2020 has certainly been a remarkable year, like no other in any of our lives. Amidst all the devastation and distress, however, there are hidden blessings and opportunities we received to look deeper within.
Finding the blessing in difficult situations is one of the ways that ancient wisdom teachings support us in successfully navigating the ocean of our emotions and coming through challenges as champions in our everyday lives.
It's time to start celebrating all the victories you experience in your daily life, especially the ones no one else will see, but you will know yourself. Every time you overcome your own negative tendencies, remember to do something you normally forget and face what is hard to look at, you win a victory over yourself.
What better way to celebrate the small wins in your life than with something sweet?
I love occasional sweet treats, and winter is the perfect time of the year for them, according to Ayurveda's ancient food wisdom. This is because your digestion is naturally strongest during the cold winter seasons, which means your capacity to eat heavier foods is enhanced, provided you stay active!
The sweet taste (which is present in regular foods like sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, dates, figs, raisins and so many fruits) is what strengthens your bodily tissues (when you can digest it). Digested sweet taste further brings about immunity, fertility and vitality.
In the spring season, we are advised to abstain from the sweet taste, and to eat lesser quantity of lighter, naturally sweet foods in the summer, so this is really the time to enjoy them (in moderation), if you are feeling otherwise healthy and strong.
Serves 4-6.
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons almond or coconut milk
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 cup jaggery (or your favorite sugar substitute)
1 tablespoon flax seeds
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup almond butter
1 cup whole-wheat flour or almond flour
1/4 teaspoon pink rock salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons nondairy semisweet chocolate chips
METHOD:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Warm milk over medium heat until it warms up all the way.
Transfer milk to a big bowl and add to it maple syrup, jaggery, flax seed, almond butter and vanilla. Stir until smooth.
Add 3/4 cup of the flour with the salt, baking soda, cinnamon and 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips. Mix until it is all well blended together.
Add remaining 1/4 cup flour a little at a time to make the batter stiff (you may need to add more flour if you use almond flour to get it to be as stiff as needed).
Pour the brownie batter into your baking pan. Spread it out evenly with your hands or using a spatula. Sprinkle the leftover chocolate chips on top of the batter and press them into the batter gently.
Bake the batter for 24 minutes.
Cool them for 15 minutes, then remove them from the pan. Allow them to cool down before you cut and eat them.
Close your eyes and really count your blessings before eating this sweet treat. The more you feel grateful for all the good that exists in your life, the more goodness can continue to bless you.
To learn more delicious recipes like this, and to learn how to design your own Ayurveda lifestyle, in harmony with the rhythms of nature, join The Ancient Way's Wellness Ambassador Program starting March 26th, 2022, to spread the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda in your community.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ANANTA RIPA AJMERA is founder and CEO of The Ancient Way and Advisor of Ayurveda at THE WELL, a modern wellness club that brings together world-class doctors and master healers for a more balanced you. She is author of The Ayurveda Way, a compilation of 108 simple, doable practices for better sleep, less stress, optimal digestion and more.