Guided meditations require less effort than the ones that require independent effort. The ease leads to greater states of deep relaxation for many who struggle with other types of practices. In over 40 years of practicing and teaching, Yoga Nidra is by far the most popular of any practice I have taught.
Cabbage is a wonderful vegetable in a salad. Many children and adults who do not eat the cooked vegetable end up loving it in this crunchy, tender salad. Lettuce was not available in India until recently, and is still not widely available. So cabbage is used in salads that are eaten in small portions, almost... Continue Reading →
This refreshingly cold, sweet, slightly tangy, saffron and cardamom-infused yogurt is loved in India as shrikhand--a rich, thick, velvety well-chilled yogurt served in the summer. 5 gluten-free ingredients, 5 minutes, all natural. Protein and calcium rich.
A 5-minute Swiss-style muesli that is fresh, nutritious, delicious, any time meal. Best of all, it requires no cooking and is mixed in one bowl. Can easily be vegan and gluten-free.
When is breakfast food only a breakfast food? In my mind, never! These false labels deprive us of enjoying perfectly wonderful food any time we want. And that is how I see muesli—breakfast, lunch, supper, snack, lightly sweet and luscious dessert, family food, company food. Fresh, plump blueberries and lemon are heavenly together when they... Continue Reading →
It is that time of the year again! With the emergence of crocuses and daffodils in the West, life renews itself from the dormancy of winter (tamas in yoga and kapha in ayurveda). The joyful colors of Spring abound everywhere as seen in this painted haveli (old-style mansion) from the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. We... Continue Reading →
(January 2017 Meditations) Following through on the talk on intention and motivation, the question is how do we live an intentional life? How do we honestly and clearly see the motivation? Finding the answers requires some effort in directed self-reflection, looking at how we have lived mindfully and mindlessly, and then writing the script for... Continue Reading →
(January 2017 Meditations) Why are we meditating? Clearly knowing the personal intention, and what motivates that intention, can make an enormous difference to the understanding and discipline we bring to our practice. What is meant by intention? Why is the motivation behind the intention so important? This can apply to anything, not just meditation. The... Continue Reading →
Yet another hummus recipe? Yes. No yogurt, no mayonnaise, no cooking. Three ingredients, three secrets, for the lightest, creamiest hummus. No cooking, 10 minutes, one blender. Super summer food.
Dysfunctional families may be surprised to see the Buddha's family as being dysfunctional. He faced the same challenges as the rest of us. The Buddha's life offers hope. How can we find our own way?I found this beautifully written post by Christopher Titmus, powerful, insightful, and am sharing it here. It is one of the... Continue Reading →
There are not many dishes that are complete meals and that have been eaten continuously for almost 3000 years. Khichdi is gluten-free and can easily be vegan. And it is fitting that it be unadorned as it can stand by itself.
This article traces the path of mindfulness: American term for meditation; a term for the Theravada vipassana meditations; a certain type of attention or dhyana.
Stir-fried cabbage can be eaten as a fast, healthy Indian taco. Or it can be a deconstructed taco. Drizzle some sweet and spicy Chinese sauce and it is moo shu. Make it hearty with a khitchdi. I hope your appetite has been whetted and the cabbage is honored!
How can a years-old memory and longing of a taste be replicated? The yearning is happily satisfied as we can have our own heavenly bowl of Mexican style corn and poblano chowder with the added bonus of being vegan and gluten-free. I am also losing the fear of things not working out as planned.
Mahasri Yoga 