Vegetarian Vitality » ayurveda

Cool Off with Almond Milk

JGomez — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:15:24 +0000

In Ayurveda it’s is known that almonds are not only packed with nourishment but they have a cooling effect within the body. And soaking the almonds and removing the skin enhances this effect. In addition, they then become even easier to digest. This means that we are able to absorb even more nutrients with less effort.

This is good news with the heat wave we’re experiencing, when all we may want to do is to chill out.

Almond milk is sweet, lactose free and easy to make.

Here’s my recipe for this satisfying and nourishing drink, which is ideal for a quick breakfast.

Ingredients
4 dates (pitted)
20 almonds (approx. 25 grms)
Pinch of cardamom powder
Cup of water
1. Soak the dried fruit and the almonds in water in separate bowls overnight.
2. In the morning remove the skins from the almonds.
3. Put them along with the dates into a blender. Blend for about 30 seconds.
4. Pour into a glass and add the cardamom powder.
5. Stir and serve.

Enjoy!

This recipe is taken from my refreshing summer recipes booklet.

So what did you think of the recipe? How else are you staying cool this summer? Feel free to share your comments below.

Staying Cool

JGomez — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:15:12 +0000

Being able to enjoy the sun in the summer is great. The light lifts our spirits, our body can make plenty of Vitamin D and we’re just generally more relaxed.

In Ayurveda we know that the heat of the summer can also be a negative source of stimulation. We are typically much more active because of our increased energy levels and all this action produces heat within our bodies (fine as long as we don’t overheat!). What’s more, the general race to get as much done before going away on holiday can easily result in hot tempers etc.

We can use Ayurvedic nutritional knowledge to keep cool.

Let me share my 9 top nutritional tips to keep both body and mind refreshed and alert this summer.

Eat

cooling spices and plenty of fresh green herbs, for example, fennel and coriander seeds, mint, basil
more green or pale (white) fresh fruits, vegetables and salads
cereals and grains like rice, barley or millet

Drink

plenty of (non-sparkling) water (at room temperature or slightly warm) throughout the day to hydrate even more quickly
at least one glass of water for each hour you are in the air on any flight to and from your holiday destination
lots of refreshing herbal teas such as mint and fennel

Cool down

by avoiding coffee, alcohol (especially on flights!)
with a refreshing rosewater face/body spray
by practising gentle yoga, walking or breathing exercises

Fancy receiving nutritional tips like these on a regular basis? Get my free report “5 nutritional keys to vitality in your life” (sign up box in right-hand column) and I’ll add you to my list for nutritional information.

A couple of my favourite cookbooks

JGomez — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:17:28 +0000

Let’s start with The Hare Krishna Book of Vegetarian Cooking. I love this recipe book because of its philosophical introduction, its simple explanations and the delicious pictures, all of which have inspired me to produce my own culinary creations.

Finally, Ayurvedic Cooking for Self Healing (2nd Edition), a recipe book and a reference work rolled into one. It has lots of recipe ideas for you whether you’re starting out or have years of experience.

What do you think of the recipes in these books? Feel free to share your comments below.

Becoming Vegetarian – Am I Eating Enough Protein?

JGomez — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:05:04 +0000

“Am I eating enough protein, especially as I want to move towards becoming a vegetarian?”

According to the World Health Organization we need a maximum of 10-15% protein in our daily diet. (This is, for example, the equivalent of 27 – 45 grams for a woman weighing 60 kg). This is not a large amount and most of us in the West easily take in more on a daily basis.

And since we are able to store protein, as long as we are eating a varied whole-food diet every day, we’ll be getting enough protein, even if we decide to take it in plant form.

In Ayurveda we are not told that we have to be vegetarian. What is important is to be conscious about what we are eating in relation to our activity or intended activity. Meat is intrinsically heavy and requires a lot of energy to digest. It is a very concentrated source of energy at all levels.

Traditional nutritional systems, like the Chinese and Ayurveda, sometimes suggest small amounts of meat as a quick way to build strength in tissues. However, questions are often raised nowadays about the quality of the meat because of how animals are kept and meat processed.

Simply put I have always found it much easier to get hold of quality plant-based protein sources. As a lacto-vegetarian, I eat dairy products occasionally but no red meat, fowl, fish or eggs. My diet consists mainly of whole-foods including nuts, seeds, pulses, grains, vegetables and fruits, all of which contain enough protein for me to cover my protein needs very well and consciously.

