Hey Happy Hearts đđđź
Welcome to my 1st new Blog post! I'm super excited to restart my love for blogging and share my passions and wellbeing tips with you all, to help you discover an Ayurvedic conscious way of living. So of course I had to restart my blog by sharing my passion for Chai. Let's get started...
Ayurveda ('The science of life' and sister science to yoga) is all about supporting you, with long-term, sustainable lifestyle changes. This is known as the oldest healing science, that is + 5000 years old and places a great emphasis on prevention rather than cure to serve a balance in one's life.
Although I'm not stating Chai has healing magical powers â¨, but the journey of creating the perfect brew can be healing to some degree - mentally, physically, emotionally and soulfully. Drinking Chai has been one of the many healing rituals I have grown up with as a child. Feeling unwell? Drink Chai. Feeling anxious? Drink Chai. Socialising? Make Chai and then Drink it with guests! đ A chai prescription may just be what you are missing out on.
Chai's are blended with some immune boosting aromatic spices, which have been linked to some great health benefits within Ayurvedic medicine. Coming from a Pakistani heritage, where having a cup of chai is mandatory on a daily basis (you may have spotted my chai obsession on my instagram stories @happyheartflow ). Growing up I spent many hours trying to master the art of brewing the perfect cup of chai and I am now known in my family as the #ChaiMaster đ
I admit, my diet has definitely consisted of 97% of chai for sure throughout lockdown.
Brewing chai has become one of my favourite mindfulness exercises that has definitely kept my soul happy and healthy. Spending those 10-15 minutes to make a brew honestly makes me feel so alive.
"Chai time is the best time for sure"
At the start of lockdown, I embraced creating some daily Ayurvedic rituals to support not only my wellbeing and health, but also to bring the Ayurvedic philosophy into my online yoga classes as I'm excited to now be a qualified Ayurvedic Yoga Teacher. I am a dominant Vata dosha type, so in order to balance my energy, I discovered that warm and grounding drinks - like chai and a cup of hot water are perfect especially first thing, to support my Agni ( digestive fire).
Here are 3 of my favourite chai blends, that I have been obsessing over throughout lockdown and I think you should definitely try them out too.
Aura Chai
I first discovered Aura Chai from just some google and instagram searching.
I wanted to try a new chai blend and spotted how beautiful Aura Chai's gram pictures were and of course I had to try.
As soon as the pouches came through the post, I immediately brewed myself a cup of the original masala blend and oh wow - so creamy, aromatic and just delicious.
What's their story?
Aura Chai started after the beautiful Rose (founder) developed a love for chai lattes whilst living in Australia and spending time travelling. She came back to live in the UK to find a severe lack of authentic chai.
There were...
Loads of fancy coffee shops with bearded baristas and carefully sourced coffee beans - but when she asked for a chai latte it never had that delicious, aromatic flavour she'd got used to when travelling.
Always made with an instant powder mix, sickly sweet, heavy on the cinnamon, no balance of spices...not even any tea! Sometimes it was a sad little tea bag floating in lukewarm milk.
The journey to create a ' Proper Chai' was Rose's goal...
Rose spent some time developing the recipe for the original blend, focusing on taking chai right back to its roots as a nourishing Ayurvedic tonic. Getting the balance of tea and
spices and the individual spices themselves right was key and took several
months! Aura Chai's blends contain 9 whole spices including star anise, green cardamom and black pepper. 8 months later Rose created the caffeine-free Cacao and Turmeric Chai blends - inspired by her love of raw cacao and golden milks.
'All blends are sugar free, vegan and small-batch blended using ethically sourced tea and spices.'
Giving back...
Rose is very conscious to give back to the community, with proceeds from
each sale going towards a monthly donation split between her
nine chosen charities. Rose states "We are a 100% vegan company and have
very strong values when it comes to ethics and eco-friendliness. Changing
the world, one cup of chai at a time :) "
ORDER TODAY: www.aurachai.com
Use code HAPPYHEART15 for 15% off over ÂŁ10 at checkout.
Follow on Social: @aurachailatte
Amala Chai
Meet Akhil and Archie ...
The guys behind the delicious Amala Chai. If you are London based and haven't heard of these guys, then where have you been hiding?
I first discovered these guys at the Canopy Street Market in Kings Cross, after teaching three back to back yoga classes at FRAME. I was craving a warm cup of something, as I needed a reboot of energy! That's when I spotted these guys, an actual chai stand - surely not?
