This dessert is delicious, filled with probiotics, and super easy! I learned about it from an Indian restauranteur in Okinawa, who showed me how to make it and offered instruction after my first botched attempt. It’s called shrikhand and is usually made with tons of plain white sugar, very typical of Indian sweets. Continue reading
Category Archives: Ayurveda
Abhyanga – The ayurvedic oil massage
It’s January and everyone’s talking about their dry skin. My clients are soaking up extra massage oil. They report using plenty of lotion, but sometimes, their skin still needs help. A professional massage goes a long way, but did you know that Ayurveda has just the cure? You can zap dry skin with a daily self-massage. Continue reading
Lotus Stalk Curry
Lately at the Waki Farmers Market I find interesting and unidentified plant stalks. I don’t know what they are, so obviously I want them. I’m told that they’re lotus stem, and that they can be cooked, or rubbed with salt and eaten raw. You may be acquainted with the lotus root (a rhizome, though sometimes called a tuber), but this is something entirely different that I’ve never previously encountered. Continue reading
Warm Date Smoothie – Nourishing Ojas
Hey, smoothie lovers! It’s time to think about swapping that raw, cold smoothie for something to balance the cooler weather. The autumnal equinox is right around the corner; time to shift gears and start nourishing our ojas for the winter. Continue reading
Japanese Purple Carrot Soup
I’ve never been a huge fan of carrot soup. I think it’s the limited texture and mouthfeel, so I get bored eating it. Lately we’ve been blessed with an abundance of beautiful purple carrots so I decided to make a soup that would satisfy my tastes. I jazzed this up with corn, sesame seeds, and chives. It makes for a great light dinner with plenty of crunch.
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Ground Cherry Salsa Salad
In Japan, Houzuki is a “ground cherry.” It’s not that the fruit is mashed up, but that it is a low growing plant. When ready to be eaten, it tends to drop its fruit on the ground, hence the name I suppose. They ripen in their husk to a golden hue. I’ve heard the ground cherry likened to a gooseberry, but can’t attest to the similarity.
The ground cherry has a lively flavor that is at once sweet and acidic, like pineapple or tomato. The local farmers markets are flush with beautiful fruits, so I wanted to make a fresh fruit salsa. Continue reading
Purple Carrot Chutney
I’ve been on a chutney kick lately. Chutney goes well with rice, pasta, corn cakes, and idli (fermented bean and rice cakes). It makes a great dip, but it’s so good that I’ve been known to eat it by the spoonful. If you struggle with finding new ways to pack a ton of vegetables into a meal, then chutney is a great choice. Continue reading
DIY Body Oil
Abhyanga is a warm oil massage, and it is one of the most important parts of a self-care routine. In Hindi, sneha means oil, and it also means love. It is a truly wonderful thing to do for yourself. This DIY body oil can be applied before or after a shower, and anytime your skin needs some affection. Continue reading
Tangerine Turmeric Bliss Smoothie
Mikans are a seedless variety of tangerine. After zesting six mikans for another recipe, I knew that I had to act fast before they dried out. I wasn’t going to eat them over the course of a day, so I did what anyone with a high-powered blender would do. . . I drank them.
To be clear, this is a dessert, and probably the best fruit smoothie that I’ve ever had. It’s bright, warming, and comforting. The tiny specs of vanilla bean warm my heart and I’m pretty sure that I’m in love. Continue reading
Purple Carrot Salad
I can’t get enough of purple vegetables. At the farmer’s market last week, I found gorgeous purple carrots. I thought to snatch them all up, but opted for a small healthy bundle. I’ll cross my fingers for more this week. In the meantime, I’ll share with you a simple salad that will showcase the carrots. I could hardly stop myself from eating the whole bowl. It’s super delish! After we gobbled down this salad, I regretted my display of self restraint. Continue reading
Naturally DIY 