Autumn, is a traditional time to cleanse in Ayurveda. This is done to clear the heat of Summer and prepare the body for Winter's heavier and more calorie-dense foods, along with less activity and more reflective practices (at least in the colder climate areas) like writing, reading, arts and crafts.
Healthy bile flow is needed to process fattier foods and aid the liver in detoxifying. Beets, especially taken raw, support the flow of bile. Grated beet with a simple vinaigrette of lemon and flax oil bursts makes a refreshing side salad.
We are fortunate to have a variety of beets available year round at our local farmer's market:
- Red: These taste delicious roasted, and are great in soups like a traditional borscht.
- Golden: This is a variety that adds a nice mellow flavor to soups too, and are great in a veggie stir-fry.
- Chioggia: These are striped inside, like a peppermint swirl. Very tasty raw or cooked as a side dish.
- Baby beets: Roasted drizzled with olive oil and a few sprig rosemary
I encourage you to add beets to your diet especially during the Autumn season to support healthy bile flow. Here are a few favorite ways to prepare beets:
- Roasted beets
- Grated beet salad
- Pickled beets
- Borscht
- Beets, apple and walnut salad
