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Bikram yoga, clean eating, clean food, food for yoga, food yoga, gluten free grains, gluten free recipes, hot yoga, millet, yoga, yoga diet, yoga nutrition, Yoga With Paul
Winter — and especially the holiday season — can put heavy burden on our immune system. Increasing the variety of healthful foods in our diet is a great way to help fortify it and support our well-being.
Millet is a nutrient-packed, naturally gluten-free grain that is a perfect addition to your cupboard. It is rich in magnesium, phosphorus, niacin, fibre and protein, according to SmartFood.org, as well as providing calcium, iron and potassium.
Healthful grains are an essential part of a balanced, whole-food diet. Despite certain anti-carbohydrate fads, the fact is our bodies needs plenty of complex carbs (along with protein and fibre) to fuel routine activity. Throw a yoga session into the daily mix and your body will require even more of energy from carbs, which your body breaks down to glucose.
What’s more, your brain is proportionately a massive consumer of glucose, requiring about two-thirds of your body’s daily recommended supply. When glucose runs low, cognitive function suffers.
Eating plenty of balanced, vitamin-and-mineral rich whole grains like millet will keep your mind and muscles operating at their peak, so you can make the most of everything from your yoga classes to your social occasions.
You can buy millet at health food shops, Holland & Barrett and some grocery stores.
If you’ve never cooked with it before, you’re in for a treat. It is tasty, versatile and easy to work with.
Here are five recipe ideas to get you started.
Millet breakfast bowls
Take a break from porridge and try millet for a hearty, warming way to start your day. During these chillier weeks, you can amp up the protein by adding a good spoonful of almond butter or tahini, plus dried or fresh fruits, nuts, and your favourite non-dairy milk.
More at feastingathome.com
Sweet potato & millet pancakes
If you’re craving a really delicious, indulgent breakfast that is still super-healthy, try these sweet potato and millet pancakes. There is so much good stuff in these ingredients you can eat as much as you like, and feel good. What I especially like is they aren’t particularly sweet — you could easily make a batch and serve alongside a stew or with savoury toppings.
More at thefullhelping.com
Spicy chickpea stew
This is a terrific winter warmer with enough substance to keep you energised on the busiest day. Chickpeas and aubergine combine with millet and a generous dollop of spicy harissa in a flavoursome combo that works great as a packed lunch.
More at purewow.com
Millet balls
Millet is an important grain in Indian cuisine (yogis know!) and it is used in a huge variety of dishes in both its whole-grain form and as a flour. These soft steamed dough balls are made with ragi (millet) flour. They are fantastic served hot with a soup or dal.
More at IndianHealthyRecipes.com
Millet fruit pudding
If you want a warm, rich, healthy finish to a meal, try this warm cooked millet with stewed fruit. The recipe (below) calls for dairy milk and cream but you can easily substitute something non-dairy — I’d go for coconut — to maintain the indulgent feel while keeping it clean and vegan.
More from Bobsredmill.com
Share your favourite millet (or other healthy grain) recipe in the comments, or Tweet @YogaWithPaul