Ayurveda Thanksgiving Menu: 5 Nourishing Dishes to Satisfy Mind, Body, and Spirit
Updated: Nov 28, 2024
Thanksgiving is a cherished time for gratitude and togetherness, where families gather to enjoy hearty meals. This year, you can make your celebration special by incorporating holistic wellness principles into your menu. Ayurveda emphasizes balance, nourishment, and holistic well-being, allowing you to create joyful dishes that support both your body and spirit. Here are five wholesome dishes that will not only impress your guests but also enhance their well-being. Ready to balance your doshas by turning your meals into medicine? Even at Thanksgiving? Don't stress-Saumya kitchen has got your back!
Bonus: Free Ayurveda recipe eBook collection.
1. Spiced Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin soup is a must-have for fall, and adding Ayurvedic spices enhances its comforting qualities. Using fresh pumpkin, ginger, and turmeric, this soup not only warms the body but also ignites the senses.
Ingredients:
2 cups pumpkin puree (fresh or canned)
1 cup vegetable broth
1 teaspoon ginger powder (Kapha and Vata can use more)
1 teaspoon turmeric
Salt and pepper to taste (Kapha and Vata can use more pepper)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Pureed coconut milk for garnish
To prepare, heat olive oil in a pot and sauté ginger for about a minute. Add the pumpkin puree, vegetable broth, ginger, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes, then blend until smooth. Serve with a drizzle of coconut milk.
This dish promotes digestion and supports immune health—making it a perfect Thanksgiving starter!
2. Quinoa and Roasted Vegetable Salad
A salad can transform your holiday gathering into a vibrant feast. Quinoa, celebrated for its high protein content (about 8 grams per cooked cup), is an excellent base for this nutritious dish.
Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups water
Assorted seasonal vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, green beans)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste (Use freshly ground black pepper)
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss chopped vegetables with olive oil, cumin, salt, and pepper, then roast for 20-25 minutes. Cook the quinoa in water according to package instructions. Once cooked, mix the quinoa with the roasted vegetables, add lemon juice, and season to taste.
This salad is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, energizing the body while lifting spirits.
3. Ayurvedic Stuffed Acorn Squash
Squash is a quintessential fall ingredient, making for a stunning and healthy dish.
Ingredients:
2 acorn squashes, halved and seeded
1 cup cooked brown rice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup chopped nuts
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Salt to taste
To prepare, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Sprinkle the cavity of each squash half with salt and cinnamon. Combine cooked brown rice with nuts, dried fruits, and maple syrup. Fill each squash half with this mixture and place them in a baking dish. Add a bit of water to steam, then bake for about 30 minutes until tender.
This delightful dish is not just heartwarming; the nuts and fruits provide healthy fats and fiber, making it a nourishing addition to your table.
4. Masala Green Beans
Transform traditional green beans by infusing them with spices that enhance flavor and digestion.
Ingredients:
1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
1 tablespoon ghee (or sesame or olive oil)
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt to taste (Use freshly ground black pepper)
Heat ghee or oil in a pan and add mustard seeds until they pop. Next, add cumin seeds and turmeric. Stir in the green beans and sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender-crisp. Finish with a sprinkle of salt and lemon juice for freshness.
These spiced green beans not only bring color to your plate but also support digestive health during your hearty Thanksgiving meal.
5. Cardamom Chia Pudding
Finish your meal with a light and satisfying dessert that is simple to make yet delightful.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup chia seeds
1 cup almond milk
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
Fresh fruits for topping (such as pomegranate seeds)
In a bowl, combine chia seeds, almond milk, cardamom, and sweetener. Let sit for 15-20 minutes until it thickens. Stir before serving and top with fresh fruits for added color and taste.
This dessert provides fiber and healthy fats without the heaviness commonly associated with Thanksgiving sweets.
Remember to pass around the Cranberry Chutney!
Two Minute Mindful Eating Meditation
"Healthy digestion and elimination begin with creating an inner environment of calm."-Veena
Celebrate with Nourishment and Gratitude
This Ayurveda-inspired Thanksgiving menu presents a wonderful opportunity to nourish both your body and mind while sharing joy with loved ones. Each dish is crafted to promote balance and well-being, ensuring that your Thanksgiving gathering is delicious and enriching.
As you prepare your Thanksgiving feast, focus on the joy of sharing a meal. Celebrate not only the flavors but also the connections formed around the table. By embracing Ayurvedic cooking, you can inspire your family and friends to appreciate the nourishment that supports their health and happiness.
So, this year, express gratitude not just for the amazing ingredients, but for the health they bring to you and your loved ones—happy cooking!
Ayurveda Thanksgiving Menu: 5 Nourishing Dishes to Satisfy Mind, Body, and Spirit
Don't feel stuffed and yukky this Thanksgiving. Turn your meals into delicious medicine. Benefit from Ayurveda today with these healing, food as medicine recipes, from Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Ayurveda and meditation teacher, and monk, Veena Blilie.
PSST...Saumya clients say it best. Read and watch more of their stories.
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MEET VEENA: YOUR AYURVEDIC GUIDE
Veena is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and meditation teacher, and monk.
She is President Emeritus and teaching faculty of the Meditation Center.
Veena fell in love with the traditional medicine used in her family’s home, learning herbal remedies at her grandmother's knee.
An experienced Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Veena’s deep, intuitive knowledge of Ayurveda empowers her clients to reclaim their fullest, most vibrant lives –mentally, physically, and spiritually.
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