Nourishing Spoon

Did you know that this is the original Sriracha? Mrs. Chakkapak created it in her kitchen in Si Racha, Thailand, for her family and friends. See article  from Bon Appetit by Andrea Nguyen. I came across this chopstick-licking sauce, which is hot, yet slightly sweet, during my trek to the Thai Grocery Store. I prefer it to the sweet chili sauce with loads of pepper seeds. Sriraja has the right kick! What I especially appreciate is that it is free of preservatives and artificial coloring and has no msg!  Can't wait to dig in to my bowl of noodles! Bon appétit! Jyoti

Do you struggle with preparing a meal at home on Friday evenings? My legs could barely carry me home tonight - I had done a lot of running around this week and running up and down the long subway escalators. I was kaput! Did I forget my vitamins?? I ran out of my go-to-comfort food.  Brown rice tortillas and Daiya cheese are my butter and toast. Trader Joe's hasn't had any brown rice tortillas recently - all the snow storms we have been having - people have been grabbing them before I reach there! After eating a few corn tortilla chips, dried coconut chips, I knew I had to make something substantial 'cause I wasn't going to survive on that or rice crackers and kimchi sauce! Enter the can can dance! I kept eyeing the can of kidney beans while my mouth salivated. "Yes, I want that!" "Nah! Who's going to chop garlic, tomatoes, etc.?" I debated with myself - I'm too tired. I gave in - made the kidney beans and have enough energy to...

Little girls in this country watch t.v., have play dates, take swimming, violin or tennis classes. They sometimes don't feel like going to school and are picky about what they eat. They sleep in a warm, cozy bed surrounded by their favorite dolls and toys. In another part of the world, there are little girls who can't go to school and instead work from 3 a.m. to 11 p.m. washing pots, doing other household chores, and who are lucky enough to eat scraps of food and have a dry ground to sleep on. Have you seen Girl Rising ? I watched the trailer yesterday  and heard excerpts from the book. Tears welled up my eyes. This inspirational film is a must see.  Immediately, the MZ Wallace bag I have been eyeing on seemed irrelevant. I was embarrassed of my Amazon "wish list." We live in a materialistic world and desire more each day while in certain parts of the world $5 is a fortune! We live in a free country, we are free of masters, have the ability to receive free education...

7 Years ago on a frigid winter morning in January, little did I know that my life was about to transform dramatically! It was my first day at Institute for Integrative Nutrition ("IIN"). Today I had the privilege of going back to school, IIN, for a live event at Avery Fisher Hall! As I entered the Time Warner Building, I started feeling happy and excited! The energy in a room full of 1,000+ health coaches cannot be described, but has to be experienced!  Endorphins are released!  One just wants to freeze time and stay in the present moment and savor it. At IIN I learned different diet theories, I was supported by colleagues and mentors and learned from world-renown experts in the holistic field. I addressed my own health issues and share my knowledge to help others. Today I am gluten-free and dairy-free and it's with the support I received from my colleagues at IIN that I was able to smoothly transition into this lifestyle. Most importantly, I learned to love and accep...

On a rainy Sunday afternoon, there's nothing like comfort food - being gluten free and vegan due to allergies, the "Chickpea Omelet" or "B é sarn Omelette" hits the spot, especially being full of good vegan protein. Did you know that chickpeas are a great source of protein? It’s always exciting when you are in the mood for something and you actually have all the ingredients!   Fresh curry leaves, fresh packet of chickpea (garbanzo) flour, fragrant coriander (cilantro) leaves, green chilies, olives... I have quickly written down this recipe with the ingredients I used as I have been asked for it by my fellow gluten-free friends. The curry leaves are not necessary, it’s the first time I used them along with the roasted cumin seeds and the flavor was amazing! Don’t wait to get the curry leaves to make this. You basically need the onions and tomatoes and the baking soda and can take it from there.  1 cup – Chickpea Flour (Indian grocery store or Bob...

