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ayurvedic food

The Pumpkin Pie You Want To Eat

The Sugar Timeline, celebratory events, and why we eat more when we’re together
(Recipe included)

Processed with VSCO with e2 preset

The Holidays can be frustrating when it comes to making healthy food choices.

This should be a special time of year when your energy is centered around celebration, togetherness, and joy and where the focus is to spend quality time with the people you love most. Instead it often includes frustration around food decision making, and the fear of uneasy digestion. On Thanksgiving especially, it's common knowledge that we overeat and typically we overeat sugar.

In North America (and all around the globe) the use of sweets in celebratory events has been a historical tradition. Though the cultivation of sugar dates back to 8,000BC, we see the use of sugar in celebratory event as early as 2,400 BC (!) where there is evidence of beekeeping and the collection honey for honey cakes found at a religious temples near present day Cairo, Egypt. (Hippocrates Health Institute-The Sugar Timeline)

We also see this in the Hindu/Yoga tradition where bringing sweets to the temple as an offering to the God’s is commonly practiced. Traditionally, before industrial sugar cane manufacturing, sweets were more of a luxury item and were considered “Sattvic,” or pure. Of course, this is in reference to sugar in the form of dates and honey which aren’t nearly as taxing on the body as the chemically refined sugar we most commonly use today. As sugar cane evolved into the chemically refined substance that we know all too well now, it became more accessible and affordable and unfortunately we see a direct correlation to the rise of Alzheimer's, diabetes and obesity. Instead of sugar being used a sacred treat, or offering, it became readily available to everyone, all the time, in unnatural states and in absurd quantities.

So, how do we go back to making sugar sacred?

It all comes back to eating whole foods and preparing food at home. For most Americans, having access to healthy ingredients and the time to prepare food at home is a luxury. If we all made an effort to only eat sugar when we could prepare our own sweet treats, it would likely lead to much healthier options (no matter if you’re cooking with white sugar or not). The act of cooking for others truly is sacred and the Thanksgiving holiday is a perfect time to make food that is celebratory, healthy, and sweet. 

What about when it comes to overeating? 

It’s interesting to note that a food study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2013 concluded that people tend to eat more calorically dense food and more volumes of food—depending on the information they’re given about what other people are eating. Similarly, the same study showed that we even synchronize our bites, the same way we subconsciously mirror someone else’s posture or body language, without ever realizing it. Simply becoming aware of this fact is enough to make you think differently and possibly act differently when you sit down at the Thanksgiving table. If you are able to be more aware when you’re eating it not only will help you to make more thoughtful choices about your meal, but it could actually help those you are eating with to make more thoughtful choices about what they are eating as well.

Now, let’s go back to celebrating. 

Now that we’ve established that we all love the occasional sweet treat and we want to celebrate with some sort of sacred sugary dessert,  it’s important to choose something that is still balanced and nourishing, not something that is loaded with white flour & white sugar. This is especially important when you want your energy to be sustained through those long evening chats with cousin Kristie. So, how can we be sure a healthy option shows up to the Thanksgiving table? Bring it yourself!

If you want your family to be blown away, show up to the holiday dinner party with this amazing (and healthy) Pumpkin Pie ! ! !  It’s not going to spike your blood sugar, it’s going to make everyone in the room happy, and eating it might even be a sacred act.

The Pumpkin Pie You Want To Eat

For the Crust:

  • 2 cups pitted dates
  • 2 cups raw nuts (I used half pecans, half walnuts)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 1 tbsp of coconut oil
  • 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • A dash of salt

For the Filling :

  • 2 cans of pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup of cashews (previously soaked)
  • 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
  • 3-5 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon each of nutmeg, ginger and cloves
  • pinch sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Pumkin Pie

Directions:

For the crust: pulse the nuts & coconut flakes in a food processor until they're crumbs, add the dates and the remaining ingredients and process until it begins to stick together. Press into a pie dish and put in the fridge (or freezer) to harden.

For the filling: blend all of the ingredients until smooth, adding however much of the spices you like. Pour into your crust and freeze overnight until it's set. The next day transfer to the fridge to let it thaw out. Take it out of the refrigerator 15-20 min prior to serving.

