Coconut Milk Ganache

For my vegan friends and lovers of chocolate. Easy and versatile ganache, to put over cakes, baked fruits and pies. An elegant and lovely sauce for the Pitta dosha.



Ingredients 


6 oz semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped

4 oz organic coconut milk

1/2 tsp cardamon 

1/2 orange peel

1/2 tsp ginger

Pinch of chilli pepper

Pinch of salt

Lentil Chili with Chocolate…“The Chili That Makes You Feel Good!”

"By Tania Morrison, who recently used this winning recipe in a chili cook off fundraiser".

Recipe adapted from Brazen Kitchen’s original recipe http://brazenkitchen.com/2011/05/05/lentil-chili-with-chocolate/

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This simple chili is rich with hearty yet elegant Le Puy lentils, sophisticated spice alchemy, and chocolate!  Delicious and nutritious!

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Ingredients:

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon clarified butter

1 large leek (white and light green parts only), finely chopped

2-3 tablespoons garlic, finely chopped

2 tablespoons ginger, finely chopped

Savory Cocoa blend

Cocoa is popular in Mexican cooking, specially as a spicy beverage and in savory dishes. This blend you can used as a salad dressing based, vegetables and grains. This blend makes 1 cup. Excellent for Vatta doshas. My pitta friends can reduce chili and add pomegranate powder or dill wed. Love to hear your feedback.

·      1/4 cup organic cocoa

·      1/4 cup organic cumin powder.
·      2 tsp Spanish paprika
·      2 tsp ground coriander
·      2 tsp chilli powder.

 2 tsp ground red peppercorns.

 1 tsp sea salt

 1 tsp ground allspice

Combine all the ingredients and keep in a airtight container out of heat and light.

Parasite purification

By Rachel Freeman

AROUND THE WORLD

Up until relatively recently in Canadian history, a parasite cleanse was a regular (annual or semi-annual) part of our health regime. Historically, up until the 1930s, people woud use castor oil or other home remedies to purge their bodies or any parasites, once or twice a year.

In Europe, parasite cleanses are more common

Spiced Dates with Pomegranate and Ricotta

I usually don't pay a lot of attention to food composition, but dates are a very impressive source of minerals, natural sugars and vitamins. Dates are a perfect tonic for all doshas and for children. This particular recipe is sexy, exotic and delicious.

My favorite part is that it can be served as part of a meal or as a dessert. The secret of this recipe is to select big, juicy dates.

Ingredients:

1 tsp ghee

1 tsp orange peel powder

¼ to ½ tsp chili 

1 tsp cardamon 

3 tsp sesame seeds 

15         plump dates

1-3 tbsp         water

Fresh ricotta

Pomegranate seeds

3         large slices of fresh mozzarella cheese (for the variation)

Directions:

Sauté the spices and seeds with the ghee. Add the dates and water and cook on low heat. Mix and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove the pits and fill the dates with ricotta cheese mixed with pomegranate seeds. 

Variation: 

Omit the ricotta and pomegranate seeds. Once the dates are cooked, add three slices of mozzarella cheese to the top of the date mixture and cover the pan. Continue cooking until the cheese is melted.

Nutrients per 100 gms of dates:

Potassium 650 mg 

Calcium 64 mg 

Magnesium 54 gm 

Phosphorus 63 mg 

Niacin 1.6 mg 

Carbohydrates 66.77 

Sodium 2.5 gm 

Vitamin A 50 international units 

Vitamin C .1 mg

Moist quinoa Chocolate Cake.

No one will believe that this chocolate cake is made with cooked quinoa - no flour required! It is kid-friendly and gluten-free. Adapt the spices according to your dosha.


Serves 8-16

Ingredients


2/3 cup white or golden quinoa

1 1/3 cups water

1/3 cup coconut milk

4 large eggs, or substitute


La Kama North Africa spice Mix

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This mix is the most common Moroccan seasoning, used to flavor soups, stews, and slow cooked dishes. Combine the following spices and keep stored in an airtight container. It make about ¼ cup. The heat is mild. Good for vata and kapha.

Common tonic spices

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This is a guideline of spices that fortify your system in the winter and in the summer. Combine the spices according to your dosha or to your health needs.

· Physical fatigue: cocoa and pomegranate
· Mental fatigue: cocoa, mint, saffron, sage
· Depression: black pepper, nutmeg, rosemary, saffron
· Memory loss: black pepper, cocoa, curry leaf, nutmeg, and rosemary, saffron, sage

Spice tonic Recipe

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This tonic can take different variations of expression. It can be a culinary complement to your food, a tincture or a honey infusion.

For culinary uses
1/2 cup pomegranate powder
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp nutmeg powder
1/2 tsp celery seeds
1/2 tsp black pepper
Pinch of rosemary
Pinch of sage

The Tonic Effect of Spices

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It is very common to think of spices as a culinary experience only. However, they also play an important role in human health and the prevention of disease. Today, I would like to expand on the concept of support and maintenance in health using common spices. Look at the word “tonic”. This is the main quality of many spices. Tonics fortify cellular capacity to perform under stress, aging, disease, weakness, in childhood, surgery, or general mental fatigue. Common tonics are usually rich in anti-oxidants, found in turmeric, chili, pepper, clove, ginger, mustard, and nutmeg. Tonics are also suitable as a daily supplement, especially in wintertime, or as mentioned before, in convalescence.

