Nourishing Spoon

Dairy-Free Nut Feta Cheeze

2012-02-14T17:09:00.002-05:00

Zoe Vaklinova of RAWbundant

Happy Valentine's Day! I had a great sampling of different flavors of raw cashew feta cheeze by RAWbundant at Organic Avenue this afternoon. Zoe Vaklinova, Chef and President of RAWbundant, explains that she uses the best quality cashews and the secret for the texture and flavor is that she implements the method her grandmother used to make cheese back in Bulgaria. I couldn't stop after the samples, I picked up some of the garlic and dill feta! Btw, at the cash register, there were samples of dark chocolate. How could I refuse - it's Valentine's Day!
With all my love,
J
xoxo

Cheers to a Happy New Year!

2012-01-04T17:46:00.000-05:00

Ringing in the New Year with sparkling mango-apple cider and black-eyed peas! The sparkling cider was a sweet, non-alcohol sub for champagne and the black-eyed peas for good luck - a new year's tradition in many parts of the world! The peas are a good source of protein and "good luck!" Can't beat that!

Black-Eyed Peas

1 cup of black-eyed peas (soak overnight)
1 tiny strip of kombu (seaweed)
1 tsp cumin powder
1/4 tsp umchur (dried mango powder)
salt to taste
2 Tbsp Coriander leaves (chopped)

After soaking, rinse and cook until tender (approx. 1-1/2 cups water) with a piece of kombu (seaweed which helps with digesting peas/beans). When done, add some cumin powder, salt and umchur for flavor . The peas taste great just with some salt. If you find you have too much water, drain out and then add spices. Finally, garnish with fresh coriander.

Bon luck! Bon appetit!

Gluten-Free in Manhattan: Savory Snack Bar

2011-11-16T17:04:00.000-05:00

On this rainy afternoon, I ended up downstairs at the new Fairway on 86th Street. My eyes landed on the freebie samples that they were offering - about to pass the table, I casually asked if the bars were gluten-free? To my belly's delight, the response was in the affirmative! "It's gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free," said Amotz, one of the Co-Founders of Sheffa Foods.
WOW! C'est pour moi. :)

The snack bars are really quite a treat - I like their crispy, crunchy texture and they remind of the Indian snacks, but a much healthier version. Amoz directed me to their "Zesty Snack Mix." It was lunch time and I could have easily purchased everything I saw. I did pick up the Zesty Snack Mix and am happily snacking on it while I type. It's really delish and a great new mix to serve to your guests this holiday season. You could add chopped red onions, a tablespoon of chopped cilantro and some tamarind chutney to make it a gluten-free Bhel Puri.

Enjoy!

Do You Hear God?

2011-11-03T17:32:00.000-04:00

Does God Speak to You?

Does God speak to you? Sure God does. How often are you able to hear Him?
After listening to a recent teleseminar on a related topic, my consciousness has shifted and I have become aware of how He speaks to me. Yes, I heard God, or should I say, God spoke to me -- one day on my way to Port Authority, when I was questioning myself, the bus stopped right in front of this bright blue sign:

Rethink Possible

I truly believed the Universe/God was speaking to me. At the end of a long day, it was such an inspiration to see that sign. I later realized that it was AT&T's new logo, but I was happy in my heart - this sign had brought a smile to my face and lit it with joy. God is always guiding us and showing us that He is there for us. Little signs, little incidents. With an increased awareness tomorrow, let me know if you hear Him. On days when you are down or scratching you head for an answer, open your heart and connect with Him. Who knows what you will see or hear, but please do share.

God talks to us, like some of our friends and family, through AT&T! Click on this link for some inspiration: Rethink Possible

the LOVE Menu

2011-09-30T17:06:00.001-04:00

Two weeks ago, Organic Avenue opened a new store on Lexington Avenue (and 55th). I have been so excited ever since I heard it was coming and couldn't wait for opening day! It's a vegan diva's delight! Raw, healthy deserts (is there such a thing, really?), freshly pressed juices, nut mlyks along with wholesome, tempting treats! Their menu is called "the LOVE* menu" -- Live. Organic. Vegan. Experience.

As soon as I entered, I was greeted with a green juice sample - fresh with a nice hint of ginger. Although the place is pricey, it's a welcoming healthy option and offers a different variety of fresh food than the regular eyesores in midtown, i.e., pizza, burgers, and deli's.

I browsed through the store, checking out all future snack options, until I heard the Chia Seed Tapioca calling me. Hmm! Couldn't decide between the Blueberry Chia Seed Tapioca and the Vanilla Chia Seed Tapioca. Decisions, decisions! I gave in to the Vanilla Chia Seed Tapioca, which was handed to me in a cute bright orange, Organic Avenue tote bag. I think I'll go for the Blueberry one next time.

