Mountain Views News          Saturday, January 17, 2015

9

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

Mountain Views-News Saturday, January 17, 2015 


THE JOY OF YOGA

ATTENTION TO DIET


STICKY, GOOEY, SWEET AND HEALTHY 
TOO, WHO ARE YOU KIDDING?????

Ayurveda is 
known as the sister 
science of Yoga. It�s 
an ancient healing 
medicinal science 
that addresses 
body, mind, and consciousness. According to 
Dr. Vasant Lad, the leading educator in the field, 
Ayurveda �is often all called the �Mother of All 
Healing�. Ayurveda places great emphasis on 
prevention and encourages the maintenance of 
health through close attention to balance in one�s 
life, right thinking, and diet.�

 As noted, there is a strong emphasis on diet 
in Ayurvedic healing, with much importance 
placed on digestion for one�s individual make 
up. Food must be easily digestible, and a perfect 
balance of nutrients in order for the body to have 
energy and function properly. A common dish 
in any Ayurvedic diet is Kitchari. It�s considered 
a comfort food and helps to balance the body�s 
internal constitution. There are many ways to 
make Kitchari, but here�s a recipe that�s nourishing 
and easily digestible:

 Kitchari means mixture, usually of two grains.

1/2 c Basmati Rice 1 tsp. Mustard Seeds

1/2 c Mung Dal 1 tsp. Cumin Seeds or Powder

7 c Water 1 tsp. Coriander Powder

2 tbs. Ghee 1 tsp. Fennel Powder

2 tsp. Tumeric Powder 1 pinch Asafoetida & a bit 
of salt

Fresh Vegetables

Combine rice, mung dal and salt. Add boiling 
water, bring to boil, then simmer for 30 minutes 
or until the water is reduced half way, stirring 
frequently. Prepare any vegetables that suit you. 
Sweet Potato, asparagus, zucchini and carrots 
are great choices. Cut into small pieces & add to 
mixture. In a separate pot, saut� ghee with spices 
adding mustard seeds last, stop when seeds begin 
to pop. Add to rice & dal. Stir to mix, adding extra 
water if needed. Simmer for 10 additional minutes 
or until vegetables are well cooked. Leave the lid 
on the pot so that excess water may be absorbed. 
Enjoy!

 We could talk for 10 years on the subject of 
Ayurveda and Diet. It�s such a respected, well-
tested and ancient science of healing. In order 
to apply these principles as an ordinary person, 
we�ve got to start small. So, enjoy this standard 
dish and help the body stay balanced, healthy and 
functioning smoothly. See you in class soon!

Namaste,

Keely Totten

Yoga Madre

Recipe Credit: James Bailey, Sevanti Center for 
Ayurveda

Can something that 
is sweet and gooey 
be a health food? If 
we are talking about 
dates, it can be. 
Dates are the fruit 
of the palm tree. 
They are nutrient 
dense, which means 
they contain many 
beneficial nutrients. 
Dates are rich in 
several vitamins, 
minerals, and fiber. 
I think my daughter 
has a love affair 
with dates. She 
consumes dates instead of reaching for a sugary 
desserts, candy or chocolate. I use dates as 
a sweetener to make healthy dessert options. 

 Here are some of the reasons to consider dates 
as a healthy food choice: 

 We all know that vitamins are needed for the 
body to function properly. Dates are rich in B 
vitamins and B vitamins are necessary for energy 
production. 

 Consider dates a healthy food choice because 
they are high in fiber. Dates help move food 
through the intestinal track. Dates can be eaten 
as an aid for constipation. Our bowels take care of 
waste so it is important to keep them moving. The 
best method for this ailment is to soak the dates 
overnight and then eat the dates in the morning, 
doing this will give you an energy boost as well. 

Dates are packed with several essential minerals 
that play a role in boosting our immune system, 
transport oxygen through our blood, produce 
energy, and help maintain bone health. These 
fruits contain calcium, sulfur, manganese, copper, 
iron, potassium, phosphorous and magnesium. 
All of which are necessary for good health. 

 Lastly, dates are a good source of antioxidants. 
Antioxidants help to remove free radical toxins 
from the body. Eating these antioxidant rich fruits 
may help to reduce the risk of some diseases.

 If you have never tried dates before, give them a 
try. They are a great alternative to many processed 
sugary treats. Just make sure you wash them well. 
Due to their sticky surface, dates can attract dirt 
and impurities. 

Dr. Tina is a traditional 
naturopath and nutritionist 
at Vibrant Living 
Wellness Center


SEE OUR ISSUES 

ONLINE ON YOUR 
MOBILE DEVICE!

 at http://issuu.com/
mtnviewsnews