Cabbage & Carrot Curry

Cabbage & Carrot Curry

Cabbage & Carrot Curry

Anti-inflammatory + Rich in Vitamin C

Cabbage is a rich source of Vitamin C and anti-inflammatory. It has an extractive quality and is a blood purifier. Cabbage has a light quality which helps remove heaviness in the body and it kindles the digestive fire. It should always be eaten with a cooked grain – or on top of a piece of toast.


Difficult to digest?

Raw cabbage can be difficult to digest for folks who have a delicate digestion – in which case, cooking the cabbage well with a good number of spices will alleviate that issue. 

In this Ayurvedic recipe, I’ve combined the cabbage with the carrots, which makes this an augmenting and extractive recipe (balanced quality).

Prep time: 20 minutes

  • Serves 2

Main ingredients:

  • 2 cups of cabbage (chopped up medium to fine width)
  • 1 cup of grated carrots 
  • 2-3 tablespoons of ghee or oil
  • ½ to 1 tsp Himalayan pink salt
  • Pinch of asafoetida (hing powder)
  • Pinch of mustard seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ¼ tsp turmeric powder
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 1 piece of cinnamon stick (1 inch to 2 inches long)
  • 2 tbsp lime juice

Method:

  • In a medium heavy-bottom sauté pan, add some ghee/oil first on medium heat.
  • Then once oil is warm enough, add in the mustard seeds, until they pop.
  • Next, add the cumin seeds, cloves and cinnamon stick and stir around to smell the aroma.  
  • Add in the turmeric powder and salt – Do not let the spices burn.
  • Next, add in the chopped cabbage and grated carrots and mix this mixture well.
  • Add a few tablespoons of water to make sure that the spices do not stick to the pan.
  • Cover the lid for 2 minutes (to allow softening of vegetables), 
  • Next, open the lid and check consistency – dry versus soft and smooth or mushy texture
  • Once the vegetable dish is ready, pour the lime juice and mix well.
  • Serve this tangy and detox recipe with a grain dish or kitchari. 

© Copyright 2023 Sonia Sharma

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Why is digestive health the cornerstone of well-being?

Why is digestive health the cornerstone of well-being?

Why is digestive health the cornerstone of well-being?

Digestive Health is Vital

Our digestive health has a significant impact on overall health and wellness. The gut, which houses trillions of essential microorganisms, plays a crucial role in digestion, metabolism, and immunity. Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is vital for breaking down food, producing nutrients, and regulating the immune system. In Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, it is believed that every disease arises from inefficient digestion. Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of a balanced and strong digestive fire (Agni) for efficient digestion and overall well-being.

While poor gut health can lead to various health issues like digestive problems, autoimmune diseases, mental health issues, and skin conditions. Various factors such as diet, stress, hormones, medication, and environmental toxins will also influence gut health.

How to Optimize Digestion

To optimize gut health, focusing on a diet rich in fiber, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables is recommended to support beneficial bacteria in the gut. In Ayurveda, each of us needs a unique protocol of diet which aligns to our unique body-mind type. In addition, managing stress through activities like meditation and yoga can also improve gut health by reducing inflammation and promoting a healthier gut microbiome. Consuming probiotics (live bacteria and yeasts) and prebiotics (non-digestible fibers) found in foods like yogurt, kimchi, bananas, onions, and garlic can further enhance gut health.

Prioritizing gut health through a balanced approach, stress management, probiotics, prebiotics, adequate sleep, and regular exercise can significantly improve overall well-being by promoting a healthy gut microbiome and reducing the risk of chronic health conditions. 

The Sacred Fire

Ultimately, Ayurveda views digestion as a sacred fire that transforms food into elements for the body, mind, and spirit, emphasizing the profound connection between food, digestion, and overall wellness. 

If you are looking to connect to a like-minded group while receiving tools and steps to heal your digestive system PLUS support, coaching and guidance from an Ayurvedic coach like me and a world renowned Ayurvedic physician, Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar, B.A.M.S., M.D. (Ayurveda) then I invite you to join in the 30-day Digestion Reset program.

30-day digestion rest program

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Spring cleanse soup

Spring cleanse soup

Detox Beet and Cauliflower Soup

Beets are a detoxifying vegetable to help cleanse the liver. They are dense, heavy, and considered sweet in nature. Cauliflower is a lighter vegetable and an extractive vegetable. The combination of both together, makes this soup a balanced spring cleanse recipe. 

If beets are not cooked properly, they will aggravate all the doshas, especially if they are eaten raw and cold. Both beets and cauliflower are best eaten cooked, warm and with spices and herbs to help keep your digestion strong while absorbing their amazing benefits.

Prep time: 40 minutes

  • Serves 3 to 4 people

Main ingredients:

  • 2 cups red beets, peeled and cut into small pieces. 
  • 2 cups small pieces of cauliflower
  • 3-5 cups of water for cooking vegetables – Amount of water varies, depending on whether you are heating in fast cooker or not and your body type.

