BlissBody&Soul Food: What is Imbalance?

Woo Hoo! The very first episode of Bliss Body & Soul Food is here!!

This quick little episode is all about imbalance. What does it look and feel like? What are some of the things you can do to address imbalances now and in the future?

So… how are you doing?

The point of this episode (if you haven’t already guessed) is that imbalance can be subtle. It takes some awareness and willingness to create balance in your life. And if you can catch the signs of imbalance early you can make simple adjustments that can keep or put you on the road to wellness.

It starts with getting a sense of how your body and mind work when it’s balanced and when it is out of balance. Check out these signs of imbalance for clues…

VATA

Vata energy is cold, dry, light, and moving. Vata imbalance could look like this:

• Restlessness/ worry/overly active thinking

• Constipation

• Over sensitivity

• Insomnia

• Dry skin

• Weight loss

• Headaches

• Low back pain

• Arthritis

• Cracking joints

• Impatience

• Addictions

To reduce the impacts of Vata think…

• Warming

• Grounding

• Moisturizing

• Routine

PITTA

Pitta energy is hot, intense, sharp, and light. Pitta imbalance could look like this…

• Acne/breakouts

• Overly competitive/Manipulative

• Canker sores

• Heartburn

• Ulcers

• Infections

• Rage

• Jealousy

• Resentment

To reduce the impacts of Pitta think…

• Cooling

• Calming

• Moderation

KAPHA

Kapha energy is cool, wet, heavy, and static. Kapha imbalance could look like this…

• Overeating/Emotional eating

• Sinus congestion

• Excessive sleeping

• Allergies

• Hoarding/possessiveness

• Depression

• Complacency

• Heart disease

• Anorexia and Bulimia

• Fear of letting go

To reduce the impacts of Kapha think…

• Drying

• Stimulating

• Expression

Spicy Tofu Scramble

Let’s Eat! – This dish is a tridoshic (and vegan) substitute for scrambled eggs. The beauty of it is that you can adjust it by adding veggies and spices that are good for your dosha (since you’re starting with a balanced base). Enjoy it as is or try your hand at “tarting” it up a bit!

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp – Oil

• 1 Cup Tofu, crumbled

• 2 Tbsp Onion, minced

• 2 Tbsp Bell pepper (capsicum), minced

• 1Tbsp fresh ginger, minced

• 1/8 tsp fresh turmeric root, minced (or powdered)

• 1/8 tsp cumin seed powder

• 1/8 tsp salt

How to Prepare it:

Add oil to a warm pan. Saute onions and ginger until the onions are soft and translucent. Add coriander, peppers, turmeric, salt, and cumin, and continue cooking until the veggies are soft. Add the crumbled tofu plus a little fresh black pepper to taste. Cook on medium heat until the tofu is warmed through and maybe a little brown on the edges. If it the mixture goes a little dry you can add a tablespoon of water. Serve and enjoy in a peaceful, calming environment.

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Wanna know a little more about what you’re eating?

Here’s a rundown on the energetics of the ingredients of this dish!

Oil – You can use whatever oil you like – for this recipe I used sunflower oil. It is sweet, astringent, and cooling and reduces all the doshas.

Tofu – Tofu is sweet, astringent, and cooling. It balances Vata and Kapha and reduces Pitta.

Onion – White onion (cooked) is sweet, pungent, and heating. It balances pitta and reduces Vata and Kapha.

Ginger – You KNOW I love ginger… fresh ginger is pungent and heating. It balances pitta and reduces Vata and Kapha

Bell Pepper (Capsicum) – Bell peppers are sweet, astringent, and heating. They reduce Pitta and Kapha and increase Vata.

Coriander leaves (Cilantro) – Fresh coriander is sweet, astringent, and cooling. It reduces all of the doshas.

Turmeric – Turmeric is bitter, pungent, astringent, and heating. It reduces all of the doshas.

Cumin – Cumin is pungent, bitter, and cooling. It reduces all of the doshas

Salt – Salt is salty and heating. It increases pitta and Kapha and reduces Vata

Black Pepper – Black pepper is pungent and heating.  It reduces Vata and Kapha and increases Pitta.

How do you know when you’re out of balance? What do you do to bring yourself back to balance?

Please share in the comments below and let me know what you thought of the recipe and the video!

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