Sunset Jicama and Apple Slaw

This crunchy, refreshing, raw salad is perfect for anyone on a balancing or cleansing diet.  Jicama is a Mexican tuber high in vitamin C and healing to the immune system. This fiber-rich dish is packed with prebiotics, which are are metabolized in the intestines, where our bacteria can then use it for energy. I'd take this to the beach with me or on a picnic.

By Katie Ring

Serves 4

Tools: knife, cutting board, peeler, food processor or grater

Ingredients:

1 small Jicama

2 green apples

1 medium carrot

Juice of 1-2 limes

Optional: spearmint

Method:

-First we’ll prep ingredients. Take your peeler and peel tough skin off jicama.  Using a large chef’s knife, cut off bottom of jicama, so it rests flat on your cutting board.  Cut jicama into rectangles.  Set aside.

-Cut apples into quarters, discarding seeds and stem.  Set aside.

-If using food processor, use the shredding blade and one-at-a-time, feed the jicama, apple, and carrot through.  If using a cheese grater, this process will take a bit longer, but it can be done the same way.  

-Transfer shredded mixture to a large bowl and add lime juice.  Let marinade in fridge for 20 minutes.  Top with spearmint if you desire!

Immune supportive chai tea

While everyone is pumpkin-crazed this time of year, I choose to obsess over everything chai-spiced. My chai tea recipe is amazingly healing: it kickstarts the immune system, aids digestion, reduces inflammation, improves circulation, has anti-cancer properties, regulates blood sugar, is high in antioxidants,  and boosts metabolism.  Coconut milk will keep you satiated longer and reduce food cravings.  If you don't have all these deliciously warming baking spices in your kitchen, you can always purchase a quality chai spice blend.  One of my favorite blends is through Savory Spice and can be found here.  I prefer a spicier, cinnamon-y chai, but you can always add more honey or coconut sugar for extra sweetness.

http://s3.media.squarespace.com/production/1264487/14880142/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/CHAI_02.jpg

Immune Supportive Chai Tea

It is really tough to mess this recipe up, so don't worry if your spices are not exact measurements.  I like to store some fresh ginger root in the freezer because it keeps longer and it makes grating the ginger much easier.  You may use a microplane or cheese grater to do this.  Lightly crush the tough pods with the back of a chef's knife.  This will release more flavor and nutrients into the tea.

Ingredients:
6 whole cardamom pods
6 whole cloves
2-inch piece of ginger root, grated
2 cinnamon sticks
1 star anise pod
1 bay leaf
1 tsp whole black pepper corns
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 cup coconut milk (try my easy homemade coconut milk recipe)
1 tbsp loose Darjeeling black tea or 3 tea bags
2 Tbsp honey or coconut sugar

Procedure:

1. In a 2-quart saucepan, add all spices to 3 cups of water.  Bring to gentle boil then reduce to simmer and cover for 10 minutes.  Add coconut milk and simmer for another 5 minutes.
2. Turn off heat.  Add black tea and let steep for 5 minutes.  Add honey or sugar.  
3. Strain out the spices, pour into mugs and serve.

Yield: 4 small mugs or 3 generous servings

References:

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5825/Why-Everyone-Should-Drink-Chai-Tea.html

http://www.savoryspiceshop.com/blends/chai.html