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Ayurveda

Spring Pitta Balancing Carrot Ginger Soup

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Carrot Ginger Soup, photo provided by Sarah Avery

Recipe provided by Sarah Avery, DPT, PYT, RYT-200, Founder of Moon Cycle Seed Company
Serves: 2-3

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● ½ onion*
● 1 lb mushroom* of choice, stems removed and chopped
● 2-3 TBSP coconut oil
● 1 TBSP Golden Turmeric Moon Milk Powder*
● 4 carrots* peeled and sliced thin
● 1 lb collard greens* roughly chopped stems removed
● 1-2 Quarts water
● Garnish with goat cheese*
● Garish with parsley*

Instructions
1. In a soup pot saute onion and mushrooms in coconut oil. When they begin to brown add the golden Turmeric powder, stir until spices become fragrant (about 30 seconds). Add carrots and collard greens; stir to coat with the oil and spices.
2. Cover vegetables with water. Bring to a boil on high heat. Lower heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until tender.
3. Garnish with Goat Cheese and Parsley if desired.

Spring Kapha Balancing Root Veggie Sautee

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Root Veggie Sautee, photo provided by Sarah Avery

Recipe provided by Sarah Avery, DPT, PYT, RYT-200, Founder of Moon Cycle Seed Company
Serves: 2-3

 

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● ½ lb chopped kale* stems removed
● 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cubed
● 1 large parsnip* peeled and cubed
● 1 TBSP astringent dressing [1 TBSP Ginger Junbucha* + 1 TBSP Puckers Gourmet*
brine] ● ½ onion* diced
● ¼ cup water

Instructions
1. Boil the kale until leaves turn a vibrant shade of green and strain.
2. In a separate pot, add the diced sweet potatoes with just enough water to cover them. Add the salt and boil until soft. Remove from heat and strain.
3. Saute onion in water for thirty seconds. Then add cooked sweet potatoes and kale. Mix gently to avoid breaking up the soft sweet potatoes.
4. Drain off excess water, place in a serving dish, and toss gently with Astringent Dressing.
5. If this seems a little too bland for your taste, try a drizzle of Saratoga Garlic Company’s Aiolis (I love a touch of the Curry Aioli with this recipe!).

Ayurveda & the farmers market: local foods support a balanced diet

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Gomez Veggie Ville, photo by Pattie Garrett

By Sarah Avery, DPT, PYT, RYT-200, Founder of Moon Cycle Seed Company

Ayurveda is the sister science of yoga and translates to “science of life.” Application of Ayurveda requires foundational knowledge of three constitutions, called doshas. Doshas are energetic systems of the body that influence body type and characteristics.

There are three doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, derived from the five natural elements; air, ether, water, fire, earth. Vata is composed of air and ether (think light, flowing, movement). Pitta is of fire and water (think powerful, transformational, bold). Kapha is of earth and water (think grounded, calm, cohesion). In short, the goal of Ayurveda is to keep these doshas balanced for good health.

What you eat influences your doshic health. Seasonal, organic, and local fresh foods are the best to consider for dosha balance. Ayurveda’s taste types are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, astringent, and bitter. Each taste has a specific effect and can be aggravating or balancing to a dosha type. For example, pungent foods like hot spices, garlic, onions, chiles – which stimulate digestion – can aggravate Pitta and Vata but can balance Kapha. On the other hand, oils can aggravate Kapha but balance Pitta and Vata. These elemental influences are not only present in your body but correspond to the seasons and climate.

Enjoy the simple recipes below, using ingredients you can find at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market! Use as a main dish for vegan and vegetarian options, or pair with a meat protein. You can find turkey, chicken, beef, fish, pork, goat, veal, and lamb at the farmers’ market, from various vendors: Ramble Creek Farm, Squashville Farm, Longlesson Farm, Bunker Hill Creamery, Hebron Valley Veal, Pura Vida Fisheries, Moxie Ridge Farm, and Elihu Farm. Don’t forget to stop by Muddy Trail Jerky Co. to spice things up. Moon Cycle Seed Company recommends these recipes for hormone health and to pair with your seed cycling protocol for women’s health.

This week’s recipes:

Spring Season Kapha Balancing Root Veggie Sautee

Spring Season Pitta Balancing Carrot Ginger Soup