At this time of year many people are feeling the need for detoxification from the holiday excess. Moderate fasting can be effective at healing and nurturing your body in a way that can help eliminate cravings and detoxify the body of accumulated waste. A moderate fast can be accomplished by following a mono-diet of Kitchari, a simple and easy to digest combination of mung beans, rice and certain spices.
This food is traditionally eaten during Pancha Karma, an Ayurvedic cleansing therapy typically done during the change of seasons. Eating only Kitchari for a certain period can allow the body to take a needed period of rest from digesting food. This allows the body to focus energy on resolving deeper health issues and releasing toxins.
A Kitchari fast is typically done for 1-3 days or longer if desired and can be accompanied by drinking cleansing herbal teas and resting as much as your schedule permits.
There are many variations but listed below is a simple and delicious Kitchari recipe that Cheryl typically made and loved:
Mung beans 1 cup
Rice 2 cups
Water 4 ¼ cups
Ghee (clarified butter) or sesame oil 1-2 T
Sea salt ¾ tsp
Cumin seed powder 1-2 T
Coriander seed powder 1-2 T
Turmeric powder 1-2 T
Soak beans overnight. In the morning rinse beans and place them, the rice and water into larger covered pot.
When it boils, lower temperature to low and cook until done, about 45 minutes.
After 35 minutes, place ghee, salt, cumin, coriander and turmeric into a frying pan, with the heat on low, for ten minutes or until fragrant.
Add the spice mixture to the rice and beans. Adjust seasonings to taste.