Ayurvedic Products

There are some great companies out there that are creating some amazing Ayurvedic products. This is one of my favorites. While I was attending the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico I toured their wholesale warehouse and met with their lovely wholesale manager. This company has some great things about it. One that spoke to my heart was that they support local Indian Farmers In India, since that is where the herbs originate from) so that they could keep their family farmland while making a living wage. The farmers use organic practices and all the herbs grown are kept in their most natural environment for their wellbeing (I also learned that keeping the herbs in their natural environment gives them the highest medicinal value). This company thinks full circle and that is what I value. So check them out. I will definitely be linking to specific products and educating you about them with posts to come! Happy learning.

3-5 Day Kitchari Cleanse

3-5 Day Kitchari Cleanse

Before you start a cleanse, make sure you check with your health provider first. And limit the amount of activity you do for the days that you are on the cleanse. Be gentle to yourself. Your body will be working hard to clean itself so it is important to support it by reserving your energy and resting. Do gentle yoga and meditation each day.

In any cleanse, making sure that you are having regular bowl movements, once to twice per day, is very important. Stool carries away the toxins from the body. I also recommend taking a hot bath or sauna to open the pours and allow your body to sweat, which also releases toxins. Drink lots of water, warm- hot. Lemon added will give an extra boost to the cleaning properties of the water and hot water in the morning with lemon will get the 'system' moving. 

You can also order or buy triphala. I have seen it in some whole foods and natural grocery stores. You can also purchase them online at http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/triphala-tablets-11. Take 2 tablets with warm water every evening before bed. If your bowel movements are still slow increase by 1 tablet, but do not exceed 4 tablets per night.  This will help balance the GI tract and colon and help eliminate toxins in a non-habit forming way. Triphala cleanses but it also acts as a rejuvanitive to the GI and colon.

Kichari Recipe (my favorite coming from www.lifespa.com)

This recipe makes enough to last you for 3 or 4 meals. You can play with the mixture of spices. Many people prefer this recipe when the spices are doubled (or even tripled).

• 1 cup Split Yellow Moong Beans* (see for ‘weak digestion’ below) Can find at ethnic supermarkets or on amazon.com, Some health food stores may have them as well. 
• ¼ – ½ cup White Basmati Rice
• 1 Tbs Fresh Ginger Root
• 1 tsp each Mustard Seeds, and Cumin and Turmeric powder
• ½ tsp each Coriander powder, and fennel and fenugreek seeds
• 3 Cloves
• 3 Bay Leaves
• 7-10 cup Water
• ½ tsp Salt (rock salt is best) or Bragg’s Liquid Aminos.
• 1 small handful Fresh Chopped Cilantro Leaves (add just as you about to eat)
• You can add any freshly steamed vegetables to this recipe to switch it up. Stay away from starchy ones like sweet and regular potatoes.

It’s important to get SPLIT MOONG DAL beans because they are easy to digest and due to their cleansing qualities, they pull toxins from the body. They are available at Asian or Indian grocery stores or through LifeSpa. Different spellings include “mung” and/or “dahl.” Please note that you do not want the whole moong dal beans, which are green, or yellow split peas.

1. Wash split yellow mung beans (dal) and rice together until water runs clear.
2. Heat a large pot on medium heat and then add all the spices (except the bay leaves) and dry roast for a few minutes. This dry-roasting will enhance the flavor.
3. Add dal and rice and stir again.
4. Add water and bay leaves and bring to a boil.
5. Boil for 10 minutes.
6. Turn heat to low, cover pot and continue to cook until dal and rice become soft (about 30-40 minutes).
7. The cilantro leaves can be added just before serving.
8. Add salt or Bragg’s to taste.

* For weak digestion, gas or bloating: Before starting to prepare the kicharee, first par boil the split moong dal (cover with water and bring to boil), drain, and rinse. Repeat 2-3 times. OR, soak beans overnight and then drain. Cook as directed.

NOTE: The third day of your cleanse you might feel a bit weak, possibly nauseous and have a headache. This can be normal and means that you have toxins that are leaving the tissues and coming into the GI tract. If you need to vomit, allow yourself to do so, and if you are not having a bowel movement eat 2-4 soaked prunes along with your triphala at night. 

