As many of you know, or have assumed, I tend to lean towards a holistic way of living. My most recent read Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider has it the nail on the head as to how I strive to raise my family. Her mantra for living simply; "Living holistically with your life's purpose" describes perfectly my intentions on being a stay at home Mother, a wife, a friend, a neighbor. Don't get me wrong, some days I fail miserably and live even further from my intentions than even I realized, but, my heart is in the right place and so I keep trying! Anyway, sorry for the tangent! I choose to raise my children in a very holistic way, meaning to pay very close attention to the treatment of the whole (meaning the child as a whole; spiritually, emotionally, physically) and how each piece interacts and effects the other. That being said, it is my intention to continue to work in Rudolf Steiner's philosophy on a specific grain for a specific day during the week which he called "The Seven Planetary Grains".
Sunday~Sun~Wheat
Monday~Moon~Rice
Tuesday~Mars~Barley
Wednesday~Mercury~Millet
Thursday~Jupiter~Rye
Friday~Venus~Oats
Saturday~Saturn~Corn
Today is Friday, so it works well that we are focusing on oats, which are said to help loosen stiffness and increase stamina and resistance to disease. Another fun and inspiring book for children is The Waldorf Kindergarten Snack Book. This book is full of recipes and inspiration for cooking simply and with wholesome foods to nourish little bodies everyday.
If a Waldorf inspired rhythm is something you are looking to further educate yourself about check out the following blogs for more insight and inspiration to build a beautifully rhythmic spirit to your day: The Magic Onions, Waldorf in the Home, Bending Birches, Little Acorn Learning, and Rhythm of the Home.
OK......onto the recipes!
Oatmeal Cookies
2 sticks of butter
2/3 cup of sugar
2/3 cup of brown sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
2 eggs
3 cups of oats
1 cup of flour
Add ins if you choose: raisins, walnuts, chocolate chips, dried apricots or apples
*Preheat your oven to 325 degrees
Mix together the first 10 ingredients (See I told you it's super simple. Just put them all in your mixing bowl and mix together until creamy and fluffy).
Stir in the oats and flour one cup at a time
Scoop out spoonfuls of the dough on to your cookie sheet.
Bake for 9-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the middle is still a little doughy!
Let them cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheet then gently transfer the cookies to a cookie rack.
Now, simply enjoy!
Chai Tea
3 cups of water
4 cardamom pods
4 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
3 whole black pepper
1 inch piece of peeled ginger cut into 1/3 inch disks
1bag of your choice of black tea or 1 tsp. loose in a tea infuser (Irish, English, rooibos, or whatever your favorite is!)
Honey or maple syrup to sweeten
Milk of your choice
Place the first 6 ingredients into a pot, place on medium heat and bring to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes.
Turn the heat off and let the herbs steep for an additional 5 minutes or so.
Add the black tea and bring back up to boil but only for 2-3 minutes.
Strain your tea into a larger container (tea pot, mason jar, mugs)
Sweeten your tea to your liking and add your milk.
This is such a lovely and warming treat. You can adjust the boiling and steeping times to your desired tastes. If you like yours a bit spicier add 1 each additional spice (except cinnamon). I prefer almond or soy milk in my chai and choose honey to sweeten it but use whatever tastes best to you. That's the beauty and simplicity of either of these recipes, you can tailor them and add what you like best to make it your own!
I thank you for stopping by today and indulging your senses in our kitchen alchemy. It brings such joy to our family to live in a way that brings harmony and happiness and of course, if feels wonderful to share it with all of you! Blessings for a warm and spicy day!