Many of you have asked me for the recipe or if you can buy more spices from me. After some thought, Yes! You can buy more spices from me. I'm still working out the logistics. I expect to be ready for orders in the next week.
In the meantime, here is a great recipe from an excellent website:
Yoga Mung Beans and Rice
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
From Kate: Post Cleanse, suggestions & recipes
Hi Cleansers,
Here are some suggestions for your post-cleansing days:
Enjoy~
Kate
Oatmeal (great for breakfast)
1 t ghee
1/4 t cinnamon
1 t maple syrup
1/4 t cardamom
2 T sliced almonds
1/4 c chopped dried fruit of your choice
1/3 c oatmeal (stone ground)
1 c water
milk for topping (rice, soy, cow's milk)
Place all ingredients in a pot with 1 cup water.
Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Lower heat to a simmer and cook until soft. Serve with milk.
*variations: coconut oil instead of ghee, toasted coconut on top, add fresh or dry ginger, use other nuts instead of almonds, add ground flax on top, stir in sugar free jam.
* grain variations: can be made with quinoa (2:1, water: quinoa), rice (2:1, water:white rice / 3:1, water:brown rice) cooking times will vary
Apple Rings (great for a treat)
from Fran's House of Ayurveda (franlife.blogspot.com)
Any amount of sweet red apples
Heat oven to 150F (70C) -- basically the first notch on the dial, the lowest heat. Wash and core the apples (I used a vegetable peeler to cut and scoop out the core). Cut into slices about 1/2 cm thick. Spread in one layer on a large cookie sheet and dry in the oven for about 2-4 hours (less time for soft dried apple rings, more time for dry crispy rings). Halfway through baking time, flip the apples and turn the pan for even heat.
4 apples dried into rings fills a sandwich-sized ziplock bag. Store refrigerated in an closed container, or leave out to continue drying if consumed within a few days.
Simple Soup (perfect for Dinner)
from Fran's House of Ayurveda (see above)
2 cups water
1/2 cube herb bouillon
2 cups leafy greens, washed and torn
handful of baby carrots
1/2 apple, chopped
small handful of red or french lentils
2 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
1 tsp each turmeric, ground cumin and ground coriander
garnish options: tahini, cilantro, parsley, hemp seeds, flax oil, hot sauce
In a small pot pour in the water and add the bouillon, greens (I used about 2 handfuls of chard), carrots, apple, lentils (I used about 1/4 cup french lentils), garlic, ginger and spices. Cover and let cook half an hour to 45 minutes. When you're ready to have the soup, puree and pour into a bowl and garnish with your chosen yummies. Enjoy!
* This is a mix and match kind of soup. Any kind of lentil. Any kind of leafy greens (kale, chard, bok choy, collard greens, spinach). Many different ways to garnish. Experiment and have fun!
Kate's Confetti Rice (great for lunch! can be served with meat if you choose)
Here are some suggestions for your post-cleansing days:
- Lunch as your largest meal. Breakfast is enough to get you to lunch. Dinner is light, since you shouldn't be too hungry after your filling lunch.
- Snack minimally.
- Wake by 6:30am. In bed by 10:30pm.
- Have a routine for the morning when you wake and for before you go to bed. Routine calms the nervous system & will lead to a peaceful start to the day and sound sleep.
Enjoy~
Kate
Oatmeal (great for breakfast)
1 t ghee
1/4 t cinnamon
1 t maple syrup
1/4 t cardamom
2 T sliced almonds
1/4 c chopped dried fruit of your choice
1/3 c oatmeal (stone ground)
1 c water
milk for topping (rice, soy, cow's milk)
Place all ingredients in a pot with 1 cup water.
Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Lower heat to a simmer and cook until soft. Serve with milk.
*variations: coconut oil instead of ghee, toasted coconut on top, add fresh or dry ginger, use other nuts instead of almonds, add ground flax on top, stir in sugar free jam.
* grain variations: can be made with quinoa (2:1, water: quinoa), rice (2:1, water:white rice / 3:1, water:brown rice) cooking times will vary
Apple Rings (great for a treat)
from Fran's House of Ayurveda (franlife.blogspot.com)
Any amount of sweet red apples
Heat oven to 150F (70C) -- basically the first notch on the dial, the lowest heat. Wash and core the apples (I used a vegetable peeler to cut and scoop out the core). Cut into slices about 1/2 cm thick. Spread in one layer on a large cookie sheet and dry in the oven for about 2-4 hours (less time for soft dried apple rings, more time for dry crispy rings). Halfway through baking time, flip the apples and turn the pan for even heat.
