In Ayurveda, food is considered medicine, and what we eat directly influences our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Each ingredient carries its unique properties, and the goal is to harmonize them to create a balanced and nutritious meal.
Balancing Your Doshas
One of the core principles of Ayurveda is understanding and balancing your doshas - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. By incorporating foods and spices that align with your dominant dosha or the current season, you can maintain harmony within your body.
Ayurvedic Herbs in Your Kitchen
You might already be familiar with the Ayurvedic herbs in our Herbal Remedy teas, but did you know you can use some of these herbs in your cooking? For instance, adding a pinch of ginger or cardamom to your dishes can enhance flavor while supporting digestion. Turmeric, a star ingredient in our teas, is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that can be added to curries, soups, and more.
Seasonal Eating
Ayurveda emphasizes eating with the seasons. Spring, for example, is the Kapha season, characterized by moisture and heaviness. To balance these qualities, choose light, warming dishes like quinoa salads with fresh greens or lentil soups with a dash of cumin.
A Recipe to Inspire
To get you started on your culinary Ayurveda journey, we're excited to share a delightful recipe that is a classic Indian staple dish and one of my go-to meals when I want something nutritious, hearty and easy to make.
Spiced Lentil Soup with Turmeric and Cumin
Ingredients
- Red lentils
- Water
- Turmeric powder
- Cumin seeds
- Coriander powder
- Ghee (clarified butter) or coconut oil
- Chopped fresh Coriander
- Lemon juice
Directions
- Boil red lentils in water with a pinch of salt until soft.
- In a separate pan, heat ghee or coconut oil and add cumin seeds, turmeric and coriander powder until they sizzle.
- Combine the spiced oil with the cooked lentils.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon juice.
This simple and flavorful soup warms the body and supports digestion - perfect for the Spring/Summer season
PS: you can also enjoy this with some Basmati rice to complete your meal or with a light green leafy salad.