Food as Medicine: An Introduction to Ayurvedic Cooking

Food as Medicine: An Introduction to Ayurvedic Cooking

Name: Food as Medicine: An Introduction to Ayurvedic Cooking
Brand: Little Bird Organics
Price: 125.00 NZD
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

1 Review

$125

Discover the art of Ayurvedic cooking and learn how to create delicious, nourishing meals that balance your body, mind, and spirit.

Little Bird Kitchen and Ayurveda New Zealand are hosting their first joint cooking class to combine contemporary vegan food preparation with ancient Ayurvedic principles.

Why Ayurvedic Cooking?

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, emphasises the importance of diet in maintaining health and preventing disease. By understanding your unique constitution (dosha) and thereby using specific ingredients and cooking techniques, you can:

• Boost Immunity: Strengthen your body’s natural defences with nutrient-rich, immune-boosting foods.

• Improve Gut Health: Learn about the importance of a healthy digestive fire (Agni) and how to prepare meals according to your Agni.

• Enhance Energy: Fuel your body with balanced meals that provide sustained energy and vitality.

• Achieve Balance: Restore harmony to your body and mind by eating in alignment with your dosha.

What You’ll Learn

• Introduction to Ayurveda: Sarita will give a talk about Ayurveda, its history, philosophy and basic principles, introduce the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha), explain the importance of a healthy digestive fire and the elimination of toxins.

• Dosha-Specific Recipes: Learn how to identify your dosha and create meals tailored to your unique needs.

• Seasonal Eating: Discover the importance of eating seasonally and how to select ingredients that are in harmony with nature’s cycles.

• Spice Mastery: Unlock the secrets of Ayurvedic spices and their healing properties. Learn how to blend and use them to enhance flavour and health benefits.

• Food preparation techniques: Gawain will demonstrate how to prepare plant-based, healthy, delicious meals, using contemporary ‘Little Bird’ techniques combined with traditional Ayurvedic cooking principles that preserve nutrients and maximise flavour.

• Meal Planning: Get tips on planning and preparing balanced meals that fit into your busy lifestyle.

Cooking Class Highlights

• Take-Home Materials: Receive recipes, spice guides, digestive aid recommendations and meal planning tips to continue your Ayurvedic journey at home.

• Community Connection: Connect with like-minded people who share your passion for health and wellness.

History of Ayurveda

Ayurveda, a sister science of yoga, is an ancient holistic medical system from India with a history of over 5000 years. Often referred to as the ‘mother of all healing’, ayurveda offers a unique range of treatments, herbal medicine, diet and lifestyle principles, all targeted to regain and maintain health and wellbeing. It emphasises a holistic approach to health and wellness by balancing the body's energies, known as doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha).

About Sarita Blankenburg

Sarita is a certified Ayurvedic Medicine Practitioner (BAMS) is the founder of AYURVEDA NEW ZEALAND with her clinic in Grey Lynn, where she offers together with her team; Ayurvedic consultations, treatments, Yoga therapy, Panchakarma and educational workshops. She runs Ayurvedic Cleansing Retreats and has her own product range Sattva Botanicals™.

DETAILS:

Where: Little Bird Kitchen, 1A Summer Street, Ponsonby

What: Introduction to Ayurveda, cooking demonstration, full dinner including hot drink and dessert

Hosts: Sarita Blankenburg, Megan May and Gawain Cowley

Time: 6pm- 9pm

Cost: $125

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancellations must be made a minimum of 5 working days prior to the class.
A cancellation fee of 30% of the total ticket price will be charged for cancellations made with less than 5 working days notice.
If a cancellation is made less than 48 hours before a class, or a class attendee doesn’t turn up, then the full ticket is non-refundable.

How it works

PLACE YOUR ORDER
Select the cleanse that best suits your goals and lifestyle, duration and preferred collection or dispatch date.

WE'LL MAKE IT FROM SCRATCH
We'll send you a confirmation email and get to work crafting your delicious organic juices and meals.

PICK UP OR DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR
Your cleanse will be available for collection from 9:30am onwards on the calendar date you choose or delivered between 6-9pm on the dispatch date selected (Auckland), or following day after the dispatch date selected (rest of North Island).

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT CLEANSE IS RIGHT FOR ME?

