Recipes

[under development; the Inspired 3 am 'lunch break' version was all eyeballed, random, and constructed from fridge & pantry items on July 15, 2022. I didn't take a picture, but simply inhaled the food. As an essential, "graveyard shift" trauma hospital chaplain at the time, skewed circadian rhythms (and the negative health implications they are said to have primarily on perimenopausal women) are an attention-worthy reality. My "days" are dark while my "nights" and weekends are usually quite sunny, busy, and out-of-sync with much of society. Small, even vegan ways to enhance my cardiovascular health in good taste help keep me well on a holistic level. Hopefully, the finished recipe and partnerships with other BIPOC women herbalists will eventually manifest as a menu item in a storefront location after appropriate testing in public venues and tweaking.]

Filling:

1 cup Milo powdered drink

3 small medium ripe/3 small ripe avocados, peeled & seeded

1 lb. very ripe strawberries; topped, light vinegar solution-rinsed & pureed

1/2 cup coconut cream powder (I LOVE the Anima Mundi brand!)

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder

1/2 tsp. sea or Himalayan pink salt

1 cup organic dark agave syrup (to taste)

1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract

2 tbsp. arrowroot powder

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Crust:

1 premade chocolate graham cracker pie crust OR follow the next steps to make your own:

Mix:

2 + 1/3 cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs

1/3 cup extra-fine brown sugar

3/4 cup melted butter

2/3 cup cocoa powder together well, press into 9-inch pie plate, and freeze until ready to use.

NOTE: A 1/4 tsp. of real almond essence and/or a capful of a cherry, chocolate, or coffee cordial to this foundation might add just the right touch!

Topping:

1 lb. very ripe strawberries; light vinegar solution-rinsed, topped & sliced

Pomegranate seeds (optional, for garnish)

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon/cayenne/coffee/pink salt blend (for light garnish)

Drizzle:

2 tbsp. Montmorency Tart Cherry Concentrate

2 tbsp. balsamic vinaigrette

2 tbsp. blackstrap molasses

1 tbsp. dark agave syrup

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

Prepare the crust option of your choice, blend and pour in the filling ingredients, top from among the options according to your tastes, drizzle with the section's blended ingredients, chill for ½ hour and ENJOY!

This drink was inspired by the community gender reveal event for a young creative for whom I served as a labor & delivery doula. The foreshadowing pink hue of her dress was confirmed by the confetti released on the supportive crowd. It's a girl! 

Upon my return from this preparatory and celebratory stop down the Chesapeake on the Al*Kem*Me tour of my practicum, I conceived of the following cocktail and found it quite tasty. I've since forsaken fire water except in genuine celebration or sacrament and include measurements such as "glubs" (with accurate equivalents, of course) here in honor of innocence's sometimes unintelligible yet precious breath. Do you see the kaleidoscope of love in The Most High's covering?

In the appropriate 8 oz. sealable container that works for you, blend:

1 tbsp. organic tart cherry concentrate

2 glubs (1 oz.) elderflower liqueur

3 glubs (2 oz.) Tito's vodka (Austin strong, baby!)

4 glubs (3 oz.) GT's Synergy Guava Goddess kombucha

9 drops Angostura bitters 

A twist of fresh lime or a pink grapefruit wedge might be nice, but only in the best way. Serve with 1 brown sugar & sp/ice cube* per pretty glass tumbler. :) 

Quick 'Brown Sugar & Sp/ice' simple syrup recipe: Add 1 c. dark brown sugar, 1 c. water and the juice of 1 fresh pink grapefruit wedge to a saucepan with a (lightly toasted or gently macerated) spice blend of two star anise pods, ¼ tsp. pink peppercorns, ¼ tsp. chaste berries*, and ¼ tsp. Himalayan pink salt. Slowly and consistently stir the mixture while bringing it to a gradual boil. Reduce heat and continue stirring for one minute or until the mixture is akin to golden, pourable honey. Pour through a sieve into an icetray and let set in freezer. Use at will.

**NOTE: Although this recipe calls for a nominal amount of Vitex or chaste berry, excess use of the spice is contraindicated for people who are 1) pregnant except possibly at the antepartum stage and desiring labor, 2) already have or want to avoid heavy menstrual flow, 3) are on antipsychotic meds, and/or 4) birth control.