Yesterday it was tough to get up after having worked the 11 hour shift, but I did and finished the morning yoga routine in the sun. The mind was refreshed, the body still sore from the day before. Right now I'm working with facing fears, not escaping, but staying and studying whatever it is that invokes unpleasant feelings within me. It was to my great surprise when I opened my eyes a little in downward dog on the elbows that I saw a spider walking closer and closer to my face. This fear of spiders I inherited from my mother. Once when I was little she even got one of the neighbours down the street to "come save us" late in the evening when there was a "giant" spider in the house. I thought about what the worst thing that this little eight legged creature could do to me as I watched it come closer to my face. So... it could bite me... and I would... turn into spider woman? Well, who doesn't want those super powers!?! I WOULD YOGA ON A WALL! A good way to overcome fear is to turn it into something funny. I would still shriek if a "big" spider is on me, but I'm getting alright with the little ones crawling on me now. This fear is trivial though, the real fears are the things that limit us from doing the things we want and being who we are.
Yesterday was also a spontaneous day off and went all in to enjoy it to the fullest, really feeling the O in the off. Got a visit from Ylva of the Mainlands (just had to add the title, it sounds so... from another era!) and the sun commanded us to get beachy. Got in the water the second time. Brr! I really thought ishnaan would make that easier. The thought is usually worse than the experience. I knew this, but still I turned into a chicken in the water. We also hit the kitchen to try a raw vegan recepie, Rawmanda's cake bites (the raisin version) then added some more oats for less mushyness and larger numbers of the yummyness. Sweet! Of course there was curry rice and chai tea along with it.
There are many ways to make chai (AND NO POWDER OR SYRUP DOESN'T COUNT!) Here's how I make it, note that I make quite a large quantity, the tea cups in sweden are often like soup bowls:
2 cups of Spicy Chai á la Lovisa
1 cup water the rule is that 1/2 is water and the other half is milk
2 pieces of fresh ginger or 1/2 - 1 tsp ground if you don't have fresh
6 whole cloves or 1 tsp ground
1/2 cinnamon stick or 1-2 tea spoons of ground cinnamon
Vanilla this is optional but if I have vanilla powder (1/2 tsp) or a bit of a vanilla stalk then in it goes!
2 cardamom seed pods crush it! 1/2 - 1 tsp ground cardamom works too
boil it and then add tea
4 teaspoons black tea this is the classic, but dare to try other flavors! Earl chai? Green? Why not!
1 cup milk the original is whole fat cow milk, but I think other kinds would do fine.
Bring it to boil. Here's where you got to keep guard, it tends to boil over the edge if you turn away for a second! When the level rises, move it from the stove, put on a lid and let it soak in the tea and spices for about 5 minutes. Strain it. Enjoy it.
The classic recepie is sweet with as much sugar as tea which is added before the milk, but I prefer without or with honey added afterwards. The tea is a bit filling though so don't drink it when your stomach is already full. The chai is perfect to warm up your soul and bring you new energy. Open up and relax with friends and family.
No need no bake!
