Holiday Treats for Young Children with a Healthy Ayurvedic Appetite

The holiday season is fast approaching, and that means special meals with family and lots of treats. Rather than lose sight of nutrition goals and pay for it down the line with uncomfortable symptoms, there are secrets to satisfying the sweet craving while still providing wholesome foods for you and your loved ones.

Eating an Ayurvedic diet, for example, can help you maintain a state of balance and ease within your body, easing digestion and serving as a natural remedy when the seasons change. This Roasted Sweet Rice is particularly pacifying during the autumn (vata) season when the weather cools and we start to feel more dryness and fatigue. It pairs well with lamb or chicken, roasted vegetables, or even as a sweet dessert the whole family will enjoy. Take advantage of this recipe’s nutrition benefits knowing your kiddos will scoop the deliciousness off their plate!

The sweetness of dates and rice restore what’s called ojas, which brings you back to feeling juicy, sensual and full of life. During the drier, cool fall months, you might tend towards dry skin or eyes, fatigue, insomnia, or constipation. Ghee is very rehydrating, so add a little bit extra to this recipe if you or your loved ones are extra dry. Cinnamon and cardamom are soothing for your belly and help smooth digestion, while the brown basmati rice is filled with fiber and essential minerals to strengthen your elimination. And with a quick 5-minute prep time, you’ll want to make this delicious and nutritious recipe a Fall family favorite.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup brown basmati rice

• 4 pitted dates, chopped

• 1 tbs. ghee

• ¼ tsp cardamom

• ¼ tsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• 2 pinches of salt

• 3 cups filtered water

Heat a saucepan on medium heat and melt ghee. Add rice and stir until completely covered and golden colored, about 2-5 minutes. Add the pacifying spices and chopped dates, stir until coated and fragrant. Add water, turn heat up and bring to a boil. Once boiled, give the mixture another stir then cover and lower heat to a simmer. Set a timer for 20 minutes, then turn heat OFF. Set timer for additional 5 minutes to set the grains, then stir to fluff and serve!

Robin Wilner is a Holistic Nutritionist and yoga teacher in the Bay Area who loves helping people use food and yoga as natural remedies. Follow @robin.wilner on IG or find more info at www.robinwilner.com