Ishtadev Niwas Ashram
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Living Local - Living Yoga Recipe: Local cheese crepes + freshy bruschetta

12/3/2021

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This one is a simple, clean and fresh crowd-pleaser at all of our retreats!  We've based our local crepe recipe on OmShanti's husband's favorite "Finnish pancake" recipe that his Mom taught him to make.  And the bruschetta - well, we've developed this based on inspiration from the beautiful heirloom tomatoes from the Annapoorna Garden.  Once again, we hope you enjoy, are inspired to grow as much of your own and eat local whenever possible.  Eating local is a foundational practice in Yoga Ecology!​
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Crepe ingredients:
  • 2 cups local milk
  • 2 local eggs
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter (we make our own from local whipping cream!)
  • 1 cup local flour (we mill our own from 'Niwas-grown wheat!)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • For laying in between folded crepes: 2-3 cups grated local cheese (we use Alpine Meadows cheese for retreats) and we always throw in spinach/arugula and some fresh dill from the garden.  You can roast up asparagus as well or fry up some shredded zucchini for an added bonus!
Crepe instructions:
  1. Combine and whish crepe ingredients until smooth (everything but the cheese and added greens/veggies).
  2. Let the batter rest for at least 30 minutes (or you can let this sit in the fridge overnight).
  3. Heat non-stick or lightly greased pan to medium.  At this point also pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees.
  4. Pour thin layer of the batter just so it covers the bottom.
  5. Once golden brown on one side, flip and cook the other side.
  6. Once all your crepes are done, you can assemble them for baking by placing shredded cheese and veggies of choice on half the crepe and folding the other half over.  Bake in oven on a baking sheet or pizza pan until cheese appears to have melted (approximately 8-12 mins).
  7. Voila!  Enjoy with "freshy bruschetta" below.
"Freshy 'Niwas Bruschetta Instructions and Ingredients:
  • It's all about the tomatoes!  Dice as many tomatoes as your bowl would like (remove the seeds whenever possible).
  • Chop up a large handful of fresh basil from your or a friend's garden.
  • Chop up a handful of scallions.
  • Mince some fresh garlic (we avoid this in some retreats as garlic is considered Rajasic for the mind)
  • Toss the ingredients in a big bowl and drizzle oil of your choice with some salt and pepper.  Sometimes we will add in a splash of balsamic vinegar but it is not necessary in order to keep this recipe truly local!
  • Spoon as much freshie bruschetta on your crepes as your heart desires!
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Living Yoga Recipe: Turmeric Latte

15/10/2019

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 - By Om Shanti Pelkonen

There is now snow on the ground at ‘Niwas, the earliest we’ve had.  We’ve been staying warm in preparation by chopping wood, harvesting within the garden, making compost, warming ourselves by the fire, Asana (of course!) and now also more regular Turmeric Lattes.  

Turmeric is an important part of the Ayervedic health system and contains curcumin which has been proven to have significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.  Turmeric is known as Haridra in Sanskrit, which roughly translates to “that which improves skin complexion.”  Turmeric balances all three Doshas and is helpful in expelling increased Pitta.  

There are numerous recipes out there for making a perfect Tumeric Latte. Our go-to is generally to use coconut or soy milk, and to sweeten it with ‘Niwas honey.  It is really important to use pepper and an oil within your Turmeric Latte as this helps the body absorb the important curcumin within the turmeric.

