Ayurvedically speaking...Warming in Winter
During the winter months there is nothing better than warm soup to keep the body warm. By February your digestion may feel a bit sluggish, doing a soup fast 1 day a week is a great way to re-set your digestion. Both Fennel and Cauliflower have a sweet post digestive effect, which makes it easier to digest and balances all three constitutions. If you would like a little protein, throw in some split mung beans or quinoa, remember to increase the vegetable broth, 1/2 of cup of mung beans or quinoa add an additional ¾ cup of broth.
Roasted Leek & Fennel Bisque
½ cup coarsely chopped leeks
2 cups chopped Fennel
1 head of Cauliflower chopped
2 cups filtered water
2 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon paprika
5 bay leaves
Fresh ground black pepper
2 tablespoons ghee/olive oil
3 tablespoons non dairy milk (optional)
3 Tablespoons of Nutritional yeast
½ cup toasted walnuts for garnish (optional)
Preheat oven to 400 . Spread leeks and fennel in a lightly oiled baking dish and roast until soft. In a soup pot heat ghee or oil and add spices, sauté lightly releasing the fragrance of the herbs. Add leeks, fennel and cauliflower in soup pot with oil mixture and coat and then add water, stock. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer, simmering for 20 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaves. Ladle soup into blender, add non dairy milk and nutritional yeast if using, and blend until pureed. Garnish with toasted walnuts.
Recommended Herb for February: Triphala
In treating any type of digestion imbalance, I have found that the best medicine is the Ayurvedic formula Triphala, consisting of 3 tropical fruits, haritaki, amalaka and bibhitaki, creating not only an herbal laxative but also works to correct the absorption of Prana in the colon. Triphala is a rejuvenative for the large intestine and for the life force. Normalizing the absorption of Prana, it can aid in strengthening the life-force as a whole, which helps with many health issues. Taking 1-2 tablets 15-30 minutes before a meal helps start your digestions and/or 3-5 tablets before bed at night is also recommended.
