This is the perfect Ayurveda recipe for this time of year, balancing for all dosha types.   Vata types can add more spices and seasoning to add more warmth, and this will allviate Kapha’s thendency for  the heavy qualities of mucous in the form of sniffles, allergies, colds, and sinus troubles.

The lentils  add a mild astringent quality to counter all the indulgent holiday sweets.  Ginger garlic, and cilantro will aid in boosting your immune system should you imbibe in too much “cheer”.

Abundant Peace, Prosperity and Love for All in 2009!
Indian Lentil Pilaf
Serves 6

1 cup brown lentils, rinsed and sorted
2 Tbs. canola oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 1/3 cups)
2 large carrots, diced (about 2 cups)
1 cup basmati rice  (I use brown basmati in winter)
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 Tbs.)
1 Tbs. minced fresh ginger
1 1/2 tsp. garam masala
1 14.5-oz. can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
cilantro for garnish, optional
Ginger and garam masala, a traditional Indian spice blend,
give dish authentic flavor.
If you’re not a lentil lover,
try the recipe with 2 cups cooked chickpeas, but Vatas will need
to serve with a spoon of ghee.
 
Directions
1. Bring lentils and 4 cups water to a boil in large pot or Dutch oven.
Reduce heat to low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until lentils are firm-tender.

Drain, reserving 3/4 cup cooking water, and transfer lentils to bowl.  I use more water when making with brown basmati rice.

2. Wipe out pot; heat oil over medium high.
Sauté onion in oil 4 minutes, or until just golden.
Add carrots and rice, and cook 3 minutes, or until rice is
toasted and fragrant, stirring constantly.
Add garlic, ginger and garam masala, and cook 1 minute more.  (Vata and Kapha types can add more garlic).

3. Stir in tomatoes, broth, reserved lentil cooking water and lentils,
and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low,
and cook 20 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat, cover, and let
stand 5 minutes.

Garnish with cilantro, if desired. Serve hot.

So many times people assume that using “holistic” medicine means they  have to spend a lot of money on all sorts of supplements and organic foods, and in these “lean” times they see it as an added expense with little long term benefits.  Not True.  Using an truly INtegrative approach to health can save you money.

Let me give a recent real life example on how holistic medicine saved about $900.

I broke a tooth.  There was no pain, and it was not sensitive to hot or cold.  I did not go running to the dentist.  For a few weeks I brushed and flossed diligently and put a dab of lavender essential oil on it 3 times a day.

Forward two weeks, listening to my intuition it was time to get the tooth fixed. the dentist took an x ray, patched the tooth and sent me on my way.  Three days later I had a toothache and abscess.  The dentist was convinced the tooth was “dying”, and assumed it was time for a root canal.  Yet, when he took another x ray he said he could not do a root canal based on the results.  He sent me home on an antibiotic.

I was happy to take the antibiotic if it meant no root canal, I know plenty of things to do and take to counter the damage the antibiotic would do to my intestinal flora and immune system.  I loaded up on omega oils, beneficial bacteria, and smoothies with lots of enzyme rich fruits, and vitamin C. 

After two weeks, all fixed, all better, all healed…..I’m a happy camper.  Still financially way ahead of the game versus a root canal, and saved several hours of my time not sitting in the dentist chair….not to mention pain.

I continued using Lavender essential oil but also added Thieves Oil,  Thieves mouthwash, and Thieves toothpaste.  (for more info on Thieves www.MarthaGesegnet.com )

Fast forward three weeks, I woke up with an abscess in the same area, now it’s painful.  Off I go to the dentist.  Now he is REALLY pushing for a root canal.  He states that this is an indicator, the repeated abscesses.  He takes yet another x ray, but doesn’t charge me for it.

He is puzzled, he doesn’t see what he expects to see. This is when it pays to really tune in to your intuition.   My experience as a nurse and holistic practitioner, for 20 years, has shown me that when modern medicine can’t find a reason for your symptoms, this is the best time to emply principles and techniques from energy medicine.  Your body-mind has not “cemented” the physical symptoms into your energy field yet!

This is when you have the best chance of changing the “vibration” of the illness, and preventing it from becoming permanent.  ( that’s also why energy medicine is for preventing illness, it can break up congested areas before it turns into a serious illness).

I resisted my dentist’s urgings for a root canal.  We scheduled an in depth cleaning on that side of my mouth for two days later.  I continued with the essential oils and increased their use to every 2 hours.  I also got out my Louise Hay book, “Heal Your Body”.  I looked up abscess, gum disease, and teeth.  The metaphysicalal suggestions were very close to what I was currently experinceing on an EMOTIONAL level in my life.

