Enhance your yoga practice – with a plant based food

by | Mar 30, 2021 | Healthy Living Recipes

Spring is here, and we might even eat less and lighter.

Older I get, better food I crave for. With more yoga practice in my life, a full of nutrients food is a priority. I certainly feel stronger physically and mentally.

Over the years, I have tried variety of foods ( including carbs – carbohydrates ) but consuming more nutritional, fresh food, ( don’t use microwave anymore ) I have more energy before yoga, food feels lighter in the stomach, my mind does not feel cloudy anymore, my body does not feel sluggish. And, I believe, plant based, nutritional dishes have ability to enhance yoga practice. That’s why yogis are either vegetarian or vegan which makes sense. However, few times a month, I treat myself something from white meat when I don’t teach or after practice.

Enhance your Yoga practice – with a plant based food

Good nutritional food it’s not only good for your physical body but does enhance your mental state, creates a peaceful state of mind. Eating freshly cooked food, or plucked food are easy to digest and are higher in energy and fiber.

Eat well and seasonal. You only have one body so do take care of it. Nurture it. Eating well is also preventative and, it will also enhance your yoga practice.

So for today, I have prepared a simply warm plant based dish which is a full of vitamins, proteins and fiber. I would recommend at least an hour before your yoga practice.

Lentils & Spring greens, Purple broccoli & Sweet potatoes

Lentils are fantastic a source of energy. Any lentils. These small round things contain so much flavour. Lentils are high in fiber, rich in iron and folate ( one of the B-vitamins ) and, excellent source of protein.

Spring greens has been one of our favorites to add ays either additional side dish or mixing with either risottos, pasta or in warm salads. Spring greens has an enormous amount of vitamin C and vitamin K – which is great to build bone strength.

Sweet potatoes – are rich in minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and fiber. Good for promoting your gut health. They are also rich in beta-carotene, the antioxidant which support your health vision.

Purple broccoli – high in vitamin C. Good source of iron, carotenoids, folic acid, calcium, fibre, vitamin A and vitamin B.

What you will need for this dish: ( 2 x people sharing )

  • 1 cup of brown lentils
  • 1 small bunch of spring greens
  • 1 bunch purple broccoli
  • 2 sweet potatoes
  • 2 garlics
  • 1 fresh chillies
  • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 fresh lime or lemon
  • balsamic glaze or chilly sauce

Firstly, peeled sweet potatoes and cut in a little more chunks for extra texture. 10mins that’s all you need. You don’t want to overcooked them. Once cooked, put them on the side to cool down. Then, cook brown lentils. I use 1 1/2 cup of water for 1 cup of lentils. Add a pinch of salt in boiling water. It usually takes about 20mins to cook these lentils. Make sure there is not anymore water in the lentils and then turn it off and keep it in the pan. Keep checking during so the lentils don’t overcooked them. You want to still have a texture in them before mixing with the greens.

In the wok or any other pan, pour a little bit of cooking oil. We use Carontino Omega 3 & 6. oil. This oil adds an extra flavour to a dish. Garlic, fresh chillies, ( you can also add ginger if you like spice in your food ), then add Spring greens, purple broccoli, soya sauce, salt and pepper and fry it all for few minutes. Keep it still al-dente rather to overcooked for better nutritional value.

Time yourself about 5 mins to give sweet potatoes that golden look by placing them on the small pan on a high heat to give them crisps texture. Then, mix them all together in the big bowl and serve it all out. Fresh squeezed lime or lemon with a dash of chilly sauce or balsamic glaze. Lime or lemon gives that zest flavour and if there is too much fresh chillies ( too hot ) then, tones it down. Enjoy! It is super delicious.

a pan filled with lots of green vegetables. a pan filled with cut up butternuts on top of a stove. a cutting board topped with lettuce and tomatoes. a white plate topped with a salad of greens and tofu.

As the weather getting warmer, there will be more fresh salads, warm salads, with a full of nutrition to enhance your yoga practice. To enhance your mood. To enhance the whole You!

Stay tune, as more Satvic food will be shared soon. What is Satvic? More about it in the next blog.

Have a wonderful sunny week!

Julia xx

 

 

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