Healthy Summer Recipe and The Healing Benefits of Basil

Dear Reader,

This week’s blog post is a day late because I was have been focused on the last week of school celebrations for my kids. I hope your summer is off to a great start, too!

Today’s post includes a yummy dish that is gluten and dairy free. Recipe:

Summer Quinoa Salad

Ingredients (organic when possible)

1 cup quinoa, cooked and cooled in a container in the fridge

1 cup fresh basil

1 yellow onion

1 or 2 cloves of garlic – depending on how much you like garlic

1/4 cup primal kitchen real avocado oil mayonnaise

2 tablespoon olive oil

sea salt

1 cucumber cubed

2 cups roasted pumpkin seeds

Method

For the seeds:

Preheat oven to 375.

Toss seeds across a baking tray, drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil over the top, and mix.

Salt generously.

Bake for 15 minutes or until crispy, stirring once mid-bake.

Remove from oven and place in a glass container and allow seeds to cool.

For the salad dressing:

Place remaining olive oil in a cast iron or other frying pan. Chop onions into

small pieces. Place onions in the pan at medium heat. Stir occasionally. When

onions become translucent, add garlic. Cook until onions are slightly brown.

Place mixture in container in the fridge until cool.

Put mayo, onion mixture, and basil into an immersion blender and blend until

creamy, adding a tablespoon more of mayo if needed.

Place cooked and cooled quinoa into a bowl, toss with dressing and cucumbers.

Top with pumpkin seeds.

Enjoy!

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According to Ayurveda, basil helps with the absorption of nutrients. This is huge when you have Hashimoto’s, as absorption can be a big issue, resulting in fatigue and diminished overall health.

Basil is also considered to be cleansing for the brain and nerves. In this frenetic culture, we all could use that!

In Ayurveda, we look at a system in the body called the nadis, or subtle channels. These channels run from the different Chakras, or energy centers along the spine, and distribute energy in the body. They occupy the same space as the peripheral nervous system.

If these channels are blocked, psychological issues such as anxiety and depression can arise.

Basil is especially good for clearing these subtle channels.

In my experience, healing from Hashimoto’s is a multi-system situation.

The body contains intricate pathways of communication between tissues and systems, and between the subtle body (mind and spirit), and the physical body.

Ayurveda offers much in the realms of healing the subtle body.

Yet, it’s advice is often practical, built on the solid ground of nature herself.

And so, let us eat basil!

Wishing you vibrant health,

Amanda Rose Baker

Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant

The information on this blog and website are not intended to be medical advice. Always seek the advice of your licensed medical care professional before making treatment decisions. Information found here is for informational purposes only. My blog is based on my experience, the experience of the people I’ve worked with, my Lifestyle Consultant Certificate, and independent research.

It’s important that you work with a licensed medical care professional to determine your course of treatment.

As a Lifestyle Consultant, I offer lifestyle advice to improve your overall health. I offer you support as you create a sustainable, healthy lifestyle.