A must read. A feast for the eyes!

A little prep the night before and if you wish you could cook this in your rice cooker the next morning while you get ready. It will be hot and ready to serve within 25 minutes.

Hope you enjoy this deeply nourishing recipe with cardamom, figs, almonds and other wonderful goodness – a sure way to make your day SWEET. I served it with hot coconut milk, mangoes and banana slices. You can serve with blueberries, almond milk and fresh figs when in season.

Sweeten your Day Breakfast Quinoa

Here’s the recipe. Simple + Delicious + Nutritious

“Sweeten Your Day” Breakfast Quinoa

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons raisins

5 raw almonds

1 fig

1 cup quinoa

½ apple peeled and cut into small cubes

1 3/4 cups water

2 tablespoon ghee (or coconut oil for a vegan option)

A few strands of saffron

1 star anise

½ teaspoon cardamom powder

½ teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon clove powder

1 teaspoon agave

A pinch of salt

Preparation:

Soak the almonds, raisins and fig in ½ cup of water overnight. Soak the quinoa in three cups of water for thirty minutes. Rinse and wash again and drain completely in a fine mesh strainer. In a medium-sized pot, heat the ghee (or coconut oil) on medium heat and add the star anise. Sauté for about thirty seconds. Add the drained quinoa, cubed apple, saffron and spice powders and stir for about three to four minutes. Remove the skin from the almonds and chop coarsely. Chop the fig coarsely and add it along with the nuts, and raisins to the quinoa. Sauté for another two to three minutes. Now add the water, salt and agave and bring to a boil. Place a tight-fitting lid on the pot and cook on low for sixteen to eighteen minutes. If you prefer a creamier texture, add an extra ½ cup of water or fresh almond milk to the cooking liquid.

Serve in a bowl and add some warm milk or use almond milk for a dairy-free alternative.

INVEST IN YOUR BODY BLISS!

By now many of you have heard about “Purify and Heal” my Ayurvedic home cleanse. There are many cleanses on the market. My cleanse is different in that I offer personalized support to each and everyone.

Purify and Heal cleanse is not just a product you purchase. Regardless of which level you choose, everyone gets a one hour consultation with me. This thorough conversation will answer all your questions and address any concerns you might have resulting in a worry-free experience.

A new cleanse group starts on May 21 is Santa Barbara. Schedule your cleanse NOW!

My support = Greater Success for You.

Levels of Support:

Level 1: You get the beautiful eBook “Purify and Heal.” All the organic herbs and oils you will need. Plus a one hour consult with me.

Level 2: The eBook, organic herbs, oils, the one hour consult and two 20 minute phone sessions with me. You choose when you do these sessions. During these sessions, we can discuss strategies for emotional things that might be surfacing or any other logistical and physical issues that might be coming up for you. OR you could use these sessions as a sounding board for your deep experiences of letting go, cleaning out and opening to new energies within you.

Level 3: The eBook, organic herbs and oils, the one hour consult, my cookbook”Happy Belly Happy Soul,” and three 30 minute phone sessions. You choose when you take advantage of this time with me. During this time, we can discuss ways to deepen your cleanse, journaling exercises, meditation, food issues and find gentle ways to enhance your cleanse. Further, your “Healing Mantra” session will include a lesson on chanting a mantra for a particular issue you want to work through. Food, herbs and oil clean the body. Mantras purify the mind.

Please contact me for more information. The next group cleanse begins on May 21. You can live anywhere to do this cleanse.

Dear Friends:

Hope you are enjoying the Spring season. I welcomed Spring with a cleanse to remove the stagnant, dull energy of Winter. During the holidays, I indulged in food and sweets, even as recent as Valentine’s Day. I knew by spring I would not want to eat heavy foods and feel stagnant. I cleanse regularly as a long-term investment in my health and well-being.  Since it has worked for me, I created an Ayurvedic system of cleansing called “Purify and Heal” that is gentle, easy and self-led in the privacy of your home.

What is a cleanse?

It is a system of removal of toxic build-up in the body/mind. It is said that regular cleansing is the best way to prevent disease. A clean digestive system, open channels, a smiling heart are all important for disease prevention.

Cleanse Features:

• Easy to follow
• Lose weight while eating delicious food
• No guess work
• Through and detailed guide
• Easily sustainable health habits
• Connect to your true nature
• take herbs and drink de-tox teas
• Cleanse your skin through daily oil self massage
• Cleanse the colon using herbal tablets and oils

]]> http://themistressofspice.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=517 0 http://themistressofspice.com/blog/?p=505 http://themistressofspice.com/blog/?p=505#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:46:39 +0000 admin http://themistressofspice.com/blog/?p=505 Watch my short video on Dinacharya. Ask yourself what you can choose to create new health patterns. Give yourself the gift of long-term health and well-being.