Here is an online recipe that you can play with: http://www.everydayayurvedacookbook.com/ayurvedic-turmeric-milk-recipe/. 
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Lastly, don’t hesitate in adding fresh ginger, nutmeg and/or cinnamon as well.  Just don’t forget the pepper and oil! 
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Living Yoga with Ayurveda

1/1/2019

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- By Sannyasi Shivani Howe

Ayurveda is the sister science to Yoga and has a wealth of wisdom when it comes to staying in balance with the seasons. January in North America, specifically in the Purcell Mountains here, is Cold Cold Cold! It's a time of year where the two Doshas of Vata, air and ether, and Kapha, water and earth, are predominant, which can create challenges to staying balanced and healthy.
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Here are a few tips to help you stay balanced:
  1. Eat a warming, nourishing diet that will reduce Vata without enhancing Kapha: Rice, wheat, healthy oils (ghee, coconut, linseed, avocado, hemp, olive), warm water and milk help promote longevity. Raw honey is excellent as it helps clear any mucous and aggravated Kapha due to its heating, drying and channel-clearing effect.  Have a warm breakfast (porridge is excellent) and end the day with hot milk (almond milk is a good choice), ginger, cinnamon, cardamon and honey. Nutmeg will also aid sleep, but you only need a small pinch.  Winter is the time for Soups, Stews and one-pot wonders!  Drink spicy teas throughout the day, avoiding cold water, ice cream and other cooling foods which will aggravate Kapha and Vata.  
  2. Warm up: Massage with warm oil and saunas or steam rooms are all good to ward off the cold. As in Autumn, Vata is drying, so skin needs extra care. Ground yourself with a daily self-massage with a warm sesame oil or olive oil, followed by a warm shower/ bath to prevent feelings of coldness, and stiff, aching joints. 
  3. Get moving! Or curl up on the sofa?  Its fine to get up later than in Summer, but it's still a good idea to be up at 7am. Practice some form of vigorous exercise to get the lymph moving in the body, preventing future congestive problems. Exercise is also one of the best ways to stimulate a sluggish digestion, regulate the metabolism and aid the removal of toxins from the body.  The Sun Salutations are a great way to start to the day, as they build up heat in the body and work all the major muscles. The Kappalabhati breathing exercise is also excellent for generating internal heat and improving the digestive fire (Agni). However, Winter is also a natural time for resting and reflecting on the past year, as well as preparing for a new year. Whilst keeping physically active, its also a time for feeling grounded with a sense of internal stillness.
  4. Herbal help from Ayurveda: One special formulation is called Chywanaprash, which can be taken daily to strengthen the lungs and boost the immune system. I like to drink this as a tea, in which you simply add a spoonful to hot water and stir.  This delicious, herbal jam acts to rejuvenate all the body tissues, increasing strength and virility, as well as alleviating respiratory conditions. It is named after the sage, Chywana, who had become very old but used this formula to become young again and satisfy his young wife! If you have recurrent colds, or a persistent cold, you may also want to try Trikatu, an herbal blend made of ginger, black pepper and long pepper. These spices act to dry up mucous and clear channels. It is traditionally taken with raw honey, which also aids in clearing mucous. It should not be taken if you are pregnant or suffering from the effects of aggravated Pitta dosha (eg: heartburn, hyperacidity or stomach ulcers). Finally, Turmeric is a potent natural antibiotic and can be used to help fight all respiratory tract infections. Boil half a cup of water with 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric, add a little milk (or almond milk) then use as a gargle.

~ by Sannyasi Shivani
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  • Home
  • About
    • Living Yoga Society
    • Founders & Teachers
    • FAQs
    • Getting Here
    • Cancellation and Refund Policy >
      • Liability Waiver
  • Online Programs
    • LYFE - Online Community
    • Karma to Dharma Program
    • Online Masterclass Retreat in Yoga Psychology
    • LIVE Online Asana
    • Navaratri Sadhana
    • LIVE - Saundarya Lahari Chanting
  • Yoga Retreats
    • Retreat in Golden BC (Apr 29 - May 1, 2022)
    • Advanced Chakra Immersion
    • Living Local Retreat
    • Foundations of Yoga Ecology Week-long Retreat
    • Study in Residence Yoga Ecology
    • Karma Yoga Community Days
    • Private Sessions
  • Farm
    • Farm Employment
    • Bakery
  • News & Prasad
    • Living Yoga Blog
    • Living Yoga Podcast
    • Recipes
    • YouTube Channel
    • Book
  • Contact