Fasting once a week or once every fortnight has long been prescribed by our ancestors as a means to stay fit. “Keeping the body light ” has many benefits as shown in recent studies by the Nobel Laureats.
Maha Shivratri or the Night of Shiva is a time when there is an upsurge of natural energy in the Northern hemisphere. ( Isha.Sadguru.org).This can be utilized in a positive way by sitting erect, keeping the vertebrae straight and practising to calm the mind.
Grain free food is recommended on these days. The human body is about two thirds water. Just like the waves of the ocean rise high or gets pulled up on full moon or new moon days, the same forces can affect the human body, causing a disruption. in the metabolic system. In order to have a control of the mind, food that has less water in them are prescribed. Since the grains have lot of water in them, they are avoided.
Water chestnut is a fruit, the skin of which is removed, and then the fruit is ground, dried into a flour.
Hope you get to try this interesting flour!
Recipe About 20 pieces, depending on size
Ingredients
Water Chestnut flour 3/4 cup
Sugar 1/2 cup
Ghee 2 tsps
Cardamom powder 1/4 tsp
Water 21/4 cup
Slices of cashew, almonds and grated coconut to garnish.
Method ;
Take the flour and ghee in a non stick pan and dry roast on medium heat till the colour changes to light brown. Collect it in a bowl. Add one cup water to it and mix till you get a lump free solution. Set aside.
Grease a small tray and keep ready.
Take the above lump free flour solution in a pan, add the rest of the water, sugar and cardamom powder, on high heat. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens, crank the heat down and let it cook till it leaves the pan.
Transfer the mixture to the greased tray, garnish with the chopped nuts and grated coconut. Wait for about half hour for it to set. Cut in pieces and enjoy.
Notes; This flour is available at Indian grocery stores.