School of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

School of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Quinoa Cucumber & Kale Salad

Save this RecipeSave

How to Make Quinoa Cucumber & Kale Salad

SERVINGS: 3
PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 20 MINUTES
SKILL LEVEL: EASY

MEAL: BREAKFAST
PREPARATION: STEAMED, SALAD, BOILED
EAT IN: SUMMER
FOR OCCASION: ON-THE-MEND

INGREDIENTS


SKILL LEVEL: EASY
1 c
3/4 c
1/2 whole
1/2 lbs
1/2 tsp
1/2 c
1/4 tsp

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

1. For best results, soak the quinoa in water overnight, or skip soaking for convenience.

2. Cook the quinoa with salt at least 3 hours in advance so it has time to cool. Use 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of quinoa. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer about 20 min until quinoa is light, fluffy and tender. Let cool.

3. Chop the kale and steam for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

4. Dice the cucumber and add to the kale. Zest the lime. Squeeze the lime juice over the kale. Gently fold kale mixture into the salad. Serve room temperature or chilled.

Enjoy.

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

The tartness of lime juice brings zest to Cucumber and Kale's crunch in this enlivening dish. Quinoa is fluffy and light but nutrient dense, making this recipe hearty enough to satisfy your hunger without burdening your digestion, suitable for any meal. When the temperature rises, your ability to digest food wanes. Quinoa with kale, cucumber, and lime has natural cooling properties that refreshes and revitalizes you on a sweltering summer day.

Cool Down

Crunchy cucumber & kale bring the freshness of the garden to your table. Naturally cooling, cucumber soothes & quenches thirst. This brings lasting relief from the summer heat. Cucumber and kale are both anti-inflammatories that can soothe overheated, irritated intestines. Cucumber helps lower blood pressure with its diuretic and soothing properties.

Detoxify the blood

Kale & lime gently stimulate the liver to release bile, which also reduces congestion in the liver and gallbladder while releasing heat and toxins from the liver. The alterative properties of cucumber, kale, and lime clean the blood. Quinoa is rich in iron and restores strength to deficient blood.

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 Quinoa Cucumber & Kale Salad Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Quinoa Cucumber & Kale Salad' 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.

Learn More

COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

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

EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

MOBILE

ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBILE

LIGHT

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Lightness is identified by reduced weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT

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?

Learn More

BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

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.

Learn More

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

STRONG 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


Moves Energy:
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):
Muscle

MUSCLE

Muscle tissue (Mamsa Dhatu) includes muscles and ligaments.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Red Blood

RED-BLOOD

Red blood (Rakta Dhatu) includes red blood cells and blood vessels.

SEE ALL 'RED-BLOOD' FOODS / HERBS

,
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 Quinoa Cucumber & Kale Salad
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.

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

,
Stimulates Peristalsis

STIMULATES-PERISTALSIS

An herb that promotes involuntary smooth muscle contractions to facilitate the movement of food and waste through the digestive tract.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-PERISTALSIS' 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

Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

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

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Strengthens Resolve

STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE

Increases determination and courage by reducing stress and building strength.

SEE ALL 'STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE' FOODS / HERBS

Satisfies Stomach

SATISFIES-STOMACH

Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.

SEE ALL 'SATISFIES-STOMACH' 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

Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

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

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Soothes Throat

SOOTHES-THROAT

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

SEE ALL 'SOOTHES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Flushes Sinuses

FLUSHES-SINUSES

An herb that relieves sinus congestion by flushing out mucus.

SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

Refrigerant

REFRIGERANT

An herb or substance that strongly cools the body. Can be helpful in cases of heat conditions.

SEE ALL 'REFRIGERANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Hypotensive

HYPOTENSIVE

An herb that lowers blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'HYPOTENSIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Blood Tonic

BLOOD-TONIC

An herb that produces more blood cells in the body, or otherwise improves blood cell quality or hemoglobin content. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency.

SEE ALL 'BLOOD-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Alterative

ALTERATIVE

Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.

SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' 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

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

,
Polyphenols

POLYPHENOLS

Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants seen in many fruits and vegetables. There are more than 8,000 types.

SEE ALL 'POLYPHENOLS' FOODS / HERBS

,
Flavonoids

FLAVONOIDS

Flavonoids are a colorful type of polyphenol. As all polyphenols, they have a strong antioxidant effect. Many flavonoids have an anti-inflammatory, and/or antiallergen effect.

SEE ALL 'FLAVONOIDS' FOODS / HERBS

,
Aromatase Inhibitor

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

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

SEE ALL 'AROMATASE-INHIBITOR' FOODS / HERBS

, Vitamin K,
Rutin

RUTIN

Rutin is a flavonoid with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Commonly used to treat conditions such as varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and high blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'RUTIN' FOODS / HERBS

,
Betaine

BETAINE

Used to reduce homocysteine in the blood, which supports proper liver function and prevents fatigue and blood clots. Improves muscle stamina and weight loss.

SEE ALL 'BETAINE' FOODS / HERBS

, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Soluble Fiber, Folate,
Magnesium

MAGNESIUM

Helps muscles relax. Laxative.