Nice mid-week, mid-day treat. :D

Freshly Pressed Juices, Nut Mylks and Soups

I am looking forward to trying the Chai Smoothie. Hope they have special promotions for frequent shoppers like the manicure places - 11th manicure free, 11th Chai Smoothie free??!!

Irene Inspired Comfort

2011-08-28T20:07:00.043-04:00

Chopped Guacamole Ingredients: 1 avocado, 1/2 small tomato,
1 TBSP red onions,
2 TBSP cilantro, 1/2 garlic clove, 1/2 chili pepper

When you are stuck at home in the middle of a hurricane, tired of hearing the incessant chanting
of "Irene" on TV, and have an overstocked pantry and refrigerator (in anticipation of the hurricane), there's nothing like escaping into your kitchen to prepare your favorite comfort foods.

Besides preparing dahl (lentil soup) with brown rice, I prepared some guacamole and peach salsa for snacking on with unsalted corn chips while we watched a Bollywood comedy.

For the guacamole, I added 1 tsp of lemon juice and some black salt to the chopped ingredients above.
If you like it hotter, add a whole pepper. The garlic I used was fresh from the farm and quite potent so I used only half a clove. The chili pepper was from my garden (see blog below).

Dr. Andrew Weil recently posted on the benefits of avocados: they help lower cholesterol, regulate blood pressure and are good for heart health. On the vanity side: avocados are great for the skin and make excellent hair treatments and facial masks. Want shiny hair? Want a natural glow? Or just want to have some guacamole? Pick up some avocados on your next trip to the market.

Good Old-Fashioned Way

Olé

Summer Soul Food - My First Cucumber

2011-08-25T17:09:00.000-04:00

Greetings! Mary, Mary, quite contrary how does your garden grow? Remember that nursery rhyme? This has been the second year that I have had a Jardin de balcon. Anything French, makes it sounds so haute and sophisticated, gives it pizzaz. Although I think Patio Garden sounds, good, too. Well, this is the first year I decided to be brave enough to experiment with cucumbers. Here are pics of my prized possessions. I'm going to have a painfully hard time eating these beauties. The cucumbers have been not as taxing as tomatoes. Tomatoes need a lot of attention, a lot of water, and I mean lots of water!! I used to water the tomato plant in the morning and evening during the hot summer last year and had to have a friend tomato-sit while I was away on vacation.

Apart for being great for cooling you down and helping lower blood pressure, cucumbers can be used for a quick touch up on your leather shoes. Best eye mask after partying all night! Cucumbers also cause the collagen in your skin to tighten - great for cellulite and wrinkles too!!!

The rest of the jardin is such a delight! I look forward to meditating on the patio among the herbs and plants, feeling the warmth of the sun - it's such a wonderful feeling - the atmosphere enhances my meditation and connection with the universe. After meditation, I get thrilled with the little surprises that mother nature blesses me with. A little pepper bud here, a tiny cukie here, oregano and mint crawling over the balcony. When you are grateful and count your blessings, it seems as if each day you are blessed with more to be grateful for.

Baby Cukies

Pepper Ripe and Ready

Gorgeous Green Salad with Summer's Specialities

OMG - What a wonderful surprise!

2011-07-13T22:37:00.001-04:00

When I woke up yesterday to water my plants in my little patio garden, I kept searching for baby pepper plants since I saw it had started to flower. I kept looking up and down for a tiny baby pepper. To my astonishment and delight, there in the midst of the chives and parsley lay a full-size pepper! Where did this come from? I was totally taken, here I was hunting for some tiny little thing and all of sudden I was the proud parent of a real pepper. What a thrill! I gave a shout of joy and surprise when I first saw it - I couldn't believe my eyes. This is the first time I have grown a pepper. Gardening is new to me - started a mini garden last year and was afraid to go on vacation in case the tomatoes would die. You can relate to that can't you? Yes?

I get my gardening tips from my friends Lydia and Perla and also from Trina, of Silver Heights Farms, who is at the Union Square Farmers Market on Wednesdays.

Gardening is therapeutic - very relaxing and fulfilling. It motivates one each day to get up and see what new fruit has been borne. When you see a new flower or tomato or, in this case, pepper, it's the same sort of feeling you get when you open your presents on Christmas or your birthday - surprised, excited and HAPPY!

If you are stressed or upset, just go to your garden, take some nice deep breaths, admire your plants and herbs, run your fingers through your lavender plant and inhale the fragrance of the lavender to soothe you.

Every morning when I water my plants, I love 'em up and speak to them 'cause I really care for them and want them to grow and be happy and healthy, and I know that they will in turn nourish and heal me with that same love and joy.

Eating something from you garden that you have grown and cared for, feeds your body, mind and soul. Somehow your meal with those freshly picked ingredients has a different energy level and when you eat it, you appreciate and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Happy Gardening!

