Simple Ayurveda in the Kitchen E-book is here!!

March 31, 2016 by Lorien

Special Announcement & Hooray!!!

Today’s the day I have been dreaming about, since beginning to write this e-book 3 and a half years ago.

I am beyond excited to finally be able to share the beauty of Simple Ayurveda in the Kitchen with you, no matter where in the world you are.

This book is a practical guide to living in balance and in harmony with your true nature, based on the wise and practical science & art of Ayurvedic Medicine, organic whole food nutrition & my own life experience of practically applying this way of wholesome nourished living with ease.

It’s all about being empowered, confident & creative in the Kitchen!

There are 108 pages of colour, inspiration, empowerment and support to guide you and be a wholesome friend in your kitchen!

{Click to find out more!}

These staple recipes will nourish you, inspire you, and be a foundation for your cooking legacy.

…I’m so excited, and grateful for the opportunity in life to put this bundle of love and goodness together for you – it’s a dream come true!

With love,

x Lorien

Autumn Equinox

March 21, 2015 by Lorien

Since the first of March, according to the western calendar year, Summer was ‘officially’ over and Autumn had begun.

What!? Autumn! …It still feels like Summer!

On the first day of Autumn however, I found myself at the beach, taking respite in the cool waters of the ocean and enjoying the warm air ~ delicious fresh Papaya by the spoonful and long summer-love-story short, …it certainly STILL felt like Summer!

That is because the seasons don’t stop and start like a machine. Just like we don’t stop and start (when living in balance) like a machine. We are alive, breathing beings, organic in our true nature. Mother nature and her seasons are the same, really we are mini living manifestations of her divine creation. That is a whole other exciting ‘macrocosm’, ‘microcosm’ conversation though… Back to the seasons. Mother nature and her seasons are gradual and as such we must allow ourselves to gradually adapt during a seasonal juncture in order to rebalance to our new and changing environment as well as allow for our bodies and minds to cleanse from the previous season to create a clear fresh space that is appropriate for the current season that is beginning.

Autumn brings an increase in the air + ether elements, (Vata).

As the cooler air and wind causes the leaves to dry and then fall to the ground. There is a ‘dryer’ and less humid quality to the air as we shift from the heat and moisture of summer to the slightly cooler movement, via wind of Autumn. The earth beginning to prepare for winter!

Seasons are so beautiful, they show us that everything grows, transforms, cycles and evolves… And for harmony to be maintained, this cycle and process must continue ~ year, after year, after year!

Change is what is always constant! It is a blessing and time of ritual and ceremony in many traditional cultures, where the people honour the sacred earth elements.

At all seasonal junctions through out the year, it is important to take extra care of yourself and to listen to your bodies needs as the environment around you shifts.

To balance your Vata, you must respond and adapt your lifestyle habits and routine to suit and harmonise with the changing environment around you.

You may find yourself eating less, eating lighter foods, warmer foods, more nourishing foods and even wearing different clothes as the climate changes, even just subtly.

The official Autumn Equinox

Yesterday, the 21st of march marked the autumn equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. Equinox meaning ‘equal’ light and dark. From yesterday onwards we will move from having more light and warmth in each day to slightly less as we glide into winter. The opposite is occurring in the northern hemisphere as they move towards the warmth and longer days.

Ayurvedic medicine places great significance on seasonal change as it is important that way have the tools and knowledge to align and re-balance during the various transitions and changes in life for the health of our body, mind and spirit, our optimum wellness.

3 Simple Lifestyle Tips for Seasonal Change you can do at home:

My top #3 Ayurvedic Lifestyle tips for you to smoothly navigate and re-balanced during this seasonal juncture that we are in right now are…

#1 Make sure you give your body adequate rest, I’m talking 7-8 hours sleep each night so your body can rejuvenate and balance out during the night. (I went to bed at 9pm last night and it felt amazing!!!)

