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Soft Quinoa and Black Urad Idli

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Quinoa is a wonder grain, high in protein and inherent fluffy texture. These quinoa soft steamed idlis are sure to be the winner at potlucks. Serve with hot sambhar or coconut chutney for a completely healthy meal.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 16 hrs 45 Mins
Serves: 4 persons

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Quinoa
  • ½ cup Black gram dal (split), dehusked
  • 1 T flattened rice (poha)
  • ¼ t fenugreek seeds
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 T ghee

Method

  1. Rinse quinoa 2-3 times, add poha and urad dal and rinse again.
  2. Soak quinoa, poha and black urad in water for 6-8 hours.
  3. Drain water and blend it with water until it has a pancake batter-like consistency.
  4. Add the batter to a container and let it ferment for 8-12 hours in a warm place or inside the oven with lights on.
  5. The fermentation should create a light fluffy mixture with a pleasant aroma.
  6. To get the idli steamer ready, pour 1 cup of water in the steamer and let it boil. Meanwhile, grease the idli mold with ghee
  7. Add salt and 1 T of ghee to the fermented mixture and mix well.
  8. Add the batter a little at a time to the idli mold. Do NOT overfill the mold as the Idli will need space to puff up once they steam
  9. Place the mold in the steamer and close the lid
  10. Let it steam for 15-20 mins
  11. Open the lid and put a toothpick in the idli, it should come out clean when the Idlis are fully steamed.
  12. Leave the steamer open for 2-3 mins before spooning out the idlis. Serve hot.

Serving suggestions

Serve with coconut chutney or cilantro chutney or hot sambar, or just ghee

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe

Fenugreek Seed

Rice Pudding (Porridge)

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This sweetly spiced cooked rice recipe is one of the traditional staples of Ayurveda. This recipe is easy to make, takes only minutes and fortifies all dosha constitutions in every season, and is a great recipe to start your day.

To pacify Vata add nuts, sesame seeds, or fruits.
To pacify Pitta add berries.
To pacify Kapha boil rice with water only and avoid dates.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 35 Minutes
Serves: 2 person

Ingredients

  • ½ cup any traditional Indian rice variety or you can use basmati rice
  • 1 T ghee, preferably cow’s ghee
  • 2 green cardamom pods
  • ½ t Cinnamon powder
  • ¼ cup soaked and peeled almonds, chopped
  • 4 dates, pitted and chopped
  • 1 T raisins
  • 1 T chopped walnuts
  • 1 T honey/maple syrup
  • Water as needed for cooking rice
  • 2 strands of Saffron

Method

  1. Rinse rice in water 2-3 times to remove starch.
  2. In a saucepan, melt ghee over medium flame and saute cardamom for a minute.
  3. Add rice and stir well.
  4. Add water and bring to a boil over medium-high flame.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly stir in the cinnamon powder, almonds. Cover, and let it cook for 20 minutes.
  6. Add dates, walnuts, and raisins, reduce the heat to low, and let it cook for another 10 minutes with a lid.
  7. Add honey/maple syrup, Saffron strands and mix together. Simmer for 2 more minutes and take it off the heat.
  8. Serve warm with toppings suggested for specific dosha.

Serving suggestions

This pudding can be served hot or chilled, depending on the season.

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe

Cardamom I Cinnamon I Raisin I Saffron

Amarnath Porridge

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This recipe is cooked using fall spices and almond milk making it a sweet comforting recipe. With the goodness of amaranth and pear this is a hearty, nutritious breakfast recipe to give warm comfort on cold days.