Recent Addition - Lettuce

I am in Heaven! Thank you God.

2011-06-29T23:52:00.003-04:00

Publish Post

Favorite Fruits - That Wonderful Time in The Year

Greetings! Summer is finally here. Here's a piece from heaven - expressing gratitude for the most wonderful meal.

I am so grateful at this very moment...I type while I munch on the sesame seeds from my cheung fun (rice noodles in center below). Stopped for another bite...excuse me. I feel the sweet taste of hosin sauce and enjoy the crunchiness of the seeds. The warm noodles are comforting my soul and I really feel in heaven. In front of me is a bowl full of lychees and rambutan....yum... is not enough to describe the feeling. On the other side, to my right, is an ice-cold glass of Chendol. Didn't I say I was in heaven? I wash down the sweet and sour taste of the hoisin sauce with another happy gulp of Chendol. Today, I have resorted to comfort food, oh dear, I have given in to the 20% of the 80/20 rule! That's when you are good 80% of the time, and huh, 20% of the time there are circumstances you can't control, e.g. when you go to Chinatown. Shhh! Let me savor the moment and enjoy today. All my senses are in divine bliss...I smell the sweetness of the fruits while I inhale the aroma of the noodles, my tongue relishes each and every bite, crunching one sesame seed at a time and my eyes feast on this heart-pleasing palate.

Cheung Fun are steamed rice noodles which are served with soy sauce and hosin sauce, sprinkled with sesame seeds on top - popular breakfast in Hong Kong and China.

Chendol, is a popular drink found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, too name a few. It is made with coconut milk, agar agar or rice flour jelly, palm sugar and shaved ice - perfect for a warm summer day.

Rambutan

Rambutan and Lychees are fruits typically found in Southeast Asia, but these days you can find them here in the Big Apple. Don't let these fuzzy-looking fruits scare you - they are a superb sweet treat.

There's no place like New York - you can get everything to nourish your heart and soul.

Breakfast in a Hurry

2011-05-18T13:34:00.001-04:00

Didn't have time to soak your steel cut oats last night?

Ran out of bread for toast?

No worries, here are some simple steps to prepare breakfast in a flash, anywhere at any time! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it provides the energy to keep you ticking through the day. If you start your day with a well-balanced meal, you'll avoid the binges later on.

When I received my shipment of gluten-free (GF) rolled oats, I was inspired to prepare my own muesli. Muesli was used in 1900 by Swiss physician Maximilian Bircher-Benner for his patients. The rolled oats are rich in fiber and help lower cholesterol, while the nuts and seeds provide Omega 3's and minerals. The best part is that you can personalize it to your favorite nuts, seeds and fruit and it's easy to take with you anywhere.

2 cups gluten-free rolled oats
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup walnuts
Handful brazil nuts
1/4 cup flax seeds
1/4 cup dried coconut flakes
Handful of pumpkin seeds
Handful of sunflower seeds
1/2 cup goji berries

I made this couple of weeks ago - I kept adding the seeds and whatever I found in my pantry to give it texture, flavor, color and most importantly a taste that I would look forward to early in the morning, plus something that would energize me.

Once you chop the nuts and seeds in a food processor, you can blend it with the rolled oats and goji berries. This is a rough idea of how to make it, you can always add which nuts and dried fruit you prefer. In the morning, all I do is put the oats mixture in a bowl, sprinkle a little cinnamon, add some fresh fruit (yummy with mango, blueberries or apple) and pour some almond or hemp milk over it. I love it when the oats soak up the milk - makes it so creamy, yet crunchy and so sinfully rich.

First start with the nuts and seeds

Chop in Food Processor

Mix with Rolled Oats and Goji Berries

Rolled Oats with Almonds, Walnuts, Cinnamon and Fresh Mango in Almond Milk

Chickpea

2011-05-05T17:10:00.000-04:00

What does a gluten-free, vegan do when she doesn't have enough time to prepare her lunch in the a.m.? Two options: a. Go hungry; or b. Contribute to the abundance of the national economy by eating out!

There's hope - being Cinco de Mayo, I was craving for something Mexican, but that was short-lived when my friends were too busy. So I opted for the next best - something spicy, something close by and with PROTEIN and not saturated with FAT. I went to Chickpea. I like that name, sounds like a cute baby store or something of that sort. Their falafels are BAKED - not fried! Yum! Love those little spinach-broccoli ones. They are full of flavor and texture and go so well with the basil hummus or tahini. I got the falafel nuggets sans pita. The tahini and hummus are vegan and dairy-free. The basil hummus simply melts in your mouth!

If you are ever looking for a quick snack, a side order of five falafel bites is only $1.50. Chickpea has several locations in the City.

Coming back to the special day - Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Olé!

Happy Warm New Year! Comfort Food for This BRRR-Cold Night!

