So here’s how spacey I can be: I put a sweet potato in the oven on Monday, thinking I’d have it later in the day with ghee and a sprinkle of Autumn spices. After an hour, its sweet aroma called me from my office. “Done!” it was signaling. I went and turned the oven off.
On Tuesday night, 3 hours away on a road trip with my mother, just before falling asleep, I remembered that little packet of Ojas, still sitting all by its lonesome in that now cold oven. Uh!
What happened? Too embarrassed to tell my husband, I let it remain there until I got home late the following night, whereupon I gently drew it from those dark cavernous racks, slid it into a safe, cozy place in the fridge, and then in the morning, knowing I had to use it or lose it, popped it in the blender and made a breakfast smoothie.
Being morning, following a full week of teaching and traveling, I knew it would offer the grounding I needed, but also wanted warming spices to rev up the morning fires. So I added a bit of fresh ginger, splashes of cinnamon, dashes of cardamom, and a sprinkle of fresh grated nutmeg. That, along with fresh Almond Milk, made for the gentlest, Autumn-welcoming, home-coming breakfast I can remember. Ever.
But then, as I mentioned, my memory is not that reliable… especially in Autumn. You see, in Ayurveda, Autumn is what we call the “Vata” season. Vata relates to the air element, which is windy and can make us restless, scattered, spacey. To balance the light, mobile, dry, cool qualities of Vata, we want to favor foods that are substantial, nourishing, wet and warm (either by lightly cooking and/or spicing). It’s almost like we are looking for foods we can sink into, foods we know will love and take care of us, foods we can trust.
I was having what we call in our house “a Vata moment,” and that sweet potato was just what I needed to restore balance. Amazingly, given how long it had sat, it was as good as if it had just been baked. That’s a food you can trust.
So here’s the recipe. If you omit the water, you’ll have something like a Sweet Potato Pudding, a great healthy dessert or snack. But I made it into a Smoothie because I needed something drinkable. That’s just the way mornings are for me.
Sweet Potato Chai Smoothie (or, Sweet Potato Pudding)
Makes enough for 2
1 small Sweet Potato (or half a large one)
1 cup Almond Milk
2 Dates
1/2″ inch coin Ginger, peeled
1 generous shake of cinnamon
A more reserved shake each of Nutmeg, Clove, Cardamom
1 t Raw Honey
1/4 cup Purified Water
Option: 1/8 t orange zest
Pierce your sweet potato and bake at 400° F for about 45 minutes. Allow to cool. Put it in your blender with everything, except the water, and mix on high until it is smooth. At this point, you’ll have something like a pudding. You could spoon this into dessert bowls and enjoy it like a sweet snack, or for a Smoothie, add water until you get the consistency you desire. Pour and serve, with a spoon!
This is so good you won’t believe it is good for you: tonifying, balancing, grounding, it is both Vata and Pitta pacifying. For Kapha, add more water, more ginger and clove, and maybe even a good shake of cayenne.
Given how healing and hormone-balancing sweet potatoes are, this is another truly delicious example of Mother Nature loving you. To Mother’s nature in you, Namaste!
Oh wow, this is genius! Ironically, I was just thinking of putting together a roasted squash or sweet potato smoothie myself, so this is will be it! And I absolutely agree with the “Vata” season. Am experiencing similar symptoms of restlessness, yet also finding myself recently drawn to warming spices and nourishing, denser food. Thanks for a wonderful grounding Autumn recipe!
Thanks, Katie. And look at your beautiful Sweet Potato Miso soup on your blog! It looks gorgeous. I’ve been adding Miso and Pumpkin Seeds to everything lately. I’ll be trying yours, too!
Thank you Laura! Do let me know if you try it and which miso you use. And yes, I agree, you can’t go wrong with pumpkin seeds and miso. 🙂
love the use of the words: splashes and dashes for measurements, allows for intuition which is at the root of all thing delicious and nourishing 🙂 Love you Laura!
Thank you, Kelli!
Thanks for another great recipe Laura! I just picked up a huge bag of organic sweet potatoes at Costco & needed a way to cook all of them. So perfect timing for your recipe 🙂 I made this last night w/ Jr’s help! After his 1st sip, he looked at me & said wow, this is YUMMY mommy! Success! Xoxoxo!
Gina, thank you! I wondered if kids might like it. So glad your Junior is such a great helper. Lucky him to have such a divine Ma. XO
Yep, this was really good! Made it this morning, and it’s truly a taste of Autumn in a glass.
Thanks, Katie!
What a lovely way to start the day :)!
Thank you, Brandon. And what a lovely blog you have! I look forward to exploring it thoroughly.
Wow! Your happy accident sounds yummy! My belly is very intrigued. : )
Oh, my goodness!! I’ve never seen anything like this, but I love absolutely everything about it!
Thanks, Kim. And I love your blog!
yummm! everything I love about fall in a blender! I tossed some chia seeds on top 🙂 love you
Pingback: An Ayurvedic Approach to Fall// Softening Vata | Sunrose Yoga
The smoothie that started it all!!! I love this so much! Drinking it now with a bit of banana & vegan protein powder added in. This is a healthy “milkshake” for the soul. I am forever grateful for this recipe. So many wonderful things have come into my life since its discovery. xo
Thank you, Melissa. That touches my heart. It is such a potent reminder of the power of mother nature’s gifts to love and to serve, to uplift, to strengthen, to regenerate and to cause regeneration. If anyone exemplifies that grace, it is you. You are that.
Pingback: Wellness Wednesday: Spring Saffron Stew from The Hostess Haven
Pingback: My 5 Top Spices for Fall | Food: A Love Story
Pingback: Spices: 5 favorites for Fall – Laura Plumb | San Diego Herb Company
Much gratitude to you Laura for all your recipes and inspiration. I love the deep sleep tonic and enjoy it regularly. As a vata i look for nutritious ways to support my wellbeing and always find recipes in your collection . Thank you.
Thank you, Claire. I love that you are nurturing yourself. Blessings.