SEE ALL 'MAGNESIUM' FOODS / HERBS

,
Phytates

PHYTATES

Phytates prevent absorption of nutrients. They are commonly found in all seeds, including nuts, grains, and beans. Sprouting greatly reduces phytate content, as well as long, slow cooking with vinegar.

SEE ALL 'PHYTATES' FOODS / HERBS

, Potassium, Carbohydrate,
Saponins

SAPONINS

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

SEE ALL 'SAPONINS' FOODS / HERBS

,
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

, Sodium, Zinc

Foods with a Similar Nature to Quinoa Cucumber & Kale Salad

Lime

Lime has these Actions in Common

Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Refrigerant, Diaphoretic, Quenches-thirst, Wakes-you-up, Alterative, General-laxative, Refreshing

LEARN MORE

Acai

Acai has these Actions in Common

Cholagogue, Quenches-thirst, Wakes-you-up, Alterative, General-laxative, Refreshing, Appetite-suppressant, Hypotensive, Refrigerant

LEARN MORE

Lemon

Lemon has these Actions in Common

Internal-detoxicant, Refrigerant, Diaphoretic, Quenches-thirst, Wakes-you-up, Alterative, General-laxative, Refreshing, Cholagogue

LEARN MORE

Coffee

Coffee has these Actions in Common

Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Appetite-suppressant, General-laxative, Stimulates-peristalsis, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Wakes-you-up

LEARN MORE

Dandelion Leaves

Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Appetite-suppressant, General-laxative, Stimulates-peristalsis, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Stinging Nettles

Stinging Nettles has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Builds-stamina, Satisfies-stomach, Appetite-suppressant, Diuretic, Strengthens-resolve, Blood-tonic, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Grapefruit

Grapefruit has these Actions in Common

Cholagogue, Refreshing, Wakes-you-up, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Quenches-thirst, Stimulates-peristalsis

LEARN MORE

Red Leaf Lettuce

Red Leaf Lettuce has these Actions in Common

General-laxative, Stimulates-peristalsis, Alterative, Refrigerant, Wakes-you-up, Cholagogue, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Carrot

Carrot has these Actions in Common

Blood-tonic, General-laxative, Cholagogue, Hypotensive, Alterative, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Cilantro

Cilantro has these Actions in Common

Cholagogue, Refreshing, Diuretic, Refrigerant, Alterative, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Horseradish

Horseradish has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, General-laxative, Diuretic, Refreshing, Cholagogue, Flushes-sinuses, Wakes-you-up

LEARN MORE

Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Quinoa Cucumber & Kale Salad

Amalaki

Amalaki has these Actions in Common

General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Quenches-thirst, Refreshing, Refrigerant, Stimulates-energy, Alterative, Wakes-you-up, Blood-tonic

LEARN MORE

Breathing Exercises

Breathing Exercises has these Actions in Common

General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up, Alterative, Blood-tonic, Builds-stamina

LEARN MORE

Bellows Breath (Bhastrika Pranayama)

Bellows Breath (Bhastrika Pranayama) has these Actions in Common

Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up, Alterative, Blood-tonic, Builds-stamina, General-laxative

LEARN MORE

Breath of Fire / Shining Skull (Kapalbhati Pranayama)

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

Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up, Alterative, Blood-tonic, Builds-stamina, General-laxative

LEARN MORE

Punarnava

Punarnava has these Actions in Common

Builds-stamina, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Hypotensive, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Alterative, Blood-tonic

LEARN MORE

Regular exercise

Regular exercise has these Actions in Common

Builds-stamina, Diaphoretic, Hypotensive, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Strengthens-resolve, Wakes-you-up

LEARN MORE

External Breath (Bahya Pranayama)

External Breath (Bahya Pranayama) has these Actions in Common

Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up, Alterative, Builds-stamina, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Shilajit Tonic

Shilajit Tonic has these Actions in Common

Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up, Alterative, Builds-stamina, Diuretic

LEARN MORE

Yellow Dock

Yellow Dock has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Blood-tonic, Cholagogue, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Refrigerant

LEARN MORE

Dandelion Root

Dandelion Root has these Actions in Common

Refrigerant, Alterative, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Hypotensive, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Cornsilk

Cornsilk has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Hypotensive, Internal-detoxicant, Refrigerant

LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized school of biocharacteristics medicine.

Eat Well for Life With Ayurveda: Balance Your Dosha

Love our recipes? Discover how to balance your diet for only $35 with this popular short course. GET THE ECOURSE
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.

Read more

Comments & Impressions of 'Quinoa Cucumber & Kale Salad'

Do you like 'quinoa cucumber & kale salad'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'quinoa cucumber & kale salad'?

full start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start review(5.00 out of 5 stars) 2 ratings, 412 likes
blank start reviewblank start reviewblank start reviewblank start reviewblank start reviewSign in to review this recipe

Quinoa can be sprouted.
- Kimberly Kubicke, Asbury park, NJ
full start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start review
, 07-13-16 (Reply)
- Laurie, Brooklyn, NY
full start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start review
, 06-14-17 (Reply)

Join Joyful Belly.

Want our top Ayurvedic recipes and health tips?
Subscribe to our free newsletter!
If you are already a member please sign in here. Forgot your password?
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

© 2024 Joyful Belly Ayurveda Inc., All rights reserved.
Asheville, North Carolina
1