2011-01-24T22:56:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year Dear Readers! I extend to you my warmest greetings on this fr-e-e-zing cold day! It was 4F when I left for work this morning but it felt like spring when I returned home as the temperature had climbed up to 19F! Thank God!

I have been blogging in my mind everyday, but was determined today to post something. My delicious dinner gave me the push to post about it. My son had mentioned that he had made some spaghetti earlier and that had brought on a desire for some pasta - yes, my body was asking for some comfort food. So I quickly boiled 2 cups of gluten-free pasta. I discovered that I still had some dairy-free cheese in the refrigerator; however, I couldn't remember when I had opened the packet. I sniffed to see if there was any odor and crossed my fingers while I made sure there was nothing blue (mold)!!! The angels were looking after me today! I was in luck! I was going to have Penne with Cheese! Yeah! Why the exclamation and excitement over pasta? Well, I don't eat processed food everyday and to have gluten-free pasta with dairy-free cheese and have it taste like something you would get at an Italian restaurant, not cardboard, is very EXCITING!

I sautéed 2 cloves of garlic in olive oil and then added some pasta sauce, which was a combination of Whole Foods' organic pasta sauce and Trade Joe's marinara sauce. Perfect marriage! I also added some freshly-picked oregano from my window-box garden. When the penne was cooked, I rinsed it with some cool water, and put it in the pan and let it bathe in the fragrant pasta sauce. I tossed the Daiya cheese on top of the pasta and mixed it until it melted and got all gooey and yummy!

Garlic and Oregano are powerful, natural "antibiotics" and are antiviral, antibacterial - great for fighting those nasty cold germs.

There is a sense of true nourishment when you prepare food with vegetables or herbs that you have grown yourself. Real, complete food for the body, mind and soul.

By posting this blog, I have crossed off one of my goals for this month. What goals have you set for yourself this year? Have you written them down? If you are like me and don't remember what you had for lunch yesterday (LOL!), I would suggest that you right down your goals. It's a great way to have them in front of you to look at and constantly remind yourself of what you want to accomplish. After all life doesn't just happen, you make it happen. What do you want in your life this year? Go for it - write down your dreams and let the Universe guide you!

Warmly,
Jyoti

Give with your Heart

2010-12-26T18:29:00.001-05:00

The holiday season is a time of meeting and greeting, feasting and drinking, buying and spending! We stress over purchasing that perfect gift, decisions between pink or green, small or medium, merino wool or cashmere, UGGs or Hunter! Decisions, decisions...more decisions. Our inbox is blasted with emails - "Final Day for 40% off," "Buy one, get second half off," "Take an extra 30% off and Free Shipping." Such temptations! Amex and MasterCard must be doing a happy dance. I was surprised to see After-Christmas sales emails on Christmas Day which enabled you to purchase online on Christmas Day for the new low, discounted price! Shopaholics must love what technology/Internet has done to feed their passion.

Christmas and the holidays have become so commercialized. We get all worked up with trying to give the best gift that will please those close to us, that we forget that the gift is just a token. It is the feelings that we give the present with that is the true gift. The new pair of UGGs will make her happy for a month, maybe a few weeks or maybe just a couple of days. However, it is the warmth, good vibrations and the feelings from the bottom of your heart with which you give the gift that will leave an impression on her soul.

During this beautiful season, we receive email greetings and cards from so many people, sometimes people whom we never hear from during the year, old friends, distant relatives, insurance agents, department stores... Every time you see the words "we wish you joy and peace," or "we wish you happiness, " read the greeting slowly, process it as an affirmation - affirm to yourself that you are JOYFUL and PEACEFUL, you are HAPPY and 2011 is going to be A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Sending you warm greetings with lots of love from my heart for healthy, happy holidays!
Jyoti

Aroma-Therapy

2010-09-30T21:58:00.000-04:00

Om Shanti,

What a magnificent summer! I've so much that I want to share about my terrific time. I write while the waves slam the banks of the river and the winds beat up the trees - a storm is headed up the Northeast. I'm being entertained by nature's symphony.

I have done some workshops on natural remedies and green living with essential oils recently and wanted to start off by sharing this wonderful thought:

Thought for Peace - Raja Yoga Center (HK)

Like an incense stick

Although your thoughts, attitudes, intentions and feelings are not visible, they do have an effect. They permeate the atmosphere and influence the mood in a room, like the aroma from an incense stick, curling through the air ...

Negative thoughts and intentions or a less than generous attitude release a heavy pungent odor.

Kind thoughts, beneficial intentions, or an understanding attitude create a fragrant aroma, uplifting the atmosphere.

What atmosphere are you creating?

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T00:38:00.001-04:00

Happy Mother's Day!

