Eat bitter, taste sweet.
An untrained mind as Seneca quotes will have us suffer more often in imagination than in reality.
Week Number 2 in the times of the pandemic feels quite surreal. Self isolation is not an issue for me personally. In fact, I have chosen it often for myself and tend to thrive in it for extended periods of time. I also thankfully understand the privilege I have that I can choose this way of being as well.
The time now, of course, is completely a different game.
It is not a matter of choice anymore in many ways and the unknown around everything can make one easily feel powerless if one is not aware.
I’ve been feeling ever so grateful towards the innate intelligence my body holds recently. While my untrained mind can still easily slip into ripples of thoughts during unexpected change and uncertainty, my body deeply anchored in the present always whispers it’s invitation calling me back home.
It’s been asking for deep surrender in recent times. Lots of rest, expansive breaths, luxurious stretches, settling in, space, softness, soul rendering music, and open wide meandering spaces.
With Spring in full onset and Ugadi around the corner, the theme, in general, seems to be of going to back the roots and relishing all things simple.
This week I was called to cook bitter gourd vegetable accompanied with sprouted ragi flour rotis. I served it on a Kansa plate that I bought in Orissa where my brother in law is from. The idea to cook this vegetable at this time was not necessarily a planned conscious choice but as always I am amazed by how following what I feel naturally within, always leads me to what is best for me and opens me up to new learnings.
Good medicine tastes bitter.
Bitter gourd is a vegetable from the Cucurbitaceae family. With green bumpy skin that always gives me the urge to itch it, I have never particularly liked the way it looks or tastes. Over the years though, I have come to enjoy it’s taste very much. even when it’s not doused in oil and masalas or deep fried to a crisp.:)
In Ayurveda, Bitter melon is considered balancing for all the three doshas of Pitta, Kapha, and Vata. Its bitter taste comes with a myriad of health benefits and is deeply cleansing to the body. This helps balance our digestive fire by eliminating ‘ama’ which is the undigested material that acidifies our system and supports the healthy functioning of our pancreas, liver, and spleen.
Bittermelon is one of the rare vegetables that does not aggravate vata and helps remove excess kapha while balancing pitta in the body. It is extremely helpful for all who especially suffer from liver conditions and diabetes.
While it’s the perfect vegetable to make and eat during the cleansing phases of your Life, we are also asked not to overdo it. As in everything in life, balance is key.
Consuming bitter foods also symbolizes our ability to digest tough experiences in Life. Apt for the times we live in, consuming bitter food reminds us all that we cannot always be oriented towards desiring only comfortable and sweet things in Life. Enduring hardship and facing Life’s tough trials are all a part of playing this game and these experiences serve our highest good. As the yin complements and supports the yang, similarly without a dose of bitterness, we may never truly realize and relish the sweetness we have in our lives.
More on Bitter Gourd below.
The wonder grain Finger Millet
Also known as Ragi or Mandua is an important millet grown extensively in various regions of India and Africa from over 4000 years. Ragi is the richest source of calcium (344 mg %) and potassium (408 mg %) among plant foods and helps in strengthening bones for growing children and aging people. It is also a wonderful source of assimilable iron especially when sprouted making it beneficial for individuals with low hemoglobin levels.
Ragi also contains an amino acid, Tryptophan which reduces appetite by slowing the digestion process. This especially helps in controlling blood sugar levels in the condition of diabetes. Ragi contains important amino acids viz., isoleucine, leucine, methionine, and phenylalanine.
Ragi (like other millets) in Ayurveda is considered to have sweet, warming, dry and light qualities. This makes it an unusual grain because unlike heavier and starchier grains like wheat, it has the satisfying and nourishing effect of the sweetness and is light on our bodies at the same time. Because of its nature, it also serves as the perfect food medicine for the treatment of high Ama (toxic build up), high cholesterol, dull Agni, diabetes, excess weight, and another excess Kapha and inflammatory conditions. Another amazing benefit of Ragi’s light quality is that it helps relax the body naturally. It is found to be beneficial in conditions of insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
Recipes
North Indian Style Bittergourd Potato Stirfry (Karela Aloo Pyaaz)
4 Karela (Bitter Gourd/Karela)
2 Potatoes (Aloo), diced
3 Red Onions , sliced
Oil, as required
Salt, to taste
1 Green chilly
1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi)
1 tsp Coriander powder
1 tsp Kasuri Methi
Slice the bitter gourd and soak in salted water for a few minutes. Squeeze the water out of the slices and lay them on a baking sheet with oil and salt. Broil in the oven till done. 5 -10 mins. Keep a vigilant eye so they do not burn.
Aside in a wide pan, heat oil and add potatoes till almost done. Keep aside.
In the same oil, add Onions and green chilly to saute till glassy.
Add the masalas, salt. Toss for a minute.
Add the potatoes and broiled bitter gourd and mix well.
Fry for a few minutes till it comes together and serve hot with Ragi Rotis.
Ragi Roti
1 cup Ragi flour (Sprouted Ragi if you can get it)
1/2 cup wheat flour (optional)
1/2 cup milk
Hot Water as needed
Bring milk to a boil.
Add Ragi flour and stir to bring the dough together.
Add water as needed to make a soft dough.
Let it cool.
Make balls and roll out rotis and fry on a pan as usual.
Add a dollop of ghee on top and serve hot on a Kansa plate.
Bon appetite!
Click here to read more about the benefits of the Kansa Metal.
Wishing all a wholesome Ugadi and a hearty year ahead.
May all things bitter bring more sweetness to your Life’s palate.