Vanilla bean chai
as a former ayurvedic nanny, I can confirm that kids love this too
This may not come as a surprise to you—given my kapha nature and work as a postpartum caregiver—but I was a nanny throughout Ayurveda school. It was the perfect job for that chapter of my life, giving me the chance to observe how the doshas show up in real time and to put my studies into practice. It was my first opportunity to bring Ayurveda into a home that wasn’t my own—and I loved every second of it.
When I started, the little girl that I was caring for was just shy of three years old. I used to massage her feet with oil before every nap. Her parents couldn’t believe how consistently I could get her to fall asleep. From my time in Ayurveda school, it was clear to me that she had a vata constitution and would need extra grounding support to feel steady in her body and calm in her mind.
I started making her vata-soothing dal and special herbal teas. She responded so well that soon she was asking for them—and before I knew it, she could easily identify all my staple Ayurvedic herbs. Now, she’s 11 and is practically an herbalist herself. She makes the best teas and herbal concoctions.
This week, we’re reunited and she requested that we make chai—a perfect grounding beverage for her sweet vata constitution.
So, here’s my latest take on this classic warming beverage.
Vanilla chai
Ingredients
3 Tbsp fresh ginger root
1 vanilla pod
