School of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

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Mushroom Mashed Potatoes

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"Lovely recipe really simple and nourishing thank you xxx"
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How to Make Mushroom Mashed Potatoes

SERVINGS: 4
PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 30 MINUTES

STYLE: WESTERN
PREPARATION: BOILED, PUREE
FOR OCCASION: THANKSGIVING

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

Choose Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes for mashed potato recipes - thanks to their higher starch content, they are the best choices for smooth, creamy texture.

1. Peel potatoes. Keep half of the potatoes unpeeled for a more rustic effect.

2. Chop into small cubes for shorter cooking time. Place in a pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. If the potato sticks to the knife, it is not yet fully cooked. Strain, reserving 1c of the potato water (unless you plan to add heavy cream).

3. Mash gently with a potato masher. If you overwork the potatoes, the starch molecules will break resulting in a gummy, gluey end result.

4. Chop mushrooms and sautee with minced garlic in the butter. Mix with potatoes, reserved potato water, and remaining ingredients. Add additional butter and salt to taste.

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Creamy mashed potatoes are a cozy way to celebrate November, satisfy your belly, and warm the hearts of friends, family and loved ones as you gather around the Thanksgiving table. A bowl of mashed potatoes can soothe the anxieties & worries of a cold autumn day, restoring ease and security to your day. Cooked garlic naturally adds warmth and a homey feel. Mushrooms and ghee bring savory richness that altogether makes this recipe a grounding comfort food.

Relax your Mind for Improved Sleep

Mushroom Mashed Potatoes are an excellent choice for those suffering from insomnia due to constant worries. Potatoes, mushrooms and garlic each make you feel sleepy in their own way. Potatoes because they are heavy and calming by nature. Mushrooms have an earthy taste that is a sign of their ability to keep you grounded and calm your nervous system. People may naturally crave garlic in autumn for relaxation and transition to a more inward-focused winter hibernation.

Restore Kindness, Affection, & Security

Comfort food is kindness food that makes you feel affectionate and brings out your cuddly side. A satisfied, happy belly naturally makes a person feel more comfortable. If your day has been erratic and stressful, this traditional comfort food truly nurtures a sense of security and ease of being.

*Note:

This remedy is helpful for deficient, under-nourished Vata constitutions only. For those feeling rundown, under-nourished from excessively light meals, and anxious about trying to get things done, a hearty bowl of Mushroom Mashed Potatoes is just what the doctor ordered. However, those with a Kapha constitution or who are overweight should take caution not to introduce the heavy qualities of mashed potatoes as a remedy for feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious.

Digestibility of Potatoes

The fiber content of potatoes aids regular elimination, while their astringency binds overly loose stools. Potatoes are also soothing and demulcent, making them useful for cooling inflammation in the GI tract. The heaviness of potatoes, un-remedied by spices, can cause gas for Vata and can slow digestion for Kapha. You might feel as though you've eaten a brick after eating mashed potatoes. Spiced with black pepper, salt and garlic, Mushroom Mashed Potatoes will digest more easily than traditional recipes. Feel free to add more ghee or spices if you still find digestion difficult, but love mashed potatoes nonetheless!

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 Mushroom Mashed Potatoes Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Mushroom Mashed Potatoes' 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.
See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.
INCREASES
Guna Help

Increases These Biocharacteristics (Gunas)

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

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HEAVY

ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HEAVY

EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

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

DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY

TASTES
Taste Help

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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SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

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DOSHAS
Dosha Help

The Three Doshas / Body Types

According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine, people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person. Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness. Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency. Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses. The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history.

The 3 functional body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha). Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. They are easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry. Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. They tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed. Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. If they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Anabolic people tend to be stable and grounded.

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PACIFIES
Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Kapha aggravating
HAS THE FOLLOWING
Subtaste:
Bland

BLAND

Bland means doesn't have much taste. In Chinese medicine, bland taste refers to afood without little macronutrients, such as cabbage, radish or bok choy.

SEE ALL 'BLAND' FOODS / HERBS

,
Musky

MUSKY

Have an earthy smell to them, such as mushrooms.

SEE ALL 'MUSKY' FOODS / HERBS


Moves Energy:
Inward

INWARD

Inward moving substances promote introspection, self reflection, stillness, or slow the system down.

