NEWSLETTER

Patricia's Kitchari
by Patricia Sweeney

Kitchari, also spelled Kitcharee and Kichadi, is a balanced source of carbohydrates and protein that support your body, mind, and spirit. It is one of the easiest foods on the planet to digest. A mono diet of kitchari cleanses the body by bringing toxins back into the digestive system so they can be released through elimination. Kitchari is used in the most profound cleansing and rejuvenating practice, Pancha Karma, but may be enjoyed any time. It is an excellent choice for a mini cleanse at the change of the seasons from Winter into Spring and late Summer into Fall/Winter.

Makes 3-4 cups
45 minutes cooking time
15-20 minutes prep time – goes well with the Gayatri Mantra
1/2   cup white basmati rice (white easier to digest than brown)
1/2   cup yellow split mung dal (beans)
1   tablespoon dried kombu seaweed, flaked
1   tablespoon ghee
1/2   tablespoon black mustard seeds
3   teaspoons cumin seeds
1   teaspoon ground coriander seeds
1 /8   teaspoon asafetida (AKA hing)
1   teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon rocksalt
2-3 cups water – may need more or less depending on how many veggies and desired texture
1/2 med size red pepper, diced
1/4 cup carrots, sliced
1/8 cup burdock root, sliced or diced
1/8 cup daikon radish, diced
1- 2 cups Swiss chard, chopped
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

•  Wash the rice and mung beans well. If you have a difficult time digesting beans precook the beans 20-30 minutes or soak overnight.

•  Cook the rice, mung beans, kombu, and water on high. Let them come to a boil in a separate pot while you . . .chant and

•  Saute the mustard seeds in ghee until they “pop.” Add cumin seeds, coriander seeds, rock salt, asafoetida and turmeric. Stir well.

•  ”Chonk” is an Indian cooking term. You get “chonk” when you add the sauted items to the boiling rice and beans. The sizzling releases the flavor of the spices into the rice and beans.

•  Turn the mixture to simmer and cover.

•  Slice and dice red pepper, carrots, burdock root, daikon

•  Add the heavier veggies, stir well, cover and simmer 20-30 minutes.

•  Chop Swiss chard and cilantro

•  Add Swiss chard and 1/2 the cilantro, simmer 5-10 minutes more

•  Serve with the remaining fresh cilantro on top

* A splash of Braggs Amino Acids, a spoonful of roasted sunflower seeds,

and a sprinkle of black pepper are also a great way to top off your kitchari.

Enjoy!

Food Facts:
Kombu – a diuretic, provides minerals, regulates hormones, dispels gas.   Buy seaweed from Andrew Daunis, an Ayurveda Health Practitioner, at Pacific Wildcraft, 530-273-6443 to learn all about the wonders of seaweed and how to use it.

Red Peppers – have more Vitamin A & C than green peppers

Burdock Root – purifies blood

Daikon raddish – supports the lungs

Asafoetida (AKA Hing) – powerful digestive agent, removes stagnation from the g.i. tract, breaks up fecal matter; accumulations from excessive eating of meat or junk food, and destroys worms. As a spice, particularly for lentils and beans, it makes food lighter and decreases gas.

Turmeric - natural antibiotic, strengthens digestion and aids in the digestion of protein, promotes proper metabolism, improves intestinal flora, purifies blood, warms and stimulates the formation of new blood tissue.

Dr. Vasant Lad and Dr. David Frawley, ayurveda specialists, say, “Turmeric gives the energy of the Divine Mother and grants prosperity. It is effective for cleansing the chakras, purifying the channels of the subtle body. It helps stretch the ligaments and is, therefore, good for the practice of hatha yoga. It is a wonderful "yoga herb,” it helps stretch ligaments.” The Yoga of Herbs, p. 150

Recipe and Food Facts submitted by Patricia Sweeney-Park, MA, CNC,  a certified teacher, yoga instructor, massage therapist, and nutrition consultant. She is currently working as a Clinical Ayurveda Specialist Intern at the California College of Ayurveda in Grass Valley, CA. To enhance your yoga practice, get to know yoga's sister, Ayurveda, the healing life science from India. Ayurveda unlocks the mystery of your unique constitution and hands you the key. It works if you do. Design an optimal life style plan with the guidance of an Ayurveda practitioner. Call the college today at 530-247-9100 ext 202 to schedule your consultation.

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