College of Natural Diet & Digestion

College of Natural Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Cold Sesame Cucumber & Tofu Noodle Bowl


How to Make Cold Sesame Cucumber & Tofu Noodle Bowl

INGREDIENTS

1/4 c
1/4 c
2 tbsp
4 c
2 tbsp
1 inch
1 tbsp
1 c
1 clove

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

  • For best results, use toasted sesame oil

1. Peel cucumbers and turn into noodles with a spiralizer (or julienne peeler).

2. Dry toast sesame seeds in a non stick pan for 2-3 minutes or until gently brown, then set aside to cool.

3. In a blender, combine tahini, soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic clove and 3 tbsp toasted sesame oil to make a smooth sauce.

4. Cut tofu into cubes and pan fry with remaining 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil until golden brown.

5. Combine noodles, sauce and tofu.

6. Serve immediately with sesame seeds and chopped scallions as garnish.

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

When the weekend takeout cravings hit, whip up 'Cold Sesame Cucumber & Tofu Noodle Bowl' for a satisfying but wholesome 'fakeout' experience. Soon, you'll be immersed in the aromas, signature tastes and vibrant colours of Asian street food from the peace of your own kitchen.

The raw, cooling crunch of the juicy cucumber noodles will keep you hydrated and feeling fresh. While raw food is difficult to digest, it is balanced by the oily nature and heating qualities of sesame seeds, tahini, soy, ginger and garlic in this recipe. This gluten free and vegan dish is best enjoyed late summer when the temperatures are still warm but starting to cool down.

AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.

Is Cold Sesame Cucumber & Tofu Noodle Bowl Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Cold Sesame Cucumber & Tofu Noodle Bowl' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.

Metabolic Nature of Cold Sesame Cucumber & Tofu Noodle Bowl

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

Find Out More

CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIQUEFIED

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

Find Out More

BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Pitta aggravating

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

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PACIFIES
MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

AGGRAVATES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

Other

Aromatic

AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Crunchy

CRUNCHY

Makes an audible noise when you eat them. Can provide fun texture variation.

SEE ALL 'CRUNCHY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Acrid

ACRID

Acrid taste is a combination of bitter and pungent tastes. Example include radish, turnip, and coffee.

SEE ALL 'ACRID' FOODS / HERBS

, Bland Negative Calorie
Blood Plasma Lymph

BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH

Plasma (Rasa Dhatu) includes plasma, white blood cells, and lymph.

SEE ALL 'BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH' FOODS / HERBS

,
Muscle

MUSCLE

Muscle tissue (Mamsa Dhatu) includes muscles and ligaments.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Cold Sesame Cucumber & Tofu Noodle Bowl
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Quenches Thirst

QUENCHES-THIRST

An herb or substance that relieves thirst.

SEE ALL 'QUENCHES-THIRST' FOODS / HERBS

,
Appetite Suppressant

APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT

Suppresses hunger without causing weight gain.

SEE ALL 'APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Warms Abdomen

WARMS-ABDOMEN

Warms the muscles and organs of the abdomen, stimulating digestion and metabolism.

SEE ALL 'WARMS-ABDOMEN' FOODS / HERBS

Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Wakes You Up

WAKES-YOU-UP

Invigorates the body and nervous system, increases energy.

SEE ALL 'WAKES-YOU-UP' FOODS / HERBS

,
Nerve Relaxant Grounding

NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING

Encourages feelings of stability and heaviness. Makes you feel settled, mentally relaxed. Mildly sedates the nervous system to ease stress. Can bring a spacey or anxious person back to earth. Reduces agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts.

SEE ALL 'NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING' FOODS / HERBS

,
Makes You Tired

MAKES-YOU-TIRED

Induces drowsiness and promotes sound sleep.

SEE ALL 'MAKES-YOU-TIRED' FOODS / HERBS

Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Builds Stamina

BUILDS-STAMINA

Promotes strength, endurance and resistance in the body. Rebuilds weak tissues after a time of depletion.

SEE ALL 'BUILDS-STAMINA' FOODS / HERBS

,
Satisfies Stomach

SATISFIES-STOMACH

Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.

SEE ALL 'SATISFIES-STOMACH' FOODS / HERBS

,
Refreshing

REFRESHING

Stimulates and wakes up the body, leaving it feeling cool, fresh, and energized.

SEE ALL 'REFRESHING' FOODS / HERBS

,
Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Soothing

SOOTHING

Calms and alleviates irritation, discomfort or pain in a particular region.

SEE ALL 'SOOTHING' FOODS / HERBS

Warms Chest

WARMS-CHEST

Warms the chest and lungs, clearing mucus and allowing for clear breathing. Often these herbs are hot, aromatic, and pungent.

SEE ALL 'WARMS-CHEST' FOODS / HERBS

,
Clears Sinuses

CLEARS-SINUSES

Cleanses sinuses by draining excess mucus, allowing for clear, easy breathing.

SEE ALL 'CLEARS-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Soothes Throat

SOOTHES-THROAT

Soothes throat discomfort, including from a sore or ticklish throat.

SEE ALL 'SOOTHES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Cardiac Stimulant

CARDIAC-STIMULANT

Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.

SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Irritates Kidney

IRRITATES-KIDNEY

Tight, sharp pain just below ribs in the back.

SEE ALL 'IRRITATES-KIDNEY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Dries Mouth

DRIES-MOUTH

Makes the mouth feel dry, or pasty.

SEE ALL 'DRIES-MOUTH' FOODS / HERBS

Lowers Blood Sugar

LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR

An herb that lowers blood sugar.