Sage and Rosemary Spaghetti Squash

The texture of a good Spaghetti Squash goes with spices very well. The secret of this recipe is to remove the extra moisture by allowing a few minutes to drain. Squash is a great food for all of the doshas, you can adjust by adding your body type spices. Squash are rich in calcium, sodium, potassium and iron.

Protein Sesame Balls

Sesame seeds is a protein food. 1 tbsp of sesame is equivalent of 60 grams of beef. That may inspire you, as well as this 10-minute recipe to boost your energy and iron levels. This recipe decreases Vatta and increases Kapha and Pitta. Adjust the spices for your dosha. Those with a Kapha dosha can add some ginger and those with a Pitta dosha can add some pomegranate.

Spice Blend with Chilies, for Kapha and Vatta Doshas

Here is a lovely spice recipe you can store in your kitchen given by the Tunisian cuisine. It is commonly used in stews and stuffing, and you can lightly sprinkle it on your food before serving.

The Wonder of Chilli Peppers

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I don’t know about you, but I always get intimidated when I experiment with strong flavors in the kitchen - like the bitterness of oregano, the stink of hing and the strong heat of chilli peppers.

Follow the blending rules.

It is through experience that I have made peace with these flavors. I just need to realize that if I use them for my daily cooking I need to use them at 10% of the spice blend. Following the simple formula of making strong flavors only 10% of the blend, you will be successful in your cooking.

How to do a 3 Day Purification at Home

Ayurveda suggests purifying yourself twice a year. Spring and fall are the indicated times. Purification, or Panchakarma, is ideally done for either 7, 14 or 21 days, depending on your health. If you are are out of balance, Ayurveda suggests a good 21 days of purification, which consists of daily body work, purgation and rest.

Triphala

Triphala is a well-known Ayurvedic digestive tonic, comprised of 3 traditional Ayurvedic herbs that help promote proper digestion, colon health and liver support.



Triphala is now recognized worldwide as a bowel tonic superior to common laxatives, as it helps establish and maintain digestive health naturally.


How to use triphala

As a dietary supplement, take 3 tablets 1 to 3 times daily, between meals.


 Taking this way it aids digestion, and wait lost.

Take 3 cap. before bed. This promote assimilation of nutrients as well as easy bowel movement in the morning.

Taking triphala before meals, aid pitta balancing.

Overview



Triphala is a traditional combination of three fruits: Harataki (Harada), Bibitaki (Behada) and Amla, that has been used in Ayurveda for thousands of years. 

Triphala's historical use as a digestive cleanser and tonifier has been backed up with numerous modern scientific studies demonstrating the positive effects of its component herbs on the gastrointestinal tract. 

In addition, Triphala has been shown to be a potent antioxidant, protecting cells against the damaging effects of free radicals.

 Many consider Triphala to be a superior bowel tonic, rather than a laxative, with its benefits increasing over time. Laxatives are typically habit-forming and do not enhance normal body elimination of wastes; this is not the case with (moderate doses of) Triphala.

Triphala is commonly used as a mild-acting internal cleanser and detoxifier. It supports liver and overall gastrointestinal function.



Where to get it?

Most healthfood store stores has triphala. If not ask our Ayurvedic practitioner. info@viveda.ca

More details about triphala

Triphala has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine since ancient times as a multi-purpose treatment for symptoms ranging from stomach ailments to dental cavities. It is also believed to promote longevity and overall health (2Trusted Source).

It’s considered a polyherbal medicine, meaning it consists of several different medicinal herbs.

Polyherbal formulations are popularly used in Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional system that emphasizes disease prevention and health promotion.

It’s believed that combining synergistic herbs results in extra therapeutic effectiveness and is a more powerful treatment than any one component taken alone (3Trusted Source).

Triphala is a mixture of the dried fruits of the following three plants native to India.

Amla (Emblica officinalis)

More commonly known as Indian gooseberry, amla plays an important role in Ayurvedic medicine.

It is one of the oldest edible fruits known to India 

Indian gooseberries are the edible fruit of a small to medium-sized tree that grows throughout India.

The berries have a sour, sharp taste and a fibrous texture.

For this reason, the berries are often pickled, soaked in sugar syrup or cooked into dishes to increase palatability.

Indian gooseberry and its extract are used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat symptoms like constipation and also used in cancer prevention.

Indian gooseberries are very nutritious and high in vitamin C, amino acids and minerals.

They also contain powerful plant compounds like phenols, tannins, phyllembelic acid, rutin, curcuminoids and emblicol 

Several test-tube studies suggest that Indian gooseberries have potent anti-cancer properties.

For example, in test-tube studies, Indian gooseberry extract has been shown to inhibit the growth of cervical and ovarian cancer cells.