Cookies - Healthy Option

Black Bean Chocolate Cookies 

(you wont even know they are good for you) 

This holiday season, or whenever you are craving chocolate, create something you will feel good about eating. This should satisfy that chocolate craving because the richness of the cocoa powder and the thickness of the beans makes these cookies fudgey and very satisfying!

Black beans and nut butters give these morsels punch of protein. Good oils in the nuts and coconut oils are important to absorb nutrients and minerals as well as for overall health. Cocoa powder gives a boost of antioxidants. Chocolate chips.....well, they are yummy and if you get organic, extra dark, the better they are.

NOTE: when and if, use as many organic ingredients as you can. If you don't have it, use what you do.

1 cup cooked organic black beans (rinsed if using canned)

2 tablespoons organic coconut oil or olive oil

2 tablespoons organic nut butter ( I like to use 1 almond butter & 1 peanut butter)

2 tablespoons organic milk of choice

5 tablespoons organic cocoa powder

4-6 pitted dates OR 1/2 cup maple syrup or sucanat sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soada

1/4 -1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Optional: 1/4 cup nuts of choice (crushed walnuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, peanuts etc.)

              Add 2-3 drops of peppermint oil for festive cookies, or use different kinds of chocolate chips like peanut butter, white chocolate or peanut butter or even dried tart cherries, be creative! 

Turn oven on to 350 degrees. Put everything, except chocolate chips and nuts, in a food processor, blend until smooth. Add chocolate chips and nuts if you desire. Pulse a few times. 

Scoop into 2 inch rounds, slightly press down to make a disk. bake in oven for 8-12 minutes. They will be pretty soft, but will set up when cooling. Should have a soft brownie like texture in the middle and firm edges when cooked right. 

These things can be made up and baked in about 20 minutes or less. Easy, healthy and super yummy. Use them for the last minute party you forgot to make something for or a power snack for you and your family. 

Inspired by Green Kitchen

Happy Holidays! xx

Aloe Juice - How to use it for your health

Aloe Juice is out in stores in many forms, but why? 

And what for?

In Ayurveda we look at aloe to help cool internal heat, cool the blood as well as help moisturize the digestive tract and colon. It can also help painful menstrual cycles

Taking a few tablespoons daily, in the morning, can help you to get in the medicinal powers of this plant right away. Like everything in excess, it no longer works as a medicine, so try this for a few weeks, notice how it is making you feel and then decide weather you continue for a few more weeks or if you have had enough. Don't take it straight for more than 3-4 months. Your body needs a break, you can always bring it back if you need to after a month or two break.

Here are things that this can be used for:

• Excessive burning in the intestinal tract
• Dry colon/constipation
• Dehydration, dryness 
• Acne/rashes
• Dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual cycle) - Take 2 oz - 10 days BEFORE your cycle, every morning. Repeat for 3 months of your cycle. Gel over juice is preferred.

Make sure your aloe comes form an organic source. I like inner fillet gel. Juice is fine too if you are using it more for hydration. Lily of the Desert is a brand that I enjoy. 

Headache Relief

In Ayurveda we work with things called marma points, which are pressure points that are similar to accupuncture points, but instead of a needle, pressure is applied by touch.  If marma interests you click here for some more information. Otherwise, all you need to know is we have points on our bodies, that when sore or tender, can mean that there is an imbalance. By pressing on these points, which are correlated with certain organs or places on our bodies, we can help clear or alleviate any stagnation or discomfort. One thing that I struggle with is headaches. And I know from other people, headaches are a major inconvenience and quite frankly, suck!

Another thing you can do in conjunction with pressing on these recommended points is using a few drops of jasmine or peppermint essential oils when massaging these points. Just remember to wash your hands after so that you don't get any in your eyes.

The points to focus on are the brow points, outlined in red box below, and the pads of your thumbs (Right and left hand). Feel around for any tenderness and then once you find it, push on that point for a few seconds at a time. Notice if that helps to relive the pain in the head. better yet, find someone to massage these areas for you and try to relax into it as much as you can.

