Ayurvedic kitchari's are India's chicken soup and the congee equivalent of Chinese medicine. This kitchari includes cilantro and coconut and is adapted from Dr. Lad's book Ayurvedic Cooking for Self Healing.
Orange like the rising sun, wrapped in bitter green crispness, sweet potatoes with kale make you feel brightly alive. Sweet potatoes give this meal substance, while kale's lightness bring this dish into a perfect balance. Ginger adds its pungent...
This soup was developed primarily to relieve acid reflux. Kale and bitters reduce stagnation in the digestive tract and clear heat. Carrot and vegetables with beta-carotene reduce Pitta. Fennel improves digestion without increasing Pitta. Fresh ginger...
Butternut Squash Soup with Garlic, Fennel, and Ginger offers warmth & satisfaction for the season. After a summer of absorbing the sun's energy, farm-fresh Butternut Squash is ripe, sweet, and ready for autumn consumption. It is no wonder that the...
Experiment with cream of rice soups. Called "Congee" in Chinese Medicine, cream of rice soups are the "chicken soup" of China. A warm breakfast for the winter season. Discovered in Pune, India while thinking about Southern Grits from Asheville, North...
Asparagus Saffron Risotto with Lemon is a perfect way to celebrate your first picnic in Spring, Italian style. Asparagus, saffron and lemon are naturally refreshing ways to
A refreshing recipe with mint may be just what your body is asking for to combat spring-time allergies. It's also perfect to whip up for a spring picnic because it's light and won't spoil while you're out enjoying the sunshine. This dish essentially...
Explore your creativity with sour smoothies. Apples with Ginger and Cardamom. Discovered in Albuquerque, NM.
A simple rice congee great for late spring colds and congestion. Like chicken soup but without the heaviness of chicken. Black pepper stimulates circulation and lightens the step. Discovered at Congee Village, a Chinese Restaurant in Manhattan, NY on...
The Cabbage Soup diet was famous in the faxlore of the 1980s. While Ayurveda does not encourage a cabbage soup mono-diet, cabbage soup can be a healthy addition to a well-rounded diet. Here is the Ayurvedic version.
Enjoy the nutty aroma of coconut & sesame roasting in your kitchen. Crunchy, roasted coconut shavings and sesame seeds are sprinkled over soft potatoes. Then, a splash of lime juice makes this tropical treat irresistible. Coconut and sesame offer...
Fresh herbs season a simple dish perfectly!
To all people who don't like beets: they get sweeter the longer you cook them. I add a dash of turbinado or raw sugar to help them along. Coconut also cuts the bitterness and adds a smooth, rich flavor. Pungent ginger complements and freshens the...
Yellow lemon with sweet honey over sweet carrots made pungent by ginger.
Discover nature's comfort food in a warm bowl of Apple Sauce with Ginger & Ghee. Snuggling up with a blanket and applesauce is all you need to soften and sweeten your mood. Applesauce takes you back to the innocence and simplicity of childhood. Warming...
Capture spring freshness with this perfect & easy to prepare pesto. A lightness distinguishes this pesto from others. The crispy, vivacious texture of fennel bulb is tempered by a cool quality the calms the mind and increases clarity. Pumpkin seeds...
Sweet, sour and savory, a delicious and warm way to enjoy apples during the winter months.
Snappy green asparagus add freshness to earthy, soft mushrooms in rice. Joyful Belly discovered this recipe as a mushroom risotto in a small restaurant off a dark alley in Venice.
Buttery soft warm carrots are creamy and comfortable for cold weather days.
A simple favorite with the intention of helping Vata.
Herbal juices nourish as they heal. Sweet spices add stimulation to the rejuvenating fruits of the vine. This simple recipe was inspired by Dr. Vasant Lad's "The Textbook of Ayurveda".
Experiment with soft root vegetables. Inspireded by Grover Stock of Iowa (founder of https://sustainablelivingcoalition.org).
Bananas with Lemon Juice and Cilantro is a sweet, refreshing and restorative summer snack. Lemon and cilantro add a fresh and zesty taste to your appetite for excitement in the summer. It is common in India to serve fruit with spices. This spicey fruit...
Affectionate Acorn Squash with Ghee & Maple Syrup comforts your heart with its abundant coziness, bringing the bounty of the autumn harvest to your home. As the sweetest of the squashes, this seasonal staple is sure to satisfy your appetite for fall...
Red Wine Barley Soup with Rosemary is a hearty, rustic winter choice. Effectively stave off the chill with this winter by warming your kitchen (and your belly!). Red wine and rosemary are warm and pungent, while barley is deeply nourishing while...
Rich and decadent to the tastes, this nutty morsel even delivers a delightful ginger zing. Don't let their small size fool you- this sweet treat is heavy and filling, making it a perfect small dessert or an energy packed bite on the hiking trails.
If you've got the munchies for something crunchy, Kale delivers. Kale chips are a refreshing treat to wake up your taste buds and satisfy your craving for a light, crunchy snack. The secret to vibrant Kale dishes is in the preparation! With a little...
Ayurveda's version of a backyard barbecue favorite, the minty green yogurt sauce helps beat the summer heat!
How to Cleanse with KaleIn the spring, kale and other greens are a perfect choice to restore lightness and vitality. Greens are also an essential component to your yearly spring cleanse. If you haven't started your spring cleanse...
We love the combination of sweet, sour and spicy.
Almonds, dates, coconut and oatmeal all build wonderful ojas. But is granola friend or foe? The answer depends on who. Granola is a great snack food because it's convenient and nutritious, but only if you have the internal fluids to digest it. To...
Coconut milk and okra are heavy, cooling and smooth an irritated digestive tract.
Tart with exotic overtones of saffron, this golden hued lemonade is sure to delight guests at your next summer celebration. Saffron softens lemon's tartness, adding depth and character to this classic summer refreshment. Luxurious to your tastebuds,...
By late January, as temperatures reach a low point, the body is already preparing for spring. Corn should replace wheat as the primary grain this time of year. Here, corn tortillas not only warm up your senses this time of year, corn's mild diuretic...
Creamy banana combines with tangy pineapple in this smoothie, creating an ideal refreshment on a hot summer afternoon. Kale adds a bit of bitter green, which helps cool the blood and soothe your mind on hot and muggy summer days. Serve this delightful...
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...
Like an emerald jade, cilantro juice soup is the perfect cooling summer treat. Entirely raw!
Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’