4 apples dried into rings fills a sandwich-sized ziplock bag. Store refrigerated in an closed container, or leave out to continue drying if consumed within a few days.
Simple Soup (perfect for Dinner)
from Fran's House of Ayurveda (see above)
2 cups water
1/2 cube herb bouillon
2 cups leafy greens, washed and torn
handful of baby carrots
1/2 apple, chopped
small handful of red or french lentils
2 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
1 tsp each turmeric, ground cumin and ground coriander
garnish options: tahini, cilantro, parsley, hemp seeds, flax oil, hot sauce
In a small pot pour in the water and add the bouillon, greens (I used about 2 handfuls of chard), carrots, apple, lentils (I used about 1/4 cup french lentils), garlic, ginger and spices. Cover and let cook half an hour to 45 minutes. When you're ready to have the soup, puree and pour into a bowl and garnish with your chosen yummies. Enjoy!
* This is a mix and match kind of soup. Any kind of lentil. Any kind of leafy greens (kale, chard, bok choy, collard greens, spinach). Many different ways to garnish. Experiment and have fun!
Kate's Confetti Rice (great for lunch! can be served with meat if you choose)
2 cups white basmati rice
4 cups filtered water
3 T ghee or olive oil
1 T grated ginger
2 t whole cumin seeds
1 T curry powder
1 cup chopped kale
1 cup chopped chard
3 T vegetable stock or filtered water
2 T finely chopped red bell pepper
2 T finely chopped yellow bell pepper
1 cup cooked chickpeas
3 T seedless raisins
2 T finely chopped parsley
2 T finely chopped cilantro
1 T (+) Bragg's amino acids (or substitute salt to taste)
black pepper
Rinse rice well. Combine rice & filtered water in large pot & cover. Bring to boil, turn down to simmer. stirring occasionally until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Heat the ghee in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add ginger & cumin seeds and saute for 3 minutes. Stir in the curry powder and cook for two minutes more. Add the kale, chard, peppers, vegetable stock and cook for 4 to 5 minutes more. To the vegetable mixture, add chickpeas, raisins, parsley, cilantro & Bragg's and stir well. Continue cooking briefly until all the ingredients are heated through. Add vegetable mixture to rice in a big bowl and mix well. Serve & enjoy!
Caffeine Withdrawal and other thoughts...
Today was quite tough for me. It was not the food. It was not the hunger. It was definitely not the nurturing sesame oil massage followed by a nice hot shower. It was the caffeine, or lack of. I'm a coffee drinker, have been for most of my adult life. I drink no more than two strong cups of coffee daily, my breakfast so to speak. I have gone weeks without coffee and never felt a thing, but today was quite different. I have been in bed most day, trying to fight the headache. Instead of boundless energy, I'm lethargic and in some pain.
Yet, I'm grateful for this cleanse for a couple of reasons. I'm now aware of the impact caffeine has on my body, so I may end up reducing my intake moving forward. I have also learned that cooking with beans is not as intimidating as I always thought. And to Kate's point, one pot meals are quite fun to cook.
Look forward to tomorrow. Not because I can get back to my regular, not that good for me eating habits, but for the challenge of how I can keep a bit of this cleanse in my day to day. Kind of like how I feel every time I come home from a yoga retreat.
Thanks Kate.
drinking for hunger
hi all,
in regards to the hunger thing, (and Kate maybe you have an opinion about this) I often realize that it is actually thirst I am feeling. sipping the hot water throughout the day really helps and once I do, I am satiated and realize I am not actually that "hungry."
Also with this schedule: winding down at 9 with a bath, sesame oil and pratyahara, turning the outside off and the inside on, and asleep by 10 with an early 6am wake-up; I am realizing that I need to eat both my dinner and my lunch much earlier than I already do, 12pm and then 5:30 or 6. once I have my lighter dinner, I am set for the evening. my hungriest time is usually around 3/4.
anyone else feel the same?
p.s. still loving this, so much that I am continuing to stick to the schedule for the rest of the week, making my own kitchari and adding in cooked veggies, etc as the week progresses. When can I sign up for the next cleans???:)
in regards to the hunger thing, (and Kate maybe you have an opinion about this) I often realize that it is actually thirst I am feeling. sipping the hot water throughout the day really helps and once I do, I am satiated and realize I am not actually that "hungry."