Other things to look at:

• Do you work at a computer all day? Headaches hit mid afternoon or evening? Try take consistent breaks from your computer. Stand up every hour or two and stretch, take a quick walk or a trip to the office kitchen for some hot water. 
• Also, look at your computer set up. Is your laptop or computer forcing you to look down when you type? If so you are straining your neck muscles by making them hold your head (which weighs on average, 10lbs) out from your shoulders. This tension causes tension headaches. Make sure you can look at your screen at eye level. If you cant, make it happen by elevating it with a shelf, books, bricks etc. (get creative). 
• Have you gotten any fresh air in the past 3-4 hours. If your answer is no, take 5-10 minute break and go outside.
• Have you exersiced in the past couple days, if the answer is no, make a point to go for a walk, take a yoga class or go to the gym after work for atleaste 30 minutes. 
• Have you been drinking enough water? Make sure you are staying hydrated. No iced drinks. try sipping warm - hot water through out the day. This will also help with your immunity so it is a very important step into getting rid of headaches, while also keeping you healthy in other ways. 
• Headaches can also be lack of nutrition. So make sure you are not skipping meals. 3 rounded meals a day is very important. if it seems like you are still missing something talk to a doctor, as it could be a lack of something in your diet. 

I hope this will help you find some relief. 

Be Well!

Now is the Time for a Fall Cleanse

Fall time is here, days are shortening and the temperature is dropping. Great time for an easy cleanse before your digestions gears up for the heavier foods in the winter months. 

Step 1: Eliminate sugars, carbs, fried foods, dairy, most fats and drink plenty of hot water or ginger tea throughout the day

Step 2: Go on a mono diet eating just vegetable soup, miso soup or Kitchari for all three meals and drink plenty of hot water or ginger tea throughout the day

Step 3: Take 2 Triphala every evening before bed

Step 4: Add in calming meditation, pranayama (breath work) and/or relaxing yoga into your day

Commit to a minimum of 3 days and a max of 5 days.

Choose step 1 OR step 2 and it is optional to add on step 3 & 4. 

Feel the lightning and clearing qualities as this cleanse purges out the heat of summer and gets you ready for winter snow! 

Website links for soup recipes:

http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2011/01/detox-green-soup-recipe-with-broccoli.html

http://reciperenovator.com/recipeindex/detox-veggie-soup/

http://honestfare.com/miso-detox-soup/

http://www.buddinglotusbody.com/nourish/2011/01/sweet-pea-and-mint-soup/

http://www.notquitenigella.com/2009/06/14/carrot-cumin-and-ginger-detox-soup/

Superfood Power Bites

Pictured: 1/2 mixture with cocoa powder for a chocolatey punch, other half with spirulina for a green powerhouse option!

In need of a snack item that you can eat right away, that will give you the energy that you need and the nutrients it takes to make it until the next meal? Make these in numerous varieties so that you always have something on hand. Also, great for a healthy sweet-tooth option! 

Recipe:

1/2 cup walnuts

1/4 cup hempseeds

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

1/3 cup regular OR gluten free oats 

2 teaspoons chlorella or spirulina

1/8 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup diced dry figs

1/4 cup goji berries (soaked in warm water 5-10 minutes and drained)

1/3 cup pitted dates

1/4 cup dried tart cherries

1/4 cup dried cranberries

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1/4 cup shredded coconut

In food processor combine walnuts, oats, all seeds and nuts, green powder and salt. Pulse until nuts are ground coarsely. Add rest of ingredients and mix for 15-30 seconds. Stop to scrape off sides and pulse for another 30 seconds or so until you get a sticky dough. You do not want to over mix. Roll into 1 inch balls and freeze until ready to eat. Store in fridge for 3 weeks or freezer for 3 months. 

Variations:

If you want all nuts and no oats, replace oats with favorite nut.

If you love nut butter add 1/3 cup favorite nut butter like peanut, cashew almond etc. in replacement of dates. However, add 2-3 dates for sweetness. 

Omit the cocoa powder all together for a more earthy treat. 

Omit coconut if you do not like the taste.

If you don't have figs or do not like them, replace them with golden or red raisins. Same for dates. 

To make these even more powerful add 1-3 of these superfoods: 1 tablespoon acai powder, 1 teaspoon maca powder, 2 teaspoons ashwagandha powder, 1.5 tablespoons camu camu, maqui berry, pomegranate powder. 

Adding fiber and more protein: 1 tablespoon tasteless fiber powder and/or 2 tablespoons favorite protein powder

Ayurveda Note: Great snack for vata or pitta. Too heavy and sticky for Kapha.