by Savitree + JodhThere is a lot to food, and our relationship to it can be complicated and widely varied. It is a discipline in its own right, and is a source of both pleasure and pain. Humans have taken a life sustaining activity that can be as joyful as - if not more satisfying than - sex, and turned it into a confusing and heady ordeal. It can bring people together in community and friendship, and for those that are on "restricted diets," this glorious aspect of eating can feel isolating. Savitree's first sadhana (personal spiritual practice) was a cooking sadhana, which she practiced first thing in the morning for 2 two hours. She made breakfast, lunch and dinner for that day. No leftovers carried over to the next. It was the most nourishing time of her life as this meditation and intention carried over into the day for her and her children, supporting the natural intelligence of their bodies. On that note here we begin, on a different version of that. Savitree and Jodh, co-directors of Urban Yoga, get together on Tuesdays to prepare and enjoy an Ayurvedic, vegan, organic, whole foods meal. They practice a cooking meditation and eat uninterrupted by technology, sitting down, being present to every bite and to each other's company. They do take notes, however, and record the recipes of each successful meal, so that they may share them with you each week. From time to time, they will share food wisdoms as well, bringing together Savitree's Ayurvedic and Jodh's vegan experiences, with the goal of bringing balance to mind, body and spirit. When Jodh did a 200 mile relay in MI, unsure of what was available to eat in that area, she brought this recipe with her in a cooler and mixed some spinach with it. Here, we use mixed baby greens instead of spinach, and it was delightful. This recipe simple, and it digests easily..
Total time: 35 minutes Serves 4 The rice and protein: 1 cup organic basmati rice (5.6 grams of protein per cup) 1 cup split mung beans (8 grams of protein per 1/4 cup, 6 grams of fiber) 4 cups purified water 1 T organic sesame oil Rinse the rice and beans. Combine all ingredients to a pot, cover, bring to a boil, simmer, and cook until tender (approximately 15 min) The protein sauce: 2 T tahini (that’s 6 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber) Juice from one whole lemon 1 clove of garlic paste (basically, mash a clove of garlic) (use 1/2 tsp of garlic powder if you don’t have the fresh garlic) 1/4 tsp of cayenne 1/8 cup of water 1/2 tsp of Bragg optional Whisk the ingredients together in a bowl The rest: 1 bag of mixed greens 1 avocado, sliced Putting it all together: Greens on the bottom. Rice and beans on top of greens Avocado Drizzle on the dressing Add to taste (optional): Bragg Ghiardinera, minced
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By Yogi Bhajan, July 16, 1995Bless us with our inner grace, inner strength and inner courage. Make us walk our path with dignity, divinity and absolute priority to serve, to be bountiful, beautiful, and blissful. Give us our tomorrow without sorrows and guide us, hand in hand with us, on the path of joy and happiness. Sat Nam. by Jodh Kaur
The Alcon Blue caterpillar begins her life on the marsh gentian wildflower in Germany. Here she lives and eats until one day she walks to the end of the leaf and uses her silk thread to lower herself down to the earth. On one hand, it’s a risky move because she could be killed and eaten by insects or animals below. On the other hand, she cannot grow if she remains in one place. The Alcon Blue is a unique species of caterpillar who emits chemicals that attract ants who carry her to their nest. Instead of eating her, they feed her. And in their nest, she grows and pupates. On the outside of her cocoon, it looks like nothing is happening. But, on the inside there is a massive transformation taking place. The entire structure of the caterpillar is being broken down and rearranged to form the new body, legs and wings of this beautiful spotted butterfly. Once her metamorphoses is complete, she emerges from her cocoon. Her appearance reflects her evolution. She is not out of danger, however, as the ants recognize her as an intruder and move to attack. But they cannot harm her. As she transformed inside her cocoon, she formed a thick coating of scales which protect her. As a result, she confidently emerges from the nest, learns to spread her wings and fly into her new life. by Yogi Bhajan
Blessed Divine within me, around me, and in all living beings. It is thy will I must perform today, tomorrow and as long as I live and breathe. To understand Thy vastness, to understand Thy Grace, and to understand Thy power within me. As Thou dwell in me, give me the strength to be pure, graceful, radiant that I may deal with the world with kindess, compassion and care and make my body as Thy temple. Be with me as my Presiding Lord. Walk with me, talk with me, and be with me. I shall be grateful. Sat nam. by Jodh Kaur
Stress can manifest in many ways from anxiously sitting in traffic knowing you will be late to an appointment, to having an argument, to paying bills, to caring for a family member or friend who is ill. These stressful events impact your gut beyond feeling sick to your stomach, nauseous or having diarrhea. Stress hinders the nervous system, specifically the vagus nerve which is the main highway for communication between the brain and the gut. In addition, this nerve communicates with the diaphragm, helps decrease inflammation in the body, works to lower blood pressure and heart rate and helps us manage and recover from stressful and frightening events. When this crucial nerve is inhibited by stress it impacts what is happening in the gut, triggering inflammation and encouraging the growth of unfavorable bacteria which disrupts the balance of the microbiome. Conversely, stress can work in the reverse where the microbes in the gut interfere with signals to the brain creating a prolonged emotional response to the stressful event. The good news is we have a tool that directly impacts this stress response: the breath, specifically yogic breath, and as Savitree recently wrote, your breath is your #1 ally. It is an important yet simple, natural and readily available tool that benefits us in so many ways. For example, when we engage in proper yogic breathing, we stimulate the vagus nerve which calms and soothes the nervous system and improves digestive functioning. In Kundalini Yoga, we regularly practice Breath of Fire which rapidly stimulates the vagus nerve. This powerful breath helps strengthen the nervous system, calm the mind and improve mental focus and digestion with only a few minutes of practice. The Energizer Series uses Breath of Fire in a series of 3 exercises that can be completed in just 3 minutes. Practice this daily for 40 days to strengthen your navel point (home to digestion and your personal power), to connect powerfully into your breath, to stimulate your vagus nerve and develop a calm and focused mind. Start today, and in 40 days, let us know how you feel. Three minutes a day is a wonderful way to create a daily practice which will help you build resilience and digest your life experiences in real time. |
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Favorite LinksKundalini Yoga Quotes:“I’d never felt anything like it; it was just an opening of energy and a feeling of such liberation.” -Marika Bethel, owner, Glowing House |