This depends on your unique health and fitness goals.

For beginners and those with an active lifestyle we recommend our Active Lifestyle Cleanse, designed for those who are new to cleansing or who have a strenuous exercise schedule or physically demanding job, thereby needing a little more sustenance to get them through the day.

For seasoned cleansers, or those on an intermittent fasting lifestyle, we recommend our Advanced Fasting Cleanse. This is our most challenging cleanse as it is under 800 calories. Designed to maximise fat burning and boost vitality.

For those beginning a weight loss journey, or wishing to simply reset their digestion or kick unhealthy habits, we recommend one of our signature cleanses.

If you have unique goals you'd like to meet, feel free to get in touch and we can help you design a custom cleanse.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I DO A CLEANSE?

Ideally, we'd do a cleanse one or two days per week — it’s the perfect way to reset the body. Some find juice cleansing can also train your mind and body to make healthier decisions moving forward. But if this isn't possible, we'd recommend each season.

However, if you're coming out of a heavily indulgent holiday or season, you may feel that a total reset is required. In this case, a three or five-day cleanse is the best way to reset your body and healthy eating habits.

If you are wanting to address specific health concerns, engaging with a holistic practitioner would be a worthwhile investment.

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR MY CLEANSE?

To maximise the benefits of your cleanse, we recommend taking a break from coffee, alcohol and heavily processed foods both during your cleanse and 48 hours before commencing.

Staying hydrated is vital — before, during and after your cleanse. If you struggle to drink water throughout the day, add fresh lemon juice. Healthy hydration also includes water-rich plants. We recommend cucumber, lettuce, celery, bok choy, zucchini, watercress and low sugar fruits like berries, green apples and kiwifruit.

DO I HAVE TO DRINK MY JUICES IN ORDER?

Our recommended order is suggestive for those who prefer guidance. Listen to your body and do what feels and works best for you. We recommend consuming them at two-hourly intervals throughout the day.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET HUNGRY?

Our cleanses are not an exercise in deprivation. If you are feeling ravenous at any point, we recommend reaching for water-rich vegetables like cucumber, lettuce, celery, bok choy, zucchini, watercress and low sugar fruits like berries, green apples and kiwifruit.

CAN I CLEANSE WHILE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING?

Our Little Bird cold pressed juices and activated nut milks are a great addition to your diet while pregnant or breastfeeding as they contain a high concentration of organic fruits and vegetables, making them a potent source of key nutrients - they're also a great quick, easy one-handed snack for a boost of energy.

However, while pregnant or breastfeeding, we do not recommend consuming them on their own, as reducing calories too much may effect your milk production.

Instead, we recommend supplementing your diet with our juices and milks as a way to boost your nutrition and energy - we have also had many customer swear that our Little Bird juice & milk boxes have helped boost their milk supply!

ARE THERE ADJACENT THERAPIES TO COMPLIMENT MY CLEANSE?

Sure! If you can provide your body with additional healing therapies such as yoga, meditation, hot stone sessions, saunas, massage and so on can also help reset your body and mind — these are all healing and powerful. Naturopathic consultations are also a wonderful opportunity to discuss your health and wellness goals providing additional support to your cleanse regime. We have a list of Little Bird preferred practitioners across most disciplines. Contact us for further information if required.

What our clients say

"An essential in my wellness routine for the past 6 years. Not only do they leave you feeling amazing, but the post cleanse glow is real and they taste delicious too. I love how easy they are to incorporate into my work week as they arrive fresh every evening, so I can rush out the door in the morning with my juices in hand!"

- LAURA HADLOW

"I’m obsessed with the Little Bird cleanse and do it several times a year to reset. It’s the perfect way to recorrect the balance; the mental clarity I gain from it is immense. For this reason, I also do it if a stressful time is coming up in work or life. Energy and a sharp mind are a guaranteed result and means I’m more likely to deal with stress in a healthier manner, rather than living on coffee and adrenaline."

- REBECCA WADEY

"The Little Bird Cleanse has been the reset I needed to kickstart a healthier me! After 5 days I feel less bloated & inflamed, my skin is glowing, my eyes brighter and my headspace much clearer. My entire energy has shifted from sluggish winter blues, to feeling energised and ready for summer!"