Green Garden Dip

Total time 20m

Ingredients:

  • Large or mid-size container of Greek yogurt (not single serve)
  • Bundles of fresh leafy green herbs, like: dill, parsley, mint, basil, and tarragon.
  • 2-4 green onions. Use the whole thing, just cut off roots and any brown leaves
  • One clove fresh garlic, or a ½ Tablespoon of powdered garlic
  • ½ Tablespoon sea salt
  • ½ Tablespoon ground black pepper
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • *optional – 2-3 Persian cucumbers, 1/2lb of spinach, water chestnuts, etc.

Instructions:

I use the two-pound size of Greek yogurt, because this green dip is SO delicious, you’ll want lots left over for veggie dip, sandwiches, dressing…you’ll be evaluating everything in the fridge as a possible vehicle for this yummy green goodness. If you want to make a smaller batch, just scale down until you get the herb-to-yogurt density you like. Drain the extra fluid/whey from the container of yogurt before you start. If you want to make a vegan version of this dressing, you can use coconut yogurt, but you might want to add some chickpeas, soft tofu, white beans, or pureed cashews to thicken the mixture.

Clean and leaf the herbs. Discard the stems or save them for flavoring stock. Chop the cucumbers into slices. Throw all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until herbs are ground small and dip is uniform. The more herbs you add, the thicker the dip will be. If you want to add a little more mass to the dip, throw in a Persian cucumber or two, or perhaps some spinach. If you use water chestnuts, drain well and dice small, and add them after the rest of the mixture is pureed.

The dip may be a little runny when you make it, but will thicken a little once it’s been refrigerated overnight. It’s fine to use right away for the pita trees, though.

Green Garden Dip

Total time 20m

Ingredients:

  • Large or mid-size container of Greek yogurt (not single serve)
  • Bundles of fresh leafy green herbs, like: dill, parsley, mint, basil, and tarragon.
  • 2-4 green onions. Use the whole thing, just cut off roots and any brown leaves
  • One clove fresh garlic, or a ½ Tablespoon of powdered garlic
  • ½ Tablespoon sea salt
  • ½ Tablespoon ground black pepper
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • *optional – 2-3 Persian cucumbers, 1/2lb of spinach, water chestnuts, etc.

Instructions:

I use the two-pound size of Greek yogurt, because this green dip is SO delicious, you’ll want lots left over for veggie dip, sandwiches, dressing…you’ll be evaluating everything in the fridge as a possible vehicle for this yummy green goodness. If you want to make a smaller batch, just scale down until you get the herb-to-yogurt density you like. Drain the extra fluid/whey from the container of yogurt before you start. If you want to make a vegan version of this dressing, you can use coconut yogurt, but you might want to add some chickpeas, soft tofu, white beans, or pureed cashews to thicken the mixture.

Clean and leaf the herbs. Discard the stems or save them for flavoring stock. Chop the cucumbers into slices. Throw all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until herbs are ground small and dip is uniform. The more herbs you add, the thicker the dip will be. If you want to add a little more mass to the dip, throw in a Persian cucumber or two, or perhaps some spinach. If you use water chestnuts, drain well and dice small, and add them after the rest of the mixture is pureed.

The dip may be a little runny when you make it, but will thicken a little once it’s been refrigerated overnight. It’s fine to use right away for the pita trees, though.

Grow Your Garden

spring flowers graphic

OBJECTIVE

Celebrate spring with a beautiful garden that also helps your neighbor relax and feel good after a long winter.

MATERIALS

  • Music player and prepared music
  • Mats
  • Yummy smelling spray
  • Scarves
  • Real or fake flower petals and/or leaves

DISCUSSION POINTS

The children will have fun while we discuss how yoga helps us grow and help others along the way.

CREATE THE MOOD AND TONE

Talk about what it takes to grow a flower. What are their favorite types of flowers, veggies, fruits?

CONNECTING CIRCLE

  1. The YogaKids Pledge together
  2. Introduce the Theme “growing a garden”
  3. Let’s grow a garden: I would like to start by sitting in a circle and turning to your right, and then doing a few of the gardening massages below. Or better yet, ask kids for ideas too!
  • Prepare the soil – “Rake” or scratch your partner’s back.
  • Plant the seeds- Knead your partner’s shoulders.
  • Cover the seeds – Gently rub their back.
  • Water the seeds – Finger Dancing/Salutations to Me
  • Sunshine – Rub your hands together creating energy and let them hover over your partner.
  • Now, it is time to wait patiently for the first bloom – Sit in lotus.
  • Time Passing – Sunrise/Sunset
  • The sun helps your garden grow – Sun Salutations
  • Butterflies help to pollinate your flowers  – Butterfly with Antennae
  • Soon you see your flower begin to gown –  Tree
  • Let’s sit criss cross applesauce and send peace to our beautiful garden – Peace Breath

POSES AS PATHWAYS/INTEGRATE THE ELEMENTS

Every pose we will do today will help us learn how yoga can help us grow into happier, healthier people.

Untying the KnotsLet’s pretend to be little bugs and birds that flutter around the garden as we admire all the beautiful flowersBody Benefits.

Sun Salutations – Feel the sun on your face. Did you know that flowers actually turn to face the sun? It feels good and it gives your vitamin D. But don’t forget your sunscreen! Ecological Echoes, Body Benefits

Twist and BlowThe wind helps pollinate the flowers. This pose also gives your kidneys, liver, stomach and intestines a massage. Awesome Anatomy

CandleLet’s pretend we are a head of broccoli slowly growing towards the sky. Just like broccoli, this pose is so good for your heart! Awesome Anatomy

Plough Farmers plow their fields in order to grow crops. How many fruits and veggies have you eaten this week? Let’s count! Math Medley

Table of ContentsNow it’s time to sit down and enjoy the feast that we planted together. This pose opens the front of our bodies. Body Benefits, We All Win

QUIET QUESTS

Corpse – Lay in the sun. Listen to the ocean waves. Enjoy being in the sun. Settle your body into the warm sand. Remember all the fun you had today. Lie still and think of your favorite flower. Let the smell and colors of this flower surround you. Try to really experience the flower as you breath. 

CLOSING

  • Fountain of Oms
  • Namaste Song

 

FOR A PDF OF THIS LESSON PLAN, CLICK HERE.