Yoga_Journal_-_February_2016_USA_

(Wang) #1

eat well
NOURISH


SIP TO: BUILD IMMUNITY


a cuppa comfort
SERVES 1
Get a wellness boost with this rich,
savory drink’s immunity-enhancing
mushrooms. The artichoke has been
shown to work as a potent antioxi-
dant that also breaks down lipids (fat)
in the liver, and it marries well with
the herby pine of gin. Reishi mush-
room teabags are available through
Buddha Teas (buddhateas.com).

4 thinly sliced mushroom caps,
such as shiitake
2 chopped, frozen, and thawed
artichokes
2 reishi mushroom teabags
Juice of ½ lemon
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 sprig rosemary or cilantro,
optional

In a small saucepan over high heat,
cook mushrooms, artichokes, and
1 cup water until the mixture just
starts to boil, 1 to 2 minutes. Turn
off the heat and add the teabags;
steep 4 minutes. Stir in lemon juice,
balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of salt,
then transfer into a mug. Garnish
with rosemary or cilantro, if desired.
ADD SOME SPIRIT Add one shot (1.5 oz)
gin (110 calories).
HANDLING AND STORAGE Shop for arti-
chokes with no salt added, like frozen
artichoke hearts that are quartered.
Defrost them under cold water or at
room temperature.
NUTRITIONAL INFO (1 cup without alcohol):
77 calories, 0 g fat, 8 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 4 g
protein, 189 mg sodium

SIP TO: BOOST BRAIN FUNCTION deep chocolate
minty blast
SERVES 1
When brain fog happens, bring
your concentration back online with
dark chocolate. Research shows that
flavanols in the cacao bean enhance
brain health by boosting BDNF,
a brain chemical that inhibits the
neuronal-cell death that leads to
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Get the optimal benefits of 100 per-
cent pure cacao in this drink, along
with a hint of refreshing peppermint.

2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa
powder
2 tsp stevia powder or 1 tbsp
honey
⅛ tsp ground cardamom
1 drop food-grade peppermint oil
1 sprig fresh mint, optional

In a small saucepan over medium-
high heat, cook cocoa powder,
stevia or honey, cardamom, and
1 cup of water until the mixture is
smooth, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn off heat
and stir in peppermint oil. Garnish
with mint, if desired.
ADD SOME SPIRIT Add 1 shot (1.5 oz)
Irish cream (147 calories).
HANDLING AND STORAGE When cook-
ing chocolate, simmer but do not
boil, as prolonged cooking at high
temperatures can damage the anti-
oxidants in chocolate and increase
its bitterness. For the freshest flavor,
look for whole green-cardamom
pods; pull the seeds free and mill
to a powder in a coffee grinder.
NUTRITIONAL INFO (1 cup without
alcohol): 94 calories, 1 g fat, 24 g
carbs, 4 g fiber, 2 g protein, 6 mg
sodium
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