#2 Eat warm, light meals to give your digestion a little rest, think soups, kitchari, stewed fruit, steamed vegies… Warm and simple. This is also a great time to do a mini cleanse or soup/kitchari fast for 2-5 days. The best time of year for it! (I made a pot of Kitchari yesterday and have fasted on Kitchari and fresh Papaya during the day today, feels amazing and so great to have a little digestion re-set!)

#3 Drink warm water and warm herbal teas in place of cold drinks during the day, night and first thing in the morning to gently cleanse your digestive system, support your agni, (digestive fire) and ground your mind and body due to the relaxing and healing qualities of warm h20! (I carry a 1 litre thermal drink bottle with me everywhere, filled with warm water so it is easy for me to stay hydrated and drink warm water wherever I am. The best invention ever. Warm water really makes a difference!)

That’s it. Simple awareness of your body, mind, spirit and breath at all times in life ensures balance and harmony to reside within you and allows your bodies natural innate intelligence to shine, re-balance, heal and guide you on your journey inside and out.

Love your body and listen to it’s callings…

Happy Autumn Equinox beautifuls!

With love and all things yummy and wholesome,

x Lorien

Some Juicy Wholesome Goodness = Is On. Its. Way!

February 20, 2015 by Lorien

Hello Beautiful Soul, (yes, I’m talking to you – the beautiful being reading this!) :)

Wholesome Loving Goodness, (my mission) is going through a magnificent transformation. More than ever I wish to share with YOU inspiration, tools, tips, info ~ holistic living that is nourishing, chemical-free and good for the soul!

My Holistic Ayurvedic Lifestyle + Recipe book is coming this year, 2015 – release date to be announced soon!
Women’s 1 day and weekend getaway retreats in Byron Bay (and perhaps some other exotic destinations) co-faciliated with my very own Wholesome Mother, Alora Waldron – expert teacher on all things chemical-free, organic and transformational are coming this year, 2015 – dates to be announced soon!
Ayurveda+Cooking+Yoga 1 day immersion workshops coming this year, 2015 – dates announced soon!

I’m feeling moved beyond moved to serve communities of families, youth and children in bringing love into food, cooking and life this year. Projects and collaborations to make this dream a reality are underway. This will be the big focus of 2015!

It’s time to DREAM big friends – it’s time to make the difference you are here to make – starting with the basics, proper nourishment and wholesomeness pure chemical free living so that you and your family, society and the planet, can thrive!

It’s been a while since I’ve shared ‘What Is Up’ – in Wholesome Loving Goodness land. So here you go. I’m so excited and look forward to sharing with you in this magical year of 2015!

++JOIN ME++ If you would like to work with me, retreat with me, cook with me or transform your lifestyle with me in 2015 – if this year is THE year for YOU! …Look to the sidebar on the right of this page and join my Cardamom Pod Newsletter List!

Join me, I’d love to work with you in this powerful year of possibility, 2015!

“Miracles occur naturally as expressions of love. The real miracle is the love that inspires them. In this sense everything that comes from love is a miracle.”

~Marianne Williamson

x Om Shanti x

Ayurvedic Warm Spiced Milk

February 6, 2015 by Lorien

A little warm Ayurvedic spiced morning milk on this cooler summers morning in my fairy garden, all my regular spices to aid digestion (cardamon, fennel, cinnamon, fresh ginger + today a little nutmeg + saffron) plus a little something extra from the beautiful ladies at Ayurbotanicals ~ thankyou for your lovely New Years gifts of your herbal blends!

Today I added a teaspoon of their ‘pure performance’ herbal blend that has specific herbs for strengthening the body and giving extra stamina for the day ahead!

…When the weather is cool and windy, balance yourself out with warm and grounding foods and drinks. Herbal teas, spiced milk, soups, porridge… All the warm yummy things! Your ‘vata’, the air element in your body will thank you for it!

(P.S. Milk is boiled biodynamic raw dairy milk) for this cooler summers morning.

Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2014 by Lorien

Merry, Merry Christmas to you!

Thankyou for your love, warmth, inspiration & encouragement! It’s such a blessing to have this vibrant platform to share, connect & contribute to community with.

It makes my heart sing!

