Happy New Year! I hope it’ll be a nourishing and uplifting one for you!

To support you on your journey into the new year of 2024, I’m sharing a series of nourishing recipes this month. Inspired from the wisdom that St. Hildegard shared long ago about natural healing, nutrition, and healthy living, these recipes will help to restore and invigorate your energy.

If you are feeling run down after the holidays, this restorative beverage is perfect for the new year! It will enliven your energy and enhance your mood in the cold of winter, warming you inside and out.

Winter Restorative

5 cinnamon sticks, broken in half

½ tsp. cardamom seeds

2 T freshly grated ginger root

½ tsp. whole cloves

4 c. water

Add the spices to the water and simmer in a pan. Strain and add honey, if desired. Drink hot or cold.

Recipe from From Saint Hildegard’s Kitchen, Foods of Health, Foods of Joy by J. Fournier-Rosset

The 3 spices of cardamom, ginger and cloves are a powerhouse! Check out some of their health benefits below.

Ginger

The use of ginger dates back as early as 500 BC, originating in Southeast Asia. It packs a powerful flavor when added to food, but also has been used in traditional medicine since ancient times.

Some of ginger’s health benefits:

• Aids digestion
• Improves immunity
• Relieves nausea and upset stomach
• Reduces pain
• Improves health of skin

Cardamom

Cardamom is a spice that belongs to the same family as ginger. It’s been used in culinary and traditional medicine practices since ancient times. Like cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and ginger, it has warming properties and is used in sweet and savory dishes around the world.

Some of its health benefits include:

• Aids digestion
• Freshens breath
• Balances blood sugar levels
• Lowers blood pressure
• Improves circulation

Cloves

Cloves have been used in cooking and traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for years. Originating in Indonesia, cloves are a spice often used in soups, stews, sauces, and rice dishes.

Some of the health benefits of cloves:

• Strengthens immune system
• Reduces inflammation
• Aids digestion
• Lowers blood sugar
• Eases dental pain and prevent gum disease

 

With these 3 powerhouse spices, this restorative drink will certainly nourish you this winter.

Want to awaken and nourish your creative, playful side to support your health and well-being?  Check out my upcoming FREE Masterclass: Creativity As A Spiritual Practice. I will be offering it twice, once on January 17th and then again on January 20th. Find out more here.