Something about autumn makes me think about simple. Simple comforts, simple pleasures, simplifying our ways.

Simple is soothing. Simple can even be sumptuous. Sometimes all you have to do is walk outside, breathe the fresh air, admire the colors of the day, listen to the bird song, let nature nourish you.

Simple!

When feeding students on an Ayurveda retreat, you have to keep it simple. You have minimal time, space, equipment, while many distractions, lots of questions, and hungry bellies waiting. Tic toc.

Fortunately, a long-term relationship with whole foods allows you to trust – that nature, at its simplest, is smart and good. Delicious even. Delicious because it nurtures. Delicious the way self-care is delicious. The way nature tickles and delights.

When it comes to meals, despite what we see in stores, the body doesn’t need bright colors and high taste stimulation. It is smarter and deeper than that.

Simple does not mean less. There is no lack. Just pure whole, natural ingredients the body seems to love.

Whole Organic Mung

Simple Dal Soup
With coconut milk adding creamy sweetness this is a grounding, Vata, Pitta balancing, dal for summer or autumn. For Kapha, omit the coconut milk, and increase the spice.

Ingredients
1 cup whole mung dal, soaked overnight
4 cups veg broth
1 knob ghee
1 teaspoon curry spice powder
1/2 cup coconut milk
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Drain and rinse the dal. Set aside.

Melt ghee in a soup pan over medium heat. Stir in spices and saute 1 minute.

Add the dal. Stir to coat. Pour in the broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer. Cover, and cook for 20 minutes. Stir in the coconut milk and return to simmer. The mung is done when it is soft.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with rice, seasonal vegetables, a bit of lemon, fresh herbs.

Topped with coconut-toasted steamed squash, this simple Ayurvedic staple is sweet comfort.

Giveaway

As the primary throughline in all longevity cultures, beans are a gift of well-being. So I am offering a gift of whole mung beans to one reader. You only have to comment “Mung” – or let me know why you’d like this bag of beans.

To simple gifts & the gift of health!