by Nandini Natasha Austin, Certified Ayurveda Movement Coach & Ayurvedancer
Last month, I had the honor of catering lunch for a group of powerful ladies at the 'Self Care' Summer of Love Women's Retreat in Woodstock, NY. The day was orchestrated by Rene and Cam, two wonderful women who curated a thoughtfully planned event filled with new learnings, from intention setting and creative journaling to astrology, guided meditation, and aromatherapy incense crafting.
The Mind of the Chef
To align with the theme of self-love, the lunch menu was centered on Saatvic foods, which are light and easy to consume, made with delicious Indian digestive spices.
To Begin: I served mini bites of spiced chickpeas and potatoes drizzled with tamarind chutney. Tamarind, in Ayurveda, is known to stimulate digestion, making it a perfect starter to awaken the digestive fire. It was served along a chickpea and potato curry puffs, drizzled with a and refreshing lemon balm raita. The lemon balm which grows wild in my in my garden, has a slightly bitter and sweet taste and has a cooling Virya (Energy) and Vipaka (Post-digestive effect). Due to its Sweetness, aids in the calming of the mind and improves digestion.
Next up was a flavorful vegetable biryani, known in Ayurveda for its digestive properties. This dish was crafted with aromatic spices such as cumin, cardamom, ginger, and garlic. Each ingredient was chosen for its ability to aid digestion and promote overall well-being. The cumin and cardamom stimulate the digestive fire, while ginger and garlic provide warmth and aid in digestion, making this biryani both nourishing and satisfying. With a side of bryiani chicken though also known for their grounding quality and oily nature,
A bowl full of Goodness
Post lunch, I was asked to do an impromptu lead of movement and opted for a digestive dance, to get things moving. After some simple breath work and stretching we danced to a couple of Belly Bollywood tracks..ending in Goddess pose.
Cheers
Nandini Natasha Austin
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