Moreover, a plant-based diet offers a lighter alternative to one that is meat-based. It can support those recovering from illness because less energy is used for digestion and more is left for the body to use in healing processes.

About the author: Janet Gomez, nutritional consultant, produces the “Nutri-Jyoti News”, a free bi-monthly e-newsletter for busy professionals. Feel ready to learn how to use nutritional strategies to manage your energy levels? Then sign up for her FREE e-course “5 Nutritional Keys to Vitality in your Life” at http://www.nutrijyoti.com

Ayurveda Diet – Think Before You Drink!

JGomez — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:23:26 +0000

Those who come to see me for nutritional guidance or sign up for my newsletter, Nutri-Jyoti News, lead busy lives. And I’ve noticed a trend in the questions my private clients, in particular, ask me in their first consultation. These questions also sometimes come up in direct enquiries I receive.

The first of the top three questions I get asked is:

Should I be having dairy products, especially milk, and, if I don’t, how do I get enough calcium?

Ok – that’s actually two questions but they are very much related.

Many clients, especially those approaching the menopause ask me this question. Very often they have increased their intake of dairy products because this is the well-known traditional source of calcium and they want to avoid the issue of osteoporosis. However, they read that dairy products are not such a good option because they can cause digestive problems (e.g. bloating, feeling heavy, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, bloating, even undue fatigue). Add to that the facts that pasteurisation and homogenisation create changes to milk proteins, which are then harder to digest and many modern-day commercial dairy products contain hormones and antibiotics given to animals in their food and injections, which we, in turn, ingest.

In Ayurveda, milk is considered to be a complete food. However, modern-day practices of milk processing mean that depending on the particular imbalance you are currently experiencing you may need to exercise caution in how you use it. Also it’s important to use raw milk if you can.

It is known, for example, that milk promotes sleep but you need to heat it up beforehand and add a pinch of nutmeg and a little cardamom. These spices help to reduce the heavy and cooling quality milk has which causes many digestive complaints associated with this food.

Other dairy products, for example, yogurt, cheese are fine if you have a good digestive fire but are heavy and should only be eaten at lunchtime.

If a client has digestive problems with dairy products made from cow’s milk, I frequently suggest they use products made of goat’s or sheep’s milk, depending on their imbalance. Goat’s milk, for example, has astringent properties (astringent is one of the 6 tastes in Ayurvedic nutrition) and may be appropriate for someone who has slow digestion, for example.

For those clients who cannot (because of their health issues) or want to stop or reduce eating dairy products there are other excellent options for sources of calcium.

* dark green leafy vegetables, broccoli

* sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds (e.g. pumpkin and sunflower mix, trail mix and/or make the seed spread recipe from Plans for Dinner? to add to your salads, or use as a spread on bread)

* sesame seeds – they deserve a special mention because they are one of the most abundant sources of calcium, way ahead of dairy in terms of bio-availability

At the end of the day, you have the final say what you put in your mouth and how you nourish your body. So, to support you in your goal to achieve balance in your busy life with Ayurvedic Nutritio, I’ll just leave you with this thought: think before you drink!

About the author: Janet Gomez, nutritional consultant, produces the “Nutri-Jyoti News”, a free bi-monthly e-newsletter for busy professionals. Feel ready to learn how to use nutritional strategies to manage your energy levels? Then sign up for her FREE e-course “5 Nutritional Keys to Vitality in your Life” at http://keystovitality.nutrijyoti.com

Fruit – When to have it?

JGomez — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 23:34:52 +0000

I recently received an enquiry from a potential client who also sent me a diet sheet. It looked really very complete but one thing I spotted straightaway was the inclusion of fruit with the meal – usually after as a dessert.

Another enquirer complained about bloating in the mornings after eating “about 3 spoons of bifidus organic plain yoghurt … on fruit”

In Ayurvedic nutrition – based on a system over 5000 years old – it is considered better to eat fruit alone or leave it alone. There are scientific reasons for this.

Fruit digests much more quickly than other food and should be free to leave the stomach quickly. If you mix it with other foods it tends to ferment because digestion is delayed. So it’s better to eat fruit away from food. If you do have it served with a meal, (I know this happens a lot with airline meals) either eat it first and then wait for a few minutes before starting to eat the rest of the food or keep it for eating later.

As regards the bloating I suggested experimenting having the fruit in the morning without the yogurt for at least a week and observing how the body feels. Though there may be other factors at work, the digestive system can only benefit from having a lighter load to deal with.

