Braised purple cabbage with brown rice, herbs and goats curd

I had this for lunch, but it would also work well making a huge big serving of it and serve it as a side dish. There's lot of seeds in this - they give it a bit of a crunchy texture as well as adding some protein. Of course add less if you'd prefer.

Braised purple cabbage with brown rice, herbs and goats curd.

Serves 2

2 cups of chopped purple cabbage

1 tablespoon of ghee

About 1 desert spoon of raw apple cider vinegar

1 cup of cooked brown rice (long soaked before cooking is best)

1/4 cup of green olives

1/2 cup of finely shaved Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup of activated sunflower seeds

1/2 cup of activated pepitas

A big handful of chopped parley

2 dessert spoons of goats curd

Olive oil to serve

Salt and pepper to serve

Warm the ghee over medium heat in a fry pan. Once it has melted, add the chopped cabbage and stir to coat with ghee. Once it has cooked a little splash over the apple cider vinegar. Turn down the heat and allow the cabbage to braise for a few minutes.

When it seems soft, but is still a vibrant purple colour, add the cooked brown rice and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

Remove from the heat and stir in the seeds, Parmesan and olives.

Pile onto two plates and dollop on a spoonful of goats curd.

Scatter the chopped parsley and drizzle olive oil all over.

Meditation... Your mind like the ocean

Image from Martine Emdur

Here's a little analogy to consider regarding meditation.

Visualise your mind like the ocean. There will be movement on the surface - sometimes there's a lot of movement and sometimes not so much... However as you go deeper there is always stillness.

If your mind feels turbulent, fierce or just slightly agitated, imagine you are going deeper and deeper to the silence and stillness deep in the ocean.

Mudra

Image sourced from yogibe

Mudra is a sanskrit word meaning 'gesture'. They can be thought of as a seal for energy flow.

Some mudras are as complicated as involving the whole body through asana (posture), pranayama (breath), bandahs (energy lock) as well as visualisation. However the most common mudras are a simple hand position.

The text Asana Pranayama Mudra Banda says that mudras should be introduced later in practice, once proficient in asana, pranayama and bandha - as these practices help clear gross blockages.

Through practicing mudra, yogis develop awareness of energy flow through the body. It is said that mudras help to manipulate prana by diverting it to the upper chakras, as opposed to it leaving the body and dissipating.

In this same text there is a section on a scientific view point of mudras. It is explained that mudras act as a subtle, non-intellectual connection between the position of the hand and the mind. Different mudras set up different links and which effects the body differently. Over time repetition of the gesture can immediately bring the practitioner to a more refined state of consciousness.

One way to think of it is if you were to meditate over and over again with your hands in a certain position, your body learns than when you place your hand in this way, you will be meditating. 

Eventually, whenever you take this hand gesture, your mind begins to go into meditation mode.

 

Chocolate truffles

These are rich and fudge-like thanks to the raw medjool dates. The dates also give the sticky caramel texture. I tend to add more raw cacao as it gives the very intense dark chocolate flavour. You could add spices - maybe chilli, cardamom or cinnamon...

 

Choosing raw cacao powder makes these satisfying treats more nutritious. It is less processed and contains twice the amount of antioxidants found in traditional cocoa from roasted beans. It is one of the best sources of magnesium found in nature. Raw cacao also contains phenylethylamine which helps to lift mood and enhance mental well-being. Excellent!

I mentioned the caramel texture of dates - this also means they are high in fruit sugar so keep this in mind... But there really isn't much processing involved so let's embrace them!

Dates contain folate, vitamins A, K and the B's as well as selenium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese and copper.

Ayurveda teaches that dates are cooling, sweet and satvic (bring a calm, serene quality). They nourish the immune system and tissues, but are also considered 'heavy' so you shouldn't consume too many in one go or it will be too hard on your agni (digestive fire).

If you have a dominant kapha constitution go easy on dates due to their heavy, cool quality. They could make you feel more sluggish.

Chocolate truffles

10 plump juicy fresh medjool dates, pitted

3 or 4 tablespoons of raw cacao powder

1 tablespoon of raw coconut oil or ghee

A tiny pinch of quality sea salt (I used Celtic sea salt)

Extra raw cacao to coat

Blend the dates and raw cacao until smooth. Next add the coconut oil/ghee and pulse to combine well. Roll into balls and coat with extra cacao powder. These are rich so keep them small.