SEE ALL 'LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Nitric Oxide

NITRIC-OXIDE

Improves circulation by dilating blood vessels. Protects blood vessels from damage. Improves athletic performance, libido, immunity, and brain health.

SEE ALL 'NITRIC-OXIDE' FOODS / HERBS

, Vitamin K,
Saponins

SAPONINS

Can be used to make soap. Saponins stimulate mucus membrane secretion, liquefying mucus for easy removal (expectorant).

SEE ALL 'SAPONINS' FOODS / HERBS

, Medium Chain Triglycerrid, Sulphur,
Salicylates

SALICYLATES

Salicylates relieve inflammation, are anti-cancer, and antidiabetic, but some are allergic to it.

SEE ALL 'SALICYLATES' FOODS / HERBS

, Protein, Fats,
Calcium

CALCIUM

Calcium nourishes bones and muscles. A muscle cell is activated when calcium enters the cell. It relaxes when the calcium is secreted.

SEE ALL 'CALCIUM' FOODS / HERBS

, Alpha Linolenic Acid,
Inositol

INOSITOL

Inositol is an alcohol sugar made naturally in the human body from glucose. It is lipotropic (aiding fat metabilism in the liver). It affects a variety of hormones, neurotransmitters, steroid, growth factors and water.

SEE ALL 'INOSITOL' FOODS / HERBS

,
Iron

IRON

Iron is necessary for the transport of oxygen in red blood cells.

SEE ALL 'IRON' FOODS / HERBS

,
Isoflavone

ISOFLAVONE

A type of naturally occurring isoflavonoid. Many have a phytoestrogen effect. Frequently found in the pea family (Fabaceae).

SEE ALL 'ISOFLAVONE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Magnesium

MAGNESIUM

Helps muscles relax. Laxative.

SEE ALL 'MAGNESIUM' FOODS / HERBS

, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Essential Fatty Acids

Foods with a Similar Nature to Cold Sesame Cucumber & Tofu Noodle Bowl

  • Tofu

    Tofu has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Makes-you-tired, Satisfies-stomach, Anti-inflammatory, Dries-mouth, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Soothing, Appetite-suppressant, Irritates-kidney, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Jackfruit

    Jackfruit has these Actions in Common

    Soothing, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Refreshing, Wakes-you-up, Anti-inflammatory, Nutritive, Satisfies-stomach, Dries-mouth, Quenches-thirst

    LEARN MORE

  • Daikon Radish

    Daikon Radish has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Warms-abdomen, Clears-sinuses, Refreshing, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Powder

    Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

    Warms-abdomen, Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Wakes-you-up, Clears-sinuses, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard

    Mustard has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Wakes-you-up, Clears-sinuses, Internal-detoxicant, Warms-abdomen

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Seed

    Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Wakes-you-up, Clears-sinuses, Internal-detoxicant, Warms-abdomen, Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • Wasabi

    Wasabi has these Actions in Common

    Clears-sinuses, Refreshing, Warms-chest, Diaphoretic, Wakes-you-up, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Warms-abdomen

    LEARN MORE

  • Horseradish

    Horseradish has these Actions in Common

    Warms-chest, Diaphoretic, Wakes-you-up, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Warms-abdomen, Clears-sinuses, Refreshing

    LEARN MORE

  • Beets

    Beets has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Nutritive, Warms-abdomen, Irritates-kidney, Satisfies-stomach, Anti-inflammatory, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Allspice

    Allspice has these Actions in Common

    Clears-sinuses, Lowers-blood-sugar, Anti-inflammatory, Dries-mouth, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • Cinnamon

    Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

    Warms-chest, Diuretic, Soothes-throat, Cardiac-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Diaphoretic, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Cold Sesame Cucumber & Tofu Noodle Bowl

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Clears-sinuses, Stimulates-energy, Diaphoretic, Warms-chest, Diuretic, Dries-mouth, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Anti-inflammatory, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Cardiac-stimulant, Refreshing

    LEARN MORE

  • Shilajit Tonic

    Shilajit Tonic has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up, Builds-stamina

    LEARN MORE

  • Punarnava

    Punarnava has these Actions in Common

    Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory, Builds-stamina, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

    LEARN MORE

  • Amalaki

    Amalaki has these Actions in Common

    Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up, Anti-inflammatory, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Nutritive, Quenches-thirst

    LEARN MORE

  • Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru)

    Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru) has these Actions in Common

    Wakes-you-up, Anti-inflammatory, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Breathing Exercises

    Breathing Exercises has these Actions in Common

    Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up, Builds-stamina, Cardiac-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Refreshing

    LEARN MORE

  • Bellows Breath (Bhastrika Pranayama)

    Bellows Breath (Bhastrika Pranayama) has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up, Builds-stamina

    LEARN MORE

  • Breath of Fire / Shining Skull (Kapalbhati Pranayama)

    Breath of Fire / Shining Skull (Kapalbhati Pranayama) has these Actions in Common

    Builds-stamina, Cardiac-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up

    LEARN MORE

  • Eleuthero Ginseng

    Eleuthero Ginseng has these Actions in Common

    Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up, Anti-inflammatory, Builds-stamina, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

    LEARN MORE

  • Regular exercise

    Regular exercise has these Actions in Common

    Builds-stamina, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up

    LEARN MORE

  • Hyssop Powder

    Hyssop Powder has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

View Other Healthy Recipes for Summer

This recipe is recommended for Summer. Check out these other Summer recipes here.
VIEW ALL SUMMER RECIPES MORE VATA / KAPHA RECIPES
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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. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John, his wife Natalie and their 7 kids live in Asheville, NC

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