Raw Zucchini Noodles & Mint Walnut Pesto |
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How to Make Raw Zucchini Noodles & Mint Walnut PestoSERVINGS: 4 PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES COOK TIME: 15 MINUTES SKILL LEVEL: EASY
INGREDIENTSSKILL LEVEL: EASY
| 1/2 c | |
| 1 c | |
| 1/4 c | |
| 1/2 c | |
| 1/4 c | |
| 4 clove | |
| 2 clove | |
| 3/4 c | |
| 1/2 tsp | |
| 1/4 tsp | |
PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE
1. In a medium frying pan, heat one tablespoon of olive oil. Toss in chopped onion and garlic and saute until they are soft and transluscent. For added richness in this sauce, allow onions to fully caramelize. Puree mint, parsley, lemon, salt, water and remaining olive oil with the onion & garlic. Finely chop walnuts and add. Simmer your sauce over medium heat for ten minutes.
2. While your sauce cooks, skin and seed the zucchini. Slice zucchini lengthwise into long, paper thin strips. Cut into noodle-width strips or use a potato peeler or julienne cutter. Toss with warm pesto sauce, garnish with chopped walnuts and a sprig of parsley and serve.
How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?
CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW
Celebrate summer! Raw Zucchini Noodles with Mint Walnut Pesto is a light and fresh way to add excitement to your life. This springtime and summer dish is perfect when your body craves lightness, vitality, and flavor. Pungent garlic and onions combine with aromatic parsley and mint for added depth of flavor that calls the Mediterranean Sea to mind. Digestion and Raw FoodRaw food offers nutritional benefits but is more difficult to digest, often causing gas and bloating. If raw food gives you gas, the burden of toxicity caused by flatulence outweighs the nutritional benefits. Indigestible food is considered poison in Ayurveda, no matter how many vitamins and nutrients it contains. Many undercooked foods are hard and chewy, and hard to chew usually means hard to digest. The measure of good food is not just its contents, but its interaction with our body. The real answer to the cooked vs raw debate depends on the digestive strength of the individual. Pitta people have the strongest digestive strength and can tolerate more raw foods than other doshas. Raw food is also relatively cooling, which makes it a good choice to pitta.
Zucchini is among the foods that are not terribly hard to digest when raw. It is easy to chew, light and slightly sweet. Thinly sliced raw zucchini feel like noodles if cut lengthwise. Make sure to skin and seed your zucchini for this recipe and any time you plan on eating it raw. You can use a julienne cutter or a spiralizer if you have one.
Mint and parsley stimulate digestion, aiding your body in its digestion of raw zucchini, as do sauteed garlic and onions. Walnuts offer satisfying oils and weight to this light dish.
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 Raw Zucchini Noodles & Mint Walnut Pesto Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?
Find out by taking this free, easy quiz.
You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Raw Zucchini Noodles & Mint Walnut Pesto' 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
| 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 MOBILE ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC
Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBILE 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![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
| 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 ASTRINGENT ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC
Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT 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
| | HAS THE FOLLOWING | Subtaste:
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 , , 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 |
|
Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Raw Zucchini Noodles & Mint Walnut Pesto ![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.
Carminative CARMINATIVE
Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines.
SEE ALL 'CARMINATIVE' FOODS / HERBS , Stomachic STOMACHIC
An herb that increases appetite or settles a nauseas or nervous stomach. These generally increase the digestive fire, therefore relieving symptoms of sluggish or difficult digestion.
SEE ALL 'STOMACHIC' FOODS / HERBS Stimulates Front Of Brain STIMULATES-FRONT-OF-BRAIN
Creates a feeling of awareness or tension in the area in the forehead. Activates the frontal lobe - the area responsible for motor function, emotional expression, thinking, and decision making.
SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-FRONT-OF-BRAIN' FOODS / HERBS , , , Nervine NERVINE
Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.
SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS , , , Antipruritic ANTIPRURITIC
Antipruritics are herbs that inhibit itching, often associated with skin conditions such as sunburns, allergic reactions, eczema, psoriasis, chickenpox, fungal infections, insect bites, or contact dermatitis (as in poison ivy rashes).
SEE ALL 'ANTIPRURITIC' FOODS / HERBS Vasodilator VASODILATOR
A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.
