Archives for August 2021

Golden Soup

Aug 24, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

This is one of a kind of ginger carrot and pumpkin soup, ideal recipe for Vata season (winter). It offers a warm and hydrating break from harsh winters with the goodness of vitamins A,D, E, and selenium keeping your sight and mood bright.

Good for all Doshas but ideal for Vata.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Total Time: 15 Minutes
Serves: 2 person (400ml)

Ingredients

2 tablespoons Ghee
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
A pinch each of clove powder, black pepper powder
6 carrots, chopped
½ cup of pumpkin, chopped
4 cups vegetable broth
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
Any 2 Seasonal herb springs (thyme, basil or rosemary) for garnish

Method

Add ghee to a large soup pot and melt it over medium flame.
Add ginger and spice blend to it and saute for 1 minute.
Stir in the carrots, pumpkin and broth, bring it to a boil and simmer it for 20-25 minutes over low flame, till the pumpkin turns mushy.
Transfer the soup to a blender to make the puree (If you prefer chunky puree use an immersion blender or a potato masher).
Cook the soup for 1 more minute.
Sprinkle some lemon zest and olive oil.
Top it with any seasonal herb of your choice and serve hot.

Serving suggestions

(Optional) Add coconut milk at the end and serve immediately

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe

Black Pepper I Clove I Ginger

Carrot and Ginger Pickle

Aug 24, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

Carrot pickle is a side dish served with Indian meals for better digestion. It is made by fermenting carrots along with other seasonal vegetables and spices as per choice.

Good for Vata dosha.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Total Time: 2 Days to ferment
Serves: 2 Cup carrot Pickle and 4 cups Brine

Ingredients

2 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tablespoon kosher salt
6 carrots, shredded
1 beet, peeled and grated and its juice
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into thin rounds
1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
Filtered water

Method

First you need to sterilize the mason jar with boiling water.
Add vinegar and salt to the clean and dry mason jar and stir.
Next, stir in carrots, beet, ginger, and mustard seeds.
Fill the jar with filtered water and cover it with a clean dish towel.
Set aside for 2 days in a warm, dark place.
Check the carrots if it is still not pickled, let stand for 1 more day.
Close the lid and store it in the refrigerator.

Serving suggestions

Liquid brine can be used as a probiotic drink or added to smoothies.

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe

Ginger I Mustard Seed

Mung Dal Payasam (Indian Lentil Pudding)

Aug 24, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

Payasam is a unique south Indian dessert from the southern green lands of Kerala. It is packed with nutrients. There are many varieties of payasam, mung dal payasam is made with mung dal, jaggery, coconut milk, ghee, and nuts.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Total Time: 45 Minutes
Serves: 4 to 6 person

Ingredients

1 ½ cup of split mung dal
2 cups of water
1 cup of jaggery or sugar
1 cup of fresh coconut to make coconut milk
2 T ghee (preferable cow’s ghee)
½ t cardamom powder
1 T your favorite nuts

Method

Dry roast mung dal for 4-5 minutes or until it turns golden brown then let it cool.
Wash the mung dal, add it to the cooker along with 2 1/2 cups of water and take 2 whistles.
To make coconut milk, Blend 1 cup coconut with 1 cup lukewarm water to a smooth paste.
Strain the milk. Add another cup of water to the remaining coconut shreds and strain again.
Add jaggery to cooked mung dal and cook for 10-15 minutes until it has a thick consistency.
Add the coconut milk from a second extract and bring it to a boil.
Now, lower the heat and add the milk from the first extract and let it cook for 3-4 minutes.
For seasoning, melt ghee in a small pan and add cashews and raisins.
Add dry fruits and cardamom powder to the cooked mung dal. Mix and serve.

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe

Cardamom

Green Gram Soup

Aug 24, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

This healing green gram or mung bean soup is an ideal pick for when you want to have a light and nutritious meal. The ghee and broth balance the dryness of the mung beans and the spices improve digestion.