May this holiday season and each season – be filled with love, connection with family, friends and even strangers ~ you never know what ripple effects your small act of kindness can have in another’s life.

…Be that person to make another’s day even brighter!

May you be nourished, filled with love and quality time with those dearest and nearest to you – may you smile and… if inclined… may you enjoy nourishing yourself and your loved ones with yummy wholesome foods!!

We had a Christmas morning brunch at our house, buckwheat pancakes that were gluten-free & egg-free (recipe coming in my new book coming soon!), with a spread of luscious summer fruits that are in season! The meal was delish – as was the fresh water swim in our local water hole after.

The most nourishing part of Christmas however was the precious time spent relaxing and blissing out in the summer sunshine with family!

So much love and endless gratitude from my heart.

May deep nourishment, joy and peace ripple out to one and all!

Bliss-ings & Bless-ings!

Namaste,

Lorien x

Ayurvedic Adzuki Quinoa Protein Bowl Recipe

November 27, 2014 by Lorien

This dish is a simple and delicious vegetarian double protein meal that is light, nourishing and grounding for the digestion. Perfect for Spring, when fasting on soups might be getting a bit boring. Do not fear. Adzuki Protein bowl is here to the rescue!

The secret to making this dish easy to put together is to have the Adzuki and Quinoa pre-cooked.

Adzuki beans take longer than most other pulses that I use in my cooking. They are so lovely as a change of ‘food’ scenery and are well worth the extra effort.

To save time:

Boil your Adzuki beans in hot water on a medium heat the night before. Allow approx 1-2 hours of cooking time. Every batch of Adzuki will be different. Some take more or less time to cook. Once you have them cooked. Time to cook your Quinoa.
Rince your Quinoa then place in your pot. For every cup of Quinoa, add approx 2 cups of boiling water. Once you add the water, do not touch. No need to stir. Let the Quinoa steam the same way you would cook rice. Check from time to time and add more water if you see it is necessary. Now that your beans and Quinoa is cooked. The rest is a piece of cake!

Serves approx 2 – 2.5 people :) :

Organic Ingredients:

2 cups of cooked Adzuki beans
1 cup of cooked Quinoa; white, red, black or mixed
Fresh Ginger
Spices: Tumeric, Coriander, Cummin
Ghee or Coconut oil
Fresh Coriander
Unhulled Tahini
Avocado
Celtic sea salt + Black pepper
Boiling water
Love! (Magic ingredient)

Creation process:

In your pot add 1-2 tbsp’s of Ghee or Coconut oil.
Add 1/2 tsp of Coriander seeds, 1/2 tsp Cummin seeds and 1 tsp of fresh ginger. Toast these spices together, allowing them to sizzle and expand, then add 1/2 tsp of Tumeric powder and stir. (Onion and Garlic can be added here also/optional).
Now add your pre-cooked Adzuki beans and stir.
Add your Quinoa and mix the beans and Quinoa together, allowing the spices to absorb and soak in. Will be smelling really good by now!
Add a pinch of salt and a few cracks of black pepper.
Your dish is ready to be served. I know… could a dish that is so good, really be so easy!? …In this case, yes. :)
Serve in your bowl of choice. Add a drizzle of tahini with a spoon, then a hearty pinch of freshly chopped Coriander. Slice your Avo in half, then into quarters and scoop the fruit out or leave it in its shell for a more ‘rustic’ presentation.
Now, enjoy! Congratulations on preparing a hearty, nourishing, soulful dish that your body and mind will love!

Yum. Yay. You did it!

Happy nourishing & soulful eating friends!

x Lorien

Life changing daily practice – Tongue Scraping

May 9, 2014 by Lorien

Have you ever wondered what Tongue Scraping is all about?

Have you ever woken up with a coating on your tongue first thing in the morning?

Have you ever experienced bad breath and toxic build up in your body or noticed someone else’s?

…The ancient and simple Ayurvedic practice of Tongue Scraping is here to save the day! :)

This is such a wonderful simple daily routine.