I began repeating the corresponding affirmations every hour and continued with the essential oils.  I returned to the dentist for the cleaning.  He again urged that despite the “inconclusive” x ray, the tooth was mostly likely dying and I needed a root canal.

Being aware of your own health and body is very important.  I was very aware that this second abscess was not located around the original broken tooth, but rather the one next to it.  This would again lead me to believe that from an energetic perspective, the infection/ abscess was mobile, not locked in to the same tooth.  When I questioned the dentist he had no real explanation.  I inquired, “then are both teeth dying?  Which tooth needs a root canal? “ 

Trust yourself. Listen to your intuition. If you don’t know what that sounds like, learn. Find a holisitc practitioner that can help to reconnect you to your own inner healer.  Find a team of practitioners that can reconnect you to the language of your higher self and your body.

Until the dentist could show me definitive proof, or I was in constant excruciating misery, I was not willing to let him do a root canal.  Let’s remember , that is how he supports his family and life style.  He was very familiar with Thieves products, some of his hygenists use them at home.  He said he could not consciously recommend them to his patients because there are no proven clinical trials.

It is prudent to remind everyone reading, Aspirin was never approved by the FDA in clinical trials, no one really knows how it works, yet it is taken by millions every day.

Fast forward 3 months my tooth is fine, no more problems.  By combining good dental cleaning,  xrays, antibiotic therapy, essential oil therapy, energy medicine, and mind/spirit affirmations I was able to heal two dental abscesses and avoid a root canal.

A savings of about $900.  I already had all those oils on hand, but they cost about $75.  The antibiotic, x rays, cleaning, and office visits were about $215.  Had I let him do the root canal, $1200.  Cost of trusting yourself and working with your own inner healer? PRICELESS.

 Many of your emails have been asking the same question  since the video post about cancer as a fungus.  Readers want to know “How do I eat a more alkaline diet?”  “How do I eat to reduce fungus in my body?”

I’m glad you asked.  It may seem daunting to add one more “should” into your life, especially when it comes to food.  I’ve got it covered for you.    If you follow a seasonal Ayurveda approach to eating you can feel fully satisfied AND eat in a way that creates balance and boosts your immune system at the same time.

Here are a few hints for the Fall and winter season.   Here’s what Natural Health Maven is eating today……

Breakfast….

Tingly Green Smoothie: 1 orange, 2 stalks of celery, 1 handful spinach, 1 banana, 1 pear, 1-2 teaspoons fresh or ground ginger ( vata-types use more ginger to add warming to their body and counter the cool and bitter qualities of greens), pure water.  You can add some fresh dates, raw honey, or Agave nectar if you like things a little sweeter.  Whip it all together in a blender.  This makes one large blender full of smoothie for your day.

With that I had small bowl of steamed Quinoa, with fresh homemade almond milk; easy to make and yummy, recipe coming soon.  I added a teaspoon of Ghee and 1/2 teaspoon raw maple syrup.

Lunch…..

I had the rest of the Tingly Green Smoothie and a dish of carrot salad……carrots, dried cranberries, raisins, raw honey, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, and soy mayonnaise.  Satisfies Vata’s sweet tooth, and is great for those that need “Crunch”.  A few rice crackers on the side.

For an afternoon snack 2 Super Sun “Chocolate” truffles……recipe coming soon, and a cup of green tea

You see it’s easy to add more plant based foods to your diet and to add the principles of an Ayurveda seasonal approach to your food choices.

Have the Happiest Day Ever!

Day 4 of our Ayurveda Seasonal cleanse……my breakfast this morning?

CARAMOM PEAR SMOOTHIE

In Ayurveda, the seasons are a barometer for diet guidelines. So, as Summer turns into Fall in the eastern United States, this ancient healing system leads us into Vata Season.

It’s important to draw any excess heat out of the body and this can be done with food, as well as herbal preparations. At the same time adding moisture to the body, (from the inside out) in prepartion for a cold dry winter.

Nature provides for our needs at this time of year…….pears, apples, and grapes all help to draw heat and toxins out of our system. Pumpkins, beets, carrots and other abundant root vegetables being harvested at this time provide moisture to our bodies……..not to mention Yuuummm!!

Some find it confusing at the change of season, ” What should I be doing to balance my dosha? ” is a frequently asked question.

If you are a Pitta type you should be cooling and cleansing your system if you have had an Pitta imbalances this summer. If you are a Vata type you should be warming and cleansing. And if you are a Vata/Pitta type you should do a little of both.

Here’s a recipe for a nourishing soup/stew that satisfies both. You can adjust the spices, vegetable and seasonings to suit your tastes.

There are several variations to a basic kitcheri recipe and the one below is basic, easy to start with, and balancing to all three doshas (vata, pitta and kapha).