Google may be the best search engine, or go to site, but it can't compare to MOM, the best "search angel" or go to person, where you get personalized, individual attention/response and pampering!
Want to know to what to wear for the party?  Call Mummy
Gold purse or silver purse -- maybe the black beaded one? Call Mummy
Want to know how many cloves of garlic to put in the dahl (lentil soup)?  Call Mummy
Want to know what to do when the pudding doesn't set? Call Mummy
Need to have my blouse taken in? Call Mummy
Feeling frustrated and need to speak to someone? Call Mummy
Want to share the good news with someone? Call Mummy

In the old days, I remember exchanging aerogrammes with my mother. In today's technology savvy age, believe it or not, Speed Dial 7-- Lucky 7 -- is for Mummy! Mummy and I have not yet reached the texting stage. Who knows, maybe I'll text her after I'm done to see how she's enjoying her day?

My guru once said that we make an effort to spend time and appreciate our mothers only once a year, on Mother's Day; but Mother's Day should be every day. We should love, respect and appreciate our mothers everyday.

It's also been said that because God could not be everywhere, he created mothers.

My mother is my best friend! Mummy, I love you and wish you a Very Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mothers Day to all the Mothers, too! Pat yourself on the back, you've done a great job!
Your run a very tough "corporation" every day. In today's world, a mother is more than a Super Woman! Most moms have to juggle between their jobs and their maternal responsibilities - exchanging their Super Woman "cape" for an "apron" once they enter their home.

Today, let the dishes sit in the sink, let the clothes be in the hamper. Today is your special day. So take a bubble bath, put on your favorite perfume, or essential oil, sit and relax with your feet up.

Let them pamper you!  Enjoy the kisses and hugs. Cherish these special moments.

Happy Mother's Day!

World Laughter Day 2010

2010-05-04T17:11:00.001-04:00

Sunday was World Laughter Day! Thanks to the Levity Project and Dr. Alex Eingorn, World Laughter Day was celebrated at Union Square, in New York's subways, Grand Central Station, 42nd Street and in front of the United Nations.

Laughter was contagious in the subway cars as subway riders, laughter leaders and friends giggled, bursted out laughing and snorted away. There were "laughing escalators" and a Ho-Ho-Ha-Ha-Ha Laughter Party at Grand Central! Check out this link to CNN's video:

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-439797

Laughter Parade down 42nd Street

with

Grand Marshall of Laughter, Dr. Alex Eingorn

The Parade ended with a prayer for World Peace

in front of the United Nations Building.

Laughter Yoga

2010-05-04T17:00:00.008-04:00

Laughter Yoga is a unique total workout which has become a worldwide phenomenon with more than 6,000 social laughter clubs in 65 countries.

In Laughter Yoga one can laugh for no reason at all. It starts out with simulated laughter, with a little childlike playfulness, which turns into a genuine and contagious laughter. The concept of Laughter Yoga is based on a scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter. One gets the same physiological and psychological benefits.

Laughter Yoga has become a "hot" topic of discussion in the media. There was a segment on the Oprah Winfrey Show; couple of weeks ago Dr. Oz did some laughter yoga on his show; and today CNN released a feature on Laughter Yoga! Please click on the link below:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2010/05/03/nat.world.laughter.day.cnn

Laughter Yoga:

* Relieves Stress

* Reduces Pain

* Aids Digestion

* Improves Sleep

* Lowers Blood Pressure

* Improves Circulation

* Burns Lots of Calories

* Increases Lung Capacity

* Is Anti-Aging

* Boosts Immune System

* Beats Depression
* Clears Negativity

* Improves Attitude

* Develops Personality

* Connects People

* Fosters Happiness

After having experienced first hand that laughter is truly the best medicine, I quickly signed up to become a laughter yoga leader so that I, too, could share this wonderful method of releasing endorphins! Ho! Ho! Ha! Ha! Ha! Next time you feel wiped out, watch Seinfeld or Lucy, or hang out with a couple of funny friends!

Dr. Kataria, the founder of Laughter Yoga, was in New York recently. I had the opportunity to meet him and enjoy a class conducted by the Laughter Guru himself.

Fragrant Steel-Cut Oats

2010-03-12T17:45:00.015-05:00

Gluten-free Steel Cut Oats with a Yummmm Aroma
and
Delicious Crunch!

"Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince,
and dinner like a pauper." Adelle Davis

Once that alarm goes off in the morning, some of us hit that snooze button while some of us jump out of bed and start our monotonous daily routine or RAT RACE! Be it scrummaging for a pair of clean, matching socks or pair of pantyhose with no runs, putting on a tie, looking for the back of a favorite earring, or the car keys, while stuffing a piece of toast in our mouth and sipping hot coffee out of those new Dixie cups (that we see the commercials for), little do we realize that we are gulping down the most important meal of the day - BREAKFAST! Breakfast is the meal you consume to break the fast that you have maintained since last night's dinner (Oops! Excuse me - midnight snack)! Breakfast is the meal that sets the "thermostat" for your body. Hence, the saying "Eat breakfast like a king..." is so very true.

