From Nature, With Love

The traditional Indian medicine called Ayurveda believes that balance in our diet is modeled on nature and its 5 elements. In order to reach and maintain a healthy diet, our plates should provide all these tastes so that our body feels content and our mind at peace.

• Sweet food (sweet potatoes, beets, dates) are associated with Earth and Water
• Sour food (lemon, cheese, tomato) have Earth and Fire
• Salty food (salt, seaweed) is Fire and Air
• Pungent (Ginger, onions, chilies) contain Fire and Air
• Bitter (coffee, chocolate) has Air and Space
• Astringent (chickpea, parsley) is Air and Earth.

Ideally the food should have some moisture, be a bit crispy and soothing, be salty, sweet, and spicy. It should be balanced.

Your food should also provide nourishment! As a result, your body should feel satisfied and energized, not sluggish and bloated.

Here is a favorite recipe for you to balance all the senses:

Sautéed Golden Beets with Pistachios and Creamy Coconut Masala

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 4 golden beets
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil
• 2 yellow onions sliced
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh coriander
• 2 teaspoons crushed pistachios

Coconut Masala:

• 1 can of coconut cream
• 1 ½ teaspoon Curry powder
• 1 ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• a splash of lemon juice

1. Peel the beets and cut into small squares pieces. In a non-adhesive pan warm the coconut oil and the onions.
2. Let them get brown then add the beets and ¼ cup of water. Cover and let it cook for 5 minutes.
3. For the masala: Put the can in the fridge for a day. Open and keep the creamy part on top with a little of the watery part.
4. Add all the ingredients in a blender and mix well. It should be creamy and less runny than the coconut milk.
5. Serve the beets with the masala, crushed pistachios and fresh coriander.