Ojas Milk Recipe

I used to resist winter. I struggled with the darkness and the short days. It was hard for me to keep my energy high in the winter, and I often felt depleted. This shifted for me when I started to develop a relationship with nature. In studying Ayurveda, I've realized that I am part of nature, so developing a relationship with nature is really developing a relationship with myself.

I used to feel depleted in winter because I was trying to maintain the same pace all year long, which meant that I was working against the current of energy rather than with it. All of the other beings in nature take time to pause and regroup during the winter. My body was asking for more rest, and I had to learn to respect that request. When I aligned my rhythm with the rhythm of nature and allowed myself time to rest, reflect, and replenish, I learned to love winter.

Everything in nature can be divided into two categories: brmhana (building/nourishing) and langhana (lightening/reducing). Because the winter has lightening and reducing qualities (cold, light, dry, rough, subtle, and mobile), we need practices, like restorative yoga, that nourish and build so that we can maintain balance. If we don't build in more rest and nourishment, we will eventually become depleted and feel run down, tired, moody, and lusterless.

This recipe for ojas milk has lots of brmhana (building and nourishing) ingredients and is great for balancing out the depleting qualities of winter. Banyan Botanicals is a great source for ashwagandha and shatavari, and if you use the coupon code RACHEL15, you will get 15% off your order. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that helps the body heal from stress. The etymology of the word is associated with the strength and vitality of the horse, and it imparts those same qualities. It is also sometimes called Indian Ginseng because it promotes mental focus and clarity. Shatavari is also an adaptogen whose name means "100 spouses." It is a replenishing herb that helps the organs and tissues of the body retain their juiciness. Both herbs are calming for the mind and nervous system as well.