We shouldn't let the morning go by and eat only when we are hungry, 'cause some of us don't get hungry until noon! We don't lose weight by skipping this important meal. Imagine the stress on our bodies - blood sugar levels! Neither should we gulp down our breakfast while checking our emails. Sometimes, you wonder if you finished your whole meal and look at your plate. Did I really eat it all? We are so busy concentrating on other things, emails, phone calls, newspaper, t.v., to do lists that we forget to focus on what's in front of us - our main meal of the day.

Instead, why not sleep early, wake up gently, try and meditate or listen to some soothing music while we get ready and then sit down for some real nourishment? Let us thank the Lord/Universe, for the beautiful day ahead of us and enjoy our delicious breakfast, be it Eggs and Toast, Cheerios, or Gluten-Free Waffles!

Here's a recipe for a nutritious and delicious wholesome breakfast that has an exotic touch to it. Don't let the recipe throw you off - it's very easy to prepare. If I can do it, believe me, you can, too!

If you don't have cardamoms, just use the cumin seeds and peppercorns. This Indian recipe is actually used for bulgar (cracked wheat). However, once I became gluten-free, I missed my traditional breakfast and found out that the recipe worked well with oats.

Ingredients

1 Cup Gluten-Free Steel Cut Oats

1/2 capful of Apple Cider Vinegar

2 Medjool Dates (or Natural Sweetener of your choice)

2 Cardamom Pods

1 tsp. Cumin Seeds

3-4 Black Peppercorns

1 tsp. Virgin Coconut Oil

Sea Salt (pinch or to taste)

Place the oats in a glass bowl and cover with approx. 3 cups of warm water.
Add 1/2 capful of apple cider vinegar, stir in and leave to soak overnight.

In the morning, rinse the oats in a strainer. Put the coconut oil in a pot or pressure cooker. When the oil is hot, add the whole black peppercorns, cumin seeds and cardamom. If you want, you can add ground cardamom. I use the whole pods, but I crack or make a slit in them enough for the fragrance to steep out but not the little seeds. My kids never like the taste of the seeds or cardamom pods in their mouths. If the cardamoms are whole, it's easy to remove when the oatmeal is ready.

When you can inhale the aroma of cumin seeds and cardamom, add the oatmeal. Slightly roast the oats, using a spatula move them around, they shouldn't get too dark or burnt. Then add 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt. At this point, you can add in the 2 Medjool dates. Put the cover of the pressure cooker on and let it cook. If using a pressure cooker, I wait to hear one whistle, then turn off the stove and let the oatmeal be for another 10 minutes. If using a pot, once it reaches a boil, you can lower the heat, cover and let it cook for 20 minutes. Check and see if the oatmeal is soft and has a nice crunch to it. If too dry, add some more water.

It's also really delicious if you add some milk towards the end of the cooking. You could also substitute with any nut milk or rice milk. Enjoy!

Oats are great way to start the morning. Oats are a good source of protein, complex carbs and iron. They contain soluble fiber which helps you stay full longer and helps remove the bad cholesterol while maintaining the good cholesterol that your body needs.

Nice warm comfy food on a rainy spring day!

Sweet Sensation

2010-02-07T23:25:00.043-05:00

Super Bowl Sunday! While most people were busy preparing delicious edibles for half-time for their Super Bowl party, I was a giving a workshop on sugar. The audience was truly amazed to see how much sugar there is in a 2-litre bottle of Pepsi! 56 tsps!!! I doubt if anyone who attended today's workshop had soda at their Super Bowl party!

When checking out nutritional labels, often times we rush and don't realize that the grams of sugar listed are for a single serving and not for the entire product. 4 gms of sugar are equal to 1 tsp of sugar. Next time you reach for something from your pantry or refrigerator, look to see how many grams of sugar it contains. Soon you will be a math wiz - an expert in dividing things by 4 'cause you'll want to know how many teaspoons of sugar you are consuming. We consume approx. 150 lbs (30 five pound bags) of sugar each year! If you want to lose weight, try becoming "refined sugar-free" and use natural sweeteners only when necessary. I love using Medjool dates!

Speaking of Medjool dates - I prepared this sweet sensation for today's workshop. Sorry I took the photo after it was half devoured!

Filling:
3 Sweet Potatoes
1/2 cup Coconut Milk
Saffron - generous pinch
2 Cardamom pods
2 tsps Organic Maple Syrup Grade B
1 tsp Agar Agar

Crust:
1 cup Raw Walnuts
1 cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut Powder
1/4 tsp Salt
3 Medjool Dates

I got the recipe for the crust from Raw Food Chef, Jennifer Cornbleet's new book Raw for Dessert. (Jennifer is holding it below.)