Dinacharya – Ayurvedic Prescriptions for Daily Routine

Dinacharya is one of the most basic yet important prescriptions of Ayurveda that is universally beneficial. “Aham Brahmasmi,” is a Mahavakya or saying from the Upanishads. Aham Brahmasmi in Sanskrit means, I am that. From the context of Ayurvedic Dinacharya, this statement helps us examine our relationship to Prakriti or Nature. Let’s examine what this means in that context.

“Dina” means day and “acharya” to follow or be close to. When we are close to the day, so to speak, we are operating on the same principles of Nature. When we are aligned with cosmic rhythms, we see how we change with the seasons, why our body/mind slows down after sunset, and how our nutritional needs of our bodies are perfectly aligned with the bounty of Nature in each season. When we understand how the doshas change every single day and we honor our need for silence to connect to the Divine. When we understand our connection to the Universe and live according to the laws of Nature, we will naturally experience “ananda,” or bliss.

Dinacharya is a simple way to enhance your health and well-being. Its benefits are irrefutable and obvious. What it requires of us, is self-discipline and commitment. Upon regular practice, we experience ease and vitality which allows us to enjoy life and experience radiant health and happiness. Why? Because our nature is bliss, and oneness with Nature creates bliss.

Before we begin to make changes, it is important to understand why we must change. First, find your doshic imbalances by a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or take a dosha quiz. A dosha quiz is acceptable for a basic understanding of your patterns. For a comprehensive diagnosis, it is essential to see an Ayurvedic practitioner. Read the chapter on doshas and understand your imbalances and the needs of your body/mind. Simply paying attention to your eating, sleeping and elimination helps your understanding of imbalances as you does understanding how doshas apply to the seasons and the human lifespan. Now you can implement some of the daily routine practices described below.

The Routine of the Day: Dinacharya

The dinacharya below is an ideal one. We realize that most of us in the West don’t lead an ideal life that allows us the luxury of unlimited free time for self-care. With our limited schedules, many responsibilities and our desire for sustained changes, it behooves us to make gradual changes for the sake of our health and happiness.

Many of our clients have great jobs, beautiful homes and all the amenities of the West. However, at one point or another, they have suffered from anxiety, worry, fear, feeling empty and not connected to something higher than the self. To overcome fatigue, stress and emptiness of our fast-paced life, dinacharya is a soothing balm. Over time you will wonder how you managed without the time for self-care. When you invest in your own joy, divinity, good health and happiness, all other aspects of your life will thrive effortlessly. Life will be easier. Decisions are made with clarity and focus. Relationships will bring you happiness. And you will begin to savor the magic of the ups and downs this “samsara,” (?) or life experience without undue attachment to good or bad.

The morning time is rich in solar energy. It is a pristine time, potent for creativity and the mind is fresh. Vata time has the most saatvik energy. Wake up before sunrise at vata time. You will see how you can wake up at Vata time with adequate sleep later in this chapter. It is best not to be woken up by an alarm clock. It is harsh and well, alarming to the senses and nervous system.

When you wake up, be sure to show gratitude for the new day and feel any changes or sensations in the body. It is also a good time for elimination. You can begin your morning by drinking a glass of hot water with a squeeze of lemon. Do not suppress urges to eliminate—this includes yawning, sneezing, bowel movements and flatulence.

After brushing the teeth, scrape the tongue with a steel or sliver tongue scraper and then swish 2 tbsp of sesame oil in your mouth for 5-8 minutes. Swishing the sesame oil in your mouth is an inexpensive way of maintaining dental health. Sesame oil is a powerful anti-bacterial. Do not swallow the oil and be sure to rinse your mouth with warm water afterwards. Wash your eyes with rose water for cleansing and purifying.

Exercise or vyayama is an important aspect of your dinacharya. Exercising regularly increases stamina, strengthens immune function, improves circulation and reduces fat. Exercise 50% to your capacity. Yoga for your dosha, swimming and walking are great forms of exercise.

Then follows a self-abhyanga. Abhyanga is one of the best ways to ground yourself and to enhance your immunity. See below for instructions. Take a warm shower or bath afterwards. Washing the body is a way to purify the senses and the soul, and is a pre-requisite to beginning any spiritual practice such as meditation or pujas. Wear clean clothes and use essential oils for fragrances.

