After my recent podcast episode exploring Vata balancing with Ayurveda practitioner Jody Vassallo, I was inspired to make Jody’s recipe for Black Sesame Milk with Maca. And, WOW. This isn’t just delicious, comforting and filling . . . Jody says it also helps you sleep and calms anxiety. If you have listened to the (now most downloaded) 3 part conversation on my 'Woman, Conversations for the Curious' podcast you will know how at especially midlife and during peri-menopause, the Vata dosha can make us flighty.
So, this drink? Think grounding. And honestly, it made me pretty sleepy!
The two powerhouse ingredients are my premium raw organic maca blend (a blend of yellow, red and black) and black tahini.
Maca helps the body manage stress, boosts energy and libido and helps with the symptoms of peri-menopause and menopause.
Black tahini is loaded in health benefits too, including aiding digestion and detoxifying the body. Black sesame seeds are especially good at mid-life because the high mineral content (calcium and zinc) strengthens bone tissue.
Ghee is highly encouraged in the world of Ayurvedic medicine, and is especially good at calming a flighty vata dosha. Ghee can be very supportive for digestion and inflammation in our body, and is said to promote healthy skin. Ghee has a high smoke point so is a wonderful oil to use in cooking.
I urge you to try this one!
Serves 1.
1 tablespoon black tahini (black sesame paste)
½ tablespoon maca powder
1/2 teaspoon ghee
1 cup milk of choice
Optional - 1 tsp sweetener of choice (coconut sugar or maple syrup)
Place black tahini and maca powder into a small pot and gently whisk as you add milk. Heat ingredients until just under boiling. Serve straight up!
Jody says you could add a few drops of rose water for extra richness and flavour. If you like to use honey as a sweetner, she recommends not adding it until after heating the drink. Because the maca has a delicious nutty flavour, sweetening is optional. If you are interested in learning more about Ayurveda and how a vata imbalance plays out during midlife I urge you to make sure you listen to the podcasts, and like me, consider a 1:1 with Jody - it is honestly life changing stuff!
For another beautiful hot drink, try my maca hot chocolate, it's rich and delicious!
