Kickstart Your Ayurvedic Kitchen
Time to begin your wellness journey? Let’s kickstart your Ayurvedic Kitchen
There’s no better time than now to kickstart your Ayurvedic kitchen and embrace a life of radiant health and delicious food! Seriously though, Ayurveda is so much more than just eating kitchari or mung beans. It is about experiencing fresh local foods, spices that draw out layers of flavor, balance through the six tastes and an opportunity to create easy meals made just for you.
Restriction never comes to mind in the land of the Ayurvedic Home Kitchen because cabinets and counters will be filled with the best tastes of the season. Delicious and easy blends of herbs and spices not only support your health but ignite your digestive system to enjoy all the goodness coming your way.
When we start working with new clients, one concern is often around understanding not only what to eat, but how to shift gears at home to support the process. Not to worry, we are going to share with you our must-have kitchen items so you can start prepping, cheffing and enjoying the tasty life.
Buckle up my friends we are going on a journey through our own kitchen and taking you along for the ride.
Where to begin: The Kickstart Your Ayurvedic Kitchen Makeover
In Ayurveda, ‘Sadhana’ (daily ritual) plays a pivotal role. A lot of the focus on nutritious eating falls squarely on the shoulders of the chef or food preparer. There’s a cherished emphasis on embracing the leisurely art of cooking. The tactile experience of using your hands, sharp knives, stones and a mortar and pestle are all recommended for food processing and preparing.
It’s not just about the act of cooking but doing it with mindfulness in a calm and loving manner. Trust me, this is one of our favorite practices. Slowly processing stems from herbs, picking tur dal from pods, and making fresh juices, sauces and purées from fresh fruits in our garden by hand in our stone grinder. But, in the modern age, who doesn’t love some good old kitchen appliances! We certainly have our favorites and we’re eager to unveil our top picks to help you seamlessly kickstart your Ayurvedic Kitchen Makeover.
Meet the Kitchen MVPs
Diving straight in! Some kitchen appliances evolve into more than just tools – they become steadfast companions. And if you’ve used these, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.
Vitamix Blender
Our Vitamix is, without a doubt, the most frequently used appliance in our kitchen. Across the board, this power-packed blender finds its way to the sink for a wash anywhere from 2-4 times daily. Considering an initial investment to elevate your kitchen game? The Vitamix unquestionably tops our recommendation list.
Omega Juicer
A light-hearted rivalry unfolds in our household over this one. Both of us, from the tender age of 19, proudly owned the crème de la crème of juicers. Zaplin sported the Omega, while I showed off the Champion. Two decades ago, these gadgets didn’t come cheap, making them a significant investment for our younger selves. Time has spoken, and the Omega emerges as the clear victor. Today, we still religiously use Zaplin’s Omega, and it seamlessly blends the features I admired in the Champion. Not only can it whip up nut butters, pasta, and purées, but it also produces fresh juices. And while Ayurveda might not universally champion fresh juices, ‘swarasas’ (concentrated juices) are taken for their medicinal properties – and that’s precisely the role our juicer plays in our home.
Excalibur Dehydrator
Got a green thumb and a garden teeming with herbs? Chances are you would benefit from a dehydrator. The Excalibur tops the charts, boasting user-friendly drawers, adjustable temperatures, and hassle-free cleaning. Our favorite uses? Dehydrating fresh coconuts, aromatic herbs, and delightful flowers for therapeutic teas and sense therapies.
Cuisinart Food Processor
For the longest time, I made do with just a Vitamix, attempting every culinary gymnastic possible. But let’s face it – there are moments when only a food processor will suffice. Our trusty, hand-me-down Cuisinart has been nothing short of phenomenal. Whether it’s grinding nuts and dates to a silky paste for our Ojas Balls, or whipping up a flawless herb purée for pestos or chutneys, this gadget is a breeze to clean and a constant companion in our kitchen. We’ve linked the newer model for you – believe us, it’s a game-changer.
