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23.01.2022 With this wild wintery weather what could be more warming that a freshly brewed cup of Chai! There are so many different recipes for chai, I've had chai with tulsi in it and chai with ajwain as well! But my choice is always for the style I learnt when living in an Ashram. We would cook up pots that served a hundred people or more. In recent times they have gone sugar free, but truly that would never happen in India. As with all things Indian I halve the sugar. My basic rec...ipe goes like this In a saucepan place the following spices 2.5 cups water 1/4 stick cinnamon 3 clove buds 1cm sliced ginger Bring the above to a boil and simmer for 5-10 minutes. When this has become aromatic add 2tsp of quality tea. Brew on the heat up to 5 minutes. Don't let it become bitter. Sweeten with 2 tsp of raw sugar or sucanat or coconut sugar. 3/4 cup of unhomogenised milk Add the milk to the pot and heat through until it gently simmers. At this stage bruise 3 cardamom pods and place in the chai brew. Never add cardamom early as it is highly volatile in essential oils and the aroma will evaporate. Sieve the mix and sit back and enjoy this beautiful cup of chai! See more

23.01.2022 Happy New Year to you all! The New year is always filled with so much promise. A time we feel inspired to start new ventures, whether they be of a personal nature such as committing to meditate, doing yoga daily and nourishing your body and mind with good healthy food or a new business idea. All seems possible and filled with hope. I offer my heart felt blessings that we all succeed in fulfilling our desires.

21.01.2022 With cold damp windy weather I'm seeing a number of people with sore throats. Try this home remedy at the first sign of discomfort to soothe your throat. Turmeric is anti inflammatory and anti biotic, ghee is soothing and jaggery is good for digestion and clearing the respiratory tract. Throat Lozenges tsp ginger and turmeric... 1tsp ghee 1tbs of jaggery dissolve or melt jaggery in bowl of hot water. Add ghee, ginger and turmeric. Mix to a paste. Roll into a sausage shape. Cut into small lozenges. Take every hour for a soar throat. Stimulates digestion, therefore reducing excess mucus in the throat. Please note not to buy powdered jaggery as it may have sunset yellow colouring in it. This is banned in Australia and is derived from petroleum.

20.01.2022 Well the holiday is over and time to overcome the effects of over indulging in Christmas and holiday treats! For myself it is the Christmas pudding with lashings of real cream. It's once a year and I accept that I will do this. In Ayurveda this is called Praghyaaparada, "the mistake of the intellect"! But I don't want to continue paying for this choice for months to come so now I am back in my normal surrounds a digestive clearing is called for. I will support this action b...y consuming warm cooked easy to digest foods that suit my body. What about smoothies I am asked? Not now, I have dulled my digestion a bit with the cream and drinking cold blended greens will further cool my gut. Everything will be warm and nourishing. The formula I most suggest at this time is HINGASTAK. Even though each one of us will be best supported in our cleansing by different formulas, for most the Ayurvedic formula Hingastak will burn away the toxic residue called Ama in a fast and effective way. Generally considered a vata pacifying formula it is extremely effective in removing damp, sticky residue from poor digestion or food choices. It is hot and sharp in quality and makes an excellent alternative to using digestive enzymes. It's oily quality is also effective in decreasing constipation. Many pitta people will tolerate it though if you are greatly out of balance with a lot of heat I would not recommend it. If your not sure please ask. My Hingastak is made from fresh organic herbs which are freshly ground. The pungency and potency is powerful. The indications for hingastak are relief from symptoms such as gas, bloating, cramping, belching, hiccups, gurgling, pain in the abdomen and constipation. Hingvastak is used as a digestive enzyme due to its ability to enhance digestion, increase absorption of nutrients and burn away toxins. It also aids in the treatment of joint disease due to its vata and Ama reducing action. Actions and Indications: Kindles the digestive fire Increases absorption of nutrients Burns away toxins Reduces gas and bloating Relieves cramping and pain in the abdomen Relieves constipation Reduces congestion from the lungs Relieves asthma and bronchitis

18.01.2022 Once again more great information on turmeric. https://www.facebook.com/HealthImpactNews/posts/916537881717995

18.01.2022 Step by step I am moving closer to my new clinic in Bendigo! I have found a lovely room in a health centre in Hargraeves Street near the centre of town, and will commence on Friday 28th November 2014. My practice will continue at the Abbotsford Convent every Tuesday and Wednesday and the fourth Friday and Saturday of the month into the future. The only exception will be Saturday the 13th and 20th of December 2014. Gift certificates will be available for Christmas for your loved ones for a variety of treatments.

