Rest & Digest
Late Summer is an opportunity to ground into the earths energy, rest and digest. When you create space for this in your daily life you will find that mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually you will find more certainty and trust with self and others.
Vajrasana, ‘The Thunderbolt Posture’ is the perfect “go to pose”. You can rest in it after a meal, a long day, when the mind is spinning, and/or your are riddled with emotional overdrive (anxiety, worry, doubt and more). It can be trying to find your peace within you. If you take 5-8-13 minutes in this posture you will be assisting yourself in resting and digesting. Your digestion will strengthen via increased blood flow. You will potentially relieve trapped gas and ease constipation. Your back and pelvic muscles will get stronger. Simultaneously, you will calm your mind, heart, body and soul.
Clinical Setting
In the eating disorder clinic, I encourage the clients to utilize this posture after meals and when they are processing what is coming up. It works like a charm.
As inspired, take a pause and find yourself a seat on your heels and just BE. Let me know what you observe. I love hearing your revelations.
*To be noted, if your knees and ankles do not want to be in this posture you can add a pillow between your bum and heels. Alternatively, you can sit on a block or low stool.
Lemongrass Coconut Soup
2
servings15
minutes30
minutesIngredients
1 Tbsp coconut oil
2 stalks lemongrass, smashed and cut into large pieces
3-4 Kaffir lime leaves
1 Tbsp torn thai basil leaves
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 Tbps. Korean chili paste
4 cups vegetable broth
1 can full fat coconut milk with cream
1/2 Cup jasmine rice, (uncooked, rinsed)
1/2 lb. new potatoes, scrubbed and quartered
2 cups cauliflower florets
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Tbps soy sauce
Himalayan Salt + Crack Black Pepper to taste
Fresh Cilantro, garnish
Directions
Saute: Heat the coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat. Saute garlic for 1 minute until light brown and fragrant.
Stir in the gochujang chili paste. Add the smashed lemongradd and torn kaffir leaves, stirring for anothr 30 seconds.
Simmer Rice and Potatoes: Pour in the broth, coconut milk, and soy sauce. Stir in the rinsed white rice and quartered new potatoes. Bring to a boil, then cover and lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10 minutes.
Add Cauliflower: Stir in the chopped cauliflower florets. Cover the pot again and simmer for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, until the rice, potatoes and cauliflower pieces are all tender.
Remove from feat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Discard lemongrass pieces before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Zero Waste Practice
I have been using simple ingredients and a zero waste practice with my grocery shopping, meal preparation and recipe development. It is very easy to over purchase at the markets and end up throwing out a lot of fresh food and staples. Even if you are putting the waste in a compost, it is not necessary to buy extra food. Leaving those goods on the shelf or at the farmer’s market will help others. This is because there are many ways extra food is used in our local communities and the food industry. Bonus:you will have extra spending money and/or savings.
Benefits
During summer, the meals have been simpler, taste buds sharper, creativity over flowing, communication clearer and digestion in consistent harmony. Also, I have noticed the contrast between whole foods and packaged foods. If I do have “bagged food”, there is a relay switch encouraging me to eat more frequently. In contrast, when I have a simple meal or a piece of fruit, seeds or nuts…I am content. I do not want more or need to eat everything I have prepared. Our ancestors have shown this in local agricultural communities. Their crops and recipes were based on what they produced in their region. While I am passionate about cooking and indulging in cuisine from many regions of the world, the zero-low waste practice that assists in keeping myself in harmony, content and grateful.
Inspiration
If inspired, start observing how you are buying food and where you can buy less and eat all that you purchase.
Figs ( Wu Hua Goo)
“The rarest of the rare,” is a Hindi saying that acknowledges that the flowers of the fig tree are never seen. The flowerless fruiting tree is known as the ‘peepul’ were the tree under which Buddha gained illumination. Figs are a symbol of peace, abundance and prosperity.
History
This yummy treasure can be recorded back to the Cenozoic era sixty-five million years ago in France. While in China there are over 100 varieties of figs and many more all over the world. Figs ripen quickly and can be easily consumed fresh and the remaining crops can be dried, frozen, preserved as jam. In Chinese Medicine it is noted that figs will strengthen stomach, clear the heart, remove toxins and balance your sugar levels. Ancient and modern athletes consume to build and sustain stamina during competition and training. Gentle reminder, a little goes a long way as like with grapes it can get your system moving rapidly. Increasing evidence and scientific studies show figs assist in reducing stomach tumors and reduce risks of breast cancer by 35% in post-menopausal women.
Bonus, this seasonal fruit is yin and yang balancing.
Present Moment
For me personally, I am waiting for this year’s crop to ripen in the backyard. While, I will more than likely eat them fresh, I also enjoy them in salads, morning porridge and savory dishes. No matter how you want to enjoy them, if inclined, take a few moments in nature and consume some figs while connecting to their lineage and offerings to balance your system. You might be surprised at the feeling of peace that washes over you. Once digested the energy that rises up inside of you will give you the strength to take action in life. Those very efforts will yield abundance in many forms.
Research
Other Research: ‘The latex secreted from young leaves of fig (ficus carica) has a high medicinal value in Persian traditional medicine as a remedy for many conditions.’ ‘In the present research, administration of fig latex prevented the oversized growth of cancerous tumors without causing side effects on hematologic parameters and induction of the inflammation in tissues that can be attributed to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic effects of this natural product.’ (Read More Here) *medical pictures, please view based on your comfort level.
“Revered by ancient royals and Taoist practitioners alike, Tremella fuciformis is famed as ‘the beauty mushroom’ for its ability to deeply hydrate tissue, preserve skin health, and promote healing. Celebrated in Chinese medicine for its skin-enhancing properties, it supports a luminous, youthful complexion.
Tremella also promotes digestive (gut) and lung health, helping to soothe dryness from within, highlighting the vital connection between internal harmony, moisture retention, and radiant, long-lasting beauty.
In today’s beauty industry, Tremella is an increasingly popular natural alternative to hyaluronic acid and collagen, offering a more holistic array of similar benefits. Glucuronic acid residues in Tremella’s polysaccharides are hydrophilic – they bind and hold water molecules. This gives the Tremella mushroom extract a high water-retention capacity, holding several times its weight in water, and promoting softer, smoother, and more supple skin. Glucuronic acid is part of a complex polysaccharide matrix that is considered a contributor to antioxidant and barrier-protective effects on skin.
Delicious and moreish, Tremella delivers these benefits via a sweet and creamy taste profile that shines in cooking and mixology. It is also an underrated, nutrient-rich addition to cosmetics, topical creams and masks.
Whether you’re refining your daily rituals or seeking out your most authentic aesthetic potential – Tremella helps you cultivate beauty from the inside out.”