Portable Hand Blender
Years of traveling taught us the indispensability of this tool. It’s our go-to kitchen companion, wherever our travels take us. Compact enough for checked luggage and budget-friendly to boot, this little powerhouse is what we reach for when crafting dishes like our Pumpkin Sweet Potato Soup or the Vegan Cream of Asparagus Soup. Once you snag one, dive into these scrumptious recipes and treat your palate.
Spurtles
Moms are always full of surprises, especially when it comes to ingenious kitchen gifts. For ages, I cherished a wooden spoon passed down from my grandmother, using it for everything. So, unwrapping wooden spurtles initially left me puzzled. But after a test run, we’ve become staunch advocates! We’ve even nudged Mammie to earmark spurtles as the top holiday gift recommendation. These multitaskers – ideal for mixing, flipping, spreading, and lifting – deserve prime real estate on your kitchen counter.
Mortar and Pestle
A timeless treasure in culinary history. There’s an undeniable charm in manually grinding herbs, tapping into age-old traditions that evoke a deeper connection with our food.
Handheld Spice Grinder
This unsung hero occupies a regular spot in our culinary routine. If you’re someone who relishes the boldness of whole spices, this tool transforms them into freshly ground magic, elevating your dishes beyond the realm of pre-ground powdered herbs. Plus, a quick browse on Etsy reveals some truly artisanal designs, melding functionality with artistry.
Electric Water Boiler
This appliance is nothing short of revolutionary. From prepping teas to crafting soups, and even just sipping warm water, our boiling needs are endless. And while there’s a certain nostalgia to heating water on a traditional gas stove, the swift efficiency of an electric boiler earns its stripes for convenience in the Ayurvedic kitchen.
Essentials on our Kitchen Counter
- Himalayan Salt
- Agni Spice Mix
- Ghee
- Coconut Oil
- Fresh Fruits
Peek Inside the Cupboards
Herbs &Spices- Coriander, Hing, Cumin, Fennel, Fenugreek, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg, Saffron, Turmeric, Black Pepper, Dry Ginger, Mustard Seed, Dried Fenugreek Leaves, Dried Curry Leaves, Bay Leaves, Curry Powder, Garam Masala, Himalayan Pink Salt
Nuts and Seeds- Sesame Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Raw Cashews, Raw Walnuts, Dried Coconut, Tahini Paste
Grains- Basmati, Jasmine and Brown Rice, Teff, Buckwheat, Millet, Bulger, Whole Wheat Flour, Rye Flour, Chickpea Flour
Legumes- Red lentils, Split Peas, Mung Dal, Urad Tal, Tur Dal
Sweeteners- Jaggery, Maple Syrup, Local Honey
This roundup might not be exhaustive, nor is it a mirror reflection of every item in our pantry. However, it provides a robust foundation for those eager to curate their kitchen spaces. As you stock up, you’re well on your way to explore our delicious recipes and inspire some of your own culinary masterpieces.
Now it’s your turn! Kickstart Your Ayurvedic Kitchen Makeover
Alright, fabulous foodies, now it’s over to you! We’re eager to hear about your kitchen escapades, the delights you’ve discovered, and the challenges you’ve conquered. Did our tips revamp your culinary space? How did it influence your well-being? Your stories inspire us, so drop us a DM, mention us in your Instagram stories, or shoot over an email. Sharing your journey gives us immense joy!
Keep in mind, you’re not sprinting a solo race. Crafting the perfect Ayurvedic kitchen doesn’t happen overnight—ours certainly evolved over time. The insights we’ve shared come from two decades of sifting through appliances, experimenting with herbs, and adapting dietary guides to strike the right balance for ourselves, our loved ones, and our clients.
Need a more personalized touch? Consider an Ayurvedic Digestive Health Consultation with us. We’ll customize your grocery list, aligning it with your goals, digestive health, constitution, and even the climate you reside in. Trust us, it’s as engaging as it sounds! No more culinary confusion; say goodbye to overwhelm. Let’s embark on this flavor-packed voyage together. Ayurvedic meal planning transformed our lives, and we’re confident it’ll do wonders for you too!