Have you ever hit delete in error? We always get a prompt – are you sure you want to delete? Or “Proceed to delete?” “Are you sure you want to permanently delete this file?” You get a second chance. Will we be given a second chance before we are “Deleted?” All this reflection started out when to my utmost horror and astonishment I discovered that the number of photographs in my “Album” on my Samsung phone had changed from 3,000 to 3!  WTH! I took a deep breath and said, surely, there must be a mistake.” Quickly went through each album on my phone – and as my heart thumped, the tears came trickling out – oh dear! All the photos were gone!  Sad. So Sad. Very Sad. There went pictures from my daughter’s wedding – I consoled myself with the fact there were professional ones from the photographer; and in a way, it was a blessing that I got rid of the clutter.  As the day transpired, I began to think of other photos that were delete...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!   Do you feel loved when you receive red roses or are given a heart-shaped box of chocolates? Is love about wearing a short red dress, red high heels, the Pandora bracelet with a heart charm and going for dinner and having a glass of red wine? Is it when he gently slides your hair away from your face and kisses you on the cheek?  With the passing of time, from raging passion in the boudoir there is a shift to the sofa, not another kama sutra pose, but a mere propping up of feet on the coffee table.  A slump, a mellow change....holding on to tightly, treasuring as lost found treasure when missing????......none other than the remote!  A sudden jealousy?  (wink) Admirable is love when from behind their silver hair shine, one holding the other's arm, supporting and guiding through the slushy snow of life, caring and never letting go.  Love is like your favorite pair of old shoes - comfortable, soft, so soft, cradling ...

Nothing like a bowl of miso when you come home in the evening, nourishing, invigorating and soothing.  It's also a good source of probiotics, B12 and protein.  While I was at Mitsuwa   some time ago, I had the honor of meeting Shintaro Asai the president of Maruya Hatcho Miso.  He was there promoting his product.  Asai-San told me he was in the U.S. for Ming Tsai's cooking show.  When I first met Asai-San, the humble gentleman struck me as someone who was more than passionate about the product he was selling.  His desire to keep the tradition to prepare the best miso along with his pride that his son will continue the family tradition of over 400 hundred years was heart touching and inspiring.  Organic, kosher miso.  I had to ask him so many questions, about being organic, non-gmo. The polite, salt and pepper-haired gentlemen in his traditional garb answered all my questions very patient...

Let me introduce you to Faith ~ Sorry, she’s not the tall, sweet blonde with blue eyes who lives on the other side of the floor.  No, Faith is the beautiful belief that dwells within you. Faith is one of those “F” words which has been pushed aside by Frustration and Fear. In Mark 12, verse 22 ~ 24, Jesus says “Have Faith in God…What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye shall have them.”   One associates Faith with God; but Faith can be belief/trust in yourself ~ you are a reflection of your Creator. When there is Faith, there is no place for fear, the two can’t be roommates! A total no-no! Life has become a fight between Foe and Friend, Fear and Faith. Why is it that we waste so much of our energy on FEAR? Unnecessarily, we provide it rent-free space in our minds! From where did this sudden generosity occur? Fear, My Dear, as you might have heard, is basically: “ F ALSE E VIDENCE A PPEARING R EAL” A little simple math: FAITH – fea...

Have friends coming over and want to make a quick snack?  Whether you are gluten-free, dairy-free or not, these Creamy Crunchies are a crispy, savoury treat!  Daiya has just released into the market a line of different dairy-free cream cheeses!  Whohoo for all of us who are allergic to dairy or are vegan!  I stumbled on to these new products at the health food store in Tenafly, Healthway Natural Foods .  As soon as I got home, I spread some of the Chive and Onion Cream Cheese, which I whipped a little, on a couple of gluten free Mary's Gone Crackers; but that didn't hit the spot.  So I chopped up some sun dried tomatoes which I had picked up from Trader Joe's earlier, and voila!  Instant gratification!  Yumm! X-Crunchy, creamy and yet a little "tarty" and definitely tasty. Creamy Crunchies  6 Mary Gone Crackers 3 TB Cream Cheese  1TB Chopped Sun Dried Tomatoes  Easy snack for any time and perfect for the holidays! ...