Jennifer Cornbleet and yours truly

I watched Jennifer prepare the shortbread crust when she was last in NY. I just loved how quick and easy it was to prepare, and how absolutely delicious it is!! http://www.learnrawfood.com/ Thanks Jennifer, got a lot of compliments on this dessert. Prepared it for the first time and it was a hit! I used less dates 'cause that's all I had left in my pantry and was glad that it worked.

I boiled the sweet potatoes last night 'cause I didn't want to leave too much to do for this morning. I had all the props to fill with sugar! I poured half a can of coconut milk - so yummy and creamy!! :) Sorry, got distracted with the coconut milk, then I put a generous pinch of saffron in a little dish and added some hot water to it. At the same time, I soaked 1 tsp of agar agar in a little hot water. After I felt the saffron looked soaked and ready to go, I added it to the milk, along with the cardamom pods (try and crush them a little, but not where all the little seeds come out - if you want, you can use ground cardamom). Next I added the agar agar mixture. It should be heated and dissolved with the liquid. Agar agar is a seaweed and is great for gelling. Then I added the peeled sweet potatoes, I smashed them and let them mix with the coconut milk. I added very little water and didn't want to turn it into a pureed mush. Although I felt this filling was sweet enough, I thought people would prefer it a bit sweeter especially if it's a treat, so I poured very carefully 2 tsps of maple syrup, a great natural sweetener. Well I let the sweet potatoes absorb the flavor of the saffron, cardamom and coconut milk, cooked it for about 5-10 mins.

The crust was very easy, I just put the walnuts, coconut and salt in my Vita-Mix. After grinding them, I added the dates and ground it some more. Don't over do it. Jennifer used her Cuisinart food processor during the demonstration. I think that would work well for this recipe. My Vita-Mix was right there, so I reached for it. I spread the ground mixture evenly in a serving dish and pressed it firmly with my fingers. I then poured the sweet potato filling on top. I garnished with grated almonds and a little almond heart for this special Valentine's week.

Sweet potatoes are a great antioxidant and one of the most nutritional vegetables. Great for diabetics. Best of all sweet potatoes don't spike your blood glucose levels! Enjoy!

New Year, New Leaf, New Chapter

2010-01-31T23:59:00.003-05:00

Happy, Healthy 2010! Each new year's eve we make resolutions. As we turn over the page in our new calendars, we try to turn over a new leaf. We desperately try to exercise more/eat less junk food/keep our homes clean/hang up all our clothes/do the laundry at least once a week......the list goes on and on. At the same time, we also start another chapter in our lives.

What were your resolutions? Have you been successful with them? Tomorrow, we start the second month of the year - have you given up on any of your resolutions? If so, why?

For this new chapter in your life to be one of the best or most memorable, why not write down your goals in a notebook or diary? Give these goals life - bring them out and put them in ink, say them out loud - let the universe know what you desire and start the drum roll, start making them a reality. Take baby steps, one tiny step at a time to get to your destination! Like they say, Rome wasn't built in a day!

Last year was a life changing year for me. It's the year I graduated from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. The school had a major impact on me. Apart from dancing, exercising and chanting "Om" with 1,500 other students at Avery Fisher Hall, I made wonderful friends and learned from excellent teachers - who are prominent in the health field. I also became a certified laughter yoga leader! Ho! Ho! Ha! Ha! Ha!

I welcome 2010, your friendship and all that the universe sends our way.

Wishing you joy and peace.
Jyoti

Nature in Harmony

2009-11-12T14:09:00.002-05:00

When I visited a local farm, I couldn't resist taking this photograph. The two seem to be happy with each other's company and so relaxed among the others on that lazy Sunday afternoon. Like a swan and her companion in total bliss.

Autumn brings us such a wonderful hue of colors. I admire the beauty of the shimmering golden leaves on the trees and love the warmth of the sun on my face as it peeks through. The smell of apples and cinnamon fills the air....oh, how I very much enjoy this ....

Let us savor the moment and appreciate everything that passes our way.

Meatless Mondays

2009-11-09T07:37:00.007-05:00

As far as I can remember, back to when I was a little girl, we were always vegetarian on Mondays. Monday is Lord Shiva's Day and worshippers of Lord Shiva abstain from eating meat, fish or eggs on that day. My mother is a true believer in Lord Shiva and she was blessed (?) with me on Mahashivratri, which is Lord Shiva's birthday!

Growing up, if it was Monday, it meant dahl rice (lentil soup with basmati rice) and potato tikis (similar to latkes)!

When I first came across "Meatless Mondays," I was curious about the site and read more about it - http://www.meatlessmonday.com/
Meatless Mondays is a non-profit initiative in association with John Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health.