18.01.2022 Hibiscus A cooling herbal tea to enjoy on a hot day. A great way to reduce overheating in our extreme summer days. Its flavour is sweet and astringent, this gives the effect of a tart experience. You may prepare your tea in the traditional way by pouring boiling water and creating an infusion. On a hot day do a cold infusion by placing a teaspoon of herb in a cup of cold water and let it steep for 5 to 10 minutes, the coolness will aid in discomfort caused by extreme weat...her. Traditionally it is used as a blood cleanser, therefore improves skin complexion. As a cooling tea it is used in the treatment of fever. Often used in female reproductive imbalances such as painful heavy periods. There has been mixed research on its ability to reduce hypertension but this most likely due to its the individual body type as it’s mostly Pitta Kapha shamak. (Balancing effect on pitta and Kapha) and unbalancing effect on vata if used regularly in a vata dominant person. See more

16.01.2022 https://instagram.com/p/BWeDmlGB-Or/

16.01.2022 Nigella seeds also know as Kalonji or Krishna Jiraka have a mix of pungent & bitter flavour. Most used in curries, samosa or kachoris. As a naturopath I mostly think of its health benefits. Particularly at this time@of year with hay fever it’s brilliant at reducing histamine release and has an anti allergic effect. #allergies #hayfever #ayurvediccooking #ayurveda #thespicemistress #mistressofspices #masala #spiceblends #spiceshop #spices #herbs #herbalist #ayurveda #naturopath #homeremedies #kitchengarden #spicemistress #pepperberry #centralvictoria #maldon #bendigo #bendigofoodlovers #bendigofoodie #bendigofoodies

15.01.2022 With so many coughs colds still affecting many and the warm hot weather already hitting us here in Victoria it is great to remember the power of herbs and spices and a first line of defence and also in improving your health and digestion post a virus or bacterial infection. A great mix if you are suffering from tightness or clear to white mucous is to boil up the following spices 1 heaped tsp fresh grated ginger and add turmeric if infection 4 long pepper... 3 black pepper 1 stick cinnamon 3 crushed cardamom pods added just prior to straining. Sweeten when lightly cooled with raw honey. If you find your nose blocked and excess mucous try the following steam inhalation. 4 drops Eucalyptus oil 2 drops tea tree oil If infection add 1/4tsp turmeric To a bowl of boiling water. Place a towel over your head and inhale the steam. Of course avoid all dairy and heavy to digest foods during a cold or chest infection.

15.01.2022 Kali Maricha or Piper nigrum are names for Black pepper. Classed as one of the most prized spices it’s been traced back to being in use since 4 BC in the East. The white peppercorn are the ripened cooked berries with the outer skin removed of the peppercorn plant, green pepper is the dried and uncooked berry whilst black black pepper is the unripened fruit cooked and dried How many of us who grew up in Australia back in the 60s and 70s had our first introduction to spice wit...h salt and pepper. At the time for me it was white pepper. it was a few decades later i discovered that the white pepper is so much hotter and sharper than black pepper. White pepper is used more often in Sri Lankan food than in Indian. Now I use it in the lovely simple Broccoli soup from Amadea Morningstar’s cook book The Ayurvedic Cookbook. Or in an incredibly tasty Sri Lankan fish curry. (See The Gourmet Traveller version though reduce the tamarind amount if using the past). No dish is complete without the perfect amount of salt and pepper. In Ayurveda it is used as an expectorant and a digestive or in fevers to sweat a fever out. Who of us have had a bad cold or flu and made a tea out of ginger, black pepper, cinnamon and cardamom sweetened with raw honey to open up the airways. an old fashioned home remedy intended to break up mucous congestion. See my recipe for a Balinese tea used when a cough or cold has invaded you. Available on my website for purchase. The products and claims about spices and herbal products are not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Please speak to your qualified health provider for information on the diagnosis and treatment of any health disorder or disease.

15.01.2022 Beautiful documentary movie on Ayurveda https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1y5VhRDM6QU

14.01.2022 Not often talked about in western food but ajwain is wonderful to stop the gas causing effect of legumes and some vegetables. It is light, heating, bitter and pungent. If you chew into a seed you'll notice that it has a numbing effect on your tongue. This makes it perfect in reducing some pains. Other names it may be called are Ajmoda or Carom. Its latin name is Tachyspermum ammi. ... I have been unable to get this spice organically in Australia due to quarantine issues. Though the hunt for an organic seed continues. The products and claims about spices and herbal products are not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Please speak to your qualified health provider for information on the diagnosis and treatment of any health disorder or disease.

