Ayurvedic Recipes & Tips

Ayurveda Recipes

Vata Winter Rice Bowl

Ingredients

Sticky rice for bottom of bowl

2 cups of roasted squash or other root vegetable

2 cups of greens (spinach, bok choy, or Kale)

Warming Greens

1 tsp ghee (or butter)

1/2 tsp mustard seed

1 tsp ground coriander seeds

thumb size piece of grated ginger

1 tbs of sesame seeds, or oil for flavour

Sweet, sour, salty dressing

2 tsp Tamari

1 tsp Miso paste

1 tbs Tahini

1 cm grated ginger

Juice of 1 lime

Little water if sauce is thick

Tahini Ayurvedic Benefits

Pacifies Vata

Warms Abdomen

Nerve relaxant, grounding

Sweet Heavy, Oily, Hot

Tissue Regeneration

Herbs that Calm

Ashwagandha

The Ayurvedic herb helps to balance and regulate cortisol levels, the primary stress hormone. Typically taken as a capsule or tincture. Reduces anxiety and fights fatigue.

Photo by Bankim Desai on Unsplash

Holy Basil

It is an adaptogen that supports the adrenal system and helps regulate cortisol production.

Often consumed in tea. Promotes a sense of calm and builds emotional stamina.

Photo by Liz Pullan Pattathy on Unsplash

Chamomile

Lemon Balm

This herb contains an antioxidant called apigenin, which binds to certain receptors in the brain to promote sleepiness and reduce anxiety. Consumed generally in steeped tea, and extract in capsules. Supports digestion, soothes a nervous stomach, improves sleep quality.

Photo by Yaroslava Stupnytska on Unsplash

Lemon Balm

Passionflower

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm increases levels of the calming neurotransmitter GABA, helping to reduce tension and anxiety.

The mint family herb can be taken as a tea, capsule or tincture. Eases nervous tension, soothes digestive issues and improves sleep quality.

Photo by Victor Serban on Unsplash

Passionflower

It increases the production of GABA in the brain to calm overactive neurology activity acting as a gentle sedative. Often consumed as a tea, capsules or tincture. Relieves general tension and nervous restlessness as well as a sleep aid.

Photo by Shyam on Unsplash

Valarian Root

Passionflower

Helps to increase the amount of GABA in the brain and can be effective for sleep and longer-term use with sedative effects. Often used for insomnia.

Capsules and tinctures are best due to its strong smell.

Photo by fathia✨ on Unsplash

Ayurvedic Tips for Fall

Fall is Vata Season

Fall has the characteristics of being dry, windy, erratic, cool, subtle, and clear. It is also a time to slow down, become more quiet and favour simplicity.

Begin to bring in warmth, oiliness, deep nourishment, closeness in relationships, stability, greater routine, and groundedness.

Foods Best for Fall Season

Start to add foods with more protein, fat, warming, spices, and served hot.

Foods with sweet, sour, and salty tastes which are mushy and soft topped with ghee or oil.

Cooked grains are beneficial like oatmeal, tapioca, cream of rice, cream of wheat.

Add in more cooked or steam vegetables, soups, and stews (grounding and moisturizing.

Meat and eggs are balancing, as well as, nuts and seeds.

Fruits-cooked apples, avocados, dates, grapefruit, grapes, citrus fruits (sour-heating).

Vegetables-beets, carrots, pumpkins, winter squash, sweet potatoes, onions and garlic.

Grains-brown Rice, quinoa, wheat, basmati rice, and amaranth.

Legumes-kidney beans, mung beans, toor dal, urad dal.

Dairy Products-butter, buttermilk, cheese, cream

Oils-almond oil, ghee, olive oil, and safflower oil.

Sweetners-honey, jaggary, maple syrup.

Spices-anise, black pepper, cinnamon, cumin, rosemary, ginger, turmeric.

Meats (warming)-beef, pork, chicken, and duck.

Fall Nourishing Activities

Daily Abhyanga (self massage) with warm sesame or almond oil before bathing.

Perform exercises which are slower and are grounding.

Instigate more routine in your life with eating, sleeping, exercise, and other activities.

Allow more time for rest to calm the nervous system and reduce travel and unfamiliar situations.

https://www.saumya-ayurveda.com/post/9-vata-rejuvenating-practices-for-fall