I encourage you to become meatless on Mondays for improving your own health and the health of the planet. Byran Walsh's article in the Times mentions that "The meal plan of the average American family accounts for 2.8 tons of CO2 emitted annually, compared with 2.2 tons for driving."

It's not hard to be vegetarian, and to be meatless for one day is really quite easy. Actually, last night I played back on my DVR a show of Dr. Oz which showed how a meat-loving cowboy became vegan and lost approx. 30 lbs and improved his health. Here was a man who ate steak and bacon and now he's eating hummus and veggie burgers - just in 28 days he transformed his diet, health and himself for the better! From the show, I understand he has quite a following - he has inspired many. Why don't you try and have something healthy and veggie today?

For a start, here's a quick and simple gluten-free recipe for Asparagus Quesadillas.

10        Asparagus Spears (cooked - steamed/sauteed/frozen
             if frozen, warm and season)
2          Corn Tortillas
1/2 cup Rice Shreds (Gluten/Soy/Lactose-free Cheese*)
1T         Coconut/Olive Oil
1/2t     Chilies/Red Pepper Flakes
Salt      Sea Salt or Herbamare for more flavor
1t          Dill/Basil (Whichever is your fav!)
_______________________________________
*Please note that the Rice Shreds do contain casein.

Directions:

Warm asparagus (if using leftovers) along with tortilla to save time esp. if you are starving. (See below.)
When asparagus seems warm, place in center of tortilla.
Sprinkle Rice Shreds, chilies/red pepper (optional), salt and any herbs, i.e., dill, basil. Fold the tortilla in half with spatula. Press with back of spatula a couple of times. Cook for 2 minutes or until cheese starts to melt and looks bubbly. Simple and easy - you can substitute with most frozen veggies or other vegetable leftovers - just warm them first with some seasoning.
Remove and cut into quarters with pizza cutter or knife. You can add some zesty sauce on top (try one of the San-J Sauces) if you would like a little extra kick!

I used leftover asparagus that I had sauteed in a vegetable broth with a clove of garlic for 3 minutes (the night before).

ENJOY!

Corn and Lemongrass Soup

2009-10-05T23:11:00.000-04:00

Last Thursday, when I got back from my meditation class I was absolutely famished! I walked straight into the kitchen, and without taking my coat off, I started opening and closing the refrigerator and pantry doors a few times - it's a little salsa dance in sync - you open the refrigerator, then you close it (disappointed), you open the pantry, then you shut it (clueless), then you go back to the refrigerator - one, two, close and open!

Finally, my eyes caught hold of the corn and lemongrass soup which I had bought from Whole Foods. I love Thai food and was excited when I saw that they had a gluten-free corn soup with lemongrass! Yum! Love that lemongrass! While it was warming up, I took out the boiled corn cob that I had in the refrigerator and started removing the corn from the cob. I love texture and the extra corn made it taste more homemade. After I added the corn, I noticed on the side of the box a suggestion to serve with noodles! A light bulb went on in my head, I grabbed the step stool and reached for the bean thread noodles (gluten-free) on the top shelf of my pantry. I was getting more excited! Yes!! I quickly cut a roll of the noodles and added it to the soup, along with 3/4 cup of water and let it cook for a few minutes.

You are normally supposed to add chopped green onions (scallions) to corn soup at the end. Whose normal? The truth is I didn't have any green onions! I found some bok choy (2) that I had picked up at the Farmer's Market on Wednesday and quickly chopped it up and added it to the soup!

By that time, I couldn't stand it any longer, I wanted to eat, so I added approx. 1 tbsp. Tamari (gluten-free soy sauce), along with a little bit of salt and black pepper and topped it off with some Szechuan chili sauce for a little kick! (Tamari or Braggs should be added according to taste.)

I used this recipe for a 1/2 packet of Imagine's Corn and Lemongrass Soup.

Voila!

Simple and quick gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian corn soup!

A Joyful Welcome!

2009-09-27T15:00:00.003-04:00

Welcome to my blog! I am Jyoti, a certified health counselor, and I am really excited about sharing some quick tips that have made a difference in my health and will hopefully do the same for you!

Since this is my first blog, I would like to start by talking about coconuts, which are very auspicious and used in opening ceremonies, weddings and other religious services.

Coconut water is extremely nourishing. It is a natural isotonic beverage and has very little sugar (natural). After exercising at the gym or a tennis game, reach out for a packet of coconut water to replenish your body fluids; after all, it has more potassium than most sports drinks! Whenever I feel dehydrated or sick, I quickly get some coconut water from a nearby health food store. It's great for the immune system. There are many brands, my favorite is Zico! Click here for more information.

I always have a tough time when I visit Chinatown – whether to have that delicious, soothing coconut water from a fresh young coconut or my fav bubble tea! ?? The healthy side wins!

Will continue more on my next …..