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*Top with your favorite homemade whipped cream!

(It’s best to use an organic Grass-Fed Heavy whipping cream or you can try this recipe below for a vegan coconut whipped cream).

Vegan Coconut Whipped Cream: 

1 can coconut cream or full fat coconut milk (Cream tends to work better)

3 TBSP of organic powdered sugar (optional)

1 tsp vanilla extract

*Place the can of coconut cream into the refrigerator and leave it there overnight

*The next day, take it out and carefully open it

*Scoop  out only the cream into the bowl of an electric mixer, leaving the coconut water behind.

*Start with a slow speed and gradually increase speed until you achieve a whipped cream consistency

*Once you have whipped cream consistency, Add your powdered sugar and vanilla

*Whisk again until it’s mixed in !

 

Enjoy !

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Ep. 51 Intermittent Fasting—Giving the Gut a Break

What’s hype? What’s good? Ayurveda’s perspective on this trendy topic of fasting.

In this episode I discuss:

~ApotheKary’s Classics Set

~Why do we need Ayurveda’s perspective?

~What is intermittent fasting?

~A quick history of fasting

~When to do a fasting

~Different styles of fasting

~Different types of adipose tissue

~Where we store toxins

~Who should note fast

~Benefits of fasting

~Interested in Ayurveda school? Book a free coaching call with Amaury here

Or Subscribe on iTunes

We love our lady biz friends at ApotheKary! Their a DC based small-batch Ayurvedically inspired shop. Our discount code is GHEESPOT10 for 10% off.

Learn more:

Shakti Ayurveda School

Free Divine Feminine Ayurveda Mini-Course

Lineage of Love Community

HELP US SPREAD OUR POD WINGS

This show is a passion project that I produce for the love of sharing. If you enjoy this show and want a free and easy way to help it grow, the most effective way you can help is to:

  1. Subscribe to the show by clicking “subscribe” in iTunes
  2. Write us a review in iTunes
  3. Share this show with one friend right now!

It’s seems simple, but you’d be AMAZED to know how much it helps my little love project reach more people. iTunes’ algorithm uses ratings and reviews to know who to show our show to in their app.

Here’s the link to leave us reviews in iTunes.

From my heart to your screen,

Katie

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Ep. 47 HOW You Eat May Be More Important Than WHAT

How Ayurveda teaches us that How we eat is more important that What we eat.

In this episode I discuss:

~Food as communion with God

~What the wellness and diet industry is missing the mark on

~How to eat to get the most out of our food and digestion

~Learn more, download my Free Divine Feminine Ayurveda Mini-Course

~ApotheKary quiz I mentioned

Or Subscribe on iTunes

We love this lady biz ApotheKary! My friends started an ayurvedic wellness store! Our discount code is GHEESPOT10 for 10% off.

Learn more:

Shakti Ayurveda School

Free Divine Feminine Ayurveda Mini-Course

Lineage of Love Community

HELP US SPREAD OUR POD WINGS

This show is a passion project that I produce for the love of sharing. If you enjoy this show and want a free and easy way to help it grow, the most effective way you can help is to:

  1. Subscribe to the show by clicking “subscribe” in iTunes
  2. Write us a review in iTunes
  3. Share this show with one friend right now!

It’s seems simple, but you’d be AMAZED to know how much it helps my little love project reach more people. iTunes’ algorithm uses ratings and reviews to know who to show our show to in their app.

Here’s the link to leave us reviews in iTunes.

From my heart to your screen,

Katie

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Ep. 41 To Coffee or Not to Coffee?

Coffee gets a bad wrap in the Ayurveda community. In this episode I talk about the how, if and when to get your coffee on. We’ll also cover the really delicious coffee alternatives that I use, and how to wean yourself off of the bean.

