The Importance Of A Healthy Annamaya Kosha

Nourish your annamaya kosha, your physical being, with this recipe!

What we put into our bodies has a direct influence on our functioning – affecting our cellular and organ functioning, cognitive resilience, emotional capacity, and spiritual connection. Our gut has a direct connection to our mind and emotions (manomaya kosha). Thus, it is vital to be attentive and choose foods and flavors that serve and uplift you.

 Did you know it takes as little as 5 minutes to prepare a nourishing meal that energizes and satiates you?

 Here is an invitation to try this delicious smoothie recipe. It is full of antioxidants, fiber, Omega 3 fatty acids, protein, and Vitamin C.

 Ingredients:

o   1 handful of raw organic Kale

o   ½ cup of fresh orange juice, 3/4 cup of filtered water

o   ½ cup of organic frozen mango cubes

o   1 tsp of chia seeds (other options: flaxseeds, or hemp)

Instructions:

Blend all ingredients in a high-powered blender. Serve in a glass container

Tips:

Start from a place of authenticity, care, and compassion for yourself and those for whom you prepare this snack.

Cultivate patience for this journey into preparing a healthy and lovingly prepared snack.

Enjoyment:

Mindfully sip your smoothie using the following steps:

o   Observe: colors, textures

o   Feel: temperature of the glass, texture of the glass and how it feels on your skin, the weight of the glass/container

o   Listen: closely hold the glass/container to your ear – notice the sounds (perhaps crackling, bubbles, oceanic sounds)

o   Smell: enjoy the different aromas of each ingredient

o   Savor: notice that each sip has a different flavor

With wishes for health and wellbeing,

Veronica

About the Author:

Veronica Alvarez, LCSW, is an Academic Program Professional in the Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She is passionate about her work in health and wellness promotion. Veronica provides support to staff and clients who have suffered either a past traumatic experience or chronic illness. She teaches and encourages the practice of self-care strategies to manage intense emotions associated with stress. These self-care strategies are focused on mindfulness combined with self-compassion skills. Specifically, the skills are centered on healthy eating habits, fostering gratitude, positive affirmations, gentle movement and connection to self and others.