Ayurvedic Kheer — Sweet Rice Pudding

Ayurvedic Kheer — Sweet Rice Pudding

by | Oct 16, 2024 | Recipes

Ayurvedic Kheer — Sweet Rice Pudding

Get ready to indulge in a delightful Ayurvedic dessert: Kheer! 🎉 This creamy, sweet rice pudding is made with fragrant basmati rice, a grain celebrated for its connection to abundance in Ayurveda. Unlike other rice varieties, basmati is an anti-inflammatory superstar that’s not highly processed, making it easier to digest and packed with energy to fuel your vitality.

But here’s a fun twist: while Kheer is traditionally enjoyed as a dessert, you can boost its nutritional value by pairing it with legumes and veggies for a wholesome savory anti-inflammatory treat! 😊

Basmati rice is also considered Sattvic, promoting clarity, harmony, and spiritual growth. This is why Kheer is a cherished offering during festivals and celebrations. In fact, even uncooked basmati rice plays a role in ceremonial rituals, symbolizing abundance and prosperity. So, whether you’re celebrating or just treating yourself, this Kheer is sure to bring joy and sweetness to your life!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup basmati rice (Vata and Pitta balancing)
  • 4 cups whole milk (or almond milk for Pitta.)
  • 1 cup water – add in small amounts if consistency is thick.
  • 1/2 cup jaggery or maple syrup or panella (use less for Pitta)
  • 1/4 cup mixed nuts soaked overnight (almonds, cashews, pistachios) – Avoid for Kapha types and less for Pitta types.
  • 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder (good for all doshas)
  • A pinch of saffron (optional, soothing for Pitta) 
  • A few tablespoons of raisins (sweetens and nourishes)
  • Ghee (clarified butter) for frying nuts (good for Vata)

Instructions:

  1. Preparation: Rinse and soak basmati rice for at least one hour. Soaking helps reduce glycemic index. You can soak it overnight too for anyone with a delicate digestion.
  2. Cooking the Rice: In a heavy base pot, bring your chosen milk to a boil. Add the drained rice, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally until the rice is soft and the mixture thickens (25-35 minutes). The rice will become mushy and smooth consistency. Add water in small amounts as this is cooking, if mixture is too thick.
  3. Soak the saffron: While rice is cooking, in a small bowl, add few tablespoons of water and put the saffron pieces into it to dissolve this.
  4. Sweetening: Once cooked, add your chosen sugar, stirring until dissolved. Use less sweetener for Kapha types. 
  5. Nuts and Raisins: Soaking this overnight is best for anyone who has delicate digestion. The skin of almonds is always removed before chopping them. Chop them up before the optional next step. In ghee, lightly roast mixed nuts and raisins. This adds warmth, beneficial for Vata and Kapha. Pitta types can use fewer nuts to avoid overheating. Kaphas can avoid all nuts completely.
  6. Serving: Add cardamom powder and saffron if using. Serve warm or room temperature. (not chilled or cold)

Dosha Nuances:

  • Vata: Use warm milk and add extra ghee. Include more nuts and dried fruits for nourishment.
  • Pitta: Opt for almond milk during fall and winter season. 
  • Kapha: Limit the quantity of kheer that you eat. Avoid nuts and use less ghee and consider using less sugar and/or sweeteners.

Significance

This Kheer symbolizes abundance and is perfect for Diwali, promoting balance and community while catering to individual doshic needs. Enjoy sharing this nourishing dish during the festival!