Good for All dosha.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Total Time: 45 Minutes
Serves: 2 person

Ingredients

1 cup of whole green gram beans soaked (sprouted green gram is even better)
1 Tablespoon ghee
½ teaspoon finely chopped ginger
¼ teaspoon each of cumin powder, coriander powder, black pepper powder
Salt to taste
6 cups of basic broth
1 cup finely chopped leafy greens of your choice (spinach, collard greens etc.)
Cilantro to garnish

Method

Add the ghee to a large pot and melt it over medium-high flame.
Add ginger and spices, stir and add the mung beans.
Add the broth and cover.
Bring it to a low boil then let it cook for 30 minutes over medium flame.
Add the greens and cook for another 10 minutes.
When the beans are soft garnish with cilantro and serve hot

Serving suggestions

You can also garnish with toasted coconut flakes and pumpkin seeds along with cilantro.

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe

Black Pepper I Coriander I Cumin I Ginger

Catarrh

Aug 24, 2021 by Avi Kumar Leave a Comment

What is Catarrh?

Catarrh is a medical condition in which excess mucus is produced in the nose, throat, or sinuses especially when a person has an infection.

What are the Symptoms of Catarrh?

Sore throat
Blocked or congested nasal passages
Experience pain in head or face
Reduced taste or smell
Sleeping difficulty
Difficulty in swallowing
Coughing
Feeling a lump in the throat
Hoarse voice
Congestion in throat

What are the Causes of Catarrh?

Weather changes
Irritating foods
Allergic or nonallergic rhinitis
Colds and Viruses
Sinus infection
Nasal blockage or growth
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Hormonal changes during pregnancy
Some medications

When to see a Doctor?

Visit a doctor if you experience catarrh that last for a month or more.
If catarrh is accompanied by fever, wheezing, shortness of breath, odorous mucus, or blood, please see a physician..

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Catarrh

Use humidifier
Avoid triggers (If it is associated with allergies or irritants)
Wash hands frequently
Avoid contact with a sick person
Clean your living space often

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Catarrh

Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Honey | Tulsi | Vasaka | Yashtimadhu | Kantakari

Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Not known.

Cellulite

Aug 24, 2021 by Avi Kumar Leave a Comment

What is Cellulite?

Cellulite is a health condition that arises when the fiery quality liable for metabolizing fat beneath the skin becomes low. This may cause little dimples on the skin surface and is most commonly found in people with high cholesterol levels. Those individuals who eat a lot of fried and fatty food also have a higher possibility to suffer from this condition. However, cellulite is definitely not a disease and more of a sociological problem than medical. This condition may be considered as a pre obesity phase.

What are the Symptoms of Cellulite?

Individuals suffering from this condition may notice bumpy skin or dimples on the skin when the skin is pinched. It mostly affects areas that are around the thighs and buttocks but also can be seen on breasts, lower abdomen, and upper arms.

What are the Causes of Cellulite?

This condition is mostly caused by being overweight or weight gain which is the result of a poor diet and an unhealthy lifestyle. This can also happen when there is accumulated toxins in your body. Another common cause can be pregnancy. During pregnancy, weight gain is natural and that may lead to cellulite. Hormones and genetics also can be the causes of Cellulite.

When to see a Doctor?

Treating this condition is not required at all. However, you can visit a dermatologist just in case you are too concerned about the appearance of your skin. A plastic surgery may be an option for you.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Cellulite

Preventing cellulitis is certainly possible by following some lifestyle changes. As we have understood that the weight gain or being overweight is one of the major causes of this condition. So, it’s very important to have a balanced diet. Avoiding fried food and eating a lot of vegetables and fruits is the key to any healthy diet. Drinking a lot of water is also very crucial in flushing out the toxins from your body which additionally helps you prevent cellulitis. Working out is important to prevent any ailments including cellulitis. Exercise will help you burn the fatty acids which is one of the main causes of cellulite. Working out daily will help in improving blood circulation which is crucial for removing stored toxins from the body.

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Cellulite

Ayurveda has many ways of treating Cellulitis. This condition can be treated by proper detoxification of the liver which is possible by a special Ayurvedic therapy called Panchakarma. The detoxification of the lever will help in improving metabolism and hence assist fat loss.
The Ayurvedic therapies for treating cellulite include a heating procedure that helps in removing blockages of subtle channels. This heating procedure is mainly done through steaming or hot compress. Oil should not be used for this treatment.
Medicated purgation is another herbal way of treating this condition. This is a cleansing method that uses herbal purgatives that help in controlling agni.

Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Gotu Kola I Turmeric I Aloe Vera I Tulsi I Ginger

Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Not known.