For more than 5,000 years, the rich, deep-red oil from the African Palm has been a treasured staple food for the indigenous people of Central and West Africa, Indonesia and Malaysia. Legend has it that in ancient times, this seemingly miraculous oil was so sacred and its live-giving properties so cherished that it was entombed […]
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The West has Bastardized Soy
OPINION By Alana Sugar, Certified Nutritionist There’s no substitute for the real thing. What’s up with so much misinformation out there about food? With all the conflicting information out there, it could drive a person crazy, and I personally find it incredibly frustrating. Take the Mediterranean Diet for example: For years, I’ve studied the benefits […]
Thandai, a Favorite Indian Cooling Summer Drink
Originally from Northern India, the ever-cooling, aromatic thandai is one of India’s most beloved beverages! As the name suggests, thandai comes from the Hindi word, “thanda” which means “cool”. It’s an energizing and refreshing, milk-based beverage associated with, and often consumed during the time of the Holi festivals, and especially during the scorching summer heat. […]
Kitchari Cleanse – Panchakarma and Balance
Kitchari is India’s most beloved comfort food. It’s been around for countless centuries; it’s even referenced in the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata which dates Kitchari back to the 9th to 8th centuries BCE. Even before the arrival of such famous Indian dishes like Pulao and Biryani, Kitchari was there to feed the kings and […]
Kabuli Chana and Kala Chana
Chana is world-class cuisine! In the west, we call chana chickpeas and garbanzo beans. They are one of the oldest legumes of all. Evidence of their use and consumption dates as far back as 7,500 years, initially to the Middle East although ancient samples have been discovered in Greece, France and other parts of Europe, […]
Kabuli Chana Salad
This simple salad makes a wonderful, refreshing lunch or a light dinner. Try it over a bed of leafy greens or with some crusty hot sourdough bread spread with ghee.
Kala Chana Curry
This delicious curry is simple and nourishing. Feel free to experiment with additional, seasonal vegetables. We love the ghee, cilantro and lemon wedges for garnish, but don’t hesitate to add some sliced avocado if you have it on hand.
Hawaiian Sandalwood
From the fragrant heartwood of the Santalum tree comes a most treasured essence – that of sandalwood, an indescribably warm and sensual fragrance that has mesmerized, soothed and enchanted humans throughout the ages. Renowned for its use in fine incense, sandalwood is sacred, used for thousands of years by yogis and seekers to elevate their […]
Re-thinking Avocado Oil
What’s the deal with all of the avocado oil these days? It’s popular in Paleo and Keto diets and you’ll find it turning up in a lot more processed foods like commercial salad dressings, mayonnaise, all kinds of chips, popcorn, crackers, seaweed snacks, butter substitutes and more, but if you think avocado oil is the […]
There’s No Fooling Mother Nature!
You can try but you won’t succeed! Just recently, I became aware of a question regarding the substitution of almond milk for cow’s milk in making Golden Milk, an ancient Ayurvedic beverage for comforting, nourishing and stabilizing the body. It’s a go-to beverage for millions of people around the world. Among numerous benefits, it’s treasured […]
WHAT’S UP, DAAL?
Beans, lentils and pulses are the mainstay of the Indian diet. They provide protein, antioxidants, several important nutrients, and quite a bit of fiber. They are hearty, healthy and delicious! Most often they are prepared with a variety of fresh and dried herbs, spices, seasonings and ghee or other healthy fats and oils, all which […]
Injipuli
Injipuli is a wonderfully spicy treat. It’s a delicious sweet and sour combination made from ginger, spices, tamarind, chilies and jaggery. It’s really popular in the South Indian cuisines of Tamil Nadu and Kerala where it’s usually served in smaller quantities as an appetizer, or like pickles that you’d serve as an appetite stimulant prior […]
