These three snack recipes have deep roots in Kundalini tradition and are healthful, yummy and soul-enriching to boot.
Jav Ducker / YogaIowa
Golden Milk
This hot drink lubricates the joints and promotes spine health. Golden Milk helps to break up calcium deposits and is particularly beneficial to students of meditation who spend a long time sitting in cross-legged positions. One of the main ingredients, and what makes the milk golden, is turmeric. Turmeric is a root that is ground up into a powder and is one of the main ingredients in curry powder. In fact, it is what gives curry its yellow color. Turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can aid in digestive healing.
1/8 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 cup (65 ml) water
8 ounces (250 ml) milk (you can substitute any other type of milk you want such as rice, soy or almond)
2 Tablespoons (40 ml) raw almond oil
Honey to taste
Cinnamon to taste, if you’d like some added sweetness
Boil turmeric in water for about eight minutes until it forms a thick paste. If too much water boils away, add a little more water. Meanwhile, bring milk to a boil with the almond oil. As soon as it boils, remove from heat. Combine the two mixtures and add honey (and cinnamon) to taste. To garnish, sprinkle some cinnamon on top.
If you like, prepare a larger quantity of the turmeric paste. It will last up to 40 days if refrigerated.
Jav Ducker / YogaIowa
Potent Potatoes
The spices in this recipe promote purification of the blood, stimulated digestion and increased energy. The potatoes are considered earth foods, which can also give you great energy when you have a lot to do! To get the greatest nutritional value from potatoes, they should be left with the skins intact. The amount of pepper or cayenne can be adjusted based on your preference.
4 large baking potatoes
1/4-1/2 cup (65-125 ml) ghee or vegetable oil
2-3 onions, chopped
1/4-1/2 cup (65-125 ml) ginger root, minced
1/4 teaspoon caraway seeds
1-2 tablespoons (20-40 ml) garlic, minced
1 teaspoon black pepper
3/4-1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon cayenne or crushed red chilies
8 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional:
2-4 Tablespoons (40-80 ml) soy sauce or salt to taste
1/2 pint (500 ml) cottage cheese
1/2 pound (225 gr) cheese grated
1 red or green bell pepper, diced*
Scrub potatoes, rub with small amount of oil and bake at 400 degrees until well done. Heat ghee or oil in large skillet. Sauté onions and ginger until they begin to brown, then add garlic and spices and cook for 4-5 minutes longer. Add a little water if necessary. Add soy sauce (optional). Stir and remove from heat.
Cut baked potatoes in half, lengthwise. Scoop out the insides and combine with onion mixture. Add cottage cheese (optional). Mix well and refill potato shells, covering each with grated cheese. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly. For a nice touch, garnish with bell pepper. If you like, serve with yogurt.
Jav Ducker / YogaIowa
Baked Apple Delight
Apples are body cleansers and blood purifiers. They are high in potassium, magnesium and vitamins B and C. An apple eaten at the end of a meal can aid in digestion.
1 apple
1 teaspoon nut butter (any kind)
4-6 oz plain yogurt
1 pinch cinnamon
1 pinch cardamom powder
1/2 teaspoon honey
Peel the apple (optional) and remove its core, then bake until soft. Replace core with nut butter. Top with cinnamon, cardamom and honey. Serve in plain yogurt.
These recipes and more can be found in the book Foods for Health and Healing: Remedies and Recipes based on the teachings of Yogi Bhajan.
Bridget Toomey, RYT-200 teaches Kundalini yoga at Heartland Yoga in Iowa City. She is a Reiki Master Practitioner and is currently working towards her RYT-500 in the Kundalini tradition in Kansas City, Missouri. This article was originally published in YogaIowa magazine in October 2018.
