Recipe: Hot Apple Cider

I went to the store to buy Apple Juice for cider after having it at my friend's wedding (in the cutest mason jars too!) and feeling like it was just perfect to transition from Summer to Winter from an Ayurvedic perspective. According to Dr John Douillard's article "Summer/Fall Super Foods" Apples (1) are natural heat removing purgatives so they eliminate excess pitta that accumulates at the end of summer (2) balance the blood sugar (3) lower LDL cholesterol and (4) are delicious! So as I went to purchase my ORGANIC apple juice (they're at the top of the dirty dozen), I saw these packets for mulling spices; how cool! They're like tea bags so they make the whole process super easy. The spices in the cider are our Vata-balancing favorites and all organic: cinnamon, cloves, ginger, orange peel, and lemon peel. Because it's a fruit juice you'd want to have it alone rather than with food. I'd recommend this for a breakfast when you're not feeling hungry or as an afternoon snack. 

If you want to make it at home, here's how I'd do it without the spices: 

Serves 1

1 mug-full of organic apple juice

1/4 c water

1 small cinnamon stick

1 clove

1 thick coin of fresh ginger

thin slice of orange with skin on

thin slice of lemon with skin on

Combine ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to boil. Allow to boil for 5 minutes. Taste. To balance Pitta, boil for 4-5 minutes, strain and drink; you don't want it to be too spicy. To balance Vata and Kapha, boil, then simmer covered for 10 minutes, strain and drink. 

• Awesome for all doshas! 

And here's a couple stunning photos from my recent trip to Cape Cod... seeing the sunrise over water, what a treat!