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Kitchari For The American Kitchen


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How to Make Kitchari for the American Kitchen

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp
4 c
4 leaves
1 c
1 inch
1/2 tsp
1/2 c
1/4 tsp
1/4 tsp

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

1. If using dried chick peas, soak the chick pea overnight and drain. Then, add 6c water and bring to a boil, scooping off any foam that forms on the top.

2. Strain out the liquid, and add another 4c of fresh water and return to a boil. Add the ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Cook for one hour.

3. Add rice and any remaining ingredients to broth. Stir. Cover and cook on low heat for 20-25 minutes or until grains are tender.

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Kitchari is Ayurveda's perfect food, indicated in times of recovery as well as cleansing. Kitchari can even be the centerpiece of a mono-diet or fast, as it is a simple food that supplements the healing process. Think of kitchari as the vegetarian equivalent of Grandma's chicken soup, with much more fiber. There are as many ways to make kitchari as there are reasons to consume it. Typical modifications include vegetables such as carrots, greens, zucchini, or potatoes. Spices like cumin, cinnamon, or black pepper can be included, as well as even toasted nuts or coconut. Technically, a kitchari is any dish combining rice and legumes. Traditional kitcharies use mung beans, available at most Asian food stores, because they are an easiest legume to digest. The mung beans in kitchari are also a tonic for the GI tract due to their astringency. This kitchari is especially suited to Kapha and Vata dosha.

Cleanse Your Body

If your belly feels sluggish after too many treats, Kitchari is an easy way to cleanse your digestion and restore freshness. Kitchari offers a true delight to both your body and senses. It is a heart warming synergy of beans, basmati rice, and digestive spices that is easy to prepare. This time tested formula, centuries old, is a complete protein, rich in fiber, cleansing to the digestive tract, and will act to bulk up stool for easier elimination.

To maximize the many benefits your will receive from kitchari, eat it for several meals in a row, such as lunch and dinner on the same day. Once you experience the benefits of kitchari, you'll see how feeling good again is just a few steps away. It just may become addictive! Those who avoid beans because of digestive difficulties should use mung beans or even green beans, which are easier to digest than chick peas

Invigorate Your Metabolism

Spices are the difference between a tasty meal and a bland one, and also the difference between healthy and poor circulation. A well-spiced dish can stimulate your circulation, invigorate your metabolism, and clear out toxins. In this recipe, cloves open up your pores and enhance blood flow to the skin, reducing puffiness and lymphatic congestion. Ginger stimulates the heart. Cinnamon warms your metabolism. Reach for these spices with enthusiasm, but remember: Too much spice is harsh and can leave a burning feeling the intestines. Be aware of your body's reaction to spices. Those with ulcers or inflammation will not benefit from too many spices, but it is helpful for those with sluggish digestion.

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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 Kitchari for the American Kitchen Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Kitchari for the American Kitchen' 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 Kitchari for the American Kitchen

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.

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CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

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?

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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT

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

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

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

Hot & moist. Full-blooded, vigorous. Vivacious, social, and epicurean. Bullish.

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

,
Acrid

ACRID

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

SEE ALL 'ACRID' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Kitchari for the American Kitchen
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

,
Warms Abdomen

WARMS-ABDOMEN

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

SEE ALL 'WARMS-ABDOMEN' FOODS / HERBS

,
Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Relieves Burning

RELIEVES-BURNING

Herbs that soothe a burn or reduce an internal burning sensation, such as aloe vera.

SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-BURNING' FOODS / HERBS

,
General Laxative

GENERAL-LAXATIVE

Promotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives.

SEE ALL 'GENERAL-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
High Fiber Laxative

HIGH-FIBER-LAXATIVE

A class of laxative that adds bulk and water to stools. The large size of the stool stimulates peristalsis so the stool can pass more easily through the colon. It is important to drink plenty of water when using high fiber laxatives, as they can be dehydr

SEE ALL 'HIGH-FIBER-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Burns Toxins

BURNS-TOXINS

An herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them.

SEE ALL 'BURNS-TOXINS' FOODS / HERBS

,
Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

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

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Numbs Anasthetic

NUMBS-ANASTHETIC

Inhibits sensation in a particular area.

SEE ALL 'NUMBS-ANASTHETIC' 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

Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' 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

Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

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

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' 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

,
Soothes Throat

SOOTHES-THROAT

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

SEE ALL 'SOOTHES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Decongestant

DECONGESTANT

An herb that reduces mucus production often by restricting blood flow to mucus membranes.

SEE ALL 'DECONGESTANT' 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

,
Warms Head

WARMS-HEAD

An herb that increases sensations of heat and warmth in the head.

