Ayurvedic Tips and Reminders- The Amazing Health Benefits of Ghee

IMG_0891Dear friends,

Welcome to my weekly blog.

The above picture was taken in India in 2011 giving Marma to villagers with my honored teacher. ( I was using nasya oil not ghee). I’ve been reflecting on how I arrived to where I am today, now that my last child has moved to Boston.

I personally invite you to view this you tube made by Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasting on Art and Healing. I am one of three people interviewed  on how art heals. It portrays how grief and loss can be transformed. Common physical symptoms such as digestive issues, stress, anxiety , fatigue, depression, all have underlying causes often related to grief, loss and trauma. But the good new is you can heal.

Watch the video on my home page http://8zq.e3b.mywebsitetransfer.com/

Many years of integration, many moons of grace.

 The Amazing Health Benefits of Ghee

Ghee is used in Ayurvedic diet for it’s rich health benefits. Many chef’s use it, also named “clarified butter” because of it’s high smoking point. You can cook on high heat with ghee.

With the dry season of fall upon us, ghee is the perfect fat to keep our skin looking vibrant; both the skin of the gut and the skin on our face. Ghee can also be purchased infused with triphala or shatavari. I recommend both.

Here are THREE rich benefits of eating ghee:

1.Because of it’s medium chain fatty acids it helps in weight loss by burning fat!!

(1/2 tsp 2x day is enough)

2.Because ghee is rich in butyric acid it helps to strengthen the immune system and gut health!

3.Ghee supports digestion. Better digestion better health!

Lastly, ghee can even be used on the temples for better sleep!

When our son was small I was first introduced to Ayurveda by making ghee candles to do exercises for our son’s eyes.

The picture of the man above was the first Ayurvedic doctor I saw who taught me about eye exercises with ghee. It was years later that he became my teacher. Wonderous how the universe works!

So ghee has vast uses and benefits. There are also medicated ghees like shatavari ghee and triphala ghee which are both excellent for women.

here is a fall recipe from the Joyful Belly website using ghee : You may substitute basmati rice or any other grain if you eat grains.

Basil Butternut Squash with Coconut Quinoa

ingredients

1/2 c Basil Vata pacifying Pitta aggravating Kapha pacifying
1 c Butternut Squash Vata pacifying Pitta pacifying Kapha aggravating
2 c Coconut Milk Vata pacifying Pitta pacifying Kapha aggravating
1 tbsp Curry Leaves Vata pacifying Pitta aggravating Kapha pacifying
2 tsp Ghee Vata pacifying Pitta pacifying Kapha aggravating
1 c Quinoa Vata pacifying Pitta pacifying Kapha pacifying
2 tbsp Red Onion (raw) Vata aggravating Pitta aggravating Kapha pacifying
1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (Chili) Vata pacifying Pitta aggravating Kapha pacifying
1/4 tsp Salt (Mineral Salt) Vata pacifying Pitta aggravating Kapha aggravating

preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Peel and dice butternut squash and set aside. Next, dice the purple onion. Melt ghee in a small pan on the stove. In a medium sized mixing bowl, toss the butternut squash, onion, melted ghee, salt, red pepper flakes, and cup coconut milk. Place spiced butternut squash in a pyrex baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes or until tender.

2. Bring quinoa and coconut milk to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 2 whole curry leaves. Lower heat and simmer covered for 20 minutes or until quinoa become soft. Add salt to taste.

3. Serve in bowls by layering the butternut squash over a serving of quinoa. Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot.

with warm regards,

Gedalia Genin

“transforming women and children’s health using natural modalities”