Shauna and Daniel Ahern, of Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef, were our gracious hosts of the Best of New York City Potluck recently.  What a spread by food bloggers!  All of a sudden, gluten free doesn't look so bad - as a matter of fact, pretty darn tasty!     Being gluten free requires discipline - but with food like this  - it's sweet punishment!   Interested in learning more about how 'sweet' gluten-free can be, contact me jyoti@nourishingspoon.com     Cheers to a Healthy You! Jyoti

What can it be?  Raw Mango Salad, of course! This recipe has been adapted from  Michael Natkin's cookbook  Herbivoracious  Now that mangoes are in season, this is the perfect recipe for those of us who can't wait for the mangoes to ripen! 1 Raw Mango 1/2 Red Onion 1 Lime Fresh Dill or Mint Sea Salt to taste 1 tsp Hot Sesame Oil or Toasted Sesame Oil 1 tsp Coconut Sugar (to your taste) 1/2 jalapeno or chili pepper - optional 2 inch ginger grated Love using my Kyocera mandoline slicer - one of the best kitchen toys ever!  After peeling the mango, slice the mango with the mandoline or very finely with a sharp knife. Do the same with the onion. Watch those nails and knuckles!  You can play with the blade settings of the mandoline to create the visual effect you are seeking.  Squeeze approx 1/3 cup fresh lime juice and mix well with the coconut sugar or other natural sweetene...

Daddy aka Mr. Mohan Happy Father's Day Everyone!  Hope you had an enjoyable day with your loved ones!  Here's Cool Daddy!  Yes, even though I have crossed the half-century mark, I still lovingly call him "Daddy" or "Papi!"  Perhaps, we don't want to grow up and still love that term of endearment which resonates with our special bond with that soul? I can never forget driving lessons with Daddy on Kapiolani Boulevard and near Diamond Hill! "Oh! don't forget to pull the hand brake."  "Did you turn the tires?"  "Ahyaa! (Chinese exclamation) you have to go closer to the curb, not so far!  LOL!  At 16 "Driving with Daddy" in his prized, green-colored Mustang with manual steering, was quite an adventure!  Poor Papi, I can only now imagine what his cortisol level must have been! I am ever so grateful I got to spend my college days with him, the ambitious entrepreneur, who was always travelling from one country to...

This morning I landed up watching and, of course, sampling the green smoothies the Vitamix rep. was demonstrating at Costco.  Feeling inspired, as soon as I got home, I prepared this green smoothie with the fresh organic baby spinach and mangoes I had picked up while I was there: 1 cup Coconut water 1 cup Organic Baby Spinach 3/4 - 1 Mango cut into 1 inch pieces (can use frozen) 1 Tbsp. Coconut Cream 1 Tbsp. Coconut Flakes (optional) 1 tsp. Flax Seeds (optional) 1 Medjool Date Ice Easy Part: In Vitamix or strong blender, blend all of the above ingredients. If you want it to taste like a slurpie, add more ice.  It's a cold, damp day here today so I just added about 7 ice cubes 'cause I didn't want a very frozen drink. The spinach gave it color and vitality, while the coconut cream gave it character, and the not too ripe mango yielded a pineapple type of sweet and sourness. Yummmm!  (Add more mango or coconut cream to your taste.) Hard Part: What should w...

Shhh!  Here's my secret!  Chopsticks and a small bowl!  You'll eventually get tired of picking up those seeds and grains of rice!  It's true the larger the cutlery and plate size, the more you eat! Write with experience. When I moved to Germany, I was appalled at the size of the plates.  They were more like PLATTERS not PLATES!  The spoon was so large that the first time I put it in my mouth, I felt like I was at a dentist's office and had to pry open my mouth wide, really wide. It took time getting used to, after all I had just moved from Hong Kong where I was used to eating with chopsticks, in which I had to barely part my lips.  Surely, weight gain was inevitable, along with excellent, hearty food.  It was almost impossible to finish every thing on my plat[t]e[r]. If only I had known then what I know now, put half the food aside to pack up to take home. This way you only eat half 'cause you know ...

