FOOD for the SOUL

Happy Independence Day 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳!

Feeling incredibly fortunate to be born in India, where I've learned the true essence of life through the practice of Yoga and Ayurveda, embracing harmony with nature, and experiencing Bhakti to elevate my journey towards higher consciousness.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to live, learn, share, and inspire others to apply these beautiful sciences in their own lives.

"To other countries, I may go as a tourist, but to India, I come as a pilgrim."
— Martin Luther King Jr.

Jai Hind 🇮🇳 Jai Bharat 🧡🤍💚

Happy Birthday dear Pati Dev and many more to come!

Its been a great journey so far witnessing you overcome so many challenges in life, shining bright and inspiring Bhumi and Nemai to practice BHAKTI and YOGA with dedication!

The stress of feeling like I must do everything for the children and family can be overwhelming. However, it's much less daunting when I realize my role is to help everyone do what they can(Contribute). Children, as they grow, are capable of learning new things. By focusing on this, rather than on how things should be according to my expectations, I find more fulfillment in the long run( keep it simple, forget the details on how perfect it can be if I did it😉). It's best that they learn the values of love, care, sharing, and contributing as a family.

This summer has been filled with indoor activities like yoga, meditation, chanting, reading, and cooking. We've been focusing on each milestone of growth as it comes.

Today, as part of teamwork, that is, Lunch, we made Cucumber 🥒 Idlis with Golden Beets Rasam and Almond Coconut 🥥 Chutney for lunch.

So delicious and a seasonal special, by the way, if You have our cookbook Food For The Soul, you can find the recipe for the Cucumber 🥒 Idlis in it.

Live streaming now!

Yogi Nataraj on Why Hare Krishnas Need to Care About What They Eat | Ep. 156 This episode was recorded in February 2024, in New Jersey, USA. Yogi Nataraj is currently completing his PhD in Ayurveda, yoga, and Physiology, focusing on i...

Ayurveda consultation @ FOOD for the SOUL
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Kids' Lunch Thali:

😋Beetroot Plantain Raita: A refreshing yogurt-based dish with cooked beetroot and plantains.

😋Adzuki Beans and Green Gram Curry: A protein-rich curry made with adzuki beans and green gram.

🌱Barley Chapatis: Nutritious Indian flatbread made from barley flour with added wheat flour for better binding and 1 tsp barley grass powder., enriched with more nourishment with our Organic Cultured grass-fed ghee smeared and soaked in!

🌿Quinoa, White and Black Rice Mix: A wholesome grain blend, all served with sliced cucumbers 🥒 slides.

This meal combines taste, flavor, and nourishment, making it a hit with kids!

Lunch should be the largest and most significant meal of the day. According to Ayurveda, it's crucial to eat during Pitta Kala, when your digestive fire (🔥 Agni) is at its peak. This period falls between 10 AM and 2 PM, with the best time for a large meal being between noon and 1 PM. At this time, the sun is at its highest point, and your digestive power is strongest, ensuring the best digestion and nourishment.

Feeling satiated! ☺️

Happy Weekend 😊

www.foodforthesoul.net

Butterfly Pea Flower Almond Milk Recipe

Ingredients:

✅20 overnight-soaked organic almonds, peeled in the morning.

💙6-8 butterfly pea flowers (also known as Shankhapushpi flowers)

💧3 cups of spring water

🌸1 tsp of vanilla bean paste or vanilla powder
Instructions:

Step 1. Boil 6-8 butterfly pea flowers in a cup of water. Turn off the heat and let it cool.

Step 2: Using a Vitamix or high-speed blender, add the peeled almonds and 2 cups of spring water. Blend until smooth.

Step 3: Add approximately 24 oz of water to the almond mixture and blend again.

Step 4: Strain the cooled butterfly pea flower tea and add it to the almond milk mixture.

step 5: Add 1 tsp of vanilla bean paste or vanilla powder.

Step 6: Blend everything together until well combined.

Step 7: Strain the mixture using a nut milk bag or a 100% cotton cheesecloth (layered three times for better straining).

Your Butterfly Pea Flower Vanilla Almond Milk is now ready to enjoy!

