Only a few more nights to Christmas day! Have you thought about what special culinary delights you would like to prepare or share this Christmas Day? It can be a challenge to find tasty and balancing options all in one. Tasty meals that include easy to find ingredients and incorporate seasonal produce while helping to promote balance in our mind and body too. Also as it is a special time you may want to do something a little different or try something new.
Autumn Recipe & Eating Tips What to cook that will be both tasty while also helping you to stay in balance? As the days settle into Autumn do you wonder what to cook that will be both tasty while also helping you to stay in balance? I pondered his question while thinking about how I could best help you to enjoy greater balance this Autumn. The answer was to provide [...]
The Winter solstice on 22nd December is nearly here signalling the start of Winter. Over the next 3-4 weeks nature guides us to be aware of Ritu Sandhi - the cleansing gap between two seasons. Autumn seems to have flown by! With this change of season comes a special opportunity to move with the rhythms of nature in order to enjoy a healthy and happy winter season ahead. Here’s what you can do.
I run courses on Maharishi AyurVeda, food and cooking and one frequently asked question is, “What’s the best oil to cook with?”. I respond that my favourite cooking oils are ghee, coconut oil and olive oil*, in that order. There is no controversy surrounding olive oil – after all, haven’t there been lots of TV ads implying that perpetual youth and vitality are almost guaranteed through consuming it? [...]
In the UK, and most of Europe, January signals the start of the Kapha season; the time of year that increases the cold, wet and heavy Kapha qualities in our body. To stay healthy during late winter and spring, balance the influence of Kapha by adjusting your diet. The colour, aroma and taste of this Kapha-reducing meal is warming. Chickpeas are very nutritious but can take time to [...]
Ginger Apple Crisp A tasty and easily digested desert. The recipe requires a 5 inch x 9 inch x 3 inch deep tray. If your own tray is either larger or smaller, proportionally adjust the quantity of each ingredient. 3 medium sized apples, peeled, seeded and chopped Fresh juice of 1 lemon or lime 1 tbsp of finely grated ginger 1 [...]
At the heart of Ayurveda’s understanding of the human body is the principle of the three Doshas – Vata (movement), Pitta (transformation) and Kapha (structure). Although all three Doshas are present in and fundamental to every part of our body, taken as a whole the balance of these Doshas varies from one person to another. This leads to the understanding of different [...]
Once of the main ingredients in this milky drink is turmeric. The primary active component in Turmeric is curcumin, a polyphenol that has over 150 potentially therapeutic properties, which include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Modern science, as quoted in The Answer to Cancer by Hari Sharma MD, has found that curcumin: enhances digestion is more protective of DNA than lipoate, vitamin E or beta carotene (anti-oxidents) stimulates glutathione S-transferase, a detoxifying, [...]
When you have the munchies for something crunchy, Kale Crisps may fit the bill. Kale Crisps are a refreshing treat to wake up your taste buds and satisfy your craving for a snack that is both light and crunchy. The secret to this Kale dish is in its preparation. With a little salt and coconut oil, ghee or olive oil for garnish, this alternative to potato crisps offers both satisfaction [...]
Kalonji or Black Seed (Nigella sativa) seems to be taking over the scientific limelight from turmeric. Numerous studies have found it highly effective, and safer than modern drugs, in treating many modern chronic ailments, such as colon cancer, type two diabetes, hypertension, and many more ailments. Kalonji has been shown to carry the following properties: Analgesic (Pain-Killing) Anti-Bacterial Anti-Inflammatory Anti-Ulcer Anti-Cholinergic Anti-Fungal Anti-Hypertensive Antioxidant Antispasmodic Antiviral Bronchodilator Gluconeogenesis Inhibitor (Anti-Diabetic) [...]
Cooking basmati rice Place the desired amount of rice in a large bowl, cover it with water and strain out the water – do this at least three times. Place the rice on a medium pan and add 2½ parts of water to 1 part of rice. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat for a light boil. Keep cooking until rice becomes puffy and a small amount of [...]
Mung dal is considered to be the best of all dals by Ayurveda and is said to balance all three Doshas. It is also nutritious and easy to digest. Mung beans are small and green, and can be found in any health food shop and many supermarkets. Mung beans are fine to use in the following recipe, though, because of their skins, they are not as balancing as mung dal. [...]
Chai is a warm and soothing beverage, usually made with spices, herbs and milk. In Ayurveda chai is considered a rasayana, a beverage or herbal concoction that strengthens the whole physiology. In present day India chai is made using black tea, which is a useful stimulant if you have a sluggish physiology. Yet, if your Vata has been put out of balance by cold weather, the caffeine contained in black tea [...]
Our body is full of spaces according to Ayurveda. These spaces, called Shrotas, are the channels through which nourishment and energy are delivered to our cells and though which toxic waste is eliminated. During the winter the cold makes our Shrotas shrink and this can lead to poor absorption of nutrients and poor elimination of poisonous toxins. This is a good time to help keep your body channels as open [...]
Cheese is highly nutritious, but most shop-bought cheese heavy to digest. Panir is a fresh cheese that is lighter on the digestion. Ingredients 2 litres whole organic milk 1 lemon or lime A large pan Fine muslin cloth Recipe Pour the milk into a large pan and bring to boiling point – stir with a wooden spoon so that the milk does not stick to the bottom of the pan. [...]
On a cold winter day, what you need is a nice warming soup. The following soup is easy to make, easy to digest and nutritious - perfect for the light evening meal. Creamy Carrot and Spinach Soup (for 2 people) Ingredients 2 medium sized carrots, washed and chopped 200g fresh spinach or other greens, washed and chopped 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp coriander seeds 1/2 tsp cardamom powder 1/4 [...]
Ayurveda considers yoghurt (referred to as curds in Ayurvedic texts) to be one of the most nourishing and health-promoting of foods and this pro-biotic food is especially good for your digestive tract. Yoghurt is predominantly sweet and sour, and is heavy in nature. It therefore tends to increase Kapha Dosha (the element of the body that gives us strength and structure). Like many nourishing foods, eaten at the wrong time, or in [...]
For 3-4 chapatis In the West, bread has gone from being a nourishing food to being a problem for our health. Many people have digestive problems due to the strain of wheat that is universally used to make most modern breads. Digestive problems are caused by the quick acting yeast used in almost all bread making. Most bread you find in shops contains a host of unnatural ingredients. Even when [...]
Ghee is used in many Indian recipes and is one of the best cooking fats you can find. It does not oxidise when heated, as do most vegetable oils (oxidisation can lead to free-radicals floating round your body – not exactly desirable). Ghee has marvellous properties and is highly regarded, both as a nutrient and as a preservative for foods and [...]