SEE ALL 'VASODILATOR' 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: , , Alpha Linolenic Acid, Tannins, , , Fats, Protein, 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 , Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Essential Fatty Acids, Melatonin, Vitamin C, 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 , , Insoluble Fiber, Sulphur, Sulfated 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 , Polysaccharides, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, , 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 , Folate |
Foods with a Similar Nature to Raw Zucchini Noodles & Mint Walnut Pesto
Mint
Mint has these Actions in Common
Antipruritic, Dopaminergic, Refreshing, Stimulates-front-of-brain, Wakes-you-up, Carminative, Nervine, Stimulates-crown, Stomachic, Diaphoretic, Refreshes-skin, Stimulates-energy, Vasodilator
LEARN MORE
Mustard Powder
Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common
Antipruritic, Diuretic, Stimulates-front-of-brain, Carminative, Irritates-throat, Vasodilator, Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up
LEARN MORE
Mustard Seed
Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common
Carminative, Irritates-throat, Vasodilator, Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up, Antipruritic, Diuretic, Stimulates-front-of-brain
LEARN MORE
Mustard
Mustard has these Actions in Common
Carminative, Irritates-throat, Vasodilator, Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up, Antipruritic, Diuretic, Stimulates-front-of-brain
LEARN MORE
Ajwain
Ajwain has these Actions in Common
Carminative, Refreshing, Wakes-you-up, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Nervine, Vasodilator
LEARN MORE
Dill
Dill has these Actions in Common
Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Diuretic, Stomachic, Carminative, Nervine, Vasodilator
LEARN MORE
Horseradish
Horseradish has these Actions in Common
Diuretic, Vasodilator, Cholagogue, Irritates-throat, Wakes-you-up, Diaphoretic, Refreshing
LEARN MORE
Wasabi
Wasabi has these Actions in Common
Diuretic, Vasodilator, Cholagogue, Irritates-throat, Wakes-you-up, Diaphoretic, Refreshing
LEARN MORE
Fenugreek
Fenugreek has these Actions in Common
Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Carminative, Diuretic, Stomachic, Cholagogue, Nervine
LEARN MORE
Garlic
Garlic has these Actions in Common
Diuretic, Stomachic, Cholagogue, Irritates-throat, Vasodilator, Diaphoretic, Makes-you-tired
LEARN MORE
Allspice
Allspice has these Actions in Common
Carminative, Stimulates-energy, Vasodilator, Irritates-throat, Stimulates-front-of-brain, Nervine, Stomachic
LEARN MORE
Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Raw Zucchini Noodles & Mint Walnut Pesto
Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)
Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common
Stimulates-crown, Stimulates-energy, Stimulates-front-of-brain, Stomachic, Diaphoretic, Vasodilator, Diuretic, Nervine, Refreshing
LEARN MORE
External Breath (Bahya Pranayama)
External Breath (Bahya Pranayama) has these Actions in Common
Stimulates-crown, Stimulates-energy, Stimulates-front-of-brain, Wakes-you-up, Builds-stamina, Nervine, Refreshing
LEARN MORE
Bitter Orange Peel
Bitter Orange Peel has these Actions in Common
Nervine, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Stomachic, Wakes-you-up, Carminative, Irritates-throat
LEARN MORE
Hyssop Powder
Hyssop Powder has these Actions in Common
Nervine, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Vasodilator, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic
LEARN MORE
Pennyroyal
Pennyroyal has these Actions in Common
Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Nervine, Stimulates-crown, Vasodilator, Carminative, Cholagogue
LEARN MORE
Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru)
Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru) has these Actions in Common
Carminative, Diuretic, Nervine, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Vasodilator, 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-crown, Stimulates-energy, Stimulates-front-of-brain, Wakes-you-up, Builds-stamina, Nervine, Refreshing
LEARN MORE
Bellows Breath (Bhastrika Pranayama)
Bellows Breath (Bhastrika Pranayama) has these Actions in Common
Stimulates-energy, Stimulates-front-of-brain, Wakes-you-up, Builds-stamina, Nervine, Refreshing, Stimulates-crown
LEARN MORE
Regular exercise
Regular exercise has these Actions in Common
Builds-stamina, Diaphoretic, Refreshes-skin, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up
LEARN MORE
Mugwort
Mugwort has these Actions in Common
Carminative, Cholagogue, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Nervine, Stomachic
LEARN MORE
Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm has these Actions in Common
Stimulates-energy, Vasodilator, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Dopaminergic, Nervine
LEARN MORE
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Joyful Belly is a recognized school of biocharacteristics medicine.
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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.
Read more
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![full start review]() ![full start review]() ![full start review]() ![full start review]() ![full start review]() (5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 rating, 444 likes![blank start review]() ![blank start review]() ![blank start review]() ![blank start review]() ![blank start review]() Sign in to review this recipe
You could substitute basil or cilantro for the parsley.
- Kimberly Kubicke, Asbury park, NJ , 05-02-19 ( Reply) |
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