For Vata add more ghee and drizzle maple syrup.
For Kapha cook this in water or coconut milk.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 30 Minutes
Serves: 2 person

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of amaranth
  • 2 cups milk (preferably cow’s milk)
  • 1 T ghee
  • ¼ tsp each of cinnamon powder, star anise powder, cloves powder
  • A pinch of nutmeg powder
  • ½ cup of Pear cored and chopped
  • 1 T honey/maple syrup

Method

  1. Add ghee to a pot and stir in all the spices.
  2. Add amaranth and milk and bring it to a boil over medium-high flame. Add chopped pear.
  3. Reduce the flame to low and let it cook for 20 minutes with a lid.
  4. Add honey/maple syrup and mix well
  5. Remove from heat when the amaranth is fluffy and water is absorbed.

Notes

Amaranth is gluten-free and rich in calcium. It has a slightly nutty taste. You can try this recipe with rolled oats or quinoa.

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe

Cinnamon I Cloves I Nutmeg I Star Anise

Spinach Cilantro Pesto

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Coriander or Cilantro is a very common herb used in Indian cooking. It has cooling properties and is used in cooking across all regions of India. While Ayurveda suggests avoiding garlic in the sattvic diet, in this recipe garlic aids in purification and enhances the flavor. Addition of Malabar Spinach, given it a boost of earthiness and adds to the nutritive value.

Good for Pitta, Kapha.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 Minutes
Serves: 1 person (¼ cup)

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of coriander (cilantro) leaves
  • 1 cup of chopped Malabar Spinach
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 2 T of chopped walnuts or pecans
  • 1 T lime juice
  • Salt to taste (preferably pink Himalayan salt)
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil

Method

  1. Rinse Coriander and Spinach thoroughly and pat dry.
  2. Separate leaves from stems and put the leaves in a blender along with garlic and nuts.
  3. Blend into a paste while adding olive oil, add lemon juice and blend again until the desired consistency.
  4. If pesto is too dry add more lemon juice.
  5. Add salt and pepper as per taste.
  6. Spoon it into a bowl and drizzle with some olive oil.

Serving suggestions

You can use this pesto as a pizza sauce, dip, or as pasta sauce. It is robust in flavor and nutrients should always be served fresh.
You can choose to add ½ ripe avocado to give it extra creaminess.

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe

Black Pepper I Coriander I Garlic I Malabar Spinach

Neuralgia

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What is Neuralgia?

Neuralgia is a health condition which occurs when you experience stabbing, burning sensation with severe pain due to inflamed or injured nerve. This condition can impact any part of your body. This is more of a symptom than an illness. It is one of the symptoms of injury or certain disorders.

What are the Symptoms of Neuralgia?

There are numerous signs and symptoms of Neuralgia. Some of the typical symptoms are as follows.
  • Localized pain in the affected area is very common in this condition.
  • The affected area may be unbearably vulnerable to touch, and any stress is felt as pain which may be intense or burning, depending on the impacted nerve.
  • Even though the affected area is working, you may experience bad muscle cramps, which may lead to muscle weakness and gradually result in loss of muscle mass.
  • Unexpected incidents of severe shooting or stabbing pain that follows the path of an injured or irritated nerve.
  • You may also experience constant pain or a burning feeling with tingling and numbness.

What are the Causes of Neuralgia?

  • There are many causes of this condition. But mostly it can be caused by the following factors.
  • Infection is the most common cause of this condition.
  • People with Multiple Sclerosis have a higher chance to develop Neuralgia.
  • Pressure or stress on any nerve, such as bone, ligament, blood vessels, tumor can trigger Neuralgia.
  • People with diabetes have a higher tendency to get this condition.
  • Very rarely a chronic kidney disease can cause Neuralgia as well.

When to see a Doctor?

If you go through facial pain, especially sustained or recurrent pain or pain unmitigated by non-prescription painkillers, make sure to visit your doctor.

Lifestyle Prevention of Neuralgia

  • Preventing Neuralgia is not always possible. However, there are few preventive measures which may help you in avoiding this condition.
  • Eating healthy and clean is very important. Do not forget to take all the essential multi-nutrients.
  • Working out daily is always a great practice to keep yourself fit. But be careful and try to do it with proper guidance and control. Do not forget to have enough and effective sleep. Determining a regular sleep calendar is important in achieving that. Managing stress is important, so try to do it efficiently. Positive mindset is very important in dealing with any condition. So be positive.

