Welcome to Ayurveda Cookbook: Ayurvedic Recipes to Improve Holistic Health, Wellness, and Relieve Stress. The Ayurvedic diet was developed thousands of years ago using diligent observation and study by the monks of India. They were the first to connect the body type to the diet that best supports it. If you are completely new to Ayurveda, you should know that it divides people into three main types. Everyone is usually dominated by the energy (dosha) of one type, with another type as your secondary ayurvedic type. To find out which you are, please review the below descriptions:
Vata types tend to be: Quick-learners; Forgetful; Poor circulation, resulting in cold hands and feet; Moody; Bursts of tremendous energy in small spurts; Impulsive; Dry hair and skin; Scatterbrained; Quick thinker, but often have thoughts going in all directions; Lack of daily routine; On the tall side; Thin build; Moves quickly when walking; Joyful and enthusiastic when at their best; and lastly, fearful, anxious, worried, and fretful when under stress.
Pitta type tend to be: Competitive; Organized; Medium/Strong build; “Hangry” when they miss a meal; Fair-haired and fair-skinned: Sensitive to hot environments; Self-confident, assertive, and able to direct others well; Aggressive and demanding when under stress (to the point of temper tantrums); Suffer from skin blemishes (acne, skin cancer, Etc.); Great at public speaking; Good concentration; Impatient; Struggles with anger; Insomniacs; Sufferers of heartburn; and lastly, great natural leaders.
Kapha types tend to be: Affectionate and accepting; Forgiving; Reliable; Heavy, but strong build; Quick to listen and slow to speak; Patient; Slow-paced and gentle; Prone to slow digestion; Depressed; Possessive (to the point of hoarding when under stress); Extremely calm; A steadfast anchor; Soft hair and skin; Long-term memory; Prone to respiratory ailments; Prone to have hardened arteries; Generally in good health; and lastly, a peacekeeper.
If you are still confused about your type, don’t worry. Most of the recipes I have chosen will work for any ayurvedic type. There are plenty of quizzes and resources available online and in your local bookstore.
In the remainder of this book, we will cover recipes from breakfast to dinner, and everything in between. You are sure to find a recipe to entice your taste buds, regardless of whether you are brand new to this diet or if it has been your way of life for many, many years.
Enjoy!