I learnt this the last time I was in Bali. I was very lucky to stay at the Como Shambhala Estate in Ubud: have a look it is amazing , you can even pop down just for a visit or to use their raw food restaurant or SPA programs. if  you are around:
http://www.cse.como.bz/

I was given an amazing ginger tea after a SPA treatment, so I asked one of the girls that worked there to teach me how to make it and she said: " Easy, just chop the ginger finely and boil for 2 hrs , keep adding water as is lowering "

So I did try back home and there it was , an amazing fully tingling and tasteful ginger tea:)

Especially now that is winter , give it a try and you will feel all the amazing benefits of ginger!:)

I would like to share with you the story of an inspiring and loving woman, Sri Anandamayi Ma.

I had the pleasure of visiting her temple on one of my trips to India and I went back many times ever since.

The first time I set in meditation in her temple, with no expectations, I receive a special message from her.  
I was really sceptic about "hearing staff " so I thought that I was just a bit overwhelmed by my India experience and started imagining things. However, I than spoke to and heard of many people which reported speaking to her in meditation, as her presence is very strong and " she likes to chat:))) " as they say.

Here below is an extract on her life from her organisation website and link to her website if you would like to read more about her:

http://www.anandamayi.org/ashram/


" Sri Ma Anandamayi today is widely recognized as a personality of great spiritual eminence. She was born a hundred years ago and she took samadhi at the age of 86 ; these limitations, however, cannot said to have conditioned her utter freedom to be just herself under all circumstances. She was the embodiment of a joyous self-sufficiency, which enraptured the hearts of all who came near her.

The mysterious aloofness of her personality was totally beyond human understanding and yet it was so
tempered by her compassionate love for all living creatures that she seemed closer than the most indulgent friend ever could be. She was the Teacher whose guidance was sought by the learned as well as the simple, the old and also children, people from alien cultures or from traditional backgrounds.

Although she travelled incessantly, it was seen that she was at home everywhere and no one was a stranger to her. Throughout the length and breadth of India and also beyond its shores people found her to be, as if the personification of their own inner vision of the Adored one who is most dear to their hearts.
                                                                                                                                          "

If you are around Rishikesh you can take a short drive to  
Tehri Garhwal , about 40 min away and visit one of the most beautiful holistic resorts in the area, Ananda in the Himalayas.

Ananda is a stunning palace and used to be the residence of  the Maharaja many years ago, but also to my great surprise I found out that Anandmayi Ma ( a spiritual guide and saint) visited and lived there for many years , in a small room on the palace terrace.  

This place is the perfect blend of luxury and holistic. The suggestive settings on the top of a mountain overlooking the Holy town of Rishikesh and the precisely looked after gardens in the resort grounds accompany you into a journey of holistic bliss.

At Ananda you can experiment a full range of holistic treatments in the Spa (one of the biggest spa I have ever seen), but also you can take part to a great range of classes to get a deeper understanding of the Indian culture and the yogic lifestyle. They have fully ayurvedic menus , but also the option of indian specialties if you feel like indulging yourself..

My ideal day when there was:
Meditation classes to start the day, yoga and a ayurvedic breakfast. Than join the Vedanta class for some philosphy discussions. Relax in the spa for some tailor made massage treatments for the rest of the morning reading a book and sipping herbal tea.
In the afternoon more yoga followed by a class of choice: they often run special classes from specialized guest teachers , while I was there they had the Art Therapy course.
For the early evening more vedanta and meditation or you can also join one of the cooking classes which runs every couple of days. 
In the evening there is usually some entertainment which sees local artists performing.
 
Here for you couple of my favourite recipes I have learnt while there :

LEMON AND CORIANDER SOUP

50g carrots
40g cabbage
40g button mushrooms
40g pock Choy
30g zucchini
  5g sea salt
  5ml lemon juice
  1g white pepper
30g corn flour
10g spring onions chopped
  1 bunch of spinach
  1 bunch of coriander finely chopped
800ml vegetable stock

In a pot put together the vegetable stock and all the veggies.
Bring it to boil and while boiling make sure that you clean the scum from the top.
When veggies are cooked add the seasoning and the lemon juice and serve with a little coriander sprinkled on top.


STEEL CUT OAT UPMA

300 g oats
150g sliced onions
  25g ginger
  10g chopped green chilli
    5g curry leaves
  25g finely diced carrots
  25g finely diced French beans
  40g ghee
  40ml oil (freshly pressed sunflower is better)
  10g mix lentils
    3g mustard seeds
  10g cashew
175ml fresh milk

I a large pan heat the oil in and add the mustard seeds, when they finish popping add the dal (lentils) the cashew nuts and let them sauté'  until golden.

Add the onions, ginger , curry leaves and chillies and let sauté' until the onions are ready.

Add the oats and let them cook until they are turning lightly brown.

Start adding the milk by whisking it through to avoid creating lumps. You can use hot water instead if you prefer.

When all the milk is absorbed the Upma is ready.

This is a great option for breakfast , you can serve it with different chutneys.

 Enjoy it :)

http://anandaspa.com/contact/default.asp

If you are in New York City and feeling like an healthy experience all around you should definitely pop into Liquiteria:
http://liquiteria.com/

They have pressed juices , detox programms , liquid meals and all sort of healthy snacks.

I had the Mr Green to start , than feeling brave I had The Killer XX, well if they call it the killer is for a reason and I found out! The cayenne pepper really wakes you up!!!

I took home some of their herbal supplements, great boosters to ad to your daily juices.