However, there is no evidence that Indian gooseberries prevent cancer in humans.

Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica)

Terminalia bellirica is a large tree that commonly grows in Southeast Asia.

It’s known as “Bibhitaki” in Ayurvedic medicine, where the fruit of the tree is used as a treatment for common ailments like bacterial and viral infections.

Bibhitaki contains tannins, ellagic acid, gallic acid, lignans and flavones, along with many other powerful plant compounds that are thought to be responsible for its medicinal qualities 

This potent herbal remedy has a variety of uses and may help treat a wide array of medical issues.

In particular, Bibhitaki has been researched for its anti-inflammatory properties.

In one study, 500 mg of Terminalia bellirica substantially reduced uric acid levels in patients with gout, an inflammatory condition characterized by the buildup of uric acid in the bodyBibhitaki is also commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat diabetes and blood sugar dysregulation.

This is because Bibhitaki is high in gallic acid and ellagic acid, two phytochemicals that have beneficial effects on blood sugar levels, insulin sensitivity and body weight 

These plant chemicals help promote insulin secretion from the pancreas and have been shown to reduce high blood sugar and improve insulin resistance in animal studies

Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)

Terminalia chebula is a medicinal tree that grows throughout the Middle East, India, China and Thailand.

This plant is known as “Haritaki” in Ayurveda, where the small, green fruit of the Terminalia chebula tree is used as medicine. It is one of the main components of Triphala 

Haritaki is held in high esteem in Ayurveda and often referred to as the “king of medicines.”

It has been used since ancient times as a remedy for a number of conditions, including heart disease, asthma, ulcers and stomach ailments .

Haritaki contains phytochemicals such as terpenes, polyphenols, anthocyanins and flavonoids, all of which have powerful health benefits.

Studies have shown that haritaki has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Additionally, Haritaki is popularly used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat digestive issues like constipation.

Animal studies have shown that treatment with Haritaki increases intestinal transit time, which can help relieve constipation .

Possible Health Benefits of Triphala

Triphala is promoted as a treatment for a number of common ailments and way to prevent chronic disease.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Triphala contains a number of antioxidants that perform protective functions in the body.

It contains vitamin C, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins and saponins, along with other potent plant compounds (19).

These compounds help fight oxidative stress caused by free radicals, which are molecules that can damage cells and contribute to chronic disease.

Diets high in antioxidants have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes and premature aging (20Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source, 22Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source).

What’s more, in animal studies, Triphala has been shown to reduce inflammation and damage caused by arthritis (24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source).

Studies have shown that supplementing with antioxidants may have some benefits as well, including protecting against heart disease, improving athletic performance and reducing inflammation (26Trusted Source, 27Trusted Source, 28).

May Protect Against Certain Cancers

Triphala has been shown to protect against certain cancers in a number of test-tube and animal studies.

For example, it has been shown to inhibit the growth of lymphoma, as well as stomach and pancreatic cancers in mice (29Trusted Source, 30Trusted Source).

This herbal remedy also induced colon and prostate cancer cell death in test-tube studies (31Trusted Source, 32Trusted Source).

Researchers have suggested that Triphala’s high levels of powerful antioxidants like gallic acid and polyphenols may be responsible for its cancer-fighting properties (33Trusted Source).

Though these results are promising, human studies on its potential cancer-fighting properties are needed to assess safety and effectiveness.

May Protect Against Dental Disease and Cavities

Triphala may benefit dental health in several ways.

Triphala has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent plaque formation, a common cause of cavities and gingivitis (gum inflammation).

One study in 143 children found that rinsing with a mouthwash containing Triphala extract reduced plaque buildup, gum inflammation and bacterial growth in the mouth (34Trusted Source).

Another study showed treatment with a Triphala-based mouthwash led to a significant reduction in plaque and gum inflammation in hospitalized patients with periodontal disease (35Trusted Source).

May Aid Weight Loss

Some studies have shown that Triphala may help with fat loss, especially in the belly area.

In one study, rats fed a high-fat diet supplemented with Triphala had more significant reductions in body weight, energy intake and body fat, compared to mice who were not supplemented with Triphala (36Trusted Source).

Another study of 62 obese adults found that those who supplemented with a 10-gram daily dose of Triphala powder experienced a greater reduction in weight, waist circumference and hip circumference than those who received a placebo (37Trusted Source).

Can Be Used as a Natural Laxative

Triphala has been used since ancient times as a natural treatment for digestive issues like constipation.

It is an alternative to over-the-counter laxatives, and its effectiveness has been demonstrated in several studies.

In one study, patients treated with a laxative containing isabgol husk, senna extract and Triphala experienced significant improvements in symptoms of constipation, including decreased straining and more complete evacuations (38Trusted Source).

In another study in patients with gastrointestinal disorders, Triphala reduced constipation, abdominal pain and flatulence and improved the frequency and consistency of bowel movements (39).

It has also been shown to reduce intestinal inflammation and repair intestinal damage in animal studies (40Trusted Source, 41Trusted Source).