In this episode I discuss:

~What you need to know about rat orgasms

~What Ayurvedic food Is and Isn’t

~Coffee can be medicine

~Coffee effects on our digestive system

~Coffee effects on our reproductive system

~Constituents of the coffee bean

~How to wean off of coffee

~Stimulants that don’t aggravate the organs as much as coffee

~Book: Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life

~Awesome coffee alternative: Rasa Coffee & Cocoa Rasa Coffee

~My favorite Chai Tea!!

~When to drink coffee

~How to make coffee Ayurvedic

~Ahara Ghee Coffee Recipes:

Chai Koffee Cake

Cashew Chai Latte

~Get my FREE Divine Feminine Ayurveda Mini-Course!

~I love the Ahara Ghee family! They churn their butter in small batches. Use promocode GHEESPOT at checkout for $5 off your order.

Or Subscribe on iTunes

Learn more:

Shakti Ayurveda School

Free Divine Feminine Ayurveda Mini-Course

Lineage of Love Community

HELP US SPREAD OUR POD WINGS

This show is a passion project that I produce for the love of sharing. If you enjoy this show and want a free and easy way to help it grow, the most effective way you can help is to:

  1. Subscribe to the show by clicking “subscribe” in iTunes
  2. Write us a review in iTunes
  3. Share this show with one friend right now!

It’s seems simple, but you’d be AMAZED to know how much it helps my little love project reach more people. iTunes’ algorithm uses ratings and reviews to know who to show our show to in their app.

Here’s the link to leave us reviews in iTunes.

From my heart to your screen,

Katie

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Sattvic Goodness Bowl

Dreaming of bowls packed full of Sattvic goodness. Sometimes all you need is a bowl of steamed veggies! ⁣⠀
⁣⠀
Steamed carrots and spinach on top of quinoa spiced with mustard seed, fennel, and turmeric. Hidden below is an Avocado dressing! ⁣⠀
⁣⠀
Avocado Dressing:⁣⠀
1/2 avocado⁣⠀
1 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar ⁣⠀
1 clove of garlic⁣⠀
A handful of chopped parsley⁣⠀
1 TBSP of nutritional yeast ⁣⠀
A pinch of black pepper + turmeric ⁣⠀
⁣⠀
Blend and enjoy! ⁣⠀
(This dressing is delicious thick, but feel free to add water or vinegar for your desired consistency). ⁣⠀

IMG-0828
Continue Reading

Ep. 29 What I Eat Everyday + Why Diet = Crazy

A sneak peak at what’s going on in my kitchen and why I think dieting is crazy.

In this episode I discuss:

~My story with food

~Our desire for health (Swashthya)

~The Tantric practice of Truth: holding paradoxical qualities all at once

~Book: Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life by Dr Claudia Welch

~Food & Our Emotions

~Our innate intelligence

~Intuitive Eating VS Cravings and Binge Eating

~The importance of food preparation

~Swashthya: Being seated in the heart, “health”

~Getting into the God Body

~Lineage of Love Free Trial!

~I’m in LOVE with Triphala and Shatavari by ApotheKary and their Kits!! They’re an Ayurvedic inspired apothecary that mixes small-batch potions.  Use discount code GHEESPOT10 to get a bottle from ApotheKary.co

 

Further Reading:

Feeding the Hungry Heart by Geneen Roth

Women Food and God by Geneen Roth

Also check out my food psychology book list here: https://shaktischool.wpengine.com/books-we-love/

Or Subscribe on iTunes

Learn more:

Shakti Ayurveda School

Lineage of Love Community

HELP US SPREAD OUR POD WINGS

This show is a passion project that I produce for the love of sharing. If you enjoy this show and want a free and easy way to help it grow, the most effective way you can help is to:

  1. Subscribe to the show by clicking “subscribe” in iTunes
  2. Write us a review in iTunes
  3. Share this show with one friend right now!

It’s seems simple, but you’d be AMAZED to know how much it helps my little love project reach more people. iTunes’ algorithm uses ratings and reviews to know who to show our show to in their app.

Here’s the link to leave us reviews in iTunes.

