The perfect Vata breakfast

I have been sticking to my dosha eating plan for over a week now. I am a Vata. Totally describes me: cold all the time, bony, olive skin, long fingers, worry wart, creative, etc. The goal with Vata is to eat food that is cooked, warming, oily, and soothing. I am happy to report that all silent heartburn symptoms are 98% gone. So, I must be doing something right. Below is my morning oatmeal recipe. With the mornings getting colder, it's the perfect Vata breakfast seeing that we are also in the season of Vata as well:

Fried Apple and Oats

1 granny smith apple, sliced thin
1/2 tbsp coconut oil
1/3 cup gluten free dried oats
2/3 cup water
cinnamon
stevia
coconut shreds
hemp hearts

Slice and fry apple in skillet with coconut oil. When soft, set aside.
Combine oats with water and microwave for 1 minute 40 seconds.
Add stevia and cinnamon to taste
Top with apples, coconut shreds and hemp hearts



* I am learning and implementing all I can about Ayurvedic living from the book: 
In Your Elements: A Blooming Ayurvedic Guide to Creating Your Best Life by Monica Bloom. It's a fantastic resource! It would be fun to follow the book with like minded folk. If you are interested, please contact me and maybe I an set up something either virtually or in person * 

Back into Balance

Welcome back to CulinaryZen. I have had a busy summer and found limited time to post. I had an interesting experience in September that I wanted to share with you. Something maybe everyone can learn from. 

I felt I needed a change and was inspired by FullyRaw Kristina to do a raw food eating plan for a month. I felt so phenomenal doing it. Filling up on delicious smoothies, dips, salads, fruit, and banana ice cream everyday was wonderful. Until 3 weeks in. I started getting symptoms of silent reflux: burning nose, throat, tongue, and eyes. I NEVER get heartburn, so I knew something was not right. I also felt more anxious than usual. This raw plan that has worked and brought healing and health to so many,  failed me. The "detox"stage was great. That's why I felt so good. But I was swimming upstream and going against the constitution of my body which prefers raw foods aside cooked veggies, protein, and healthy fat. My mind kept screaming balance until my body did the opposite. Lesson learned...LISTEN TO YOUR GUT. It will never steer you wrong. 

So, I have been healing for the last week and a half. Eating warming, cooked meals. Taking digestive enzymes, drinking a lot of water and feeling much better. I have also been moving slower (which is not how I usually move) and been doing acupuncture and chiropractic appointments to gently move my body back into balance. Not 100% yet, but it took me almost 30 days to get out of balance so it may take just as long to get back. I know what you are thinking: Most people live with things like heartburn and it's not such a big deal, right? I am so sensitive to my body that I just cannot allow it to feel off and I will not settle for it either. 

Starting to build the flavors of the Dal

I am still amazed at the power of food! This experience made me realize that every body has different needs. There is definately not a "one size fits all" for food. So, I have chosen to go with my gut and follow an Ayurvedic approach to nutrition. It's based on everyone having special  "dosa" types or constitution and eating specifically,  catering to those.  Ironically, mine is cooked food...go figure! Tonights meal is warm, soothing Mung Dal over rice from my favorite cookbook Nourishing Meals:



Mung Dal

2 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp olive oil
1tbsp fresh ginger
1 tsp. tumeric
1tsp. cumin seed
1 onion
2 cups split mung beans
8 cups water
cilantro 
1 sweet potato chopped

Sautee oils with spices until fragrant. Add onions and cook for 5 minutes Add mung beans, water, potato, and water. Cover and cook for 35 to 40 minutes. Uncover for 5-10. Add cilantro and sea salt to taste. Eat over rice. 

Enjoy

Tried and True Kids Snack: Fried Smashed Plaintains

We used to buy these in the store and they were fried in canola oil and had one too many ingrediants for. Little did I know how easy they would be to make and how versatile they are. We use them not only as a snack but they can also be used as a taco shell, to put all of your beef, lettuce, tomatoes on. If you prefer, you can always sprinkle with cinnamon and coconut sugar before baking for a sweet treat. Plantains are so yummy, slightly sweet, and a good source of fiber and potassium. 


Fried Plantains
1 or 2 plantains
coconut oil

Peel and cut plantains into 1 inch chunks. Fry chunks in think layer of coconut oil in a pan. Just until both sides are brownish and semi soft. Place warm chunks on a waxed paper sheet. Place another sheet of waxed paper over and use a small bowl or cup to smash each one until flat. Put on a cookie sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes, flipping once. You can season with salt, spices, or cinnamon if need be.

Valentine's Day Sweets for my Sweeties!

Valentines day isn't always easy when you can't eat dairy. No milk chocolate hearts or chocolate covered anything. The kids have been begging me to make apple fritters for a while now so I figured that was next best idea. And I finally found a good recipe without too much sugar but that still was sweet.

Apple Fritter Donut Balls
3/4 cup garbanzo bean/ millet flour mix
1/8 cup coconut sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 cup chopped apples
1 egg, egg substitute, or chia egg
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla

Mix wet ingredient and dry ingredients separately. Combine them together. Add enough coconut oil to a small saucepan until it is 3/4 of an inch high when melted. Drop by spoonful in hot oil and fry about a minute on each side. Upon draining, roll in coconut sugar. Serve immediately or warm in 300 degree oven for 10 minutes.


Kids loved them!! We loved them!! Success!!

After a nice Mexican lunch out with my hubby we returned home to  daiya cheezecake with the kids. I thawed out some raspberries and coco whip to top it off. It tasted beyond my expectations for dairy free gluten free prepackaged desserts. It was almost decadent. A nice way to end the day on a sweet note.