As temperatures drop, our bodies tend to contract, potentially retaining toxins from improperly digested or incompatible foods. It’s common to find ourselves longing for heartier meals and sweeter treats during this time. Surprisingly, it’s the perfect period for indulging in food and the least ideal for embarking on a strict diet. Save the diet plans for spring when the body naturally leans towards shedding extra weight. Embrace the season’s inclination for lavish, rich meals. By opting for quality ingredients and appropriate spices, you can ignite your digestive fire and satisfy your sweet cravings without any guilt.
Here are two delightful recipes, both without added sugar. One serves wonderfully as a dessert (Baked Apple Delight), while the other stands out as a perfect breakfast choice (Cooked Apple), with only two ingredients making it a quick and easy option.
Both recipes offer lightness and ease of digestion.
For either recipe, opt for sweeter apple varieties such as Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Opal, or Pink Lady (a personal favorite).
Baked Apple Delight Ingredients:
- 2 Apples
- 1 Tbsp broken walnut pieces
- 1 Tbsp raisins
- 1 tsp ghee
- Pinch of: green and black cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, fennel, clove, salt, black pepper
Instructions:
- Slice the top part of the apple to gain access to the inside and scoop out the contents, leaving the skin with some apple flesh.
- Heat a pan, melt the ghee, add the spices, and the apple contents. Avoid adding water. Cover and cook on medium/low heat until the apple softens and becomes juicy.
- Add the walnuts and raisins and sauté for an additional minute.
- Stuff the cooked contents into the raw apples and bake for 20 minutes at 350°F or until cooked through.
Easy Breakfast Apples (or Pears)
- 2 Whole cloves
- 1 Medium Apple
Instructions:
- Begin by boiling ½ cup water and the cloves in a small saucepan. Meanwhile, peel, core, and chop the apple into bite-size pieces. If pressed for time, at least quarter the apple and remove the core.
- Add the apple pieces to the hot water, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes or until the apple turns soft and translucent but not mushy.
Notes:
- For quick and fiery digestion, swap the apple for a pear.
- For slower digestion, add a 1-inch piece of cinnamon stick in step 1.
- The cooking liquid can be consumed as a tea or added to oatmeal for added flavor.
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