Ayurvedic Nutrition – Is Prep Time An Issue?

JGomez — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:51:02 +0000

With the pace of modern life we often feel we don’t have time to prepare meals so we may go for quick options of pre-prepared foods or meals. One of the main comments I hear is – “I don’t have time to prepare my own food”.

What if I said to you “You don’t need much time”. It’s all about planning and preparation.

I know that Ayurveda recommends cooking over a wood fire, if possible. Since for most of us this is not a viable option, a gas stove is also fine since it is also close to natural fire. An electric stove is also an acceptable option. We want to be cooking over a slow lower heat for a longer period of time, especially if we have digestive issues (low agni – see article in last issue). The food will then be in a form that allows us to assimilate its life force or prana.

I also get asked my opinion about using a microwave oven as a way to speed up food prep. The microwave oven has become part of the modern kitchen because of our desire for convenience and speed. When I was growing up, my mother used her oven to reheat food but many people also use it to cook their dishes. Microwaves cook the food from the inside out by vibrating the molecules in the food against one another with force. Most natural health experts recommend avoiding the use of a microwave oven because the energy/life force of the food is reduced or destroyed. This opinion is supported by scientific studies such as the one by Swiss researcher, Dr Hans Hertel, who found that microwave cooking changes food nutrients significantly and reduced haemoglobin levels in people eating it.

Since using a microwave oven to save time reduces the life force in the food and thus that which is available for us to assimilate, we’ll see a reduction in our intrinsic life force, which can lead to physical and psychological issues in the long run.

Rapid food preparation does not require a microwave oven, it just requires a minimum of planning and preparation. If you do re-heat food, your cooker or an electric toaster is almost as quick for many dishes. But for fuller health now and in the future it’s important to enjoy a diet of fresh whole foods that have been processed as little as possible and are freshly prepared. So, how about taking a little more time now and letting 2009 be the year when you got on track for fuller health with Ayurvedic Nutrition?

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Healthy Eating – A Taste of Ayurveda

JGomez — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 05:44:09 +0000

Ayurveda is a natural medical system that’s been going for over 5000 yrs. It’s made up of many different parts and is the “science of life” that offers us knowledge that comes from the beginning of time.

Traditionally Ayurveda is associated with India because of how long it has been used in this region but if you look at traditional cultural knowledge you will also see evidence of the information Ayurveda provides.

We have all heard the saying “You are what you eat”. In Ayurveda there is a saying

“without proper diet, medicine is of no use. And with proper diet, medicine is of no need”.

Diet is the basis of Ayurveda because our bodies are the result of what we eat or rather of what we digest. What’s more, it’s a practical and easy way to maintain good health to prevent illness – a main goal of Ayurveda. But the choices we have choices also mean we have responsibility.

The concept of “digestive fire” or agni is key to maintaining health and building immunity in Ayurveda. Depending on your body type at any given time, the season, your environmental stresses, the particular food you choose to eat etc., you can influence your digestive capacity or fire.

When I was at school we would go camping at weekends. We’d have to get a fire going to cook our food. If the fire was low, the food would take ages to cook. If the fire was too strong, the outside of the food would cook more quickly than the inside – often the food would be burnt! It was important to find a happy balance to satify our rumbling tums.

Our digestive fire is just like the camp fire. If our agni is too low then the food we ingest won’t be cooked/digested properly, leaving it to move undigested into the rest of the digestive system. Our cells can’t benefit from the nutrients in the food and waste matter clogs up the system and prevents the available nutrients from getting through. Not the more efficient way to get our energy.

If the digestive fire is too high then the food will “burn” i.e. move through the system too quickly, not giving our bodies the chance to extract the nutrients required. Not the best situation either to get the nutrients our intrinsic healing system needs to build our immunity and keep fit and healthy. So, how do we find the “happy balance” of nicely cooked food?

Here are three of my top tips on how to achieve the “happy balance” to be able to use food for greater energy and fuller health:

1. Eat food that’s right for your particular digestive fire.

2. Eat food when you’re hungry – when the “fire” is stoked up – so it digests properly.

3. Don’t throw (too much) water on the fire!

These simple tips are a way of taking charge of your health. You have tools to:

1. Save money on medical bills;

2. Save time going to the doctor; and

3. Most importantly start the New Year with plenty of energy to do all those things you’ve planned to do and enjoy them as well!

So what are you waiting for? Start looking after your digestive fire with a taste for Ayurveda!

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