To make Almond Saffron Milk, simply add 6-8 threads of saffron and 4 crushed cardamom pods.

Note: You can make the milk thick or thin by increasing or decreasing the amount of water.

If using an Almond Cow nut milk maker, simply add the peeled almonds in the center nut grinder, add the water, strained tea, vanilla, and water, and just press the start button.

I like to use the felt over in milk or cookie dough or even pancake batter.

Servings: about 4.

Harness the natural benefits of coconut 🥥oil to nourish your, digestion, skin and hair with time-tested Ayurvedic wisdom!

Motherhood: some days, you feel like you have all the strength you need and other days, you feel at your lowest, humbled and surrendering to the situation. You find grounding for your emotions, feel them move on, and restart because the stages of growth are like new chapters—you first learn the lessons and then find the answers.

I need to find comfort with simple and light foods because emotions are heavy. Butternut squash soup with Quinoa, spinach, and broccoli patties on the side.

😊And after this food, I had more work accomplished!

Ayurvedic principles always work, whether we are digesting food or emotions ✅

Introducing Culniary Medicine at FOOD for the SOUL
Ayurvedic Pitta Pacifying Curry Powder & Vata Kapha pacifying Curry powder. Meticulously crafted with a thoughtful selection of organic herbs and spices, this blend is designed to pacify and balance Vata, Pitta and Kapha!!

HOW TO USE
1. Simply incorporate it into your curries by adding during the last few minutes of cooking.

2. Alternatively, sauté the powder in ghee and add to dishes like dal, soups, and stews.

3. For baking, blend with oil, salt, and curry powder, adding to your favorite veggies.

4. You can also use like you use any other Curry powder.

Experience the deliciousness and achieve perfect balance in every meal.

(2 sizes available. Small and large)

Learn more about our Product and Link to order👇🏽

https://foodforthesoul.net/pages/spices

So grateful for this journey where I lose myself, experience unconditional love, and rediscover my strength. Ever grateful to my children, and even more grateful to Amma, my MOTHER WHO SHOWED ME THE WAY BY BEING A GREAT EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers around the world! Even for those who are praying and thriving very hard, you have all my heart, and I see you as one of the strongest mothers to become! Because the moment we desire, we are already on the path of motherhood! So much love and gratitude for motherhood, the most beautiful, soulful experience!!

Delicious comfort food in the making for today's lunch: Kichri with the added goodness of rainbow Swiss chard and rare red carrots from the farmers market.

🌷Looking to improve your overall health, including mental well-being, physical vitality, and digestive harmony? Ever wonder why what works for others doesn't seem to work for you?

🪷Understanding your body type and doshas can provide valuable insights.

🌱In Ayurveda, we delve deep into your current and past diet and lifestyle to uncover root causes of health issues. Here's how we can help:

1. Self-awareness: Gain a better understanding of your mind and body.

2. Personalized regimen: Receive guidance on crafting a diet and lifestyle to address imbalances and health concerns.

3. Herbal support: Explore advanced herbology options if necessary and added as part of your holistic treatment.

4. Ama Pachana: If you're dealing with chronic digestive issues, a gentle detox may be recommended to kickstart healing.

5. Home Veerachna: Experience a week-long cellular detox tailored to your needs, which can effectively address various health issues.

6. We have multimodality approach to health and wellness. Adding Yoga, Meditation, Mudra practices and if needed Medical Astrology( done as exclusive Astrology session)

Interested in exploring Ayurveda further? Check out our One-on-one Ayurveda Constitutions program. In the link below 🙂

Watch our informative video to understand what to expect in our 3 part session.

🤙🏽We also provide a quick free 15-minute chat if you have more questions or you need more details!

Email here with your contact details to schedule a call:
[email protected]

😊 or simply DM this page.

Ayurvedic consultation Food For The Soul

Nature time isn't a luxury, but a necessity. It truly balances the mind and spirit. When we're out on trails, surrounded by the sounds of creeks, the beauty of trees, sand, rocks, birds, and nature's symphony, there's an instant shift to calmness and boundless joy. What a well-spent morning at Pine Creek Canyon!
Bhumi’s cute little nature 🐸🐸🐸 buddies sunbathing and resting on her hands!