SEE ALL 'INWARD' FOODS / HERBS

,
Downward

DOWNWARD

Downward-moving (Adho Gati Marga) substances move food downward in the GI tract, settle the nervous system, and relax muscles.

SEE ALL 'DOWNWARD' FOODS / HERBS


Tissue (dhatu):
Blood Plasma Lymph

BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH

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

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

HERBAL ACTIONS
(see all)

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Mushroom Mashed Potatoes
Help
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.

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

Makes You Tired

MAKES-YOU-TIRED

Induces drowsiness and promotes sound sleep.

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,
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

,
Strengthens Resolve

STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE

Increases determination and courage by reducing stress and building strength.

SEE ALL 'STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Sedative

SEDATIVE

Sedative herbs create a sense of calm in the mind and body by specifically calming or quieting the nervous system. Excellent for anxiety, stress and chronic pain.

SEE ALL 'SEDATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Anxiolytic

ANXIOLYTIC

Herbs that help people suffering from anxiety or panic. They promote a state of calm and often improve sleep. Most anxiolytic herbs are also nervines.

SEE ALL 'ANXIOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Satisfies Stomach

SATISFIES-STOMACH

Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.

SEE ALL 'SATISFIES-STOMACH' FOODS / HERBS

,
Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Tonic

TONIC

A tonic herb restores function through strengthening tissue. This can happen through a combination of nourishing the tissue, and invigorating tissue metabolism. The tonic should not be withering, as in caffeine.

SEE ALL 'TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

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

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Flushes Sinuses

FLUSHES-SINUSES

An herb that relieves sinus congestion by flushing out mucus.

SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Soothes Throat

SOOTHES-THROAT

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

SEE ALL 'SOOTHES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Irritates Throat

IRRITATES-THROAT

Creates abrasive feeling in the back of the mouth. May stimulate coughing.

SEE ALL 'IRRITATES-THROAT' 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

,
Antioxidant

ANTIOXIDANT

An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals that lead to a chain reaction causing damage or death to cells. Antioxidants terminate these oxidation reactions.

SEE ALL 'ANTIOXIDANT' 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

Cholagogue

CHOLAGOGUE

Cholagogues stimulate the production & release of bile from the liver & gallbladder. This refreshes and cleanses these organs, as well as increases bile in the small intestines.

SEE ALL 'CHOLAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Builds Semen

BUILDS-SEMEN

Herbs that increase the production of semen, often by rebuilding fluids in general.

SEE ALL 'BUILDS-SEMEN' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Carbohydrate, Vitamin C, Soluble Fiber, Potassium,
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

, Sodium, Polysaccharides,
Saponins

SAPONINS

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

SEE ALL 'SAPONINS' FOODS / HERBS

, Sulfated Polysaccharides, Sulphur,
Aromatase Inhibitor

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

Blocks estrogen synthesis by inhibiting conversion of progesterone and testosterone into estrogen.

SEE ALL 'AROMATASE-INHIBITOR' FOODS / HERBS

, Fats, Melatonin, Protein

Foods with a Similar Nature to Mushroom Mashed Potatoes

Hemp Seed

Hemp Seed has these Actions in Common

Anxiolytic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Sedative, Diuretic, Nutritive, Tonic, Makes-you-tired, Satisfies-stomach

LEARN MORE

Garlic

Garlic has these Actions in Common

Anxiolytic, Diuretic, Sedative, Cholagogue, Irritates-throat, Diaphoretic, Makes-you-tired

LEARN MORE

Potato

Potato has these Actions in Common

Satisfies-stomach, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Sedative, Antioxidant, Nutritive, Makes-you-tired

LEARN MORE

Lamb

Lamb has these Actions in Common

Makes-you-tired, Satisfies-stomach, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Strengthens-resolve, Nutritive, Tonic

LEARN MORE

Buffalo Milk

Buffalo Milk has these Actions in Common

Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Soothes-throat, Nutritive, Tonic, Makes-you-tired, Satisfies-stomach

LEARN MORE

Pumpkin

Pumpkin has these Actions in Common

Makes-you-tired, Relieves-burning, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach, Nutritive, Sedative