SEE ALL 'WARMS-HEAD' FOODS / HERBS

,
Warms Ears

WARMS-EARS

Stimulates peripheral circulation to warm extremities, including the ears.

SEE ALL 'WARMS-EARS' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Coumarin

COUMARIN

Moderately toxic, vascular tonic, hypotensive, and anti-inflammatory.

SEE ALL 'COUMARIN' FOODS / HERBS

, Tannins, Carbohydrate

Foods with a Similar Nature to Kitchari for the American Kitchen

  • Mustard Powder

    Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Wakes-you-up, Warms-ears, Decongestant, Internal-detoxicant, Warms-abdomen, Warms-head, Burns-toxins

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard

    Mustard has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Wakes-you-up, Warms-ears, Decongestant, Internal-detoxicant, Warms-abdomen, Warms-head, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Seed

    Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

    Wakes-you-up, Warms-ears, Decongestant, Internal-detoxicant, Warms-abdomen, Warms-head, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive

    LEARN MORE

  • Cloves

    Cloves has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Warms-abdomen, Warms-head, Diaphoretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Warms-chest, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Numbs-anasthetic, Warms-ears

    LEARN MORE

  • Daikon Radish

    Daikon Radish has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Refreshing, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Warms-head, Decongestant, General-laxative, Warms-abdomen

    LEARN MORE

  • Cinnamon

    Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Decongestant, Internal-detoxicant, Warms-chest, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Soothes-throat

    LEARN MORE

  • Allspice

    Allspice has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Warms-chest, Decongestant, Numbs-anasthetic, Warms-head, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Crystallized Ginger

    Crystallized Ginger has these Actions in Common

    Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Warms-ears, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Ginger (Dried)

    Ginger (Dried) has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Warms-ears

    LEARN MORE

  • Wasabi

    Wasabi has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Wakes-you-up, Cardiac-stimulant, General-laxative, Warms-abdomen, Diaphoretic, Refreshing, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • Horseradish

    Horseradish has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, General-laxative, Warms-abdomen, Diaphoretic, Refreshing, Warms-chest, Digestive, Wakes-you-up

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Kitchari for the American Kitchen

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Warms-ears, Decongestant, Warms-head

    LEARN MORE

  • Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru)

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

    Warms-chest, Warms-ears, Cardiac-stimulant, Warms-head, Decongestant, Digestive, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up

    LEARN MORE

  • Wild Ginger

    Wild Ginger has these Actions in Common

    Warms-ears, Burns-toxins, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • Breathing Exercises

    Breathing Exercises has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Digestive, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up

    LEARN MORE

  • Breath of Fire / Shining Skull (Kapalbhati Pranayama)

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

    Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Digestive, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing

    LEARN MORE

  • Bellows Breath (Bhastrika Pranayama)

    Bellows Breath (Bhastrika Pranayama) has these Actions in Common

    Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Digestive, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing

    LEARN MORE

  • Trikatu

    Trikatu has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Warms-abdomen, Burns-toxins, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Digestive

    LEARN MORE

  • Amalaki

    Amalaki has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Quenches-thirst, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up

    LEARN MORE

  • Osha

    Osha has these Actions in Common

    Burns-toxins, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • External Breath (Bahya Pranayama)

    External Breath (Bahya Pranayama) has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up

    LEARN MORE

  • Bitter Orange Peel

    Bitter Orange Peel has these Actions in Common

    Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Digestive

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

View Other Healthy Recipes for Spring

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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. His wife and family of 7 kids live in Asheville, NC.

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Comments & Impressions of 'Kitchari For The American Kitchen'

Do you like 'kitchari for the american kitchen'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'kitchari for the american kitchen'?

(4.50 out of 5 stars) 2 ratings, 2293 likes
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Catherine Perry Bronx, NY
2015-04-02
“Can't wait to try this! If the garbanzos are canned, though, do they still need to be boiled for an hour before adding rice? I do know they won't need to be soaked overnight, but just not sure about the other part."
Natalie Immel Asheville, NC
2015-04-02
“It can be a good idea to do that, because then the beans become very soft and more digestible. "
Kimberly Kubicke Asbury park, NJ
2016-07-21
“A pressure cooker would cook the beans and rice much faster, but that would be the only main difference."
Amy Villa Carmichael, CA
2017-08-08
“Does making Kitchari in a pressure cooker make the meal harder, easier or the same to digest? Does anybody know?"
Kimberly Kubicke Asbury park, NJ
2017-08-09
“We suggest slow cooking it on the stove top."
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