Happy 2025, friends!

Winter is here--the air is cold, dry (so dry!) and crisp. The green of summer has shifted to the gray shimmer of this season of dormancy and rest. We put on warm clothing before we go outside, and we brace for the cold air that will hit us when we leave our cozy homes. Just as we love and crave the warm blankets and fires that come with winter, our bodies want warm, grounding foods that nourish us with their sweetness, oils, and healthy fats, along with heating spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cumin.

In addition, this time of year is wonderful for more heating asana practices. Get that internal fire going to help stave off the cold. Join me for class any time it suits your schedule.

Foods for the season

• sweet potatoes and root veggies
• artichokes, beets, carrots
• kale and collard greens and chard
• seeds and nuts and nut butters
• oranges, bananas, dates, figs, grapefruits and lemons
• brown rice, bulgur wheat
• oats
• lentils
• ghee (here's a recipe to make your own)

Foods to reduce

• cold foods
• chips, crackers and things that are dry (we've got enough of that already)
• raw foods (think about wilted greens and warm veggie bowls)
• dairy products

Here is a delicious muffin recipe that I found in The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook by Kate O'Donnell.

Yam and Oat muffins

Makes 6 muffins ( I double the recipe and use a whole sweet potato)

Satisfies a sweet tooth, is nourishing, warming and grounding. Since there is no oil in this recipe, be sure to slather on ghee before eating:)

1 egg (or make a "flax" egg)

1/2 cup whole milk, almond or oat milk

1/2 cup mashed sweet potato

1 T maple syrup or molasses

1/2 cup oat flour

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/4 t baking soda

1/8 t baking powder

1/4 t cinnamon

1/4 t ginger powder

1/8 t nutmeg

pinch of salt

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup pitted dates, chopped

To Make:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease muffin tin with coconut oil or use liners.

In a small bowl, whisk the egg til fluffy, then stir in milk, mashed sweet potato, syrup or molasses.

In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients.

Stir wet ingredients into dry just enough to incorporate. Don't overmix. Add the pecans and dates if using.

Bake for 30 minutes.

Spread with ghee and enjoy, knowing you are fueling your body for optimum seasonal health!