I have been a tongue scraper for the past 10 years… and I don’t know where I’d be without it! :)

Enjoy this little piece of tongue scraping video inspiration I put together to inspire those of you who are still on the fence and clarify some points for those who are totally new to it.

For the wonderful folk who are already switched onto this wonderful simple practice, feel free to leave some of your own words of tongue scraping wisdom in the comments under the video, share your story, spread the tongue scraping love so that our fellow brothers and sisters can get in on this wonderful preventative, cleansing, satisfying practice! :)

x Love Lorien

Quinoa & Moong Bean Vegetarian Stew Recipe

February 6, 2013 by Lorien

Ingredients (2 Serves):

1 cup of Moong Beang’s soaked in water for approx 24 hours, then rinsed & strained.
1 cup of Quinoa (mixed red & white variety).
1 cup of Pumpkin cut into cubes.
A few freshly chopped green leaves of Kale or Spinach
1.5 tsp’s of Freshly chopped or grated Ginger
1/2 tsp of Turmeric powder
1/2 tsp of Cumin seeds
A pinch of Fennel seeds
1/2 tsp of Coriander seeds
1 tablespoon of Ghee or Coconut oil
1 tsp of Himalayan salt
Black pepper
6 cups of Hot water (4 cups for Moong & 2 cups for Quinoa).
Freshly chopped Parsley or Coriander to garnish.

Method: ~ Moong Bean Vegie Stew

In a pot place your Ghee or Coconut oil and warm until the oil is melted.
Add your Cumin, Coriander and Fennel seeds and allow them to toast and start to ‘pop’.
Add your Ginger and Turmeric Powder and stir until they are mixed together. (Approx 20 seconds will be a good amount of time).
Add your Moong beans and stir. Allowing the spices and the beans to toast and mix together.
Add your Pumpkin and stir it into the mix.
Add your hot water and continue to stir regularly for approx 15 mins.
Add your fresh Kale & Spinach and stir.
Add your Himalayan Salt & a few pinches of black pepper.
Allow to cook like this until the Pumpkin and Beans are soft, then turn off the heat and place a lid on the pot to let the flavours develop and the beans and pumpkin to become nice and soft. Now let it sit, whilst you prepare your Quinoa!

Method: ~ Quinoa

Take your Quinoa and place in your pot.
Dry toast your Quinoa in the pot for a few minutes until the Quinoa becomes warm and starts to make ‘toasty’ sounds.
Add approx 2 cups of hot water. Enough water so that it sits above the Quinoa. You may need to add more as it cooks. If so, add it little by little.
Add a pinch of Himalayan salt for minerals.
Allow to boil. No need to stir Quinoa. Just let it boil and bubble away.
Cook for 10-15 minutes like this until the Quinoa grains have expanded and the water is almost fully evaporated.
Turn off the heat and place a lid on top and allow to sit for another 7-10 minutes. (If you have too much water still, then continue to cook for a bit longer, before turning it off and putting the lid on.)

Voila, by now you will have fluffy yummy Quinoa & a juicy wholesome Moong Bean Stew!

To serve, add Quinoa to your bowl, then next to it, your Moong Bean stew & garnish with some freshly chopped Coriander or Parsley. It is ready to eat!

Enjoy! :)

x Lorien

Ayurveda – What you need to know about your honey!

October 28, 2012 by Lorien

Known in Ayurveda to be heating for the body, thus great for healing colds and boosting your immune system. It is important in Ayurvedic nutrition to not heat honey, never using it to cook or bake, and choosing to use it in your food, drinks, tea and porridge once your food or drink has cooled. Heating honey changes the chemical structure of this wonderful substance, so it’s important to keep it nice and cool as nature created it.

Honey is known to be poison when heated and a medicine when used properly & used un-heated.

Use organic Rapadura sugar, coconut sugar or palm sugar instead. Those sugars are unprocessed, high in nourishing minerals and vitamins and can handle being heated to high temperatures.

Enjoy your honey with intelligence & always purchase RAW honey, so that you can be guaranteed that it hasn’t been heat treated and still contains all the healing goodies it was created with!