14.01.2022 Still one of my favourite ways to have cinnamon would have to be in a beautiful bowl of stewed apples. What a lovely soothing breakfast on an autumn or winter morning. Ok it is spring and there are only a few lovely apples left, but down south you will still find some good ones left. I am open to hearing your favourite fruit to have with cinnamon, banana? Pears? Not mango cardamom is my spice of choice there! To calm them for vata body type simply add a tsp of ghee or coconut... oil prior to eating. But let's face it once you have a big bowl of stewed apples how easy is it to make a yummy apple crumble! I love apple crumble a la Vicki style, hard to give a clear recipe as I just keep adding things. If your not sure on the start of the crumble basic just grab a recipe you know and trust and add accordingly as I do! Stewed Apples 6 golden delicious apples (Granny Smith is fine too but a bit sour for this pitta woman) 3/4 stick true cinnamon 2-3 clove buds 1/4 cup water Yep no sugar, cinnamon adds all the sweetness I need! Peel and chop you apples into a saucepan. Add water cinnamon and cloves. Cook gently for 10-15 minutes until they are soft. I like them soft and mushy but if you prefer them firmer just cook them less. Can't say the same for the crumble though with the sugar, it does also help it stick together! 3/4 cup of rolled oats 1/2 cup plain flour ( I will often use rice flour) 1/2 cup brown or raw sugar 120gm butter 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp ginger powder (sweet and pungent) 1/4 cup chopped walnuts 1/4 cup chopped almonds Handful of pumpkin seeds 6 chopped dates Take the nuts, seeds and dates and gently sauté them in a dry pan until they smell lightly roasted. The dates may feel a lot title sticky. This will add a lovely crunch to your crumble. Mix the oats, flour, sugar, spices together. Rub in the butter until it feels light and crumbly. If it still feels very floury then add more butter. You want it to lightly stick together if you squeeze it in your hand. Mix in the remaining nuts and dates. Place the apples in a baking dish and cover with the crumble. I like it about 1cm thick. Preheat oven to 180 degrees celcius and back for 30 minutes. Yummy, now I must confess I love cream so on this dessert I would have pure cream! No additives just pure top quality cream. What is your favourited topping?

14.01.2022 Living in a yoga community for many years one of my favourite jobs was cooking with the Indian family. I always adored this pumpkin dish that Madhuri used to cook. Oh it was so sweet and pungent, moist and delicious. Simply to cook and served with a plate of greens and spiced basmati rice it was a perfect nutritious combo. Of course they would also often make either puris or chapatis as an accompaniment. If puris I often ended up on the frying team, but I was never asked to ...roll the chapatis! To this day my chapatis look like the map of Australia as opposed to their perfect rounds! I believe you have to be trained from childhood to pass that test. Pumpkin & Tamarind Bhaji 1 litre of 2-3cm chopped Jap pumpkin 1 dessertspoon of ghee 1 tsp fenugreek seeds 1 dash of hing (asafetida) 2cm of tamarind soaked in 100 mls of boiling water Or 1tsp tamarind paste Salt to taste Melt ghee in heavy based saucepan. Add fenugreek seeds and sauté until aromatic. Add dash of hing and then chopped pumpkin. Place lid on saucepan and turn heat down. Let pumpkin cook slowly in its own juice until tender. Strain tamarind, leaving pulp behind. Pour liquid tamarind over pumpkin and salt to taste. If tamarind is not available use lemon or lime juice. One of my patients used to cook for an aboriginal community here in Melbourne and asked me some recipes. This quickly became one of their absolute favourites. The perfect combo. Hope you're all enjoy it too!

