Surprise! Homemade ice cream can be Ayurvedic! No need to deprive yourself of one of summer’s most special treats. Knowing a few simple tricks about foods and spices is the key to making an ice cream that not only tastes good, but makes you feel good.

Rose Pistachio Saffron Cardamom Ice Cream is sweet and aromatic. Rose, saffron, and cardamom provide elegant, decadent aromas which in turn help you digest heavy, cold ice cream. The crunchy texture of pistachios compliments the sweet and smooth consistency of this creamy dessert. Hearty, rich pistachios also offer a savory balance to sweet ice cream.

Ingredients

3 c HEAVY CREAM

2/3 c RAW SUGAR

1/4 c SKIM MILK POWDER

2 tbsp ROSE WATER

1/4 c PISTACHIO

1 tsp SAFFRON

1 tsp CARDAMOM

1 tsp ROSE PETALS

Instructions

1. Put the pistachios in the freezer.

2. Heat the remaining ingredients over low heat until the sugar is dissolved and it begins to steam. Briskly whisk for one minute.

3. Chill all ingredients in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

4. Use an ice cream maker, or if not available, simply place in the freezer and stir every fifteen minutes until frozen.

5. When the ice cream is almost done, drop in the and/or pistachios, if using. Serve in frozen bowls and garnish with candied rose petals.

Alternatively, freeze 3/4’s of the liquid portion, then place in a vitamix or high end blender with the remaining 1/4. Mix in the solid ingredients.

What is Low Plank Pose?

Low plank pose, or chaturanga dandasana in Sanskrit, is most commonly practiced in Vinyasa yoga as a transition between plank and upward-facing dog pose. From plank, the yogi bends their elbows and lowers their body toward the ground, using the strength of their core and arms to hold the pose.

Instructions

Begin in plank.Exhale and bend the elbows until the upper arms are parallel to the floor. Keep the elbows close to the body. The legs and torso should be in one straight line. Gaze toward the floor.Breathe while holding the pose.

1. Sound Healing

The way our bodies respond to sounds that startle us and set off our fight-or-flight reaction can help us understand how sounds affect the neurological system. Using healing sounds to balance out the inevitable pressures in our daily lives can have a profound impact on your nervous system.

Chanting mantras can be an active kind of sound therapy (more on that later!). or as passive as lying in bed with headphones on and listening to healing frequencies on YouTube. To get the most out of the experience, think about attending a sound bath in your neighborhood, where all you have to do is unwind and enjoy whatever benefits the sound medicine has to offer!

2. Forest Bathing

Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is a straightforward (and cost-free!) spiritual practice that has its roots in Japan and has a profound impact on your body, mind, and spirit.

Taking a forest bathe is an excellent way to practice mindfulness in the present moment and strengthen your bond with Mother Earth.

Locate a peaceful area in the outdoors where you can stroll around unassisted (you can use a park or your backyard, whatever works!). Turn off or leave your phone in your car so you can detach and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of your surroundings.

Let your senses lead the way and heed your instincts. Let your inner child play and explore by allowing yourself to really touch and feel the textures of the surrounding ground and tree trunks! You can even get grounding effects by walking barefoot. Take as much time as you need to forest bathe.

3. Crystal Healing

Crystals are a form of vibrational healing, much like light, sound, and aromatherapy. This implies that their potent primary resonance frequency, or vibration, is the reason behind their effectiveness. Every object in your environment vibrates, and crystals have very strong and consistent vibrations because of their flawless molecular structure.

Because we are not as flawless as crystals are at the molecular level, greater vibrations can more easily control our vibration. The frequencies of the crystals we hold or surround ourselves with can raise our own body’s through the law of entrainment.

4. Construct an altar or sacred area

There is nothing like a sacred area in your house to bring magical intentions into your life. This is a great way to use sentimental objects you may have lying around the house in a creative way, and it may also act as a marker for your spiritual development.

You don’t need a lot of space or an expensive setup to create a sacred area or shrine. To accomplish the task, a square foot of space on a table is sufficient; however, if available, you can occupy an entire room! An altar is the home for sacred things you’ve collected from feathers to candles to crystals and should be in a place that won’t easily be disturbed by pets or kids.

Make advantage of your sacred area for your prayers, meditations, building crystal grids, and pulling oracle decks—the possibilities are unlimited! Use your creativity to arrange your environment in a way that inspires you and motivates you to spend time there on a daily basis.

It’s simple but a bit different. Music therapy uses music and its elements such as sound, rhythm, and harmony to achieve specific purposes like stress reduction and improved quality of life. A trained music therapist works with you to understand your needs, preferences, and experiences to find a solution just for you!

They assess your progress and coordinate with other healthcare providers as needed. These sessions might vary in number, duration, and activities, which may include singing, playing instruments, composing music, or discussing the emotional impact of music. Sounds exciting? Now let’s get into the healing power of music therapy.

The healing power of music therapy Benefits of music therapy include: It triggers different parts of the brain connected with memory, emotions movement coordination sensory processing reflex responses decision-making process, and reward pathways. Lowers heart rate and reduces blood pressure levels. Relaxes muscle tension Releases endorphins Reduces anxiety levels and mitigates stress. Builds motor skills while enhancing communication abilities among children who have developmental or learning impairments.