Day 3: Kitchari & Eating in Ceremony

Today is the first day of eating the traditional Ayurvedic cleansing dish. This dish is considered a complete and easily digestible meal that balances all three doshas (vata, pitta and kapha). The combination of rice and mung beans is ideal for promoting digestion and is recommended during times of illness, digestive upset, and of course, for cleansing. The spices used in the dish; cumin, coriander, fennel, turmeric (sometimes ginger and hing), all kindle agni, or digestive fire. When our agni is strong, we digest, assimilate, and absorb nutrients much better. 

Kitchari is known to cleanse ama (toxins) from the body. Part of this is due to its simplicity, allowing the body to detoxify. 

This dish helps to maintain an alkaline environment in the body, which balances pH levels and supports further detoxification. 

There are so many other benefits, but for today, introduce yourself to kitchari through your senses. Serve yourself a warm bowl. If reheating, add plenty of water so it has a stew like consistency. Plop a dollop of ghee on top, a spritz of lime, avocado and cilantro. Pick up the bowl and smell the flavors, spices, and nourishing qualities. Set the bowl down and take three deep breaths. Connect with gratitude for this warm bowl of nourishment and enjoy!