​When you clarify butter (by boiling) to make ghee, the milk solids will separate. They will settle in the bottom of the ghee. If the ghee is made properly, the milk solids remaining will be lightly brown, nutty, and very delicious.

Don’t throw away the milk solids. This is delicious stuff. Here are some things you can do with them:

-          Mix 2 tablespoons of milk solids with 1 clove of minced garlic. Heat on low till the garlic sizzles. Add a pinch of salt. Spread this on toasted pita or baguette slices for a rich tasting, yummy snack

-          Heat 2 tablespoons milk solids along with 6 roughly crushed peppercorns. When the peppercorns are fragrant, add 2 cups cooked rice and some salt. Mix well. We call this vennai chatti sadam (butter pot rice) – a recipe specifically created to use up the by product of ghee making.

-          Add sugar and wheat flour to milk solids. Gently cook. Then form the mixture into balls or laddus. 

-        Make paneer!

What is Ojas?
According to Ayurveda, Ojas is the subtle essence that is responsible for life, radiant health, strong immunity, vigor, longevity and the overall well-being of an individual.  The subtle essence, called Ojas, that is extracted from the proper digestion and efficient metabolism of food, nourishes the bodily tissues of blood, plasma and lymph, muscle, fat, bones, bone marrow, semen and as well as itself.  Ojas also forms the basic material of the five sense organs, ligaments and lubricating fluids. Improper digestion leads to production of ama or toxins in the body.  The accumulation of ama/toxins in the bodily tissues is what leads to disease.

The heart is the seat of the Ojas. From the heart, 10 blood vessels referred to as mahaphala carry Ojas to the rest of the body. Ojas is affected by not only the food we take in and its healthy digestion, but also by the sensory impressions we take in.  Hence it is important to protect the physical and emotional health of the heart.

Ojas is described to have the color of ghee, the taste of honey, the smell of fried paddy/rice grain.

Signs of Healthy Ojas:

A person with healthy Ojas possesses:

• Clear radiant complexion
• Strong immunity against infectious disease (seldom falls sick)
• Cheerfulness, energy and enthusiasm
• Youthfulness
• High threshold for stress
• Mental clarity
• Creativity
• Serenity

Signs of Weakened Ojas:

• Timid
• Weak
• Anxious
• Depressed and constantly worried
• Lacks luster/poor complexion
• Poor appetite
• Feel sluggish/fatigued
• Emaciated
• Suffers from disorders of the sense organs.

What weakens Ojas?

Ojas is diminished by under eating, overeating, eating when previous food has not yet been digested, consumption of poor quality food that results in the blocking of the channels, consumption of stale foods, canned foods, fermented foods like cheese, meat, irregular diet, excessive exercise, fasting, negative emotional stressors such as anxiety, anger, sadness, grief, hatred, jealousy, long held resentment, fear, grief, consumption of alcohol, smoking,  lack of sleep, excessive discharge of mucus, blood, semen and other excreta, with age and injury by other organisms, undue exposure to wind and sun, excessive sexual activity.

What promotes or revitalizes Ojas?

Consumption of foods that share the same properties of Ojas help increase Ojas.  Ojas has the 10 properties of sweet, cold, soft, unctuous, smooth, viscous, slimy, heavy, dull and clear.  Hence a balanced sattvic diet of fresh foods, cow’s milk, ghee, fruits, rice,  sweet foods like dates, natural seeds and nuts like almonds (soaked overnight and skin removed before eating on empty stomach), healthy eating habits, moderation in exercise and diet, and consumption of rasayans (like Chyawanprash) help promote or revitalize Ojas. Bathing and the use of gemstones also help revitalize Ojas. However, Ojas can never be built until one preserves the veerya.

How can one protect Ojas?

Since Ojas is the result of the quality of food we eat, its proper digestion and efficient metabolism.  Awareness of the sensory impressions we imbibe in our daily life is also important. In order to protect Ojas it is vital to protect not only the body, but the mind and heart as well from emotional strain and stress and to adopt a healthy balanced diet.

• Nourish your physical health by eating meals in a pleasant environment in the company of people that you enjoy.
• Eat at a moderate pace. Don’t eat in a hurry, while walking or driving.
• Don’t eat when you are emotional, angry, upset etc.
• Don’t eat if the previous meal still hasn’t been digested as that will lead to the production of ama/toxins.  The accumulation of ama in the bodily tissues leads to disease.
• Eat a balance meal.  In Ayurveda, a balanced meal consists of all the 6 major tastes in moderation: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, astringent, and pungent.  People of pitta constitutions should minimize or avoid hot, pungent, spicy foods as that will further aggravate the pitta (internal fire) which could further burn out the Ojas.
• Nourish your mind through regular meditation.
• Positive thinking!

For depleted Ojas:

Soak 10 almonds in water overnight.

Peel off the skins and blend in blender.

Add a cup of hot milk*.

Add a pinch of cardamom, soma formula if you have it, a pinch of ginger powder and 1 tsp of ghee, saffron (optional)

Instead of date sugar one can use turbinado or succanuts. Honey is also nice!

This almond milk is great for building ojas.  Persons suffering from high cholesterol can skip the ghee, however oils like ghee act as the vehicle for the herbal medicines.  The body needs oils!

*Can substitute with soy or rice milk.

Is it cold out there?  Want a little something sweet and spicy to warm you up?
This healthy herbal spin on classic hot chocolate is dark and rich and decadent.  Especially with roasted dandelion root, a pinch of hot cayenne powder, a cinnamon swizzle stick, and a dollop of homemade vanilla bean whipped cream swirled on top.   Ooooh!  I feel all cozy just thinking about it.  You can adjust the spicy heat to your liking by adding more or less cayenne.  A little goes a long way in this recipe.  Enjoy this wonderful treat and keep warm out there!