14.01.2022 I had forgotten about this tasty pancake recipe. It's a great savoury pancake to have in the morning for breakfast. It is highly nutritious, high protein so also benefits those of us who need to keep an eye on your weight. Because it uses chickpea flour I like a bit of ghee spread over it to add moistness. Or sometimes I will simply fine chop a few slices of red onion mixed with chopped fresh coriander and sprinkle that over the pancake for a little extra zing. Once you fee...l satisfied with the consistency and way of cooking the pancake, play around with the recipe by adding grating pumpkin, or carrot, or zucchini into the mis prior to cooking. Very yummy. One more tip, be patient with yourself when making pancakes, even now I find the first one doesn't quite turn out right! Is it the pan, the heat or a combo of things. Not sure I just accept my first is often not the best one and move on from there! Besan Flour Pancake 1 cup of Besan (chick pea) flour tsp cumin powder 1tsp fenugreek powder Freshly ground black pepper Sea or rock salt finely chopped onion Water to mix into pancake batter Mix all above ingredients together. Add water and whisk until a smooth batter is achieved. (Consistency of normal pancake mix.) Heat a heavy based non stick fry pan. Grease with a little ghee. Ladle in a scoop of batter. Cook until bubbles appear and it moves easily on the pan. With an egg flip, turn pancake over and cook until golden brown on the other side. Moisten with a scrapping of ghee and enjoy. This recipe is great for a quick lunchtime snack and as an aid to weight loss. Due to being protein source and the fenugreek which is great for blood sugar problems it is often used for patients with diabetes. Vicki Boucher - Ph 0401 929 157

13.01.2022 In cooking it is used subtly to warm a meal with its sweet pungent aroma. Its high in volatile oils so will be often added closer to the end of cooking to maintain the uplifting aroma. It’s as comfortable in sweet dishes as it is in savoury and pairs well with cinnamon, nutmeg and ground ginger or add with turmeric and jaggery in milk to create a turmeric latte. I’m a lover of cardamom. With its sweet and pungent flavour it always feels like you are opening my senses. Noth...ing quite clears the nasal passage like a good dose of cardamom. This is mainly due to its camphor content. It’s great if you have a sore throat, eases coughing or to freshen the breath. Cardamom is well respected as a digestive in the ancient Indian medical system of Ayurveda. It eases colic and indigestion and can be beneficial for nausea, vomiting, burping, acidity and morning sickness. The products and claims about spices and herbal products are not intended to be a substitute for medical advise. Please speak to your qualified health provider for information on the diagnosis and treatment of any health disorder or disease. #ayurvediccooking #thespicemistress #ayurveda #mistressofspices #masala #spiceblends #spiceshop #spices #herbs #herbalist #ayurveda #naturopath #homeremedies #kitchengarden #spicemistress #pepperberry #centralvictoria #maldon #bendigo #bendigofoodlovers #bendigofoodie #bendigofoodies

12.01.2022 https://www.thespicemistressonline.com//thebeneficialorthe

11.01.2022 Some have asked why the Australian Native plants in the spice photos? I wanted to show that my store is an Australian based store and these exquisite Grevillea flowers and gum leaves are quintessential Australian. The other quality which differentiates The Spice Mistress is the freshness of these beautiful organic spices. Until they are sent directly to you they are kept in cool dark storage and then packaged. Batches are made in smaller quantities so as not to be sitting around on shelves for weeks or months losing there freshness and aromatics. Recently I received this fresh batch of Chilli flakes, can you believe the colour! The aroma is sweet and sharp.

11.01.2022 In time this rose will become a part of my medicinal teas. So beautiful and fragrant. #herbaltea #ayurveda #traditionalmedicine #homegrown #cooling #naturopathy #centralvictoria

10.01.2022 Ajwain is wonderful spice used with legumes, vegetables and favourite Savoury cereal. It is light, heating, bitter and pungent. If you chew into a seed you'll notice that it has a numbing effect on your tongue. This makes it perfect in reducing some pains. Other names it may be called are Ajmoda or Carom. Its latin name is Tachyspermum ammi. ... I have been unable to get this spice organically in Australia due to quarantine issues. Though the hunt for an organic seed continues. #painmanagement #ayurvediccooking #ayurveda #thespicemistress #mistressofspices #masala #spiceblends #spiceshop #spices #herbs #herbalist #ayurveda #naturopath #homeremedies #kitchengarden #spicemistress #centralvictoria #maldon #bendigo #bendigofoodlovers #bendigofoodie #bendigofoodies

09.01.2022 As a practitioner of Naturopathy and Ayurveda I often prescribe meditation as a method to calm the nervous system and feel more at ease with the many changes that daily occur in our lives. There are many styles of meditation and having a teacher is one of the greatest supports. Of course we don't all have daily access to our teachers and mentors. This app offers great support on your journey and deepens the experience with a gentle contemplation at the end. You may also look... at Success without Stress. Sally Kempton online meditation courses and great spiritual writings in clear easy to understand writing. Or one of the many mindfulness meditation systems or yogic systems available. https://www.facebook.com/1GIANTMIND 1 Giant Mind 1 Giant Mind is a global non-profit empowering people worldwide with Learn to Meditate programs. Download... Non-Profit Organization: 6,310 like this

09.01.2022 At Wesley Hill Market today! Perfect day, not too hot or cold and a gentle breeze. Here are a few of the other stall holders that I have been lucky enough to meet and of course spend all my hard earn income with!

