Kitchari
We’ve had two Ayurveda and Yoga workshops at the absolutely beautiful Practice Yoga Church, we found out what our doshas are and went over some Ayurvedic wisdom related to each dosha. You can find out whether your dosha is predominantly Vata, Pitta or Kapha by filling out this online form: Dosha Type
Kitchari is fantastic for all doshas. I make a big batch of kitchari if I know I have a busy few days ahead, if my gut health has been struggling or if I want to have a reflective few days and I don’t want to have to think about what I’m having to eat three times a day. In Ayurveda, kitchari is at the core of nutritional healing - in many countries in Asia - it’s given to the sick, the elderly, and babies because it is so easy for the stomach to digest.
The combination of white basmati rice and split mung beans forms a complete protein, which means the kitchari has all the amino acids necessary for creating proteins meaning you do not need to eat anything else to remain healthy in those few days.
A sound digestion is paramount to health and wellness in Ayurveda and kitchari is offered as a mono-diet, giving our digestive system a much-needed break from having to process all the different kinds of food day in and day out. It’s considered cleansing in the sense that it allows the digestive system to rest, and it’s also very nutritious as well as being oh so nourishing. I never crave anything else when I’m eating kitchari and I never go hungry. Try eating only kitchari for breakfast, lunch and dinner for one day to begin with and see how it feels for you. I find it to be like a big warm hug in a bowl. Just absolute soul food.
Here’s the recipe that I use:
Ingredients
½ cup split yellow mung beans
½ cup white basmati rice
4 cups hot vegetable stock
2 tablespoons ghee (or coconut oil)
Pinch of pink salt
Pinch of black pepper
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon ginger powder
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon of cumin powder
For Pitta dosha - you could add fennel seeds if you’d like
For Kapha dosha - you could add cinnamon and clove if you’d like
For a kick of flavour and to make it look real pretty for the ‘gram:
fresh lime
fresh coriander
Directions
Wash the rice and the mung beans and soak separately for three hours or overnight. Drain and rinse with water until the water runs clear. In a saucepan, warm the ghee over medium heat. Add the spices and cook for two minutes. Add the rice and the mung beans and sauté for another couple of minutes. Then add 4 cups of vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Once the kitchari has come to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook until everything is tender (approx. 30–45 minutes). If you need to add more vegetable stock to prevent scorching, do so. Garnish with fresh lime and fresh coriander and add pink salt and black pepper to taste. You can experiment with the consistency to see which you like best - I like mine thicker as it’s easier to put the leftovers in small tupperware boxes to put in the fridge ready for me to heat up throughout the day.
Yogic Philosophy of the Week - Yamas (ethical rules)
Yoga is an eight-fold path and the first of the eight limbs of yoga is called Yamas (ethical rules). Practicing the Yamas is said to give the yogi the opportunity to live in a way that is healthier and more peaceful. The first of the five Yamas is Ahimsa - non-violence. Cultivating Ahimsa is always a work in progress. Some examples of how we can incorporate a little Ahimsa in our lives this week:
Eat a plant-based diet
Recognise the inner critic, give it a name and a character and explore this inner critic with curiosity and humour
Let go of that expectation that you should be able to do that yoga pose by now
Practise self-forgiveness
Try not to criticise yourself, anyone else or anything for one whole day
Get a good nine hours sleep one night this week
Bring reusable bags for vegetables and fruits when you go grocery shopping
Pose of the Week - Reclining-Hand-to-Big-Toe
In classes this week we’ve been doing Reclining-Hand-to-Big-Toe with a strap (if you don’t have one - a tie or an old and sturdy scarf would do just as well!) starting with the bottom of the feet parallel to the ceiling for 30 seconds, then going outwards as far as it feels good for 30 seconds, and then finally, inwards towards the other side in front of your belly for 30 seconds before swapping legs. Doesn’t it just feel soooo good?
This pose:
Stretches hips, thighs, hamstrings, groins, and calves
Strengthens the knees
Improves digestion
Relieves backache, sciatica, and menstrual discomfort
Is therapeutic for high blood pressure, flat feet, and infertility