From my heart to your screen,

Katie

Continue Reading

Instant Pot Kitchari

Kitchari is good for all doshic types and can be tailored to the seasons with seasonal-appropriate spices and veggies. Basmati rice and mung dal are sweet, cooling and easy on the digestion. It is a complete food, said to nourish the tissues, boost strength and increase our vitality.  Kitchari is also the preferred food we use when doing any type of deep cleansing.

(I love our geek outtakes =D)

The reason why using an electronic pressure cooker is so rad is not only because it cooks everything faster, it’s also because the pressure further removes lectins and other anti-nutrients that plants produce to protect themselves. Learn more about that in this book: The Plant Paradox.

Plus, you can get your pressure cooker going and then forget about it, when it’s done cooking it automatically switches to the Keep Warm function until you’re ready to eat.

Honestly, Amaury and I use the pressure cooker every day. It’s changed the way we eat and prepare food for the better. We’ll be doing a post about pressure cooker bone broth soon.

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes

Cook Time: 15-25 minutes

These measurements are for a one or two person serving:

(you’ll have to experiment with how much you want per serving/ for how many)
  • 4 oz. split yellow mung dal (preferable soaked for a few hours to remove lectins)
  • 4 oz. cup basmati rice
  • 1 bushel of fresh cilantro (as garnish or to make pesto)
  • 2 tablespoons ghee and/or coconut oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ajwain seeds crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
  • 1/3 teaspoon cayenne powder
  • 1/3 teaspoon salt
  • 12 oz. of water (not including broth)

 

 Directions:

  • Add Ghee and/or coconut oil to your instant pot/electronic pressure cooker
  • Add your spices, salt, garlic or onion (if you're putting any, it's not necessary), stir until it's an even consistency
  • Add mung dal, sauté for a couple of minutes
  • Add rice, sauté a minute more
  • If you're going to add broth, you do this now and let it mix a half-minute with the mung dal/rice
  • Add lots of water (I like adding so much that my Kitchari is really wet, porridge like)
  • Place cover and set to Pressure Cooker for 15-25 mins depending on how much you're making (you'll have to experiment with your device to get the right consistency). You can use the custom, Multigrain or Rice setting.

 

In the meantime:

  • Sauté your seasonal greens or veggies in a saucepan on the stove; and/or
  • Make a coriander-based pesto or pull your pesto out.

When the Pressure Cooker is done, release air.

Open and serve your Kitchari in a bowl, add your pesto and then the sautéed veggies or greens on top et voila!

Like Katie says in the video, you have no excuse not to see Ayurvedic now!

 

Use discount code SHAKTI10 for 10% off Banyan Botanical where you can find the mung dal, rice and many spices that are all organic.

Continue Reading

Ep. 25 Staying Spicy in the Winter BLAHS

How to use the science of Ayurveda and the practices of Tantra to stay sane in the dead of winter and thrive.

In this episode I discuss:

~The fear of death

~The epidemic of gut health and chronic health issues

~Economic and health freedom

~Radical responsibility for our individual and collective health ecosystem

~Kapha breakdown: the gut, the earth of the body

~The vagus nerve/gut connection - who talks more?

~Dr. Zach Bush

~Farmer’s Footprint

~The soil issue

~The lie of Big Chemical

~The benefits of purified water

~The water purifier I love

~How to purify Kapha element in the body

~Treat complicated with simple

~A dry-brush I love

Or Subscribe on iTunes

We have a new partner in ApotheKary, my friends started an ayurvedic wellness store! Our discount code is GHEESPOT10 for 10% off.

Learn more:

Shakti Ayurveda School

Lineage of Love Community

HELP US SPREAD OUR POD WINGS

This show is a passion project that I produce for the love of sharing. If you enjoy this show and want a free and easy way to help it grow, the most effective way you can help is to:

  1. Subscribe to the show by clicking “subscribe” in iTunes
  2. Write us a review in iTunes
  3. Share this show with one friend right now!

It’s seems simple, but you’d be AMAZED to know how much it helps my little love project reach more people. iTunes’ algorithm uses ratings and reviews to know who to show our show to in their app.

Here’s the link to leave us reviews in iTunes.

From my heart to your screen,

Katie

Continue Reading
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