Oat, chia, vanilla and coconut porridge

In Winter, I love having porridge with warming spices such as ground cinnamon and ginger. 

This morning there was a slight feeling of Spring in the air which inspired me to alter my porridge slightly... This was delicious!

Oat, chia, vanilla and coconut porridge

1 cup of rolled oats

2 tablespoons of chia seeds

2 cups of coconut milk or coconut cream

The beans from one vanilla bean, or a pinch of vanilla powder

A pinch of good quality salt (I used celtic sea salt)

2 teaspoons of ghee (more if you like!)

Raw honey to sweeten

Activated almonds, chopped, to serve

Milk of your choice to serve if desired

The night before, cover 1 cup of oats and 2 tablespoons of chia seeds with water and allow to soak overnight.

The next morning give the oat mixture a good stir. Place in a saucepan with the coconut milk/cream and stir occasionally over low heat. Allow to cook slowly until the oats have lost most of their shape. You may need to add more coconut milk/cream or water if it starts to stick. Add vanilla, salt and ghee and stir to combine. 

Ladle into bowls. Drizzle with raw honey, pile almonds and serve with your choice of milk if desired.

 

A cuppa... and a moment of mindfulness

 Image sourced from Pinterest

Being mindful is simply giving all your awareness to one task, so you can practice it doing just about anything.

Your morning tea or coffee is a perfect chance to try...

If you've made it yourself, use a pretty cup to present it nicely.
Sit somewhere pleasant, and start by appreciating the look and aroma. Perhaps it's steaming if it's a little cool this morning? If you are in a cafe, wait quietly for it to arrive and appreciate the surroundings. Try not to grab your phone or another distraction.

Hold the cup in your hand for a moment and notice it's warmth on your hands.

Take a sip and notice the feeling on your lips, in your mouth and down your throat.

Appreciate the taste and texture.

Sip slowly in this fashion. If you are alone, it may be easier to focus. If you are with other people you can still chat... just stay mindful as you sip.

Once you have finished, sit for a moment. Observe your surroundings and feel grateful for the little ritual you have just had.

The Eight Limbs of Yoga

Image from We Heart It

For most westerners yoga is physical movement, with a little bit of relaxation and meditation which is beneficial for the mind. For some people this is enough - and that is fine!

However there are eight limbs of yoga and each one needs to be achieved before reaching spiritual enlightenment.

There is a lot to each one, but here is a short summary of each in layman's terms for you.

1. Yama

Yama refers to self restraints, or how we behave in relation to other people. One way of thinking of Yama is to consider the rule we have all heard as children (perhaps in scripture!) "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". The areas of Yama include non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, abstinence (meaning not using sexual energy to harm others) and non-possessiveness.

2. Niyama

Niyama is self-discipline or observances. Niyama includes personal cleanliness, contentment, spirituality, self study and the surrender to God (whatever God may mean to you. It doesn't necessarily have to mean a God from a particular religion, but any higher power - such as the universe).

3. Asana

This is where most Westerners began their study of yoga. Asana is the physical postures we think of when we say yoga. Through Asana we take control of our physical body, which allows us to sit easily in meditation.

4. Pranayama

Pranayama is control of life force, or prana. In a yoga class you will often perform breathing exercises such as this one which help to purify the body. In yoga the breath has strong connections to the mind and emotions. Pranayama is the last limb which is related to the physical body.

5. Pratyahara 

Pratyahara is the withdrawal of the senses. This is when yogis begin to sit and move their awareness to their inner world, and away from external distractions or senses.

6. Dharana

Dharana is when we start to steady the mind. As you will be aware, your mind becomes extremely active when you try to think of nothing! Yogis may use a single point to focus on, such as the breath, and object or a mantra. Practicing extended periods of concentration leads onto meditation.

7. Dhyana

Dhyana is the stage of meditation of contemplation. When starting to learn meditation, we may think that dharana and dhyana are very similar. The difference in that dharana is a single-pointed focus or concentration, where dhyana is moving beyond this, to a state of being without focus. Here the mind is still without thought.

8. Samadhi

This is the final stage of yoga, spiritual enlightenment or pure bliss. It is said that at this point, the yogi merges with their point of focus and transcends the Self altogether!