Also with this schedule: winding down at 9 with a bath, sesame oil and pratyahara, turning the outside off and the inside on, and asleep by 10 with an early 6am wake-up; I am realizing that I need to eat both my dinner and my lunch much earlier than I already do, 12pm and then 5:30 or 6. once I have my lighter dinner, I am set for the evening. my hungriest time is usually around 3/4.
anyone else feel the same?
p.s. still loving this, so much that I am continuing to stick to the schedule for the rest of the week, making my own kitchari and adding in cooked veggies, etc as the week progresses. When can I sign up for the next cleans???:)
Monday, May 3, 2010
From Kate: hang in there!
Hi Cleansers!
You are all doing so well!! Your bodies are purifying and you're all
doing an excellent job listening to what your bodies are telling you.
I totally understand the "mind games"... I could swear the Ginger
cookies in my cupboard were just taunting me as I reached for my rice.
BUT, this presents an excellent time for reflection. If we're eating
our three meals at the proper times are we really 'hungry' for more?
Is your stomach growling? How attached are we to the cup of tea/coffee
that we normally might think is no big deal? And also, how are we
feeding ourselves? Do we use food to feed our senses when our bodies
don't need more?
I've found it interesting to watch how when my energy is low,
especially at the end of a long day, my mind says "gosh, a cookie or
three would really take the edge off" but really it's my body saying
"taking a nice bath, sesame oil on my feet & crawling into bed would
set me right." How can we practice listening to what's really good for
us rather than that so-often-demanding mind? I can tell when I take a
bite if kitchari or stewed fruit, my tastebuds & my body say "aaaaaa".
It's like they're being pampered. Remember this diet isn't forever,
but a couple of days, and really allows your body to regain digestive
stength and purify. You'll see the rewards from these days well into
the next week, and onward if we can integrate these more mindful
eating practices.
You are all doing so well!! Your bodies are purifying and you're all
doing an excellent job listening to what your bodies are telling you.
I totally understand the "mind games"... I could swear the Ginger
cookies in my cupboard were just taunting me as I reached for my rice.
BUT, this presents an excellent time for reflection. If we're eating
our three meals at the proper times are we really 'hungry' for more?
Is your stomach growling? How attached are we to the cup of tea/coffee
that we normally might think is no big deal? And also, how are we
feeding ourselves? Do we use food to feed our senses when our bodies
don't need more?
I've found it interesting to watch how when my energy is low,
especially at the end of a long day, my mind says "gosh, a cookie or
three would really take the edge off" but really it's my body saying
"taking a nice bath, sesame oil on my feet & crawling into bed would
set me right." How can we practice listening to what's really good for
us rather than that so-often-demanding mind? I can tell when I take a
bite if kitchari or stewed fruit, my tastebuds & my body say "aaaaaa".
It's like they're being pampered. Remember this diet isn't forever,
but a couple of days, and really allows your body to regain digestive
stength and purify. You'll see the rewards from these days well into
the next week, and onward if we can integrate these more mindful
eating practices.
Peace, Kate
P.s. Remember I'm available by phone too: 415-676-1741. Even if you
just want to check in. :)
From Larissa: Tue Lunch
From Kate's lunch pic, I think I'm short on cilantro here. Still tasty though. :)
From Tobin: mid-cleanse whimper
Mid-cleanse mind games and general hunger have hit hard. Argh. 50% done...50% done...
Sunday, May 2, 2010
From Kate: soaking beans
If you are sensitive to legumes and prone to gas, soaking your beans
overnight will help. Leave them out, not in the fridge when they soak.
If this is a real issue for you, please tell me. There are things we
can do to help.
overnight will help. Leave them out, not in the fridge when they soak.
If this is a real issue for you, please tell me. There are things we
can do to help.
Also, soaking the beans speeds up cooking time, gotta love that!
Moral of the story: soak your beans!
*note: do not cook beans in their soaking water. Rinse, then use.
From Kate: Hungry much? Good!!
Hi everyone!
So glad you all are having such great experiences! hurray!
I wanted to comment on the 'hunger' factor:
You may find yourself thinking "I'm starving!!". First off, let me say that this is not ideal. However, it is excellent that you are feeling an 'urge'. Urges are very important in Ayurveda because it's our body's way of communicating with us. So often we eat because "it's breakfast time" or "it's lunch time" or "I always have a cookie in the afternoon". It's great to get back in touch with what our bodies are actually asking for and not just what we're habituated towards. Then, we can respond accordingly.