LEARN MORE

Oats / Oatmeal

Oats / Oatmeal has these Actions in Common

Nutritive, Sedative, Anxiolytic, Relieves-burning, Makes-you-tired, Satisfies-stomach

LEARN MORE

Poppy Seed

Poppy Seed has these Actions in Common

Anxiolytic, Relieves-burning, Makes-you-tired, Sedative, Antioxidant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

LEARN MORE

Sorghum Flour

Sorghum Flour has these Actions in Common

Anxiolytic, Nutritive, Diuretic, Satisfies-stomach, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Sedative

LEARN MORE

Jackfruit

Jackfruit has these Actions in Common

Builds-semen, Relieves-burning, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach, Nutritive, Tonic

LEARN MORE

Cassava Root / Yuca

Cassava Root / Yuca has these Actions in Common

Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach, Antioxidant, Nutritive, Anxiolytic, Relieves-burning

LEARN MORE

Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Mushroom Mashed Potatoes

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

Strengthens-resolve, Antioxidant, Tonic, Anxiolytic, Builds-semen, Diuretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive, Sedative

LEARN MORE

Punarnava

Punarnava has these Actions in Common

Builds-semen, Cardiac-stimulant, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Tonic, Antioxidant

LEARN MORE

Blue Vervain

Blue Vervain has these Actions in Common

Sedative, Anxiolytic, Cholagogue, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

LEARN MORE

Oats, Fresh Milky Seed

Oats, Fresh Milky Seed has these Actions in Common

Anxiolytic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive, Relieves-burning, Sedative, Tonic

LEARN MORE

Shatavari

Shatavari has these Actions in Common

Nutritive, Relieves-burning, Soothes-throat, Tonic, Builds-semen, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

LEARN MORE

Gokshura

Gokshura has these Actions in Common

Tonic, Builds-semen, Diuretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive, Sedative

LEARN MORE

Vidari

Vidari has these Actions in Common

Diuretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive, Soothes-throat, Tonic, Builds-semen

LEARN MORE

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Sedative, Anxiolytic, Cardiac-stimulant

LEARN MORE

Hops

Hops has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Sedative, Anxiolytic, Cholagogue

LEARN MORE

Shankhapushpi

Shankhapushpi has these Actions in Common

Anxiolytic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Sedative, Strengthens-resolve, Tonic

LEARN MORE

Kava Kava

Kava Kava has these Actions in Common

Anxiolytic, Diuretic, Makes-you-tired, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Sedative

LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized school of biocharacteristics medicine.

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View Other Healthy Recipes for Autumn-Winter

This recipe is recommended for Autumn-Winter. Check out these other Autumn-Winter recipes here. VIEW ALL AUTUMN-WINTER RECIPES MORE VATA / PITTA RECIPES
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About John Joseph Immel

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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Comments & Impressions of 'Mushroom Mashed Potatoes'

Do you like 'mushroom mashed potatoes'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'mushroom mashed potatoes'?

full start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start review(5.00 out of 5 stars) 2 ratings, 403 likes
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Vatas can't have mushrooms and potatoes according to your list. Why is this good for Vatas?
- Maria, Pomona, NY , 03-03-12 (Reply)
Mushrooms can be difficult to digest but black pepper is a digestive. Potato is a diuretic but salt is an anti-diuretic. These qualities cancel each other out. Even though the ingredients on their own are imbalanced, the 'formula' in the recipe pacifies Vata.
Lovely recipe really simple and nourishing thank you xxx
- Dhyani
full start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start review
, 11-06-14 (Reply)
I love potatoes garlic and mushrooms...are there other spices I could add to make this easier to digest for Kapha?
- Traci, Slc, UT , 11-06-14 (Reply)
Rosemary and black pepper might be tasty additions that will also make this more kapha friendly. Limiting portion size in general should help too. :)
- Natalie Immel, Asheville, NC , 11-06-14 (Reply)
When a recipe is shared that is not appropriate for a particular dosha as this one for Kapha, it would be most helpful to have an alternative recipe provided for that dosha.
- Tamara Macginty, Cloughjordan, WA , 11-08-14 (Reply)
Tamara, here is a link to our Kapha balancing recipes:https://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/recipes/dosha/Kapha?lnk=326
- Kimberly Kubicke, Asbury park, NJ
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, 07-22-16 (Reply)

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