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Khichardi is the easiest solid food to digest
Ayurveda offers Khichardi, a recipe that is vital to learn when embarking of a Yogic path. This recipe is used in Ayurvedic cleansing therapies as a way to address the digestive fire, metabolism and gutt juices of the body. This digestive medicinal food is best done as a mono fast (fasting only on khichardi and veggies and spices) for 3 to 10 days. Include medicinal teas such as barks, roots, leaves and spices to support seasonal cleansing. Remember to use organic or highest quality foods found locally. Ingredients 1/2 cup basmati rice 1/4 cup split mung beans 3-4 cups water 2-3 teaspoons ghee or olive oil 1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds, 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 pinch red chili or cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger 1/4 teaspoon asafoetida powder (also known as hing) 1/4 teaspoon turmeric, salt to taste 2 cups chopped vegetables in season 4-5 stems cilantro, washed and chopped 1/2 cup spinach, kale, chard greens, chopped 1-2 teaspoon dry shredded coconut 1 teaspoon lemon juice or liquid aminos Preparation Rinse mung beans and rice a few times and set aside. In a pot, heat the ghee or oil on medium heat and add mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, cumin seeds, hing, turmeric, red chili, and ginger in this order and saute' for 1 -2 minutes. Add the mung beans, basmati rice, and vegetables then add 6 to 8 cups water and salt. Bring to boil and then turn the heat low. Cook about 30 or 40 minutes or until the mung beans are soft. Cook with cilantro leaves, coconut and greens, add fresh lemon juice at the end and stir nicely. Preparation time is 45 minutes.
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The human body is designed to experience six tastes or flavors in food: bitter, sweet, pungent, sour, astringent and sweet. Each taste is responsible for its own action and affects different organs of the body.
The flavor of sweet, for example, isn’t only refined sugar or fruit but grains, pasta, meat, dairy, nuts, oil and more. Sweet is anything that puts bulk on the body. Interestingly this taste of sweet is the first flavor a new baby experiences as it suckles the mother’s breast and is nurtured with mother’s milk. Society as a whole cannot seem to manage their sugar intake which is an interesting correlation between our desire to feel nurtured and loved. The taste of sour like lemons, berries, pickles, tomatoes and condiments are responsible for an increase in bile, which is made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. A taste believed to have originated in our human evolution to determine if food has gone bad by its sour taste. Sour increases the fire element in the body and is responsible for much of the hyper acidity doctors prescribe antacids for. Decrease sour flavors and the nasty side effects go away. However, sour can be useful as well like in yogurts or buttermilk. Salty is responsible for heating the body up internally fueling the concept of a heated body which creates a heated mind. Signs of this are anger, criticism and judgmental behaviors. Salt is found in just about all processed foods as well as fish, soy sauce and of course table salt. The taste of pungent or spicy is generally found in spices like pepper, cayenne, ginger, garlic, radishes, salsa and basil. They have antibiotic properties as well as aid in digestion and absorption of vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Aside from promoting digestion, pungent taste helps aid the ability to sweat, it clears channels and releases toxins from the body as well as acting as a natural expectorant. Bitter is found in green and yellow vegetables, leafy greens and even bittersweet chocolate. Bitter herbs would be considered Echinacea and goldenseal and are considered light, airy and cold. Bitters are anti-inflammatory, aid in reducing fever and are detoxifying. They are generally cooling to the body but are known to be depleting if taken in excess. Lastly, astringent, which is found in beans, peas, pomegranates, apples and aloe Vera. Astringent tastes reduce sweating. They are drying and firming to the body, stops diarrhea and helps close wounds. Astringent seems to be more of an effect than a flavor and promotes absorption of bodily fluids. It can be considered a sedative. Ten Ayurvedic principles underlying a wholesome diet and intake according to Caraka Samhita.
Fall is a perfect time to cleanse, reboot and revitalize body, mind and spirit. In fact, when done at the fall equinox folklore says it will keep you from getting sick the following season. Prepare for fall by releasing the heat of the summer.
The Fall Equinox this year falls on September 22nd. This easy -to-follow Fall Equinox Juice Fast is a full body tune-up in just 24 hours (see below.) Equinoxes are moments in time when day and night are equal. They measure fullness and balance in nature. Honor this moment as a time to balance. We are beings conjoined with nature, not separate from it. Now is the time to acknowledge in ourselves what is plentiful and ready to harvest just like in our gardens. 6:30 am - 8:00 am - warm water and lemon; gentle stretching; meditation 9:00 am – 10:00 am - High C Drink Ingredients 1 Oranges 2 Tangerines 2 Large Carrots 1 Turmeric Root 10:00 – 11:00 - Drink Herbal Tea and Water, Apply Sesame or Almond Oil to Skin, Warm Water and Salt Netti Pot (add a drop of oil), Begin Decluttering Home and Car. 11:00 – 12:00 - High Sun Detox Juice Ingredients 1 Medium Red Beet 1 Large Green Apple 3 Radishes 1 Cup Kale Leaves 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm - Green Juice Ingredients 2 Cups spinach 3 Leaves Yellow Beet Greens 2 Large Celery Sticks ½ Cucumber Peeled 1 Cup Green Grapes 1 Inch Fresh Ginger 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm - More Green Juice Ingredients 2 Celery sticks 1 Cucumber 3 Leaves Kale 1 Cup Parsley 1 Green Apple 1 Inch Fresh Ginger 1 Peeled Lemon 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm - Drink Herbal Tea and Water 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm - Happy Hour Seasonal Shift Juice Ingredients 2 Cups Butternut Squash 2 Apples or Pears Dash of Cinnamon and Nutmeg This juice is wonderful served warm 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm - Vegetable Stock Use trimmings from veggies and boil in 3 cups of water for mineral broth to sip on 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm - Herbal Tea, Warm Almond Milk with Cardamom, or Water 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm - Gentle Stretching, 20 Squats, Focused Breathing. Brush Teeth, Floss and Oil Pull for 10 to 15 minutes, Shut Down ALL Electronic Devices, Journal or Read. 10:00 – 11:00 - Bedtime GIVE THANKS FOR EVERYTHING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED. |
AuthorKaren Barbarick-Collins is a Certified Ayurvedic Technician and Wellness Coach, an Accredited Neuro Linguistic Programming Coach and a Registered Yoga Alliance Teacher. She is the founder of Bending Blade Healing Arts. Archives
March 2023
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