Tag Archives: wholesome

Ayurvedic Digestion Tip: Shower before eating…

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According to Ayurvedic medicine it is best to shower before eating, rather than after.

When we eat, our blood goes to the stomach and centre of our body for digestion to take place. When we shower, through the pressure of the water and the temperature, blood is directed back out to the extremities, distracting the body from it’s task of digestion.

For smooth, easy, sound digestion try showering before breakfast or dinner and see if you can notice a difference.

It becomes a nice ritual, to cleanse and purify the body, then enjoy nourishing it with your wholesome food!  A simple alteration that can make a big difference to the effectiveness of your digestion over time.

It feels so good to be fresh and sparkly before eating and you will smell lovely for your own company or those who you will be sharing your meal with.

To happy eating & healthy digestion! x

“Only eat what you can digest”. ~Jayadharma 

Ayurvedic Turmeric Chai Recipe

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Immune boosting deliciousness…

Turmeric is a natural ‘anti-biotic’, anti-inflamitory super spice!

Traditionally ‘Chai’ is made using black tea, Cow’s milk and a lot of sugar. These traditional Chai recipes can have their place. In India Chai is a social currency and without the black tea, milk and sugar it is quite possible that the train stations would stop and India would come to a stand-still. It really is a huge part of life and if you have ever sampled the Chai over there, you will know that it can be quite addictive!

This ‘Spiced Turmeric’ Chai Recipe is a delicious ‘medicinal’ (yet still so yummy) Chai that is warming, grounding, nourishing and calming all year round, through each season and time of the day or night.

It can be made with fresh Almond milk, Rice Milk or purely on water for a ‘dairy-free’ alternative or with a Organic Unhomogenised Cow’s milk for a more grounding, rich brew.

The choice of milk is up to you. Listen to your body and what it feels would be most balancing. Using the purest quality Organic Spices will make a difference, allowing for not only greater nutritional goodness within the spices to be available for your body, good quality spices will also offer greater flavour, aroma and will give your Chai a touch of magic!

Ingredients:

  • Fresh Turmeric Powder
  • Fresh Ginger
  • Cardamon pods
  • Cinnamon powder & or stick.
  • Cloves (optional)
  • Nutmeg (optional)
  • Fennel seeds
  • Rice Milk (Organic Un-homogenised Cow’s milk can also be used).

The secret to this Chai is to use an abundance of fresh Ginger! You can grate the Ginger or slice it finely. The quantity is up to you.

Steps:

  1. Pour 2 cups of milk (or water) into your pot
  2. Add fresh ginger
  3. Add a teaspoon of cardamon
  4. Add a 1/4 of teaspoon of cinnamon
  5. Add a pinch of Nutmeg
  6. Add a few cloves
  7. Add a pinch of fennel seeds
  8. Add 1/2 teaspoon of Turmeric powder and stir
  9. Allow to boil, then allow to cool down before straining & serving!

Yum!

Happy spicing, drinking & loving!

A New Cycle – 2013

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Today, the 12.1.13 is the first New Moon of this new year. The New Moon represents the beginning of a new cycle. A time to reset and start from scratch, to lay the foundations for what will unfold as we move towards the full moon and the fullness of this year.

Ayurvedic medicine has a deep connection and respect for the moon. The moon governs the water element within our body, and our bodies are made up of up to 60% water. When the moon goes through it’s cycles (changing daily), on a subtle level we too are going through cycles and changes internally and externally.

Some may notice that their emotions vary quite dramatically throughout the course of a month. Females having a larger proportion of the water element in their make-up can notice a big difference in their body, mind and emotions as the moon goes from new moon to full moon. Being aware of this can be a wonderful way to gain a deeper appreciation, acceptance and understanding of why we may feel more emotional on some days and very clear and calm on others.

We are connected to nature. The Sun and the Moon play a big role in our lives. When the sun rises, it signals our body to wake up and start a fresh day. When the sun-sets and the moon rises, it signals going within and time for rest and rejuvenation.

Seeing the sunrise and spending time bathing in moon-light feels good!

Since there is a balance of both elements within our body, seeing these beautiful wonders of nature reminds us on a deeper level of who we are and what we are made of.

With this in mind, today is the first new moon. Make the most of this fresh energy with a simple activity of writing down on a piece of paper what you intend for your year ahead. Take ten minutes to do this with yourself. Draw, make dot points, however you feel to express. While today is a ‘good’ day for doing this, you can do this any day of the year… Setting intentions can be a 24/7 activity if you wish!