Herbs and Spices:

  • 2-4 tbsp ghee or oil
  • 1 to 1.5 tsp Himalayan salt
  • ¼ tsp ajwain seeds
  • ¼ tsp coriander seeds
  • ¼ tsp fennel seeds
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped finely
  • ½ medium sized onion, chopped finely
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • 2 tsp fresh mint leaves, chopped finely for garnishing
  • Pinch of pepper for garnishing (depending on body type)

Kitchen gear:

  • Medium sized soup pot
  • Mortar and pestle
  • Cutting board
  • Knife for chopping
  • Hand blender or large blender
  • Optional – Instant pot (fast cooker)

Method:

  • Heat ghee or oil in a large pot on medium heat
  • Grind ajwain seeds, coriander seeds, fennel seeds in the mortar and pestle.
  • Sauté the seed mixture for 10-20 seconds in the soup pot.
  • Add salt, onions, garlic, and ginger and cook more for 1-2 minutes.
  • Make sure the mixture doesn’t stick to the pan. (Add a few tablespoons of water if needed to keep moist) – Sauté no more than 1 minute.
  • Add the chopped beets and cauliflower and mix well.
  • Close lid and sweat the veggies a little (about 3-4 minutes). You may need to add a little water to make sure none of the vegetables stick to bottom of pan.
  • Add enough water to the mixture in the pot, so the vegetables are all covered, and the water in the pot is about ½ inch higher than mixture.
  • Heat can be between medium to high and let vegetables cook. Make sure lid is on.
  • Keep checking the vegetables for softness with a fork.
  • This process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 20 minutes, depending on how small the beets were cut. Beets take longer to cook than cauliflower. ( I use an Instant pot and pressure cook this mixture on high heat for 22 minutes.)
  • Once the beets are tender (check with fork), then turn off the heat.
  • Leave aside for 10 minutes or so and then using a hand blender or a regular blender, puree the soup.
  • Garnish the soup with chopped mint leaves and a pinch of black pepper (based on body type)

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What is Kapha season about?

What is Kapha season about?

What is Kapha season about?

The Spring Season

The spring season is also known as the Kapha (pronounced “kaffa) season. During this season, there is an accumulation of the water and earth element (Kapha dosha) in our system which is seeking to be released. Kapha translates to the heaviness of mucus and phlegm that builds up during the cold months.

Detoxification

There are various ways of assisting the body to release Kapha energy from the body. Some of these techniques include detoxification approaches, more physical movement and adjustment in your diet.

One way to help the body release is to slowly start introducing lighter grains (such as barley, millet or quinoa) and increase the proportion of green vegetables (such as spinach, kale and broccoli) into your diet as the weather starts getting milder. This helps release accumulated Kapha from the body, rather than congesting the various channels in the body. 

Recognizing Imbalance

During any shift of seasons, your body may become imbalanced, depending how much care was taken during the previous season. Understanding the energetics of each season and how it interacts within our body, helps us align to the wisdom of nature. 

Since each of us are unique, we will experience this season differently too. What is important to keep in mind is that we can all take steps to align ourselves during this transition. 

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What is Ayurveda?

What is Ayurveda?

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is an ancient science about the laws and principles of nature. It is over 5,000 years old and is often known as Yoga’s sister science. The literal translation of this Sanskrit word “Ayur” means life and “Veda” means knowledge or science. Therefore, it is known as the science of life.

The principles of Ayurveda were designed to develop our human potential – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Ayurveda is used as prevention and curative medicine, by maintaining a unique balance for each individual through the body, mind and consciousness through our diet, emotional regulation, sleep, mindsets, lifestyle, movement, cleansing protocols and herbal remedies.

Each individual is considered unique and each one needs their own personalized regime and equilibrium to keep them in balance in all aspects of their life.

Ayurveda doshas – Body types

In Ayurveda, we use a concept called “doshas” which reflect the 5 elements in nature: space (also known as ether), air, fire, water and earth. These elements have certain unique qualities.

The three doshas are manifested in everything around us – plants and trees, human beings, animals, the seasons, our relationships, and our temperaments. The list is endless on how these elements manifest in our life.  Each human being has a unique proportion of these 5 elements within them which is their true nature (Prakruti).

Ayurveda describes the 3 doshas or energies as the following:

  • Vata: Made up of air and ether elements.
  • Pitta: Made up of fire and water elements.
  • Kapha: Made up of earth and water elements.

Each individual is a unique combination of these doshas, which is known as our Prakurti and it will manifest in how we look, how we speak, how we think and behave and our habits for eating, sleeping and our preferences. We have all of these three doshas, however in different proportions. Our lifestyle, diet habits, the seasonal changes and stress will impact our unique blueprint and this disturbance shows up in dis-ease in the body or mind.

Ayurvedic principles can be applied for treatments of many health conditions, such as: 

  • All types of digestive issues such as gas, bloating, gastrointestinal issues, colitis, acidity or sluggish elimination.
  • Alzheimer disease
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Auto-immune disorders
  • Asthma
  • Cancer
  • Dementia
  • Diabetes
  • Parkinson’s disease,
  • Skin conditions
  • And more

How can we apply Ayurveda to our modern-day life?

Understanding your Prakruti in Ayurveda is like unlocking the secret code to your body’s unique blueprint and current state of health. Prakruti represents your innate constitution—the delicate balance of doshas you were born with—while Vikruti reflects your present condition, often influenced by lifestyle, diet, lack of movement and environmental factors. 

By gaining insight into these fundamental Ayurvedic concepts, you empower yourself to make informed decisions about your health, tailoring your diet, exercise, and daily routines to align with your body’s natural tendencies and address any imbalances. This personalized approach to wellness can lead to improved energy levels, better digestion, enhanced mental clarity, and an overall sense of harmony in your life. 

In essence, knowing your Prakruti and Vikruti is the first step towards achieving optimal health and longevity through the time-tested wisdom of Ayurveda. My goal is to help you return to balance by uncovering patterns that may be contributing to health disturbances, and address underlying imbalances, rather than quick fixes.

In my coaching sessions, I empower my clients with faith and belief in themselves to help them move towards ease in their life. We are all meant to experience happiness and good health in this lifetime. That is our true nature.

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