   Couple of days ago, I missed my stop on the subway and landed up on 34th Street.  I looked for uptown train signs only to find out that I would have to swipe my card again if I wanted to go back! Uggh!  I decided to exit and perhaps go to the meditation center.  Upon reaching the street level, I backed out of the meditation center idea 'cause it was couple of avenues away and it had started raining. I quickly noticed that I was only 1/2 a block from the B&H Photo Store.  Perfect. The memory chip for my camera had cracked recently and needed to be replaced.  So off I went to B&H. I had heard so much about B&H - expecting it to be a regular camera store was sooo shocked and amazed!  I found myself like a little girl lost in the candy store!  OMG!  Was this Santa Land? Conveyor belts carrying  products up and down, so many gadgets, so muchhh to just get yourself lost into.  Lighting, Tents, Tripods, Lense...

Essential oils have been used to treat illnesses, physical conditions as well as emotional issues.   Valor is one of Young Living's most popular oils.  It is serves many purposes; however, it is well known for providing confidence and courage.  It also is known as the "Chiropractor in a Bottle" as it helps balance and align the body; and if applied before an adjustment, it prolongs the benefits of same. Valor is a blend of Rosewood, Blue Tansy, Frankincense and Spruce in a carrier oil of almond.  It can be diffused, inhaled or applied to the bottom of your feet, wrists, neck and spine.   Valor is great to use for anxiety, i.e., stage fright or before your presentation. Inhale deeply and apply to feet, neck and chest. Have a room mate or partner who snores?  Suggest they apply Valor to the bottom of their feet!   I apply Valor to the bottom of my feet every morning so that I can welcome each new day with courage and confidence to sail fort...

Chia Seeds Being Soaked Chia is one of the superfoods that has become ubiquitous.   This amazing seed can be used for so many purposes and has tremendous benefits:      1.        Highest plant source of Omega-3’s.   Chia seeds have more omega 3’s than salmon! 2.      More calcium than 2% milk 3.      High in fiber – even m ore than flax seed. 4.      Boosts your stamina – the Aztecs warriors used to take them. 5.      Use it as an egg replacer  ( soak 1 Tbsp Chia Seeds to ½ cup of water). 6.      Did I mention weight loss?   Chia seeds keep you fuller longer and control food cravings. 7.       Studies have shown that daily consumption of chia seeds have helped lower blood pressure. For information click here  Chia-for -Health  and to order go to  chia . Add 2 Tabl...

Have you ever felt that you have met the person standing across from you before? Do you run into the same person twice in a day? Ever thought of someone and immediately hear from them or bump into them? Are you glad you made a new friend? Did an Angel help you today? Here's a popular poem for you to enjoy as you welcome this new season in your life: P eople come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person. When someone is in your life for a REASON , it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty; to provide you with guidance and support; to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end....

What do you look at very frequently throughout the day? What comes to your mind without over thinking the question?  Try not to take more than 10 seconds. Just write what comes up. What is your answer? Let me guess:  Your watch or clock? The mirror? iPhone or smartphone? If your response was "watch or clock" ~ We spend more time looking at the time - Father Time is not going to wait for us.  The hands on the watch aren't just going to stop so that we can finish our projects or errands (unless it runs out of battery)!  Instead let's use that time to finish our tasks.  Try not wearing your watch for a day or so and see how frustrating it is at first; however, later, you start to feel lighter and less stressed 'cause you are not drawing your attention as often to the time. If your response was "mirror" ~ Thank you for being honest!  "Mirror, mirror on the wall - who's the fairest of them all?"  Don't worry - no ...