I wish for you all a year of health, peace, joy, creativity, beauty & love!

Welcome to the first post of 2013. It is a honour and joy to share with you this new space on such a appropriate day, the beginning of a ‘new cycle’.

With love & wholesome loving wishes for an amazing year ahead!

x Lorien

 

Simple One Pot Kitchari Recipe

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Kitchari Recipe

Ingredients: Split Moong Dhal, Basmati rice, Cummin, Coriander, Coconut oil or Ghee, Himalayan Salt, Spinach! So easy to digest, nourishing & in Ayurvedic texts said to be a ‘complete protein’!

1. Add 1 tblsp Ghee or Coconut oil

2. Once melted, add 1/4 teaspoon of Cummin seeds & Coriander seeds. Allow to toast.

3. Add 1/2 a chopped Onion, a few slices of chopped Ginger & 1/2 a clove of chopped Garlic & toast. (Garlic & Onion is optional).

4. Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder & stir.

5. Add 2 cups of soaked & rinsed lentils.

6. Add 1 cup of rice.

7. Stir & toast in the spices for a few minutes to lighten the lentils & rice for improved digestion.

8. Add 8 cups of boiling water & stir. Allow to gently boil.

9. Add a pinch of Himalayan salt

10. Continue to stir regularly

11. When Rice & Moong become creamy, turn off the heat and add some freshly chopped Spinach and allow to sit for 15-20 minutes before serving. Adding the spinach last will ensure that it stays fresh and full of life force!

Serve with some chutney, fresh coriander on top & a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to nourish all the six tastes and promote great digestion.

(Note: Add more water to make your Kitchari lighter and more cleansing, and slightly less if you want a heavier and more grounding meal.)

How to Make your own Ghee

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The benefits of Ghee in your life…
♥ Aids digestion
♥ Stimulates the secretion of stomach acids, which aids digestion & assimilation of nutrients (vitamins & minerals).
♥ Good for learning & memory.
♥ Is rich in Antioxidants
♥ Nourishes all 7 tissues of the body
♥ Strengthens the bodies immune system
♥ Has a high concentration of Butyric acid, a fatty acid that conatins anti-viral properties and is believed to inhibit the growth of cancerous tumours!
♥ Balancing for the nervous system which creates warm, happy, wholesome, loving, good thoughts feelings and emotions.

AND… you can make it yourself at home which add’s the special ingredient of LOVE into your diet!

Watch this little video to learn how to make your own Wholesome batch of Ghee!  Yum!

Ayurvedic Quinoa Porridge Recipe

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Porridge is so warming, nourishing & restorative for the body. Great for grounding your energy at the start of your day!

(Serves 2 people.) 

Certified Organic Ingredients:

      • 2 tsp’s of Ghee or Coconut Oil
      • 2 cups of Quinoa flakes
      • 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
      • 4 Cardamon pods opened
      • Pinch of Fennel seeds
      • 1 tbsp Jaggery, Coconut Sugar or Rapadura
      • 4 Blanched Almonds
      • 12 Raisins
      • 3 to 4 cups of Hot water

Method:

1. Add your Ghee or Coconut oil to your pot & warm
2. Add Quinoa flakes & stir to toast the grain
3. Once smelling, looking & feeling ‘toasted’ add hot water & stir.
4. Add Cinnamon, Cardamon, Fennel & stir.
5. Add Raisins, Jaggery/Coconut sugar & stir regularly until Porridge becomes creamy & smells yummy!
6. Serve with 2 Blanched Almonds & some Raisins on top for presentation!

Enjoy!

Note: This Porridge can also be made with milk (un-homogenised, raw Organic milk is best). Simply use 1/2 milk and half water instead of all water.

*Feel free to add some more Water during the process if it looks to thick, and if it look too thin and runny you can add a few extra Quinoa flakes.

 

The Simplicity of Eating Well

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Eating well can be simple. It is about reducing the amount of packaged items in your fridge & pantry and increasing the amount of fresh, alive, real, wholefoods such as vegies, fruit, legumes & whole-grains! Being aware of what you are buying will make a big difference to the way you eat, which will make a huge difference to your overall health & wellbeing!

Ayurveda – What you need to know about your honey!

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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!