Kitcheri Cleanse

I am really excited to be writing this article. It's a long one so hopefully I keep you interested throughout.
I have tried many different cleanses over the years (raw food cleansing, juicing, fasting, mono fasts and eating nothing but soups!) and I can hold my hands up and say, this is by far the best cleanse I have ever done!

First of all I would like to tell you where I discovered this amazing dish!
When I was studying in India I learnt a lot of yogic shatkarmas (cleansing techniques) including the Master Cleanse.

The Master Cleanse was amazing but very intense! I felt light after doing this cleanse and completely alive! This deep cellular cleanse totally transformed my life and I still feel the benefits to this very day!

We consumed a saline solution and practiced 6 specific yoga asanas in a controlled manner repeatedly until we went to the toilet to release the fluids from the other end of the digestive tract. We ingested 2 cups of water then done 2 sets of asanas. We were to repeat this sequence until we began the elimination process.

I do not like the taste of salt, so drinking this solution was very challenging for me. I got to 10 cups and couldn't physically drink any more my stomach was hurting from being so full! I was assured this is normal and advised to practice some pranayama (yogic breathing). I chose to sit on the toilet to meditate and could hear people scattering by my room. I thought to myself, "I am so jealous of everyone else being able to go so easily", and then I realized what I was doing. Immediately I let go my feelings of jealousy and affirmed to myself I am relaxed and healthy and concentrated on my breath. It worked, I had finally started the process!

Shankhaprakshalana (washing of the intestines) is the most complete and powerful of yogic cleansers, which cleans out the entire digestive tract and frees any old dried food and toxins that has become stuck to the walls of the intestines over a period of years.

This practice rebalances the digestive tract, dislodging any toxic particles and dirt that have been clogging the membranes and preventing secretion and absorption of nutrients.

The digestive system has a chance to rest giving the body chance to heal.

Shankhaprakshalana (Master Cleanse) only takes a few hours and you will receive the same benefits as you would on a fast for several weeks. Physically, the whole 32 foot of the digestive tract is fully washed and cleansed from the mouth to the anus. All toxins and impurities are removed from the body leaving the walls of the intestines and stomach as clean and as pure as that of a new born baby. After completing you will feel tremendous lightness in the body and mind.

Mentally the practice can alter your state of consciousness increasing your pranic energy.

The asanas practiced during the master cleanse stimulate the chakras in the spinal cord. This releases any blocked energy altering the state of our consciousness.

After completing this intense cleanse it is important to rest for 2 days. The stomach and intestines are brand new so you will need to eat a very sattvic diet. It is important to eat only kitcheri for 3 days and then to re-introduce vegetables, fruit, and other foods into the diet gradually. No dairy is allowed for the first week.

We practiced yoga nidra one hour after we completed the master cleanse and I felt much better. By time we had finished it was time for lunch! Kitcheri... This is when me and Kitcheri became best friends! I now incorporate kitcheri into my lifestyle and find it is a great substitute for meat.

Kitcheri is a traditional ayurvedic dish that is known for its cleansing and detoxifying properties.
It is the basic staple for a yogic diet.

Kitcheri is a complete protein, contains lots of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and is completely delicious! The three main ingredients are rice, mung beans and ghee.

Rice is the king of all grains in ayurveda. White basmati rice is the best option. It is light, easily digested and packed full of nutrients. It is also low in fat and an excellent source of carbohydrates. Basmati rice provides the body with key nutrients such as iron, manganese and B vitamins. On the Glycemic Index, basmati rice and brown rice both have a medium G.I. White basmati rice is the better choice when making this dish for a cleanse as it gives the digestive system a rest. If you are incorporating kitcheri into your healthy lifestyle brwon rice can also be used.

Mung beans are a superfood and a nutritional powerhouse!

Mung beans are rich in protein, floic acid, iron, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, manganese, thiamine, and vitamin C. They are high in fibre, low in saturated fat and contain no cholesterol. All the nutrients in mung beans strengthen the immune system, metabolism and other organs in the body.
The antioxidants in the mung beans protect us against free radicals and disease. Mung  beans also contain anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.
The beans are easily digested and make this dish a complete protein.

Ghee is very nourishing for the body enhancing physical and mental strength.
Ghee increases the digestive fire when consumed as part of a meal. The assimilation and absorption of nutrients is improved and ghee transports nutrients and medicinal properties to all the tissues of the body.
It protects the lining of the stomach and intestines keeping the digestive tract healthy. This was essential after the master cleanse. The whole digestive tract had been stripped of everything so the protective layer that ghee provides will prevent food from sticking to the walls creating a fresh new barrier for the nutrients to be easily absorbed through.
Ghee strengthens the eyes, brain and nervous system and improves memory and concentration.
It also lubricates the connective tissue making the body more flexible.

There is a lot of bad press about ghee and I have even had students reluctant to changing their oils over to this health giving choice. Yes ghee is mostly composed of saturated fat, but the body needs a certain amount of saturated fat in the diet so lets have a look at what is actually in ghee.

Ghee is full of the fat soluable vitamins A, D, E and K.

Saturated fats are either long chain or short chain fatty acids. The long chain fatty acids are dangerous to the body and are to be avoided in the diet. These types of saturated fat are found in most animal fat.
Short chain fatty acids are assimilated, absorbed and then metabolized into energy.

Ghee mainly consists of short chain fatty acids which means the body will use this fat as energy.
About 60% of ghee is saturated fat, mostly short chain fatty acids and is also high in monosaturated fat which is associated with the prevention of heart disease and cancer.

Polyunsaturated oils such as vegetable oils burn easily when cooking and create free radicals that are toxic to the body.
Ghee is an excellent choice to cook with as it does not break down in high heat, the burning point is high so you will not risk free radical damage.

1/2 teaspoon of ghee per meal is enough and 2 tablespoons a day is maximum amount allowed. Too much ghee increases kapha and can clog the system.
It is advisable for kapha individual to only have ghee in moderation.

For your kitcheri dish, you will also need a little asfoteida, cumin seeds and coriander. These herbs balance all three doshas.

You can also add vegetables to your kitcheri according to your constitution.

Good vegetables for vata include; asparagus, green beans, carrots, parsnip, leeks, squash, sweet potato, garlic and onion.

Good vegetables for kapha and pitta include; asparagus, green beans, broccoli, sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, kale, leeks, mushrooms, squash and peas.

This dish can be made in so many ways, you want to find how you enjoy it most.
Play around with different vegetables and a bit of fun with it!

I started this kitcheri cleanse on sunday and now on my third day. I feel totally amazing!
I am full of energy, feel more awake, alert and focused.
Normally on a cleanse I would be hungry quite often but with this dish being a complete protein I find it keeps me going throughout the whole day!

You can do the kitcheri cleanse for 3 to 5 days and just consume this dish for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is highly nutritious and you will not be left feeling hungry.

Do not practice a cleanse if you are feeling unwell or have a medical condition. Speak to your doctor first!

I would love to hear from you. If you would like any more information please drop me a message.

Have a great day!

xXx Namaste xXx