 

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Vata-Pacifying Ojas Date Latte Recipe

Vata-Pacifying Ojas Date Latte Recipe

by | Sep 18, 2024 | Recipes

Vata-Pacifying Ojas Date Latte

A Vata-pacifying Ojas Date Latte is a nourishing and grounding drink, especially beneficial for balancing Vata dosha in Ayurvedic terms. Vata dosha is associated with qualities like dryness, coolness, and lightness, so this latte is designed to counteract those qualities with warmth, moisture, and grounding ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup almond milk (or organic cow’s milk )
  • 4-5 medjool dates (pitted)
  • 1-2 tsp organic ghee (For Vata and Pitta, they can take more than 1 tsp)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground green cardamom
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional, for extra warmth)
  • Pinch of ginger powder (Vata or Kapha can add 2 pinches of ginger powder)

Instructions:

  • Soak the dates in water overnight, to soften them. This makes them easier to digest.
  • Warm the ghee in a saucepan and add all the spices. Sauté for a few seconds on medium to low heat, and until you can smell their aroma. Keep less than a minute, making sure that spices do not stick or burn. Add your chosen milk base into it. 
  • Warm the milk to your preference temperature.
  • Transfer the spiced milk and dates into a blender and puree all ingredients.
  • Garnish with some powdered cinnamon for presentation.

Benefits of the Vata-Pacifying Ojas Date Latte

  1. Balances Vata Dosha:
    • The warm and moist nature of this latte helps to counteract the dry, cool qualities of Vata. The ghee adds richness and lubrication, making it ideal for soothing Vata imbalances.
  2. Enhances Ojas:
    • Dates are rich in natural sugars, vitamins, and minerals that support ojas, which is considered the essence of vitality and immunity in Ayurveda. This latte helps to build and sustain this vital energy.
  3. Boosts Digestion:
    • Spices like cinnamon and cardamom aid in digestion and can help to alleviate any digestive discomfort, which is often a concern with high Vata.
  4. Promotes Warmth and Grounding:
    • The combination of warming spices and hot tea promotes a sense of grounding and comfort, which can be especially beneficial in the cooler months or during times of high Vata imbalance.
  5. Provides Natural Sweetness:
    • Dates offer a natural sweetness without refined sugars, making this latte a healthier alternative to sugary beverages.
  6. Supports Nutrient Absorption:
    • The healthy fats from ghee and the nutrients from the dates and spices support better absorption of vitamins and minerals from the other foods you eat.

Enjoy your Vata-pacifying Ojas Date Latte! It’s a comforting and nourishing drink that can help keep you balanced and energized.

10-day fall cleanse with ayurveda and yoga program

Are you ready to experience more lightness and clarity in your mind, body and spirit while improving your digestion and safeguarding your health?

Embracing Ayurvedic principles through a fall cleanse offers a transformative path to holistic well-being that is both timely and profound. As the leaves change and nature prepares for renewal, your body and mind can also benefit from this ancient wisdom of balance and purification.

Join us in this Ayurvedic fall cleanse and experience the profound benefits that have stood the test of time for thousands of years.

Take the first step towards a more balanced life. 

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Why is a fall cleanse important, according to Ayurveda?

Why is a fall cleanse important, according to Ayurveda?

by | Aug 14, 2024 | Ayurveda Basics, Seasonal Living

Why is a fall cleanse important, according to Ayurveda?

In Ayurveda, a fall cleanse acts as a vital tune-up for your body’s intricate machinery, much like the regular maintenance your car requires to run smoothly. Just as you would change your vehicle’s oil and filters to prevent sludge buildup and ensure optimal performance, this seasonal cleanse helps flush out accumulated toxins and rebalance your system. 

By engaging in this rejuvenating process, you’re essentially giving your body’s engine a thorough cleaning, allowing it to operate more efficiently and withstand the wear and tear of daily life.

A Proactive Approach to Health

Moreover, an autumn cleanse serves as a proactive measure to winterize your body, similar to how you’d prepare your car for the harsh winter months ahead. Like adding antifreeze to your car’s radiator, this cleanse strengthens your immune system and helps prevent winter ailments. It also recalibrates your body’s internal thermostat, adjusting to the changing seasons just as you’d switch your car’s tires for better traction on icy roads.

