College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Quinoa Cucumber & Kale Salad


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How to Make Quinoa Cucumber & Kale Salad

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.

Metabolic Nature of Quinoa Cucumber & Kale Salad

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

COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

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

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

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

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

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.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Pitta pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Vata 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.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
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

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

AGGRAVATES
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

Other

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

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

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

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Quinoa Cucumber & Kale Salad
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

,
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

,
Appetite Suppressant

APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT

Suppresses hunger without causing weight gain.

SEE ALL 'APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT' 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

Wakes You Up

WAKES-YOU-UP

Invigorates the body and nervous system, increases energy.

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

,
Strengthens Resolve

STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE

Increases determination and courage by reducing stress and building strength.

SEE ALL 'STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE' FOODS / HERBS

Refreshing

REFRESHING

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

SEE ALL 'REFRESHING' 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

,
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

,
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

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

,
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

,
Polyphenols

POLYPHENOLS

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

SEE ALL 'POLYPHENOLS' 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

,
Salicylates

SALICYLATES

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

SEE ALL 'SALICYLATES' 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 A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Folate, Zinc,
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

,
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,
Magnesium

MAGNESIUM

Helps muscles relax. Laxative.

SEE ALL 'MAGNESIUM' FOODS / HERBS

, Quercitin,
Saponins

SAPONINS

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

SEE ALL 'SAPONINS' FOODS / HERBS

, Carbohydrate, Sodium, Soluble Fiber

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

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

    LEARN MORE

  • Lemon

    Lemon has these Actions in Common

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

    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

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

    LEARN MORE

  • Grapefruit

    Grapefruit has these Actions in Common

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

    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

  • Wasabi

    Wasabi has these Actions in Common

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

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & 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

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

    LEARN MORE

  • Bellows Breath (Bhastrika Pranayama)

    Bellows Breath (Bhastrika Pranayama) has these Actions in Common

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

    LEARN MORE

  • Breath of Fire / Shining Skull (Kapalbhati Pranayama)

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

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

    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

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

    LEARN MORE

  • External Breath (Bahya Pranayama)

    External Breath (Bahya Pranayama) has these Actions in Common

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

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

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

View Other Healthy Recipes for Summer

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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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(5.00 out of 5 stars) 2 ratings, 431 likes
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Kimberly Kubicke Asbury park, NJ
2016-07-13
“Quinoa can be sprouted."
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