Almond Milk With Saffron & Cardamom

How to Make Almond Milk with Saffron & Cardamom

• SERVINGS: 1
• PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES
• COOK TIME: 10 MINUTES
• MEAL: DRINK
• STYLE: AYURVEDIC
• PREPARATION: PUREE, BOILED

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Strength & Energy Building Tonic
When the rhythms of nature invite us to seek out foods which nourish and strengthen our bodies, we can take inspiration from the squirrels gathering their nuts in preparation for the long winter. Long before the agricultural revolution, humans relied on nuts for an easily accessible and nutritionally dense sustenance. Their creamy texture must have been a primary source of satisfaction as well.

Since those times, nuts, and particularly almonds, remain one of the best foods to fortify your body. Almonds, and seeds in general, offer all the vitamins and minerals a young plant needs to grow. This enriching quality makes them excellent blood tonics for those with anemia. Almonds also work at a deep level to nourish the bones, helping your body to strengthen from the inside out. Indeed, the benefits of eating almonds are manifested outwardly through soft, firm, supple skin. Almonds also have powerful aphrodisiac and reproductive support qualities. Just inhaling the sweet, rich aroma of warm almond milk begins the process of soothing and nourishing the body.

Due to the time-intensive process of its cultivation, saffron has long been one of the most prized and expensive spices in the world. The richly saturated golden hue is reflective of the powerful qualities it holds as well as its status as one of the kings of the spice world. This vibrant spice comes from the flower stigma of a variety of the crocus plant, and it has been used across the centuries for a broad range of medicinal and therapeutic purposes. Saffron also has a long-standing reputation as an aphrodisiac. It is said that Cleopatra added saffron to her baths in order to enhance the pleasure of her sexual forays.

More importantly, saffron improves circulation, purifies and thins the blood. These actions serve to improve absorption and assimilation of the denser almond, a classic example of how Ayurveda often pairs heavy, rich foods with lighter, stimulating spices.

Calm Your Nerves
With our lives filled with activities, commitments, and relationships which demand our emotional and physical energies, most of us experience feeling a little frazzled these days. The demands of our lives, both positive and otherwise, often leave us feeling the depletion that arises from overly-stimulated nervous systems. Add in the strain of harsh weather or an irregular routine, and you may feel strong emotional and physical effects. When your body and mind feel overwhelmed, Ayurveda has some unique tips to ground your nerves. To start, saffron cools your mind while almonds nourish your nervous system. Every nerve in your body is coated in a layer of fat, called the myelin sheath, that insulates, protects, and guides the electric impulses of your neurons. Without this protective fatty barrier, your signals become frayed and irregular, leading to the sensation of being scattered and over-stimulated. Nourishing this fatty layer of the nervous system is key to settling your mind, for as your body builds up these healthy fats, it can better protect itself from the stresses accumulated over the course of the day. Spiced almond milk offers an excellent way to ingest these rich fats in a way which is easily absorbed by the body and gentle on the digestive system. The addition of saffron and cardamom both increase the medicinal qualities of the beverage and make it even more appetizing and comforting to drink.

Other Uses
Saffron and cardamom are given to children in Iran for colds and flu, often with cow's milk. Saffron, cardamom and honey break up mucus. This spiced almond milk is excellent before bedtime to encourage gentle and restful sleep in those experiencing over-stimulation, cold, and dryness in the body. While those prone to excess mucous accumulation should be judicious with quantity, all body types can enjoy this nourishing and grounding beverage in moderation.

WHAT IS ALMOND MILK WITH SAFFRON & CARDAMOM?

Tasty & delicious with a golden yellow color. Saffron is an exquisite and luxurious spice, the most expensive in the world.

AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.