Autumn Lentil Soup



Autumn is a season that brings a lot of change and unpredictability … in the weather, as well as in new schedules. One way to balance this sense of increased movement and ungroundedness is to nourish the body with warm, sweet soups and stews.

Here’s one of my favourite soup recipes:

Comforting Fall Lentil Soup

Ingredients

1 Tbsp Ghee (olive oil or oil of choice)

1 yellow onion (chopped)

1Tbsp Cumin (ground or whole)

1 Tbsp Coriander (ground or whole)

1 Tbsp Fennel (ground or whole)

2 tsp Turmeric

1-2 inches of Fresh Ginger (minced or zested)

1 cup dried Brown Lentils (rinsed and soaked)

2 cups Organic Frozen Butternut Squash

1 cup Fresh Chopped Spinach

Salt & Pepper

Full Recipes 
  1. In a large pot, heat ghee (or oil of choice). Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent.
  2. Stir in the spices: cumin, coriander, fennel, turmeric and fresh ginger. Allow the spices to become aromatic and gently bubble in the oil.
  3. Add lentils and stir throughly mixing the spices, onions and lentils together. Add water to fill 2/3rd’s of the pot.
  4. Carefully add the butternut squash. Bring to a boil. Simmer on medium-low for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Add spinach, salt and pepper to taste.

Note: If you tend to be thin, dry or gassy, substitute the lentils for barley. Barley is grounding and nourishing without increasing or aggravating gas and bloating.

Embracing Balance: Nurturing Your Well-being during the Fiery Season

The Accumulation of Fire:

In Ayurveda, when the elemental energies or doshas accumulate and become imbalanced, they can manifest as various symptoms. If left unattended, these imbalances can lead to chronic conditions and diseases. Derived from the Sanskrit word “tapa,” meaning heat or becoming hot, pitta represents the energy responsible for bodily metabolism, digestion, absorption and body temperature regulation. It encompasses all processes of metabolism, action and transformation within us.

Aggravation of Fire:

When the fire element or pitta dosha is in excess, imbalances related to metabolism, action and transformation result. Excess fire or pitta dosha can result in acid reflux, nausea, excessive hunger, overactive metabolism, loose stools, profuse sweating, blood sugar imbalances, skin inflammation, and irritability. Individuals residing in hot and humid climates, those with a predominant pitta constitution, or those experiencing high levels of stress and overwork are more prone to pitta imbalances. 

Alleviation of Fire:

The golden rule to restore balance in Ayurveda is “like increases like, and opposites decrease.” Late spring is the appropriate time to introduce qualities that reduce excess fire or pitta dosha. Cooling, calming, grounding, slow, and neutral qualities all reduce excess fire or pitta dosha. This preventive approach maintains the balance of the body’s fire element or pitta dosa throughout the late spring and summer months. 

Nutrition Tips for Late Spring:

  • Incorporate refreshing foods that lighten the body and keep the system cool.

  • Cooling herbs include cilantro, dill, thyme, mint, and fennel should be used liberally.

  • Embrace cooling vegetables such as beets, summer squash, and corn.

  • Fresh greens with a bitter taste cleanse and cool the blood.

  • Seasonal berries provide astringent properties that tones the tissues.

  • Reduce or avoid pitta-aggravating foods such as coffee, fermented foods, alcohol, salty and/or fried foods, citrus fruits, and sour dairy products.

These recommendations can benefit both preventive care and disease management. For the best results, consult a trained Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist who can guide you through this transformative journey. Embrace the wisdom of Ayurveda and allow the supportive and nourishing qualities of the season guide you towards holistic health.🌿✨

#Ayurveda #BalanceWithin #HolisticWellness #NurturingHealth #PittaSeason

Please check out the recipes on our Pinterest Page.

Cardamom Ginger Grape Elixir



This elixir both cleanses and nourishes the blood. Grapes are, in Ayurveda, “King among fruits.” This fruit (the red ones) can nourish the rasa dhatu while cooling the rakta dhatu, making it an ideal rejuvenator for the blood. Adding digestive spices brings a cleansing bonus to the upper digestive tract. Enjoy this juice often in hot weather, around the menstrual cycle, or to balance too much heating food from the day before.

Indulge in a delightful elixir that not only tantalizes your taste buds but also nourishes and purifies your blood—introducing the Cardamom Ginger Grape Elixir, a refreshing concoction designed to bring balance and rejuvenation to your body. Prepare to be captivated by the Ayurvedic wisdom behind this elixir, as it harnesses the power of grapes, known as the “King among fruits,” to nourish your inner vitality. Combined with digestive spices, this elixir offers a cleansing bonus for your upper digestive tract. Whether it’s to beat the heat, harmonize your menstrual cycle, or restore equilibrium after a day of indulgence, this elixir is a true elixir of vitality and rejuvenation. Get ready to sip your way to revitalized well-being.

Mealtimes Easier for Families

If you have a selective eater, feel like you’re constantly making multiple meals, or need new mealtimes ideas, this message is for you. 

As a pediatric OT (Shannon!) and Naturopathic Doctor (Janine!) and parents to learning eaters (3 kids each), we understand the challenges firsthand.  We have teamed up and are excited to share this FREE Mealtime Guide for Families.  

We created this to help make dinner time easier for you and support your learning eater on their journey to trying more foods.  We want to be considerate of your learning eater’s needs and the needs of the rest of your family without being a short-order cook.

 Inside the guide, you’ll find valuable information and meal ideas to help make mealtimes more enjoyable. It’s full of meals we regularly serve to our families (all of the pictures inside are meals that we served our kids).  The meals are created in ways that meet the needs of everyone: the adults at the table and our most selective eaters at the same time, and provide our selective eaters with lots of exposure to food in different ways.  

 Not only that but downloading the guide will also give you access to 6 weeks of information and strategies dropped straight into your inbox. 

This guide will give you the tools and knowledge to make mealtimes a more positive and enjoyable experience for your whole family.  You can download this free resource here!

Non-Alcoholic Bevvie Series Part 2

If you love this video, please check out Kate’s own cookbook.

Please be on the lookout for parts, three, and four in the upcoming series.

Happy Holidays!

Non-Alcoholic Bevvie Series

During the holidays, it is important to remember how grateful we are for those around us. Those people that help us be the best versions of ourselves. The holidays can also be about new beginnings or the birth of something new. We wanted to give you a few different ideas to try this holiday season. Enjoy!

Here are a few of our favourite non-alcoholic beverages for your guests (and yourself) to enjoy this holiday season.

Non-alcoholic beverages are a great way to offer something delicious and fun options, so your non-drinking guests don’t feel left out.

Plus, kids LOVE feeling like part of the party, so giving them fancy cocktails without alcohol can also put a smile on their faces.

If you love this video, please check out Kate’s own cookbook.

Please be on the lookout for parts two, three, and four in the upcoming series.

Happy Holidays!

Ayurvedic tips and tricks for fostering a calm and cool summer season

You can’t expect to feel the same every day, and hormones impact your mood!