My Sattvik Plate

Ayurveda has the concept of Tridosha - Vata, Pitta and Kapha, the vital physical energies that decide the basic nature of an individual.  Vata is not gases or joint pain but is the principle responsible for all type of movements in our body.  Pitta is not bile, but rather it is the principle of fire, the energy of heating or metabolism.  Kapha is not mucus or cough but it is energy that forms the body's structure, principle concerned with growth, adhesion, cohesion etc.   All people have all three doshas, but one of them is usually primary, one secondary and the third is least prominent. Just as everyone has an individual fingerprint, everyone has their own energy print - a proportion of vata-pitta-kapha that is uniquely his or her own.  Health depends on maintaining this proportion in balance. When out of balance, they are the cause of disease.  These Tridoshas are responsible for the huge variety of individual differences and preferences, and they in...

2023 has been declared by the UN as the International Year of the Millet.  Millets have been a part of our traditional Indian diets for centuries. Millets are not just tasty but are packed with health benefits and help address health issues like diabetes, cholesterol, and weight loss. Millet is a highly underrated yet easy-to-grow sustainable crop suitable for any arid soil. They can be easily grown in regions where other cereal crops, like wheat, struggle because of their resistance to difficult growing conditions. Millets on the other hand require little water and ground fertility making them a sustainable and earth-friendly crop . Millets are a powerhouse of nutrition and contain more dietary fibre, iron and calcium than wheat or rice.  Research had shown millets as good defence in the fight against diabetes. Millets have a low glycemic index, which means such foods have lesser impact on blood glucose levels than foods that are higher up in the index.   The Barnyard mi...

  Trigunas - Sattva, Rajas, Tamas are the three basic qualities of our existence. Sattva is clarity, awareness, intelligence, divinity, balance, stability.  Rajas is Passion, movement, attachment, ego, desire, enthusiasm. Tamas is interia, illusion, laziness, heaviness, inactivity, materialism.  The Trigunas are present in every person in different proportions. Without Tamas one would not sleep, without Rajas one would lack dynamism and without Sattva life would be uninspiring, lacking the higher human qualities.  The food we eat has enormous influence on us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Food that is fresh close to nature,  nourishing vegetarian and made with love promotes a clear mind and is Sattvik. A predominantly Rajasic diet that is high on spices, caffeine, garlic, eggs, meat, alcohol, food made in anger, fried food destroys the mind-body equilibrium, feeding the body at the expense of the mind.  Tamasic foods is highly processed,...

"April Showers brings May flowers" is a phrase used so often during the month of April. The last bits of snow turns to rain as temperatures begin to climb and with that Spring brings about a myriad of transformations. Tiny green leaves and buds appear on the branches of the once barren trees, daffodils and tulips adorn the garden with beautiful colours, bright blue skies, green grass, waking up in the morning to melodious chirping of the birds, the touch of warm sun on our skin. Ahhhh the joys of spring I have been waiting for since the severe long dark months of winter. Such a joyous transformation is brought by the 'Agni Tatva'. Agni tatva is the energy that transforms one form to another. The Sun the biggest source of Agni tatva is the source of energy that is responsible for life on the planet.  In our body Agni tatva is 'Jataragini' - the digestive fire. The energy that transforms food to fuel for our existence. Pitta dosha controls digestion in the gut a...

Prana, the life force or vital energy is a fundamental concept in yogic practice. The yogic practice of pranayama focuses on controlling the breath to enhance the flow of prana and promote wellbeing. Prana is also present in the food we eat and not just limited to pranayama or breath. Raw foods are high in pranic energy and help keeping our body Alkaline. Diseases love to thrive in an acidic environment and cannot survive in alkaline environment. So try and include Fresh fruits, vegetable to your daily diet. This Carrot Apple salad is a perfect way to start your day. Try and start your day with a healthy breakfast and you are more likely to stick to food that is good for you thru the whole day.  We all know carrots are so good for us, however I would alway steer clear of raw carrots and just have the occasional piece of carrot in the Sambar !! I had this salad at the Isha centre in coimbatore and it was a game changer. I just love the burst of flavours in this fresh crunchy salad t...

Curry leaves are very popular in the Indian kitchen and finds its place mostly in the aromatic tadkas. Growing up in a South Indian home curry leaves were used in almost everything from cooking to hair oils.    I always make this chutney and try to have it like an achar with my meals, the ginger and pepper give it a nice spicy kick and I find it is a easier way to assimilate the goodness of curry leaves. Curry leaves are rich in plant compounds which are powerful antioxidants that protect us from oxidative damage.  Helps reduce high cholesterol and triglycerides level, thus lowering the risk of heart issues. Highly effective in reducing blood glucose levels and helps in the management of diabetes. They boost the activity of insulin and are rich in fibre which slows down digestion, thus preventing sudden spikes in blood sugar levels.  Morning sickness and nausea can be effectively controlled with consumption of curry leaves.  It's excellent for our hair, prevents...

Did u know that Horsegram is the most protein rich pulse found on earth and that is why Race horses are fed this pulse and that's how it gets its name ! Kulith the super pulse has been used since ages in Indian cooking. From the Rasams and Puzhukku of the South, Pitla and Usals of West, to the kitchris of Himachal Pradesh this humble pulse rarely gets its due in todays Health Kitchens.  There goes a saying in Tamil '  Ellachavanukku Ellu Kudu, Kozhuthavanakku Kollu Kudu". Which means give Sesame seeds to the one who is thin and frail, and give Horsegram to the one who is obese. Horsegram is an excellent diuretic and is effective in increasing urine flow and thus also helps prevention and removal of kidney stones.  Highly  beneficial in healing mouth and peptic ulcers due to the presence of  phytosterol esters. Excellent for the  building  immunity it also aids in reducing cough, cold and congestion.   It is also low in fat making it heal...