Ayurveda is the ancient art of living in harmony with nature.  This Indian philosophy of health and well-being dates back 5000 years and translates as ‘Science of Life’. It is a holistic system which offers us tools for living a healthier and more balanced lifestyle, recognizing that we are all unique with our own  individual constitution (dosha).  It focuses on food, exercise, yoga and lifestyle choices to suit and enhance our individual dosha through the different stages of our lives and the changing seasons.

It is important to keep our doshas in balance as the seasons change, and a slight adjustment in diet can help fuel that inner fire as the temperatures drop outside.

This variation of basic vegetable soup is transformed into a hearty meal by adding high-fibre wholegrain pot barley, which is a wonderful aid to the digestive system and when combined with warming spices, makes the perfect soup to counteract the winter weather.

Serves 6-8
3 tablespoons oil
4 sticks of celery, finely chopped
4 carrots, chopped
1 large sweet potato, chopped into cubes 1 small swede, chopped into cubes
2 litres [3 ½ pints] boiling water
2 bay leaves
100g [4oz] pot barley
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon  ground coriander
½ teaspoon pepper
Sea salt to taste
1 tablespoon chopped coriander

Heat the oil in a large pan, add the celery and saute for 2 minutes.  Add the carrots, sweet potato and swede and continue cooking for 5 minutes. Add the water, bay leaves, barley and ground cumin and coriander. Simmer for 30 minutes, or until the vegetable and barley are soft.

Remove from the heat and puree in a food processor or blender until smooth. Return to pan and season with pepper and salt. Reheat, then serve at once, garnished with the chopped coriander.

Liz Whitcher is a Yoga instructor (BWY) and Reiki Master working in the Bournemouth and Poole area.  Liz has a special interest in Ayurveda and how this ancient philosophy relates to Yoga.

Adapted from 'Recipes from the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres' with kind permission.
www.sivananda.co.uk