Last week we explored why – if you’re open to the Japanese Yoga point of view on health- you might like to avoid milk and dairy (although it can be beneficial if you want to moonlight as mucous factory lol).

Here are FIVE foods common to Japanese Yoga that’re high in calcium as well as having many other health benefits.

1) GOMASHIO

Good For: Fortifies Bone Density (Best source of Calcium); Headaches; Fatigue and Tiredness; Strengthens the Nervous System; Balances the Body; Increases Immunity; Digestive Issues (Nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, poor digestion); Menstrual Pains and PMS; Toothaches; Strengthens and Cleanses the blood; Anaemia; Hypoglycaemia, Multiple Sclerosis, Inflammation

Ingredients: 

20 x teaspoon black sesame seeds

1 x teaspoon good quality Sea Salt

Method: 

• Dry roast sesame seeds in dry fry pan until they are golden brown
• Pour into grinding bowl
• Gently heat sea salt in same fry pan, do not “cook” salt
• Add salt to seeds
• Grind in a suribachi (mortar and pestle) until one fifth of seeds still whole

Serve With: 

-Can be served as a condiment on Brown Rice, vegetables, salads, casseroles etc

2) KUKICHA TEA

Good for: Digestion Issues(nausea and gastritis); Increasing Calcium intake (one cup of tea kukicha contains up to 13 times more calcium than a glass of milk); Fatigue + Exhaustion; Supports Sleep; Heart Health; Bladder Infections; Alkalizing for the blood (and therefore strengthening and refreshing when you’re tired); Neutralizes acidity in the body

Ingredients:

1x Tablespoon Kukicha (Twig Tea)

1-1½ Cups of Boiled Fresh Springwater

Method:

• Place kukicha in a Teapot (with strainer)
• Add boiled water
• Let it steep for 3-4 minutes
• Serve

Serve With: For medicinal purposes it can be served with a pinch of good quality sea salt or a dash of Tamari soy sauce

http://www.livestrong.com/article/472119-twig-tea-health-benefits/

3) GROUND SESAME SEEDS: TAHINI

Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds and can be used in cooking sweet and savoury dishes. There are two main types of tahini: hulled and unhulled. Unhulled tahini is best as it’s made from the whole sesame seed, leaving its nutritional value intact. Hulled tahini is stripped of many of its nutrients. Always use organic sesame oil, seeds and paste – Sesame seeds can have one of the highest concentrations of pesticides.

10 health benefits of Tahini:

1. It’s rich in minerals such as phosphorus, lecithin, magnesium, potassium and iron.
2. It’s a good source of Methionine, which aids in liver detoxification.
3. It’s one of the best sources of calcium.
4. It’s high in vitamin E and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5 and B15.
5. Helps to promote healthy cell growth.
6. Prevents anaemia.
7. Helps to maintain healthy skin and muscle tone.
8. It has 20% complete protein, making it a higher protein source than most nuts.
9. It’s easy for your body to digest because of its high alkaline mineral content, which is great for assisting in weight loss.
10. It is high in unsaturated fat (a good fat!)

Click here for some tasty-looking Tahini recipes.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-6997/10-Reasons-to-Eat-Tahini.html

4) SHIITAKE Mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms are one of the healthiest foods available to us and have been used extensively in ancient Chinese and Japanese medicine for around 6000 years. 

Shiitake have four to ten times the flavour of common white button mushrooms and have a robust/pungent, woody flavour and meaty texture.

3 health benefits of Shiitake Mushrooms:

1. They provide high levels of protein (18%), potassium, niacin and B vitamins, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. 
2. They have natural antiviral and immunity-boosting properties
3. They’re used nutritionally to fight viruses, lower cholesterol and regulate blood pressure.

Organic dried shiitake are the best form to buy – drying improves its overall nutritional value and means they can be stored long term.

I love to add Shiitake Mushrooms to my Miso soup. 

You can find my Miso recipe here.

http://foodfacts.mercola.com/shiitake-mushrooms.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/80771-dried-shitake-mushrooms-nutrition/

5) ADZUKI BEANS

Adzuki beans are highly nutritious and packed with protein, and contain calcium, iron, niacin, phosphorus, riboflavin, thiamine, and folate (watersoluble B vitamin).

7 health benefits of Azuki Beans:

1. Their ability to aid in weight loss
2. They can help prevent and manage diabetes
3. They optimize digestion
4. They contribute to growth and repair of cells
5. Help increase energy
6. Support in lowering blood pressure
7. Detoxify the body

Organic adzuki beans are typically purchased dried in health food stores.

Keep an eye out for my Adzuki and Pumpkin stew recipe I’ll be sharing about in an upcoming blog. 

Till then- let’s Return to Health Through Nature’s Gifts.

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/other/adzuki-beans.html