By investing in this seasonal maintenance, you’re not only improving your current well-being but also safeguarding your health for the colder months to come, ensuring your body runs as smoothly as a well-oiled machine throughout the year

Here are 8 tops reasons how a fall cleanse will give you a tune-up for the winter months ahead: 

  1. It helps remove accumulated toxins (ama) and excess Pitta dosha that built up during the summer months. The heat and intensity of summer can lead to an accumulation of Pitta in the body.
  2. Fall represents a transition between seasons, from hot summer to cold winter. A cleanse supports the body in making this transition internally as well.
  3. It helps balance Vata dosha, which becomes more prominent in the fall and winter seasons. Balancing Vata can prevent issues like dryness, anxiety, and digestive problems.
  4. It strengthens the digestive fire (agni) and immune system in preparation for winter. This can help prevent winter illnesses.
  5. It allows for rejuvenation and nourishment of the body before the depleting effects of winter. Fall cleanses often focus more on rejuvenation compared to spring cleanses.
  6. It can help alleviate current imbalances and prevent future ones from occurring. Cleansing goes beyond just treating symptoms to address root causes.
  7. The moderate weather of fall makes it an ideal time for cleansing, as it’s neither too hot nor too cold. This allows the body to cleanse without additional stress.
  8. It helps shed what is no longer needed, mirroring the natural process of trees shedding leaves.

By doing a fall cleanse, one can reset the body-mind system, improve overall health, boost immunity, and prepare for the coming winter season in alignment with Ayurvedic principles.

LEARN ABOUT THE FALL CLEANSE PROGRAM

Are you ready to experience more lightness and clarity in your mind, body and spirit while improving your digestion and safeguarding your health?

Embracing Ayurvedic principles through a fall cleanse offers a transformative path to holistic well-being that is both timely and profound. As the leaves change and nature prepares for renewal, your body and mind can also benefit from this ancient wisdom of balance and purification.

Join us in this Ayurvedic fall cleanse and experience the profound benefits that have stood the test of time for thousands of years.

Take the first step towards a more balanced life. 

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By joining this Ayurvedic fall cleanse, you’re not merely participating in a temporary diet or fad; you’re embarking on a journey of self-discovery and lasting health. The principles you’ll learn and apply will extend far beyond the cleanse itself, empowering you with practical tools to navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience and vitality. 

 

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Balancing the Peak of Summer Energy in August

Balancing the Peak of Summer Energy in August

by | Jul 30, 2024 | Ayurveda Basics, Seasonal Living

Balancing the Peak of Summer Energy in August

In the Northern hemisphere, the summer season has reached its peak – Ayurveda recommends focusing on cooling and balancing practices to counteract the accumulated intensity of the Pitta energy of the season. Start your day with a refreshing routine by splashing cool water on your face and eyes, followed by gentle exercises like yoga or a morning walk in nature before the day heat sets in.  By following these Ayurvedic principles, you can nurture your well-being and transition smoothly into the approaching fall season.

Physiologically, there are changes happening in the body, mind and spirit as the heat accumulates from the summer. Your intelligent body knows that a change of season is in the air, and it starts beginning to insulate the skin for the cooler mornings and nights.  You may start noticing more dryness on your skin in August. 

Five Ayurvedic Self-Care Tools

Here are five Ayurvedic self-care tools that anyone can implement in their daily routine for the month of August:

  1. Follow a Pitta-Pacifying Diet to take care of your gut health:

August is a time when Pitta dosha, associated with fire and water elements, can become aggravated. To balance Pitta, focus on cooling, hydrating, and soothing foods. Incorporate sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes into your meals, and avoid hot, spicy, oily, salty, and fermented foods. Cooling foods like cucumbers, melons, and leafy greens are ideal. Limit stimulants like coffee, which can increase Pitta.

  1. Practice Abhyanga (Self-Massage) – A self-care tool for your skin:

Daily or weekly self-massage with oils (abhyanga) can help counteract dryness and keep the skin vibrant. Use cooling oils like coconut oil or specially formulated Pitta Abhyanga Oil, which contains herbs like shatavari, manjistha, and neem to cool and soothe the body.

  1. Engage in Cooling Activities for self-care for the mind:

Spend time in nature and engage in moderate exercise during cooler parts of the day. Avoid strenuous activities during peak heat hours (10am-2pm). Activities like swimming in cool water or walking in shaded areas can help balance the body’s heat.