Ugadi pachadi is a mix with six tastes: sweet, sour, salt, pungent, astringent, and bitter. It shows how life has many feelings: happiness, sadness, anger, aversion, fear, and surprise.

My father made the best Pachadi, this festival brings so many memories of my childhood.
This morning I was remembering watching him make the Pachadi patiently and helping him as he asked us to brings all different ingredients and paraphernalia needed!!

Here is the how taste are related to emotions as part of the recipe, which is quite interesting!

1. The sweetness of jaggery symbolizes happiness.
2. The astringent of raw green mangoes(yet cooling effect) represents surprises.
3. Bitterness from neem flowers signifies moments of sadness.
4. Tamarind’s sourness embodies unpleasantness.
5. Saltiness denotes fear of the unknown.
6. The heat and pungency of pepper symbolizes anger.

Ayurveda prescribes for a balanced diet encompassing all six tastes, for balanced life and doshas. May we embrace each experience with equanimity and gratitude as we journey through our lives.

The message here is, gain resilience through thick and thin in life as having to experience all kinds of emotions!

Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Ugadi and Gudi Padwa!💕🙏🏾😊

In Ayurveda, the spring season is known as “Vasant Ritu,” considered a time of renewal and rejuvenation. According to Ayurvedic principles, this season is characterized by the qualities of Kapha dosha, which governs stability and lubrication in the body. However, as winter transitions to spring, there’s a tendency for Kapha to accumulate, leading to imbalances like allergies, congestion, or sluggishness. To counteract these effects, Ayurveda recommends practices like detoxification, lightening the diet, and incorporating bitter, astringent, and pungent tastes to reduce Kapha buildup. Activities such as yoga, pranayama, and brisk walking are encouraged to help the body overcome the imbalances.

Following are some slides with insights based on Ayurveda for the Spring season.

Remember the three most important factors that contribute to increased inflammation or allergies during the Spring season:

😣Stress: Any form of stress can adversely affect your liver, leading to hypersensitivity and heightened allergic reactions.

😴Quality Sleep: Our bodies enter deep rest and detoxification mode during the second cycle of pitta Kala, which occurs from 10 pm to 2 am. It’s crucial to achieve deep sleep during this time to facilitate detoxification and improve overall homeostasis.

💦Hydration: Proper hydration is essential for maintaining a more alkaline body environment, and reducing toxins and inflammation. Ensuring adequate hydration helps regulate liver enzymes and prevents overactive liver function, which can exacerbate respiratory issues and stress during seasonal transitions.

Here's another delightful lunch we enjoyed this afternoon: a nutritious blend of sprouted lentils, green gram sweet potato dal, and boiled barley. To enhance digestion and maximize nutrient absorption, we topped it off with a dollop of ghee. This wholesome meal not only satisfies the taste buds but also nourishes the body, supporting overall well-being.

Sprouted green gram and lentils offer many health benefits compared to their unsprouted counterparts. Firstly, sprouting enhances the bioavailability of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, making them easier for the body to absorb and utilize. Additionally, sprouting does increase the levels of certain enzymes, which aid in digestion and improve nutrient absorption.

Full recipe to be posted on Friday with understanding of the digestive and post-digestive effects as per Ayurveda.

All prayers are answered at the right time; keep praying always. I always wished for a life partner inclined or advanced in spiritual sciences and consciousness, more Vedic and Brahminical. Over the years, I’ve realized my prayers were answered along the journey of life, both individually and as parents.

Our marriage is grounded in our shared pursuit of BHAKTI YOGA as a lifelong practice. Through thick and thin, failure or success, rough or smooth, I’m grateful we chose to work and evolve together in our married life. Elements like Bhakti, Yoga, Ayurveda, and even the decision to homeschool our children are part of our desire to follow Srila Prabhupada’s philosophy, “Simple living, Higher thinking!”

I don’t know where time has flown; it’s been 15 years now. Thank you, , for paving a unique path with inspiration as we continue working to be good examples for Bhumi and Nemai. Happy 15th anniversary!

