Agni

I went to a rejuvenating yoga/nutrition class today with Mary Sage and Jesse at One Yoga in Mineapolis.  It's a really beautiful studio and it was great to do nothing but focus on my self for a little while.  I haven't been feeling tip top lately- I've had a nasty headache that's lasted about 2 1/2 weeks.  I've had my ears and sinuses checked out, been drinking lots of water, and taking it a bit easy, but the darn headache keeps coming back every day.  During the yoga class, though, my head didn't hurt one bit.  

I think that just goes to show that there is a difference between relaxing while watching TV/knitting/doing laundry and relaxing in supta baddha konasana in a peaceful room with a eye pillow draped over my eyes.  I think I need more of the latter.  

The focus of the class was on cleansing and rejuvenating the body, specifically the digestive system.  We did some vinyasa style yoga, twists, inversions, abdominal self massage, restorative poses, and then talked about eating habits.  Fun!  When I got home I remembered a recipe I did for a Yoga Dinner Pary * a while back.  It fit perfectly with the theme of the day.

Shiitake Dashi for Agni

A dashi is a thin broth usually made with sea vegetables and mushrooms.  This dashi has ginger, garlic, and cayenne pepper to stimulate digestive fire, or agni.  

4 cups water or broth

1 vegan bouillon cube, no salt added (omit if using broth)

1-2 inch piece ginger, peeled and minced

1-2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

1 cup frozen or fresh shiitake mushroom slices

1/4 cup kelp/kombu , torn into small pieces

1 Tbsp. tamari

1 dash cayenne pepper

2 oz. soba noodles (GF folks: look for Eden brand- they make a 100% buckwheat version)

 

Simmer water, bouillon cube, garlic, and ginger until bouillon dissolves, about 10 minutes.  Add remaining ingredients and simmer until soba noodles are tender, about 6 minutes.  Season as needed with additional tamari and cayenne pepper.  Variation: Spinach, tofu, and green onions are  all delicious additions to this soup.  More soba noodles may be added to make a more filling soup.  

*A Yoga Dinner Party is an event where I come to your house, lead you and your friends through a yoga class designed to stimulate digestion, and feed you an amazing meal in accordance with yogic teachings about sattvic foods.  Just email me if you want one- It makes a great gift for friends when you're sick of buying "stuff" and would rather give an experience.  If you live outside the Twin Cities, just buy me some plane tickets and I'll bring the party to you.  Especially if you live in Dallas or Vancouver.