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Neuralgia

Ayurveda can help in treating the symptoms of Neuralgia, especially the pain. Here are some great remedies for Neuralgia:
  • Chamomile Tea: Made from 3 g dried flowers in 1 cup of water, twice or thrice a day.
  • Ginger Capsules: Ginger is a great natural pain reliever. So take 1-2 capsules twice a day.
  • Holy basil: Holy basil has the capacity to significantly reduce sciatic nerve pain. 10 grams of holy basil leaf aqueous extract can be given 1 to 4 times per day in equal doses.
Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Chamomile | Turmeric | Oats | Ginger | Holy Basil | French tarragon | Ashwagandha
Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Not Known

Nausea and Vomiting

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What is Nausea and Vomiting?

Nausea and Vomiting are health conditions that may occur due to various illnesses. Most often these conditions are caused by viral gastroenteritis or mostly called stomach flu. Another very common cause of nausea and vomiting is morning sickness of early pregnancy. Numerous medications and treatments may trigger nausea and vomiting as well. In some rare cases, these conditions can be an indication of some severe health conditions.

What are the Symptoms of Nausea and Vomiting?

Vomiting and nausea are the symptoms of different medical illnesses including stomach flu and morning sickness. Symptoms can be queasy feeling, upset stomach, and possibly throwing up. This can affect adults and children both.

What are the Causes of Nausea and Vomiting?

  • The causes of Nausea and Vomiting are widespread. They can be caused by some medical conditions or some treatment and medications.
  • Health conditions like pregnancy, Gastroparesis, Migraine, Food poisoning, etc. are very common causes of these conditions.
  • Nausea and Vomiting can also be caused by depression, anxiety, fatigue, and dizziness.
  • A brain tumor is again another major cause of nausea and vomiting. You may also experience Nausea and Vomiting in case you are having a heart attack.
  • Other than these, there are many more causes like food allergy, alcohol use disorders, intestinal obstructions, etc.

When to see a Doctor?

Consult a doctor if your vomiting persists more than two days for adults, 24 hours for children, You’ve had spells of nausea and vomiting for longer than a month, or You’ve suffered inexplicable weight loss along with nausea and vomiting.

Lifestyle Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting

  • Preventing nausea and vomiting is possible if it is caused by less severe conditions, such as morning sickness, gas, headaches, etc.
  • In case you are feeling nauseous, drinking anything cold gives you a great relief. If you drink soft drinks or sparkle water that will help immediately.
  • Fasting is also a very effective measure which may enable your digestive system to rest. Not eating for a whole day will help you heal. Even if you can’t fast, try to eat less and bland.
  • Generally you should never do any activity right after eating. Any activity may trigger nausea.
  • In case you have been suffering from these conditions for more than two days, it is advisable to avoid taking any fried or greasy food.

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Nausea and Vomiting

There are some great herbal Ayurvedic remedies that help you get relief from nausea and vomiting.
A herbal Formula: The following herbal formula can stop Nausea and Vomiting instantly:
  • Half tsp of powdered rose petals
  • Half tsp of sandalwood powder
  • Half tsp of rock candy powder and
  • 10 drops of lime extract
  • Mix this in a glass of room
  • temperature water and drink it
  • Liver Detoxification: There is a high chance that your vomiting and nausea are caused by the excess toxins in the liver. So detoxification of the liver is an important step. In order to do that, we need to make the following formula.
Take quarter a tsp of kutki, quarter tsp of shatavari, a pinch of shankha bhasma, and a pinch of kama dudha. Daily taking this mixture three times with water will detoxify the liver and will give relief.
Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Triphala | Shatavari | Katuki | Sandalwood | Cardamom | Ginger | Black Pepper
Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:
Cardamom | Ginger | Black Pepper