arogya Archives | Page 9 of 13 | Arogya Holistic Healing

A Visit to India and to a Place that’s Changing the World

Over the past 10 years, I have been very fortunate to visit India 11 times. The purpose of these travels has been to volunteer, study yoga and meditation, and, most of all, explore and soak in the rich experiences this massive land has to offer. There is one place in India that has influenced my life more than any other. This is the Deenabandhu Trust Children’s Home, an organization in the rural town of Chamarajanagar, Karnataka, South India that provides care, shelter, education, and emotional support to over 80 orphaned and destitute children.

Dense & Nutritious Banana Bread

I was at the grocery store the other day and noticed that they were selling dozens of very ripe bananas. This sparked my desire to try and create a healthier yet dense version of banana bread. After some experimenting, I was really satisfied with the following recipe and wanted to share it with you. It uses a combination of nutritious barley and protein-rich almond flour. Barley is is a low-glycemic grain that’s loaded with vitamins and minerals, as well as hearty amounts soluble and insoluble fiber.

Musings of an Acupuncturist, Part III

In today’s fast paced society, it’s ever more important to work at our own balance. We need to go back and listen to ourselves. We need to cultivate our own Qi, or vitality. It’s also crucial to have a spiritual perspective, beyond the material realm, and do all the things that we know are good for us. It’s then that we can really thrive and have abundant lives on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level.

Delectable Delicata Squash

The autumn harvest is here! It’s the perfect time to fire up the oven and roast squash, root vegetables, apples, and more.

This is one of our favorite, easy-to-make oven recipes: roasted delicata squash. Though technically a summer squash, delicata has a hard flesh that’s entirely edible and delicious. This versatile squash is also high beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber.

Enjoy as a side dish or a nutritious snack.

Pickled Watermelon Rind

I have many fond memories from my childhood in Shanghai in the 1970s. Like many households at that time, my family did not own a refrigerator. The healthy consequence of this is that my parents would visit the local market every morning. Their ritual was to wake up at 5:00 and be back home by 6:30 with seasonal fare grown by farmers who lived beyond the city bounds.

Tahini with Love

Just over two weeks ago, my mother cooked a delicious Middle Eastern supper for our entire immediate family. We were so excited to be together as my older brother and his husband had just returned from a couple months of summer travel. The menu included yogurt marinated lamb kabobs, hummus, tabouli, and tzatziki. Eager to contribute, I offered to make babaganoush with a bulbous eggplant I had recently purchased at Easton’s Sport Hill Farm.

Musings of an Acupuncturist, Part I

Simply put, we are energetic beings living in a world that is full of energy. In fact this experience that we call life is nothing but a play of energy and vibration. This energy is experienced, felt, seen, and heard in myriad ways – whether in the form of humans, trees, animals, rocks, houses, weather systems, or wireless networks. The universe is nothing but a play of energy in multiple forms and layers of vibratory expression. The human being is an energetic microcosm within this macrocosmic universe, and its life-force is largely dependent on the healthy flow of vital energy. The ancient Chinese termed this vital energy “Qi” (also read as “Chi”), and its flow throughout the body dictates the strength and vitality of a human being.

Amazing, Natural Shower Scrub

It’s a bold statement, but this DIY natural shower scrub made from a few common household items has changed my life. In addition to effectively battling mildew and grime, this cleaner is non-toxic and free of nasty fumes. Plus, it’s super easy to make. All you need is baking soda, white vinegar, and water.

Iced Berry Blend Tea

Our organic berry blend is one of our favorite teas to serve over ice for a refreshing summer brew. Made from raisins, hibiscus, cranberry, elderberry, and blackberry, it’s delicious as is or with a bit of lime juice and natural sweetener like honey or agave.

Dandelion Greens Pesto

As someone who recently relocated to the woods of Easton, CT from New York City, it’s challenging to accurately describe the feelings of gratitude and contentment I feel every time I visit Sport Hill Farm. I am continually inspired by the tireless work of Patti and Al Popp, who founded this neighborhood farm in 2001. From late spring until the autumn harvest, their rustic market shelves are overflowing with fresh, sustainably grown produce.

Last month, I noticed bundles of dandelion greens for sale at the farm. Admittedly, the few times I had tried cooking this humble weed in the past, I found myself recoiling from its bitter bite. Patti Popp completely renewed my interest in dandelion one day when she told me that she transforms the greens into flavorful pesto. The idea was enticing and I had to try it myself. The result was a delicious and versatile spread that tastes quite different than traditional pesto. I chose to add some toasted walnuts and blanch the greens, which significantly cuts back on their bitterness.