Depending on how you approach either, it’s a concept called Ayurveda. Ayurveda is a principle in which you live your life intentionally for optimal health. The primary goal in the practice is to detoxify the body in natural ways, promoting a healthy digestive system and metabolism, fighting off disease, and promoting a long life. In yoga, this is done through breathing, stretching, and being still of mind during the exercise. In cooking, this means intentionally using ingredients that will detoxify the body as well as enrich it with nutrients. While my primary goals are to 1) help you cook stress free and 2) maximize flavor with fewer ingredients, if I can do so while helping you live healthier and longer lives, that sure is an added bonus.

This past weekend, Organizing Dinner participated in its first Yoga and Cooking retreat aimed at enriching the body and the mind. Together 20 women cooked and ate meals that were extremely healthful, and at the same time delicious.

We started the day with green smoothies. While the “Green Smoothie” craze may seem like the latest fad, unlike some that come and go, this is one trend that is good for you no matter when. Our green smoothies (click here for recipe) were made of fresh pineapple, orange juice, strawberries, Italian parsley and spinach. One serving gave us potassium, calcium, vitamins a, b, c, k, protein, folate, fiber, omega 3, and other minerals. When I drink one, I can feel the healthy energy radiating from my body.

For dinner we made Thai Coconut Basil Chicken, using Coconut milk and a curry paste that included curry powder, turmeric, coriander, curry and other spices.

Coconut milk has a long-standing cultural association with health in the Ayurveda tradition, and in addition to many nutrients and minerals, it has properties such as medium-chain fatty acids, specifically lauric acid, that help the body:

• maintain electrolytic balance
• detoxify
• hydrate
• with brain development
• bone health
• boost the immune system
• fight off the various common infections like the cold and flu
• promote weight maintenance without raising cholesterol levels

The spices that were in the curry paste used in the dish contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, and are also antioxidants, and are reputed by various studies to:

• Ease Swelling in Joints
• Potentially Reduce Risk of Alzheimer’s and Dementia
• Reduce Risk of Cancer
• Boost Immunity
• Ease Digestion
• Burn Fat
• Manage Asthma
• Improve skin, nail and hair radiance and strength

And, I’m not sure I mentioned that this dish is DELICIOUS! I created this version as a copycat to the popular Pan Asian restaurant chain Wok n’ Fire’s Thai Coconut Basil Chicken. And in Organizing Dinner style, tt’s also easy, includes very few ingredients (if you can find a good curry paste, such as the Biryani one we used), and since it’s a meat slow-cooked in liquids (our favorite weeknight kind) the serve time is forgiving so you can leave it simmering for long period of time.

Ingredients

• 4-6 Chicken Breasts
• 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning, such as vegeta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 – 15-ounce can thick coconut milk (you can tell by shaking the cans in the store which are thicker)
• 1 – 10-ounce can tomato paste
• 1 – 1/2 tablespoons curry paste OR the following spices:
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 cup peas
• 3/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, optional
• 1 lime wedge, optional

Season chicken with poultry seasoning or salt and pepper. Sear in olive oil in large pan on stove, about 5 minutes each side. Add remaining ingredients (except peas, basil, cilantro and lime) to pan. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to low. Simmer for at least 25 minutes, up to two hours (if simmering longer, cover to maintain desired thickness). Add basil and cilantro just before serving. Top with juice of lime, if desired.

Check back soon to our events page for upcoming Yoga and Cooking retreats sponsored by Organizing Dinner. If you are interested in bringing Organizing Dinner or it’s Ayurvedic cooking principles to an upcoming retreat in your area, contact us at info@organizingdinner.com.

There is a lot cooking at Organizing Dinner these days, including many specials and giveaways for you:

Our Monthly Giveaway

That’s right, it’s time to give away another copy of 70 Meals, One Trip to the Store. All you need to do is post a comment to this blog post to be entered. The winner will be notified Wednesday March 2nd.

Make more many more meals with many fewer trips to the store. Recipes include Pecan-Crusted Chicken, Oven Fried Fish, Stuffed Peppers, soups, pizza and lots more.

Free Groceries

Even if you don’t win this month’s free copy of 70 Meals, One Trip to the Store, you can still win big! We will send FREE Smart Ingredients to anyone who purchases a cookbook online during the month of March. Through our website only. Smart Ingredient giveaway not valid for amazon.com or Borders.com purchases.

Party Discount

If you live in the Chicagoland area and book one of our in-home cooking party classes during March (party dates through 9.30.11) get $50 off. (If you live outside of the Chicagoland area, see below for possibilities of a cooking class in your area.)

Refer a Friend

We are looking for cooking instructors to teach our cooking classes all across the country. If you know someone who you think would be great, forward them the following link to the classes area of our website. Tell them when they contact us to tell them you referred them. If we hire them, we will send you a free cookbook: http://organizingdinner.com/classes.html

When coming up with a title for my book 70 Meals, One Trip to the Store, I had many title variations. One I did not even consider was “The Daughter-In Law”. If I had to rename this book, that name would definitely be a contender. Why, you ask? Because of the number of people who buy the book for their daughter-in-laws in hopes of relieving their dinnertime stress and removing the chicken nuggets and frozen pizza from their son and grandchildren’s dinner menu.

I realize the mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship is a tricky one in which I wouldn’t interfere if I didn’t think there was a purpose. Anyone’s life deserves a little stress relief, and I know the book can help. I know it is particularly useful to young working mothers because that is when I wrote the book — for myself and my best friend who were both desperate for a solution. I do still have young kids (my oldest is 9, my youngest is 2), and I still, obviously, work. I have used this book for the better part of 7 years, and I will continue for the next 16 and beyond (scary when you look at “dinner” that way, isn’t it?!).

If you are a Mother-in-Law searching for the perfect gift for your daughter in law, 70 Meals, One Trip to the Store is a popular option. If you live in the Chicagoland area and purchase a personalized cooking class as a gift, you will get a free copy of the book for yourself (the recipient already gets one included with her class). You will be giving the gift of time and stress relief, which every mother deserves.