But YES it was! I was super excited! I had never come across a chai stand in London ever! As soon as I took my first sip, my mind exploded and childhood memories started flooding back in! Their blend tasted just like the chai that I grew up drinking. I fell instantly in love and I think I actually said to one of these guys, "OMG this is AMAZING" with the biggest smile on my face. From then on the love story continued and I'd get my weekly chai fix after teaching my classes. The BEST yogi refuel that's for sure!
Amala Chai's story...
Akhil and Archie have been friends for as long as they can remember. After travelling around India, these guys became inspired by how chai is a way of life within India's culture - it builds communities, boosts general wellbeing and provides a breather from the daily hustle and bustle.
That's when the guys become inspired to create their own blend - to bring this experience back to the UK, as that experience truly touched them.
Sourcing the ingredients ethically...
Akhil & Archie travelled across India, directly sourcing ingredients from farmers whose families have been growing tea and spices for generations. "We are an ethical company, making sure everyone in our supply chain is looked after as well as sourcing our ingredients as sustainably as possible!"
The spices in their masala (spice mix) have huge health benefits based on traditional ayurvedic practices, and coupled with Assamese black tea. A delicious smooth and tangy chai made from 7 ingredients: Black tea, Masala, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Black pepper and Ginger powder. This blend is certainly a warming, reviving combination - a cup full of happiness for sure!
Brewing a family of chai lovers...
These guys are certainly brewing a family of chai lovers. With their mouth watering cup of chai, they hope to truly build on serving a cup of health & grow their community across the UK.
Want to be part of their community? Head to their website and pop this blend into your basket. Then get someone close to you, fill up your pan and get the pot bubbling! Share your love for chai with Amala Chai.
ORDER TODAY: www.amalachai.com/shop
Use code HHF15 for 15% off at checkout.
Follow on Social: @amala_chai
Chai by Mira
Chai by Mira is a soulful Ayurvedic cafe & space created by author, chef and journalist Mira Manek. Located in Carnaby Street, London. This cafe lives within Triyoga Soho, on the second floor of Kingsley court. Looking down at the hustle and bustle of the beautifully lit courtyard . It's a truly wonderful space, that I find gives me a moment to pause to rediscover my soul.
The Story behind the cafe ...
This beautiful cafe combines Mira's passion for wellbeing, wholesome food that tastes delicious and her love for India.
If you have been following me for a while, you will know that I am literally obsessed with Chai by Mira! During a standard week alone (pre- lockdown). I would head to this wonderful cafe in-between teaching my classes at least 3 times a week. It is by far my favourite cafe and space to find a moment of Zen at in London. Mira and her wonderful team truly make you feel so welcome, like you're part of a family the moment you step through the doors. You can take a seat and they will bring over the most delicious & beautifully decorated chai lattes and not forgetting about her delicious coco fudge to go with it - Recipe in Mira's book 'Saffron Soul'.
The chai ...
After a 'pick and mix' chai galore. Chai by Mira offers a variety of flavours served at the cafe - from the original masala chai, to matcha, turmeric, cocoa, rose and coffee flavoured blends. I can vouch they are all delicious - and YES of course I've tried them all đ
The cafe uses their very own unique chai blend created by founder Mira. A delicious sweet chai made from 7 spices: Cardamom, Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, White pepper & Black pepper and Coconut sugar.
This sweet chai mix is not just great for chai's, but also tastes great sprinkled over porridge, yoghurt granola pots, overnight oats and a unique ingredient for some tasty bakes.
I cannot wait to head back to spending my days drinking chai lattes, journaling and taking moments to charge up by soul at Chai by Mira.
Mira kindly sent me the best gift of her chai latte blend, as we headed into full lockdown!
(I think she knew I couldn't cope without it- which is true - it has honestly been a struggle đ and I literally finished the packet within 3 weeks, It's really that good!) So I will definitely be getting my next order in ASAP.
Add this cafe to your wish list for places to visit post lockdown, but for now...
Whilst the cafe is closed due to the pandemic - you can still purchase Mira's chai online and experience this beautiful blend for yourself. So get your saucepan on the hob and create your Chai by Mira experience in the comfort of your own home.
ORDER TODAY: www.chaibymira.com
Follow on Social: @chaibymira
âď¸ Happy Brewing - Happy Hearts đ
If there are any chai brands out there that you would love for me to try, contact me.
I'm basically a #ProfessionalChaiTaster & brewer now... just FYI đ I'll chai you later đŤâ¨
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Sending Happy Positive Vibes,
Fizz xxx