Go Nuts.....

Nuts are very grounding, nourishing and heavy. They are loaded with good oils and fats for our body and can be a perfect snack and are great for making nut butters. Vata and Pitta Dosha favor nuts in the diet because of the grounding effect that nuts have on the body. Kapha dosha types should avoid almost all nuts and seeds because these people need lighter foods in order to keep their body and minds clear and mobile.
Remember, nuts with fruit or vegetables is not recommended because the rate of digestion is different for the 2 food groups and create toxic build up.

So, if you are a vata or pitta person and want an idea on how to eat your nuts, here is a quick recipe I mixed up...in about 5 minutes flat.

2/3 cup almonds

1/3 cup shelled pistachios

1/3 cup roasted cashews

1/4 cup water

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1-3 tablespoons raw honey (depending on sweetness desired)

Mix in Vitamix or food processor and spread on anything you desire!

Food Combining - what works and what may leave you toxic

Food combining adds a whole other layer on how to eat healthy. And I know we all have enough to think about in a day, but this can be really important when looking at cleaning out or creating toxin in the body.
The other day I made an apple crisp and a strawberry mint crisp. I have to say, they were both delicious. And my favorite dessert of all time is whipping cream. Real, organic, fresh/raw (when possible), whipping cream. And I love the combination of crisp and whipping cream. More please!
But I notice that after each night of eating this combination, I had really bad bloating and my stomach was off the next day. I was in denial that it could have been the combination of foods I ate because I didn't want to give it up......but in Ayurveda dairy and fruit is a toxic combination that can lead to fermentation in the stomach. Yep, I will confirm it. I ate the crisp, for a third day, by itself and had no problems. Looking back this combination had always upset my stomach, but I loved the flavors so much I never thought of it being something that was not working for me.

When looking at food combining, here are a few more to be aware of:

• Eggs and Dairy
• Seafood and dairy
• Nuts/seeds and vegetables
• Honey and boiling water
• Equal parts of honey and ghee
• Citrus and dairy
• Fruit and dairy
• Fruit with any other foods

The combinations of these foods will leave toxins in the body, creating sluggishness, and digestive issues. Some happen because the foods digest at different rates, creating sludge because the body can't move everything along at the same time. Meaning some food sits and ferments, waiting for the other food to finish digesting. Honey, for example, just becomes a toxin when it is boiled so make sure the water is warm/hot but not boiling, when mixing. Hint: if you have to add nuts or seeds to a vegetable dish, make sure you soak the nuts over night first, this will make them easier to digest.  

Some of these may be a disappointment to you. (I am a sucker for a cheesy omelet) But just be aware. Notice if you combine these foods, how you feel. If you do ok then allow yourself the pleasure every once in awhile. Good digestion or not, if you do combine some of these foods, just try to make sure the rest of the food you eat for the following meal is light and easily digestible so that you allow your body to clean the toxins out so that they do not accumulate. 

Rememeber: Ayurveda says "80% & 20%" meaning 80% of the time try to eat clean, healthy, with good spices and good combinations of flavors and types of food. The other 20%, enjoy without any guilt and many thanks. And after you enjoy, eat light and clean and reset. 

Thai Coconut Curry Soup With Kelp Noodles

Thai Coconut Curry Soup With Kelp Noodles 

This is a fantastic dinner that is great for a summer evening. I found out about kelp noodles not too long ago and find these to be really fun. It gives a dish body and a slight texture, without making it heavy or starchy. Top this soup with avocado and cilantro mint chutney and you will be happy camper! This recipe was inspired by The Spunky Coconut . 

Eat Well.

Recipe:

Kelp noodles.

Prep kelp noodles by soaking in HOT water with juice from a half squeezed lemon. Let sit 20 minutes.  

1 tablespoon olive oil

2-3 cloves crushed garlic

1/2 medium yellow onion

1 inch grated fresh ginger

1 tablespoon red curry paste

1 tablespoon sriracha sauce

1 teaspoon turmeric

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 chopped carrot

1 can coconut milk

1 cup water or vegetable broth

4-5 large kale leaves

1 avocado

1 cup bean sprouts

1 cup chopped mushrooms

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Heat oil in a large pot at medium temp. Add crushed garlic, chopped onion and grated ginger, make sure not to burn. Add curry paste, sriracha, tomato paste, turmeric and carrot. Allow 2-3 minutes to sauté. Add mushrooms, mix until mushrooms are coated with spices and then mix in coconut milk, liquid of choice and kelp noodles. Bring to a simmer and drop in chopped kale and bean sprouts. Simmer 3-5 more minutes. Serve in bowls, top with avocado and cilantro mint chutney.

Cilantro Mint Chutney

Makes 1½ cups.

1 bunch cilantro, chopped
¼ cup mint, chopped
3 shoots green onion
¼ teaspoon jalapeno or more (to taste)
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoons minced ginger
2 tablespoons lime juice
¼ teaspoon salt

Make sure to rinse your cilantro well before chopping. Then combine everything in a food processor and pulse to combine. That’s all there is to it! Taken from http://kripalu.org/article/770/ where there are a ton more recipes.