Kitchari Cleansing: Reset your Body, Mind, and Spirit

“The best of all medicines is resting and fasting.” – Benjamin Franklin

With the Change of the seasons upon us, (yaaay!!), our bodies usually correspond and cleanse naturally and is the best time to get ride of what no longer serves us.  Among the many symptoms of cleansing, detoxing, and purifying, its a signal to rest and give our bodies time to process what is going on internally and externally. So if you are feeling nauseous, lightheaded, tired, achy ect —> REST, drink plenty of clean water, and eat a simple clean diet!!!

 There are many ways to detox. Ayurveda is a 5,000 year old system, which is considered to be the sister science of yoga. Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine and healing native to India. The primary goal of this system is to balance the “doshas” or elemental energies of the body. The idea is that when the doshas are balanced, there is health in the body. Ayurveda suggests using a mono diet of mung beans/lentils and rice. A mono-diet means you eat a small amount of the same thing at each meal during the fast. It’s gentler than a juice cleanse, plus you actually get to eat. (For more information on Avurveda, contact a local friend Sally Miller, at SallyMillerYoga.com)

Kitchari is cleansing and balancing because it provides ample nutrients while “detoxing” your body. It’s important to add whatever seasonal vegetables you have on hand to complete the dish, as Ayruveda dietary theory flows with the seasons.

 Kitchari Recipe

1 cup whole mung beans/lentils
2 cups brown rice
4 1/4 cups cold water

Put these three ingredients into a pot (if using lentils wait 20 minutes for rice to soften), put the lid on and turn your burner on to medium high. When the mixture boils, turn the burner to low and cook for about 45 minutes.

When the beans/rice mixture is almost done, put the following into a skillet on low for 5 or 10 minutes, just to fuse all the seasonings.

1-2 Tablespoons clarified butter/Ghee* or olive oil (Ghee is traditional)
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 Tablespoon ground cumin
1 Tablespoon ground coriander
1 Tablespoon turmeric

When the rice and beans are done, combine them with the spices. You can be finished here, or you can top it with some fresh, chopped ginger (good for circulation and digestion), or add some cooked, chopped vegetables. Make a head, you may eat warm or cold.

Like always, be open, give it a try, and come up with your own variations.

This is a great recipe to use with or without a cleanse.

Loka Samasta Sukino Bhavantu

May the Lord bless the whole world with eternal peace and goodwill

Namaste!