Also, the spices included in your cleanse are like turbo-digestive-helpers! The average (even the recommended!) American diet is incredibly difficult to digest and especially this time of year, will sit in our stomachs for hours! As a result, many people in our culture rarely feel actual hunger and yet our bodies are working overtime to get the nutrients they need.
Doing this cleanse, for some, will be like taking your digestion on vacation to a tropical island and away from an 80 hour/week job. It doesn't have to work so hard! It can relax and soak up what it needs without insane effort.
So, if you find yourself hungry: eat more! If your body is legitimately hungry (not just your mind), the food you eat will go to good use, so eat!
You should be feeling full (not over full) after each meal. Lunch must must must be your biggest meal of the day, even if you need to supplement your cleanse with some extra (cooked!) veggies or what have you.
Please call me if you're feeling like your just hungry all the time and never feel satiated.
And remember, all this is a good sign!! It means your digestion is growing stronger and will be up to the task of cleaning house! :)
p.s. I really love making meals that only require one pot. Don't you? :)
So glad you all are having such great experiences! hurray!
I wanted to comment on the 'hunger' factor:
You may find yourself thinking "I'm starving!!". First off, let me say that this is not ideal. However, it is excellent that you are feeling an 'urge'. Urges are very important in Ayurveda because it's our body's way of communicating with us. So often we eat because "it's breakfast time" or "it's lunch time" or "I always have a cookie in the afternoon". It's great to get back in touch with what our bodies are actually asking for and not just what we're habituated towards. Then, we can respond accordingly.
Also, the spices included in your cleanse are like turbo-digestive-helpers! The average (even the recommended!) American diet is incredibly difficult to digest and especially this time of year, will sit in our stomachs for hours! As a result, many people in our culture rarely feel actual hunger and yet our bodies are working overtime to get the nutrients they need.
Doing this cleanse, for some, will be like taking your digestion on vacation to a tropical island and away from an 80 hour/week job. It doesn't have to work so hard! It can relax and soak up what it needs without insane effort.
So, if you find yourself hungry: eat more! If your body is legitimately hungry (not just your mind), the food you eat will go to good use, so eat!
You should be feeling full (not over full) after each meal. Lunch must must must be your biggest meal of the day, even if you need to supplement your cleanse with some extra (cooked!) veggies or what have you.
Please call me if you're feeling like your just hungry all the time and never feel satiated.
And remember, all this is a good sign!! It means your digestion is growing stronger and will be up to the task of cleaning house! :)
p.s. I really love making meals that only require one pot. Don't you? :)
From Tobin
Day 1 so far so good. Really love the stewed fruit...it tastes like delicious pie filling. Great way to start the day :)
I am glad we started this on a weekend morning. Making the kitchari took a bit longer than I thought, which will be helpful tomorrow morning when I'm trying to balance getting up and getting to work, and actually COOKING something in the morning (which I never do).
I have to confess i'm looking forward to the bath tonight :)
I am glad we started this on a weekend morning. Making the kitchari took a bit longer than I thought, which will be helpful tomorrow morning when I'm trying to balance getting up and getting to work, and actually COOKING something in the morning (which I never do).
I have to confess i'm looking forward to the bath tonight :)
From Kate: What to drink
The primary thing to drink is warm or hot plain water throughout the
day. For full cleansing, this is all I recommend. However, for your
purposes, I have included the below...
day. For full cleansing, this is all I recommend. However, for your
purposes, I have included the below...
As for other drinks, here's a list that goes from most favorable to
least favorable:
Warm/Hot Water
Herbal Tea
Cool temperature drink
Green Tea
Black Tea
Ice cold drink
Coffee
Alcohol
Milk is unique and often used for medicinal purposes, but varies
strongly in how & for whom it is prescribed. For that reason, I
recommend abstaining from it during these three days.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
From Kate: refridgeration & meals
Hi all, to clarify a couple things:
Nothing needs to be refridgerated, so long as you only put clear, dry
utencils in the ghee. You can refridgerate the ghee and vegetables.
Meals:
Breakfast- stewed fruit
Lunch- kitchari
Dinner- kitchari soup (same kitchari from lunch)
*there are no snacks on this cleanse so that your digestion may fully
process the food of your meals. You can think of it as not asking your
digestive system to multitask
I recommend cooking everything in the morning, as it can be
challenging to get to the stove twice in one day.
Hope this information helps!
-Kate
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