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"Thank-you for these great tips! Can you recommend a vata-pacifying flour blend? I find straight oat flour to not..."

- Tanya Belireau, Canmore, AB

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1. Sugar Coating - With this tip you can reduce the amount of sugar in your recipe by half. When making the dough, halve the amount of sugar. When forming the cookie, sprinkle a bit of sugar on the top and bottom of the cookie before baking. Or, if baking a cake, sprinkle sugar around the outside of the cake. Later, when you eat the result, your taste buds will contact the sugar on the outside first, and the whole cookie will taste sweet.
2. Choose Raw Sugar - Fruit and natural sugars are much less aggravating to the doshas than refined sugar. Use raw sugar, agave, maple syrup, date sugar, bananas, or raisins to sweeten your holiday treats.

   Or, Sweeten with Stevia - Whole stevia leaf is a natural, zero calorie sweetener that's actually healthy for you.

3. Try Spelt Flour - Similar in taste to wheat flour, spelt flour is an ancient variety of wheat that contains less gluten, a type of protein that's sticky and clogs your GI tract. Still, a small amount of gluten is required for proper leavening or rising of your dough, and you can follow these simple tips to utilize it effectively:
   • Stir in one direction only to lengthen the strands of gluten.
   • Let the dough sit twenty minutes after mixing.
   • Then mix again for five minutes.
   Ground oatmeal is demulcent enough to rise and can be substituted for wheat in most cookie recipes.
4. Use Ghee - Ghee raises your cholesterol only slightly compared to butter and is lighter and easier to digest.
5. Enhance With Sweet Spices - Sweet spices increase blood flow to your stomach, balancing the heavy, dull, cold, and gooeyness feeling dessert foods may provoke. This makes for a more digestible cookie with a tantalizing flavor and depth. Some examples of sweet spices include:
   • cinnamon
   • cardamom
   • ginger
   • nutmeg
   • fennel
   • saffron
   • cloves
6. Serve Warm - Warm foods improve circulation and are easier to digest.
7. Take Small Bites and Eat Slowly - This will allow your blood sugar levels to rise and reduce food cravings while you fully enjoy the experience.

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About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, as well as public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.

John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well. Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 7 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language.

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(5.00 out of 5 stars) 2 ratings, 67 likes

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You might want to repeat this type of newsletter for the upcoming holiday season. I really got a lot out of it but forgot everything by February even tho I practiced some of it. THIS season I plan to do it differently. Did not know spelt had less gluten than regular flour. I am definitely gluten free and love find new tricks to use in baking!! Momma Nature

- Carole Madan-Momma Nature, Johns creek, GA , 09-10-12 (Reply)

Thank-you for these great tips! Can you recommend a vata-pacifying flour blend? I find straight oat flour to not work as a replacement in recipes...at least not by itself, and I don't seem to tolerate spelt well anymore either. I am trying to gain weight so looking for some balancing snack options when on the go! Thank-you in advance for considering my query!

- Tanya Belireau, Canmore, AB

, 10-07-19 (Reply)

You might try coconut flour.

- Kimberly Kubicke, Asbury park, NJ

, 10-11-19 (Reply)