RED APPLE YOGA

In Ayurvedic Medicine, every food, spice and drink you consume either improves or challenges the state of your health. The food choices you make are your medicines or they are your toxins. Particularly powerful remedies have a variety of uses both internally and externally, Ayurveda teaches us that nutrition is consumed both from within and from without.

Coconuts are one of these powerful remedies, a true super star food, the original “triple threat” offering three main products: water, meat and oil. Each form has different properties that are beneficial all year long but are particularly balancing for the heat and energy of late Summer.

Sadly, coconuts still have a bad reputation for being “bad fats” and can seem daunting sitting in their thick hairy shells in the “ethnic/Asian” section of the produce aisle. Read on to learn what the different parts of the coconut can do for you and to try your hand at a simple late Summer chutney.

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If you are often gassy, bloated, or suffer from indigestion AND you regularly consume yogurt, this article will change your life.

Yogurt has gained popularity recently as a health/diet food because it often has a low fat, high protein and high calcium content, especially the “euro” and “greek” thicker styles you’ll find on the market.

In Ayurveda, foods carry qualities like light, heavy, wet, dry, hot and cool that then create an effect in the body; often the effect on the body is close to the quality of the food consumed. For example, a plate full of french fries have a heavy, oily, starchy-sticky quality which is easy to see, and once consumed create a heavy, sluggish feeling or effect in the body.

The qualities of yogurt are cold, thick, wet and sour (because it is fermented), and the effect on the body is congestive, mucous forming and gaseous, often causing bloating and indigestion when taken in excess or when combined poorly with other foods. Thankfully, these qualities only apply to store-bought yogurt. Freshly made yogurt is light, easy to digest and improves nutrient assimilation, and is an effective remedy for indigestion and upset stomach.

To make sure you’re getting the most of your yogurt experience, here are a few Ayurvedic do’s and don’ts:

Yogurt Don’ts:

• Do not mix yogurt with fruit* or granola: this combination creates the most gas as the fruit, grains and dairy each require different digestive processing times and enzymes in the stomach. Gas indicates poor food combining which reduces nutrient absorption and can then lead to poor digestion of the next meal.

*In Ayurveda, the only fruit that safely combines with yogurt is sweet ripe mango, hence the popular mango lassi in Indian restaurants. See more on lassi recipes below.

• Do not have yogurt as a meal: Yes, the high protein/low calorie/low fat/high calcium content may tempt you to think this is a dietary breakfast or lunch gem, but yogurt is simply too heavy on the system to stand alone. Cultures that incorporate yogurt on a regular basis generally make it fresh and blend it with spices and digestive aides: think of the greek tzatziki yogurt-cucumber-dill sauce, Indian raita chutney or Indian lassi drinks featured here.

• Do not use yogurt as an oil/fats substitute in baking recipes: Many recipe sites and sources will suggest substituting yogurt for the oil in baking recipes to lower fat and calorie content while keeping the baked goods moist. Combining yogurt with grains, fruits and nuts is another gas forming nightmare. Instead, use unsweetened applesauce to the same ratio substitution or consider lowering the sugar content instead to make your baking healthier and retain moisture.

Yogurt Do’s:

• Do make your own yogurt: Fresh yogurt is economical and easy and the taste is like the difference between store-bought and home-made…anything! Fresh yogurt retains and delivers more calcium to the body and does not cause gas, bloating and indigestion. You can control the thickness and fat content by adding more or less water, even infuse it with flavors like vanilla or cardamom. Just remember to make it in small batches because after 48hrs yogurt continues to ferment and will then become just as irritating to the system as the store-bought varieties.

• Make yourself a lassi drink: Lassi is an Ayurvedic medicinal tonic of fresh yogurt blended with therapeutic spices and cool water. Lassi is water:yogurt:spices in a 3:1:1 ratio and is designed to quickly dispell gas, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, anemia, fatigue and to regulate metabolism, just to name a few.  Medicinal lassi can be sweet, savory, even spicy depending on what spices are used.

Lassi is a good choice all year long but is especially effective in Summer months following a large meal or between lunch and dinner. The recipes below are fine for all doshas, although Kaphas (or those who tend to feel sluggish, congested and struggle with excess weight will benefit more from the ginger or savory recipe and should abstain from the sweet recipe).

Recipes:

Basic Yogurt:

Bring 1 cup organic milk to a boil in a shallow pan. Turn off heat and let cool to room temperature. Mix in 1 tablespoon of active culture store-bought yogurt, pour mixture into container, cover with a dish towel and place in your oven for 8hrs/overnight. Nope, the oven isn’t on! Just place it at the warm spot towards the pilot light. Must be consumed within 48hrs of making.

Lassi Tonic Recipes: 

Savory Lassi

• 1/2 cup plain organic yogurt
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp finely crumbled mint (optional)

Sweet Lassi

• 1/2 cup plain organic yogurt
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1/2 tsp rose water (optional)
• 1 pinch of sea salt
• 1 tsp sweetener of choice (raw honey or agave)

Ginger Lassi

• 1/2 cup plain organic yogurt
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1 thin slice of fresh peeled ginger
• 1 big pinch cardamom powder
• 1 pinch of sea salt
• 1 tsp sweetener of choice (raw honey or agave)

Ok, let’s face it, this is winter.  Our minds and bodies have come to accept that warm weather is out and that it’s time to dig out the sweaters and mittens.

To keep our immune systems healthy we 3 things:

1. maintain a level of strength and heat within the digestive system to fight the cold
2. keep the liver and kidneys stimulated to balance out any holiday party indulgence
3. keep our fluids up to stay hydrated against all that dry radiator heat

This one recipe combines traditional Ayurvedic herbs with Tom Yum, a classic Thai recipe. It is low fat, low calorie, low sodium, sugar free and vegan. Each ingredient is as beneficial as it is delicious. Continue reading »