Aligning with life, being in and with nature, realizing it’s abundance and bringing it’s edible gifts into the kitchen: that is what I love to do – to be empowered by nature’s intelligence and its inherent wisdom. In a world where most food in grocery stores contains genetically-modified ingredients, or synthetic (non-food) ingredients, I just don’t feel comfortable to source ingredients for a wholsesome, nourishing diet offered by the food industry. Many of the chemicals and pesticides in foods have been linked to numerous health issues. Also, processed foods, GMO-foods, and foods to which artificial preservatives or other synthetic chemicals have been added are no longer alive with the intelligence of nature. They lack Prana – the vital life force!
According to Ayurveda, our human physiology is a reflection of the laws of the universe, and the more in tune our lives are with nature, the healthier we are likely to be. Our bodies possess the natural intelligence to process the foods that are closest to nature, such as fresh bear’s garlic! Let’s remember, one of the most important things we can do for our health every single day is to eat wisely. I love Ayurveda for its wisdom suggesting to eat as naturally as possible, meaning as close to source as possible.
Let’s choose organic, unprocessed foods whenever possible and fall in love with your Self. So, here we are – right in source! Let’s ‘prana up’ our diet….with bear’s garlic.
It’s spring time and the season to find bear’s garlic in moist woodland or if you are lucky, you are already cultivating it in your own garden. It’s actually pretty easy to identify this herb’s leaves & flowers. Bear’s garlic is characterized by an onion-like root that sprouts a long stem with shiny leaves. From April to June, the plant bears a white flower that gives off a garlicky scent.
Green, lush pants usually indiacte detox properties and so does bear’s garlic: consumed regularly bear’s garlic can help eliminate toxins from the body and ease gastrointestinal problems. It’s highly venerated for its blood-cleansing properties, packed with antioxidant, cardioprotective, antimicrobial and antifungal healing properties. The whole plant is edible and very rich of vitamins and carotene
Enough reasons for me to harness those properties by consuming it as part of my diet – reclaiming my health back, letting food be my medicine and mastering my wellbeing! Fully empowered by nature!
Though the best way of reaping all bear’s garlic health benefits is to consume the herb in medicinal forms, such as capsules, tinctures, etc., I am a huge ambassador for Ayurveda’s branch of preventative measures. So, let’s prevent dis-ease and ease by preparing ‘prana’ pesto that my made with love offers besides it’s deliciousness some great health benefits. Here is an easy processing procedere:
Bear’s Garlic Pesto Recipe
what you need:
- about 200 g bear’s garlic leaves
- about 100 g seeds &/ or nuts (sesame, pumpkin, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashew nuts, etc)
- about 200 ml high quality olive oil
- salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste
Put nuts and seeds in a saucepan and dry-roast over a medium-low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring now and then to prevent burning. Take away from the heat and let cool. Then grind them in a blender.
Wash the bear’s garlic leaves. Chop the leaves on a board, use the blender to break the leaves further. Blend everything together and pour in the olive oil and blend again. Finally, add the salt, pepper and the lemon juice to taste, and give the ‘prana pesto’ one last whisk.
Transfer it to clean bowls. You can serve the pesto on a slice of fresh bread with some sauted vegg topping, flavor pizzas, salads, pasta, gnochis, etc. Be your own creator! Feel inspired to create your most favourite bear’s garlic dish… flavor up, prana up & medicine up your diet!
Disclaimer: I am NOT a scientist, doctor, pharmacist or can adorn myself with any other label but BEING a human being that finds more wisdom and intelligence operating in nature than in the operations of big food and pharma industry – reclaiming health and taking responsibility for my wellbeing – ultimately for the wellbeing of all. OM.