Crystal Ann Yoga + Nutrition

Ayurveda Tip:
Consume fresh fruit an hour or so before other foods

Fruits digest similar to fermentation or winemaking process. Eating raw fruits with other foods may cause confusion and difficulty with digestion, uncomfortableness, bloating and gas. Ayurveda also suggests to not eat fruits with milk.

Cooked and dried fruits work much better when consumed with other foods.

Enjoy fresh, local seasonal fruits on their own.

Mint has a cooling effect on the body

Using Mint as a tea or condiment may bring a cooling effect. Sprinkling Mint leaves over melons and fresh fruit or having Mint chutney can cool while providing anti inflammatory and anti viral quantities.

Mint may aid with digestion and help with indigestion, also taming bad breath. Consuming Mint and rubbing Mint oil on temples may help relieve headaches.

Mint is easy to grow and will spread like wild fire. Growing it in a pot will keep it contained. Use fresh while it is growing and dry and store for off season use.

Tofu Riccota Pie
Sweet Potato crust
Layers of roasted seasonal veggies and oil free Vegan basil pesto
Roasted veggies on top

This is a new recipe I created a few days ago. I'm excited to share it in a virtual cooking session.

All Vegan and Gluten free

Cooking session - virtual
September 20th 4:30-6pm CDT

Email [email protected]
For registration details

I had fresh garden carrots and special people in my life who love carrot cake.

Vegan, GF Carrot Cake
Almonds ground for flour, flax seed, maple syrup, homemade plant yogurt, dates, pecans. Cashew maple frosting. High fiber and protein treat.

Cake was enjoyed by my cousin yesterday. Sharing with my parents today.

Incorporate all 6 Ayurveda Tastes in each meal

All 6 tastes should be present in each meal we consume. Knowing how the elements (Fire, Air, Ether, Earth, Water) are aligned in us guides us to know %s of the various tastes to ease us toward balance.

Sweet:Earth and Water. Enhances Ojas-vital life sap

Sour:Earth and Fire. Stimulates appetite and may enhance digestive enzymes

Salty: Water and Fire. Laxative as it helps elimination of waste in various ways

Pungent: Fire and Air. Light, heating and drying.

Bitter: Air and Ether. Anti-inflammatory and cleansing for liver.

Astringent: Air and Earth. Decongestant and improves absorption and promotes blood clotting.

The tastes are present in herbs, spices, all foods.
In Summertime, season of Pitta: Fire and Water tastes of Bitter, Astringent and Sweet are suggested as predominant tastes for balance.

Today I taught my annual Fermentation class. It's a wonderful way to preserve fresh produce in season that can be enjoyed all through next Spring.

The attendees started Kim Chi, Sauerkraut and fermented Veggie Snacks. We will be making Fire Cider after the 1st frost as the local horseradish root will be ready.

I made a batch of purple Sauerkraut. Cabbage picked from my garden today, now in "the witness protection" program while it transforms into Sauerkraut, for about 4 weeks or so.

I have a nice size garden plot about 1.5 miles from my home.

I grow a few veggies and herbs I want easy convenient access to on my balcony.

One of my favorite late Summer treats are Sungold cherry tomatoes.

The plant on my balcony is nearly 5 feet tall and providing delicious tomatoes.

It's a beautiful Summer day and I have a wonderful breeze flowing through my home.

I oven roasted many of my garden veggies and also sweet potatoes and mushrooms for lunch.

Living the delicious Vegan life.

Set a Sankalpa as you drift into sleep

Intentions are powerful and planting them at auspicious times may increase their likelihood to come to fruition.

As you are settling into bed to sleep state your Sankalpa just as you are entering the pleasant zone of the cusp of sinking into sleep.

You deserve to have your Sankalpas come to fruition.

Another few days of purple hands: picking, cleaning and preserving Aronia berries.

Aronia Berry Fig Jam
w/immune boosting spices

Aronia Syrup
with herbs for respiratory health

4 quarts of aronias in the freezer

Gratitude for my friend, Penny who invited me to pick the berries at her farm, StillPoint Flower Farm