Enjoy Ayurvedic cooking and learn more here at “FOOD FOR THE SOUL.” Rediscover how to revitalize your overall health by choosing ingredients that, when combined in a recipe, result in better digestion. Good digestion leads to the production of beneficial digestive juices (chyle and bolus), creating a more alkaline environment in the body. Alkalinity promotes energy and boosts immunity, transforming both mind and body, freeing them from inflammation and diseases. Balanced choices of spices, ingredients, and proper meal timing are key factors in incorporating Ayurveda into your daily life. Enjoy this dinner recipe, and stay tuned for more. Visit our website for additional blogs and recipes. Don't forget to like and subscribe to our channel.
For the Full recipe with more details and measurements, please click on the link below to my blog post:

https://foodforthesoul.net/blogs/news/squash-bliss-soup-with-extra-protein-along-with-mix-veggie-stir-fry

ButterNut Bliss Soup Enjoy Ayurvedic cooking and learn more here at “FOOD FOR THE SOUL.” Rediscover how to revitalize your overall health by choosing ingredients that, when combi...

An 🕙Ayurvedic Clock🕑of a Day

“Kala” here means TIME. ⌚

The whole gist here is about syncing up with the day’s natural circadian rhythm, riding the waves of “Vata Kala,” “Pitta Kala,” and “Kapha Kala.”Picture the stretch from 6 am to 10 am and pm as your grounding Kapha Kala – nature’s way of saying, “Take a breather.” Engage in activities like chanting, yoga, or meditation. Since your digestive fire, or agni, is just stirring, cozy up with warm Ayurvedic teas and nuts that have been soaking overnight.

Transitioning to Pitta Kala from 10 am to 2 pm, when the sun is beaming overhead, it’s prime time for lunch between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. Freshly cooked food at this Pitta Kala is like a smooth sail for your digestion. Now, imagine the afternoon, from 2 pm to 6 pm, as Vata Kala – a graceful phase for your body to metabolize and convert the day’s energy. Come 6 pm to 10 pm, Kapha Kala is back. As nature winds down, so does your digestive fire. For a bedtime routine that won’t mess with your health, opt for a lighter dinner with fewer grains, more veggies, and a comforting cup of hot milk with ghee. It’s like giving your body a gentle, ‘night-night, sleep tight’ nudge, in tune with the Kapha Kala of the night.

Ayurveda emphasizes the significance of being in deep slumber during the second cycle of Pitta Kala, spanning from 10 pm to 2 am. This timeframe optimally aligns with the body’s natural processes, facilitating rest and organ reset. The magic happens during this period – it’s your prime detox window. As you peacefully snooze through the second cycle of Pitta Kala, your body undergoes a natural detox, ensuring you wake up feeling remarkably refreshed and energized.



www.foodforthesoul.net

‘s lunch, after a busy Sunday morning of teaching from 5 am to almost 11 am. Here is his healthy meal of Okra subji and Bajra Roti. Inspired by my mother’s recipe, a unique touch involves adding fresh yogurt just before serving. This custom extends to bitter gourd curry, Okra curry, and Indian Lauki, creating a delicious fusion of flavors that complements freshly made rotis or hot rice perfectly.

Peas, known as "Matar" in Ayurveda, are considered tridoshic, meaning they balance all three doshas. They are light, sweet, and cooling in nature, making them suitable for most constitutions. Peas are rich in fiber, protein, and essential nutrients, contributing to good digestive health and providing a sense of grounding energy.

Purple potatoes, often recognized for their vibrant color, not only add a visual appeal to dishes but also bring unique nutritional benefits from an Ayurvedic perspective. These potatoes, known as "Urple Aloo" in Ayurveda, exhibit a cooling and sweet nature, making them particularly suitable for Pitta dosha. Their vibrant hue suggests the presence of anthocyanins, potent antioxidants.

Blog post coming soon on my website with a lot more details on the recipes and the conscious choice of spicing for better digestion.

Guys, i accidentally went live on my profile page. So here is the link.
Will be positng the blog past as well!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/b46HAETvgCmuAL26/?mibextid=WC7FNe