Notes from Nidhi: Part 2

Here are a few Ayurvedic staples that act like a warm hug for the body and mind:

KANJI OR PEJ (RICE BROTH)

"This is the most elemental comfort food, rice boiled in plenty of water until the grains release their softness and the water becomes slightly thickened and starchy."

"It's easy to digest, requiring minimal digestive effort

It's hydrating and supports electrolyte balance

The gentle sweetness and warmth calm Vata (the air + space elements), which governs the nervous system

Often used during times of recovery, exhaustion, anxiety, or illness, it brings people home to their bodies."

The Laroot Way: KATE-MESHI

Loosely translated as "supplemented rice," kate meshi is a traditional Japanese dish that was developed to enhance rice during times of food scarcity, particularly in rural regions with limited rice production. We pair it with an iodine- and probiotic-rich seaweed salad.

STEWED APPLE

"A classic for a reason."

"Cooking the apple breaks down its fibers, making it easy on the gut

The natural sweetness, combined with warming spices like cinnamon and cloves, comforts the heart and stabilizes erratic thoughts

It's particularly supportive in the early morning when the nervous system is just waking and needs gentle energy, not a jolt."

The Laroot Way: AYURVEDIC BREAKFAST

Featuring spicy steamed apples, yam puree, and stewed dark greens, transport yourself to an ashram in the Indian Himalayas as you set yourself up for an optimally healthy day!

Here's the real secret

It's not just the ingredient, it's the qualities that matter:

"Foods that are naturally sweet (not from added sugar), warm or cooked, and fragrant with gentle spices like cardamom, cinnamon, or clove are deeply regulating for the nervous system. These qualities help reduce the cold, dry, mobile nature of Vata, which governs anxiety, restlessness, and nervous depletion."

The Laroot Way:
GLUTEN-FREE, ORGANIC, & LOCAL INGREDIENTS.
NO EXCEPTIONS...EVER!