Ojas Dates

Ojas is the most refined byproduct of our digestion. Our body produces ojas, when we are able to digest correctly. Ojas is nourishing and gives our body strength and vitality. It can be described as our body’s “natural honey” as well as our immunity. Ojas is strong when digestion, both physically and mentally is strong. Therefore, ojas is associated with mental stability, good health, groundedness, a natural radiance, and strong fertility. We are born with 8 drops of ojas in our heart, when all 8 have diminished, our lifeforce ends.

Ojas building foods, also known as rejuvenators are ghee, rice, milk (ahimsa – meaning no cow has been harmed in the process, raw, unhomogenized and organic or biodynamic produce – also for ghee), sugar (raw cane sugar, called jaggery or sharkara), raisins, almonds (deskinned) and dates.

Dates is exactly what I use when I want to eat something sweet and healthy, while being very lazy.

Let me show you how, it’s literally a 2-minute treat, which you could also package as a sweet Christmas present.

Here is what you ‘ll need:

Makes 6 servings and takes 5 minutes.

INGREDIENTS

-       6 medjool dates (or as many as you like)

-       6 tsp white almond butter

-       pinch of freshly ground cardamom

-       pinch of rock salt

-       optional: a few dried organic rose petals, 20 g of 70% chocolate to dip (or make it more sattvic with 10 g cacao butter + 1 tsp carob powder)

INSTRUCTIONS

You can find out how through watching my Instagram reel here.

Open the dates by cutting lengthwise and discard the pits

Put a teaspoon of almond butter in each, top with a pinch of ground cardamom and rock salt. Cardamom has some very special properties, please check them out, especially if you are a yogi (here).

Another option would be to top them with organic rose petals, absolutely delicious! And perfect for all doshas, the petals are soothing for everyone. Find out more about the magic of roses here.

Optionally you can dip them into chocolate. Find out more about chocolate from an ayurvedic perspective and how to make your own by clicking here.

To make it more sattvic (in this case meaning balanced), you can create a chocolate “substitute” that is not as stimulating as chocolate, a carob dip.

Melt 10 g of cacao butter over a water bath and add a teaspoon of carob powder, then dip your date in it and let it cool. Explore more about cacao butter here.

In Ayurveda we do not recommend putting them in the freezer, as it will take away lifeforce, called prana.

You can enjoy the ojas date by yourself, but they are also a great gift for loved ones.

This year has been a true whirlwind, it brought up a lot. May you find time for reflection in the coming holidays, to nourish yourself inside and out - may these dates help you with it.

I will use my time and the twelve nights between Christmas Eve and Epiphany (in German Rauhnächte) for deep insight, reflection and manifestation.

Much love,

Lisa