
Feeling exhausted even though the week has just started? Our Ayurveda specialist and a new momma Syama Kumari has got your back with her ojas-boosting recipes that she kindly shared with us.
“In Ayurveda, ojas means vitality or vigour in Sanskrit. In Ayurveda, it is the energy that is extracted from eating pure and nourishing foods that sustains the body. It is the summon bonum of healthy digestion. Ojas is characterized as great immunity, feeling rejuvenated, strength, clarity of mind, body and heart.
Chronic and excessive stress, lack of sleep, unhealthy food, poor digestion, excessive activity and inactivity deplete ojas. You know your ojas is depleted when you can’t sleep, have stiff joints, wrinkled skin and lack of desire to do anything.
A common complaint in parenthood (especially motherhood!) is exhaustion because to nurture a child requires expenditure of accumulated ojas, from carrying a baby in the womb to taking care of the growing child’s needs. Hence, it’s vital as a parent to constantly replenish ojas, so you have the vitality and vigour to keep giving. Here are some simple recipes that can enable you to do so. They’re quite easy, don’t worry!
Ojas drink
This drink is a great way to rejuvenate, replenish and restore you energy, and it’s vegan too!
INGREDIENTS
1 Cup of peeled almonds, soaked overnight
4-5 cardamon pods crushed
Pinch of cinnamon
Pinch of saffron
1 Medjool date
METHOD:
Blitz one cup almonds with filtered water and all ingredients, this makes it a bit pulpy, if you like that.
OR
Strain (optional). I like almond milk strained. Then pop back into blender and add the rest of the ingredients.
Say a prayer and enjoy!
Ojas Date Envelopes
If you’re feeling exhausted, craving a sweet or just want to replenish your body, this is a recipe for you! Dates are great for ojas enhancing. They increase vitality and immunity by also supporting the seven tissues.
These Ojas Date Envelopes are a great quick dessert and a healthy snack that will boost your energy in no time!
INGREDIENTS
10 Medjool or regular dates
20 Soaked and peeled almonds (or other nuts, see below for ayurvedic tip for why almonds are ideal)
Pinch of salt (optional)
10 of mint leaves (optional)
10 Tsp of warm melted ghee (optional)
METHOD:
1) Cut the dates lengthwise.
2) Put one mint leaf and 1 tsp of ghee inside every date, if you’re using it.
3) Add in the almonds (or other nuts).
4) Sprinkle the pinch of salt on them.
DONE! Say a prayer, enjoy.
***AYURVEDIC TIP***
- Why soaked almonds? Soaking almonds makes it easier to digest. It’s considered to be one of the coolest nuts as all other nuts have heating properties in them. Almonds are vata pacifying and support all the seven tissues in the body.
If you want to learn more about the ancient science of wellbeing Ayurveda and how you can apply it in your life, pop into one of the Ayurveda workshops at OmFest.
About the author: Syama Kumari is an Ayurveda practitioner & lifestyle consultant, yoga teacher and a mother.
Instagram: @Ayurvedamamayogi