  1. Hydrate with Ayurvedic Drinks to cool the gut:

Incorporate Ayurvedic beverages that help cool and hydrate the body. Pitta Tea, made with ingredients like rose, tulsi, and lemon verbena, can be a refreshing alternative to regular tea or coffee. These drinks help reduce internal heat and provide a calming effect.

  1. Incorporate Cooling Herbs and Spices – A self-care tip to balance your stress:

Use herbs and spices that have cooling properties to balance Pitta. Herbs like ashwagandha and shankhapushpi can help strengthen the body and mind, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. These herbs are particularly beneficial as the body prepares for the transition from summer to fall.

By integrating these Ayurvedic self-care tools into your daily routine, you can maintain balance and health during the month of August.  Some of you may transition well into the fall season, while others may experience their most vulnerable season this fall, depending on their unique constitution.  It’s time to keep your immunity strong!

Note: Any herb should be taken with guidance of an Ayurvedic physician or Ayurvedic practitioner because each of us is unique in nature.

We dig deeper into self-care practices through workshops, diet, movement, meditation and rest during our Fall Equinox Self-Care retreat. These are crucial times to empower ourselves with Ayurvedic wisdom. Join in this retreat with other like-minded women: 

Learn more about this retreat

 If you are experiencing any Pitta related symptoms (learn more about Pitta related symptoms) I can help you through them by customizing your wellness solutions through diet, movement, breathwork, sleep and a personalized protocol. Book a free call with me to discuss.

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What symptoms become dominant during Pitta – season of heat?

What symptoms become dominant during Pitta – season of heat?

by | Jul 2, 2024 | Ayurveda Basics, Seasonal Living

What symptoms become dominant during  Pitta — season of heat?

The season of heat and fire has become more dominant now. We are in full swing in the summer season. Although I love the summer season and the beautiful greenery that it brings to us – it doesn’t come without its associated manifestations. Each one of us will react differently to the summer heat, although folks who already have a dominant Pitta dosha will see this heat manifest in their body, minds and spirits more than others.

Pitta Season

During the Pitta season, which typically occurs in late spring through early fall when temperatures are hottest, several symptoms associated with Pitta imbalance tend to become more dominant. Here are the top 10 symptoms:

  1. Skin issues: Pitta-dominant individuals may experience increased skin problems like rashes, acne, inflammation, and sensitivity to sun exposure.
  2. Digestive issues: Symptoms such as heartburn, acid reflux, indigestion, and diarrhea can become more prevalent.
  3. Heat-related symptoms: Excessive sweating, feeling overheated, hot flashes, and sensitivity to hot temperatures are common.
  4. Inflammation: Various forms of inflammation throughout the body may increase.
  5. Headaches and migraines: These can become more frequent, often accompanied by a burning sensation.
  6. Emotional imbalances: Individuals may experience increased irritability, impatience, frustration, anger, and a tendency to be overly critical or judgmental.
  7. Sleep disturbances: Pitta imbalances can lead to difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, as well as excessive dreaming.
  8. Thirst and dehydration: There may be an increased need for hydration and cooling beverages.
  9. Eye-related issues: Sensitivity to bright light and eye irritation can occur.
  10. Fatigue and burnout: Despite having high energy levels when balanced, Pitta types may experience exhaustion if they push themselves too hard.

How to Manage Pitta Symptoms

To manage these symptoms during Pitta season, it’s recommended to follow a Pitta-balancing diet, stay cool, practice relaxation techniques, and engage in cooling activities like swimming. It’s important to note that while these symptoms are associated with Pitta imbalance, they can vary in severity and manifestation depending on individual factors. Furthermore, the solution to any of these symptoms can vary too, depending on the cause and severity.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, I can help you through them by customizing your wellness solutions through movement, diet, breathwork, sleep and diet protocol. 

Book a free 15 minute Discovery Call

Check my blog for a Pitta pacifying Coriander and Mint Chutney which is a wonderful cooling medicine for this Pitta season.

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