You will find that the ingredients are readily available at most health food and East Indian grocery stores.

Ingredients:

2-3 TBS ghee (clarified butter)
½ tsp black mustard seeds
½ tsp cumin seeds
1 small pinch of asafoetida (“hing”) powder
½ cup split yellow mung dal, rinsed well, soaked overnight and drained.
1 tsp rock salt
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 cup white basmati rice, rinsed well and drained.
4 ½ cups water if using a pressure cooker or about 6 cups if using a regular pot.
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp coriander powder
4-5 thin slices of fresh ginger root

Using either a pressure cooker (much faster) or a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the ghee on medium heat. Ghee burns easily, so be careful. Sauté the mustard seeds and cumin seeds in the ghee until the seeds pop.

Then add the drained mung dal, asafoetida powder, turmeric and salt. Stir until the mix almost starts to stick to the bottom of the pan. Then add the rice, water, cumin powder, coriander powder and ginger. Stir well, making sure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pressure cooker or pot.

If you are using a pressure cooker, fasten the lid on and turn the heat to high, let full pressure build up. Once the pressure has built up, turn the heat low and let cook five minutes. Then take the cooker off the heat and let it sit until there is no more pressure and you can safely open the lid.

If you’re using a regular pot, cover and bring it to a boil on high heat. Then turn the heat down and let it simmer until both the rice and dahl are mushy.You may have to experiment with how much water you use to find a consistency that you like. (The more water, the thinner the consistency). A thinner consistency is preferable if your digestion is weak.

You will notice that kitcheri will thicken when it cools and you may need more water than you originally thought.In order to provide the best quality of energy to your body, Kitcheri should be made the day that you wish to eat it and served hot.

Garnish:
Fresh cilantro (great for pitta – ok for vata and kapha)
Coconut (great for pitta, good for vata, but not so good for kapha)
Lime (ok for everybody)

Sometimes I get a little frustrated. I have, “been around” as they say, when it comes to our western “mainstream” medical system.   As a registerd nurse for the last 19 years, I’ve worked in  just about EVERY facet of our healthcare system, (both as a provider and consumer).  It is because of what I have “seen” that I chose to be a provider of natural health services,  a holistic practitioner and educator.

At times I can tend to have a rather harsh take on the medical community, and it can almost be seen as a negative, “alarmist” point of view.  My intention is to let you know that YOU are your own best “specialist”. I have personally healed from many chronic and acute health issues over the last 18 years…….because I was educated and listened to my self and my body, (and also because I had the insider’s scoop).

You can do the same…..you should do the same. No one knows your body, mind, and spirit better than you. Be willing to take responsibility for your self and your own needs.   Be willing to educate yourself about all the options available to you…the western mainstream choices, and the complementary/alternative ones.

Before I knew better, I had 3 surgeries on my low back…..an injury resulting from lifting a patient.  But years later I had the right tools and information so that I could avoid the surgery that 3 doctors said I needed for the herniated discs in my neck.

Let’s get real…they are surgeons, that’s how they make a living, what else would they say?   It’s also what they’ve  studied and what they are fluent in……it is their language.   But are they able to learn another language?  Some are.   We are beginning to see an emergence of doctors that are willing to learn new ideas about medicine and healing.  I believe it is because enough patients have defied the previous “laws” of science and medicine……healed through  universal laws that apply to body, mind, and spirit……and the results are large enough that they can’t be ignored any longer.

At one point I had a fierce conversation with a worker’s compensation attorney until he represented MY interests and requested acupuncture visits from the worker’s compensation board.  Acupuncture treatment was not part of their language for health and wellness.  After 10 visits, (and some other care that I bartered for), I completely recoverd without surgery.   It was a much better deal for their pocket books. 

Listen to your inner self, your inner healer. More people die from hospital acquired infections than the medical condition they originally went in for!

In all cases, whether holistic medicine or allopathic medicine, the practitoner is seeking to facilitate a healing; to alter the current state of dis-ease in the body.  It is up to you how that occurs.   I urge you to take pause from the “norm” and consider what all your options might be, working most closely with the innate healing wisdom of nature and your body, rather than relinquishing control of the circumstances and outcome to  a mechanical system.

Learn to shift your focus and ask questions that are in your best interest.   Become willing to entertain the notion that every imbalance in the body can present the opportunity for growth and change.  Rather than lamenting, “Why is this happeneing to me ? ” ponder the thought, “What can I learn about my body and my self from this experience ? “  In that surrender is the potential for great healing, sometimes almost spontaneous.

This is where your inner healer comes to life, when you ask a different question and listen patiently for a reply from within, you have accessed your inner healer.