08.01.2022 https://www.thespicemistressonline.com/blog/facemask

08.01.2022 www.thespicemistressonline.com/chrysanthemumgojiberry

07.01.2022 New stock has just arrived! A couple of spices are still on back order but have all the regular spices.

05.01.2022 Home of Pure Organic Herbs and Spices - https://mailchi.mp/d6/home-of-pure-organic-herbs-and-spices

03.01.2022 The quality of the herb or spice used in your cooking always makes your dish. Having spoken for decades on the benefit of good quality herbs & spices I decided it was time to share with you the highest quality organic spices for your enjoyment and health benefits. I have created a website where you may purchase and learn more on how to use the spices in both recipes and home remedies. The home remedy recipes do not take the place of proper medical advice, they are there to give you support and empowerment for your own health. I hope you enjoy what I have created for you and welcome you to www.thespicemistressonline.com #ayurvediccooking #thespicemistress #mistressofspices #masala #spiceblends #spiceshop #spices #herbalist #ayurveda #naturopath #homeremedies #kitchengarden #spicemistress #pepperberry #centralvictoria #maldon

02.01.2022 It has been a long time since I did a market for The Spice Mistress. So I was so happy with my choice of market. The Bridgewater Community Market was a lovely experience. It was held on the main road and I was pleasantly surprised at the number of people who came through.

02.01.2022 Fenugreek. I love, love, love a lovely cup of fenugreek tea. Especially when I am feeling a little out of sorts. Not quite sure what is wrong, energy feels low, head is heavy that just not quite right feeling! I just boil the kettle, add a teaspoon of fennel seeds and let it steep for 5 minutes. Hmmm very quickly I start to feel good and by the end of the cup I can't wait to chew on those bitter pungent seeds that would have broken a tooth if I had bit on it 10 minutes earl...ier! The only down side to this lovely cuppa is that if I have it daily for a few days or more I do start to smell like a curry! just one of the prices you pay for feeling good. They are such a rich source of vitamins, mineral and phytonutrients. In India they are called methi. They are used as both seeds, sprouted greens and as a vegetable. We will explore some of these uses in the following week. These are some of the benefits listed on nutrition and you. "The seeds are a very good source of soluble dietary fiber. Soaking the seeds in water makes their outer coat soft and mucilaginous. 100 g of seeds provide 24.6 g or over 65% of dietary fiber. Non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) which constitute major fiber content in the fenugreeks include saponins, hemicellulose, mucilage, tannin, and pectin. These compounds help lower blood LDL-cholesterol levels by inhibiting bile salts re-absorption in the colon. They also bind to toxins in the food and help to protect the colon mucus membrane from cancers. NSPs (non-starch polysaccharides) increase the bulk of the food and augment bowel movements. Altogether, NSPs assist in smooth digestion and help relieve constipation ailments. It has been established that amino-acid 4-hydroxy isoleucine present in the fenugreek seeds has facilitator action on insulin secretion. In addition, fiber in the seeds helps lower rate of glucose absorption in the intestines thus controls blood sugar levels. Fenugreek seeds are therefore one of the ingredient that recommended in the diabetic diet. The seeds contain many phytochemical compounds such as choline, trigonelline diosgenin, yamogenin, gitogenin, tigogenin and neotigogens. Together, these compounds attribute for the medicinal properties of fenugreeks. This prized spice is an excellent sources of minerals like copper, potassium, calcium, iron, selenium, zinc, manganese, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure by countering action on sodium. Iron is essential for red blood cell production and as a co-factor for cytochrome-oxidases enzymes. It is also rich in many vital vitamins that are essential nutrients for optimum health, including thiamin, pyridoxine (vitamin B6), folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin A, and vitamin-C." The benefits of these tasty little seeds is so long.

01.01.2022 Merry Christmas to everyone and thanks for your lovely feedback for the year.

01.01.2022 Perfect on this cool central Victorian day. Lovely rain falling, hopefully will turn our browned land green again. How nourishing and warming would this drink be. https://www.facebook.com/vegieheadpage/posts/840053469365156:0