kiwi
Tomatoes
Barley
Mango
Amaranth
Celery
Blue-green Algae
Chlorella
Broccoli
Apple
Bok Choy
Avocado
Mulberries
Peppermint
Citrus Fruits

Restorative Yin Smoothie

1 cup spinach
1 cup coconut mylk
¼ avocado
½ cup pineapple
½ frozen banana
Juice ½ of a lime
Mint leaves
Optional – 1 tsp Matcha (green tea) powder

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