Detox…
With warmer weather, spring/summer and seasonal events coming up, it's time to get our bodies looking and feeling good. A perfect starting point is not as hard as you might think.
INSERT: KITCHARI. A reset for your gut that's actually pretty delicious. It's also affordable and easy to make!
How to Kitchari cleanse.
For 3 - 21 days you enjoy a bowl of kitchari for two to three of your meals a day. I started with two meals (lunch + dinner) and having yogurt with berries and tea for breakfast. No starvation here.
Kitchari recipe (serves 4)
- 1/2 cup moong dal split mung beans
- 1/2 cup Basmati rice
- 4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon ghee coconut oil or avocado oil for vegan-friendly
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger or a pinch of ground ginger powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Garnish:
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- slices of lime or lemon
Instructions
-
In a medium bowl, combine the rice and moong dal. Pour enough water to cover the mixture and soak for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, pour the mixture into a fine mesh strainer and rinse with cold water until it runs clear.
-
Warm the oil or ghee on medium-low heat in a medium pot. Carefully add the cumin seeds and let them cook for about a minute until the seeds start to brown and become fragrant. Add the ginger and ground turmeric.
-
Add the rice and dal mixture into the pot. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Stir and add the 4 cups of water.
-
Increase the heat to medium-high to bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Turn the heat down immediately to a gentle simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally until you get a porridge-like consistency. It should be soft and creamy.
-
Taste the kitchari to make sure the texture is soft. If not, you may need to let it cook a little longer. Turn off the heat and adjust the seasoning, if needed, and stir again. Serve or cool down completely and refrigerate in a sealed container for 3 days.
Digestive-Enhancing Tea
This tea is packed with spices that stimulate the digestive system and help to remove toxins from the body. It’s recommended to drink throughout the day.
Ingredients
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp coriander seeds
- 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
- 4 cups filtered water
In a small saucepan, combine seeds and water and bring to boil. Turn off heat and cover for 15 minutes or even overnight for a stronger brew.
Strain into a thermos and sip every 20 minutes throughout the day.
Happy cleansing!