Along with many ancient traditions, Grapes are the chosen fruit in Ayurveda. They nourish the blood plasma (rasa) and cool the blood's fire (rakta). Grape refreshes and rejuvenates (called a "rasayana" or tonic in Ayurveda). Texture-wise, grapes have a snappy, crunchy exterior and soft flesh inside. Although sweet taste prevails endowing grapes with a gentle laxative effect, they are also slightly astringent, toning the musculature of the bowels.

Turmeric invigorates and cleans the blood. The soft coolness of the grape juice balances the intensity of turmeric. Cardamom and ginger helps digest food stuck in the upper digestive tract, clearing the stomach creating a feeling of lightness. Altogether, Grape Juice Chai is a sweet, refreshing tonic and cleanser.

Milk is the ultimate rasyana (rejuvenator) because it contains all the nutrients needed for growth and development of a baby. Unfortunately for most, however, cow's milk is also difficult to digest.

Milk causes gas in vata individuals with weak agni (digestion) and mucous for kapha. Gold milk, on the other hand, is readily absorb-able by vata and actually destroys mucous in kapha.

Here's how: Cinnamon and cardamom stimulate digestive fluids and break up stomach mucous making the milk easy to digest. Once digested, nutrient dense milk has a tendency to cool, congeal and clog the blood. When circulation stagnates the lungs, sinuses and all empty cavities fill up with fluids especially mucous. This kind of mucous lodges deep in the lungs and can be very difficult for kapha individuals to expectorate.

Turmeric heats and thins the blood and honey liquefies mucous. Thin blood circulates freely making the whole body warm blooded for colder winter months!

Lastly, cooked milk breaks up difficult to digest molecules. While raw food experts say raw milk contains helpful digestive enzymes Ayurveda recommends cooking all milk before eating. There is no right answer. Try both and find out what your body prefers!

Buttery carrot soup is simple to digest and fatty. Ayurveda uses simple, easy to digest foods whenever the body is imbalanced. Buttery carrot soups aggravates Kapha because it's oily. Onions and garlic ground the nervous system. Black pepper adds heat.