Meditation is one of the most important aspects of your dinacharya. Practice some form of meditation, whether japa, which is repetition of a mantra, or an open-eyed or close-eyed technique for 20 minutes each day. After meditating have a light breakfast. Fresh, juicy and ripe fruit, with warm oatmeal is a great way to break your fast. After your breakfast, you are ready to practice your dharma. During this time, take time to nurture your relationships and cultivate gratitude. Lunch should be the heaviest meal of the day. This is when your agni or digestive fire is strongest. Along with your other foods, have dairy and yogurt at this meal. Eat slowly, consciously, and savor your food. Enjoy the company of people you love. Rest for about 10-15 minutes after you meal. An Ayurvedic meal should not cause sluggishness or create a need for a nap.

Continue on with your dharmic duties till evening. Do your prayers and meditation at sundown. This is a time for reflection and silence. Dinner should be light such as soup and rice. Finish dinner by 7p.m. Continuing the commitment to being aligned with Nature, turn off the lights by 10p.m. As a way to prepare for bedtime, listen to soft music or read inspiring books after dinner or take a brief stroll. Massage your feet with warm oil if you are unable sleep. You can also drink a cup of warm milk with a pinch of cardamom and saffron and sweeten it with a bit of agave. This is nourishing and will help you fall asleep.

If you have the habit of going to bed later than 10p.m., go to bed a half hour earlier every few days. In a few weeks, you will have easily transitioned from going to bed at 11:30p.m.to 10p.m. The quality of sleep before midnight is twice as good as the quality of sleep you get after midnight, even if you sleep for 8 hours. When we sleep we are not only resting the body, but also the mind and the nervous system. Sleep rejuvenates us, gives us clarity and freshness and enhances our immune function. So, don’t be stingy with the hours of sleep. Adequate sleep is a gift we can give ourselves every night as part of our dinacharya.

Remember, perfect health and bliss is derived from discipline and self-awareness. Connect to the divine each day and practice dinacharya and enjoy greater well-being and happiness.

Abhyanga – The Art of Self-Massage

The body of one who performs abhyanga regularly is not affected much even if subjected to accidental injuries, or strenuous work. By performing abhyanga daily, a person is endowed with pleasant touch, supple muscles and is strong, charming and is not affected by old age.
- Charaka Samhita

The health benefits of the self-abhyanga can be a gift to yourself for about 10 minutes each day. Although daily abhyanga is optimal, if you are able to do it every other day, it will make a big difference.

• Warm your dosha specific oil in a small pot on the stove or warm in a squirt bottle in a sink filled with hot water. Warm the oil to just above body temperature. Stand on a mat or an old towel which can be washed.
• 5 tbsp of oil is a good amount of oil to cover the whole body. Pour a small amount of oil into a cupped hand, rub hands together carefully and apply to the scalp. Rub gently in small circles using your palms.
• Use circular motions on face and over joints, long strokes over open areas and along limbs. Massaging the ears, palms of the hands and soles of the feet will stimulate nerve endings to help soothe the nervous system.
• Before moving off the towel or mat, wipe excess oil from the soles of your feet. Stand on a non-skid mat in the shower. Allow about 10 minutes for the oil to penetrate and absorb deeper.
• If you prefer not to wait, simply start your bath or shower, using water as hot as is comfortable and continue to massage your body. It is not advisable to put very hot water on the head or neck.

Dry with a fresh, dry washcloth or towel to remove any excess oil. Oil will wash out of fabric with hot water, a good detergent plus and some dishwashing detergent.

Oils for Abhyanga:

Vata: Sesame oil

Pitta: Sunflower or Olive oil

Kapha: Mustard or sesame oil

The three gunas of Ayurveda. Cultivate saatvic energy and watch your health improve.

http://bit.ly/zzLj41

Enjoy!

Spices of Ayurveda

My dear friend, Lisa Beck and I have conjured up a wonderful workshop called, “Grace Power and Beauty.” It’s a day long workshop for women only. A day of self-indulgence, self-nurturance and bonding with women through meditation, Ayurveda, movement, dance and great vegan food.

View this link below: http:\\www.gracepowerandbeauty.blogspot.com

We call it, “Grace, Power, & Beauty” — a gateway to your Temple of the Feminine Divine.

Watch our video about the retreat here: http://youtu.be/AeXxAaoaqjM

Come and be pampered, laugh, reflect on your sacred heart and learn ancient Indian ways to self-heal and self-nurture with Ayurveda, dance and meditation. Connect with other like-minded women, and go home with tools to incorporate into your everyday life.

Featured presentations:

* Movement * Guided Meditation

* Dance * Delicious lunch

* Ayurvedic tools * Gift bags

When: February 18, 2012 from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Where: location disclosed upon registration

Cost: $125 per person Registration and prepayment required: http://www.gracepowerandbeauty.com

*If you prefer to write a check, please mail to: our address

407 Foxen Dr, SB 93105

For more information contact Aparna@TheMistressOfSpice.com (or Lisa at info@Panzumo.com

Thank you.

Watch a short clip about meditation and its benefits to your health and well-being.