Energy exists inside us and surrounds us. Energy from the food we eat nourishes our body and keeps us going each day. Our chakras are the energy systems within us that start from the base of the spine or root all the way up to the crown of our head.

When in balance, the chakras keep us healthy, nourished and preforming as the best versions of ourselves. An imbalance can cause physical, emotional, mental and even spiritual issues and blockages. For example, I have issues with my throat chakra and take medication to regulate my preforming thyroid gland but I can supplement this medication by consuming certain foods.

You are what you eat after all! As a student of kinesiology and yoga, I have been taught to, “Eat The Rainbow.” No, I’m not talking about eating a bag of skittles but rather trying to incorporate every color of the rainbow into my diet! By following this pattern you are less likely to have nutrient deficiencies and make healthier food choices. The chakras just so happen to follow this same color scheme. I’ve learned to eat to balance the chakras and I’ll give you a glimpse on how you can do the same.

 

Root Chakra

• When in balance you will experience feelings of being grounded, rooted and down to earth. Issues with this chakra are surrounded by a threatened survival. It’s hard to ground when you can’t stop thinking about how you’re going to pay for groceries, pay for rent, etc. It is essential to establish this firm foundation before working on the other major chakra centers.
• Foods: red apples, strawberries, cherries, turnips, beets, root vegetables including parsnips and potatoes. Protein rich foods including meat, tofu, and eggs as well as paprika, chives, garlic, onion and peppers.

• Root Chakra Recipe: Garlic Jalapeno Pepper Chicken (or tofu) with Paprika Potatoes and Parsnips

  

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts or package of tofu
• 5 cloves garlic
• 1 jalapeno pepper
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup vegetable or chicken broth
• Lime, cilantro or crushed red pepper (optional)

• Potatoes & Parsnips

• 1-2 potatoes
• 1 Parsnip
• 1/4 onion
• 1/2 tbsp paprika
• salt and pepper
• 1-2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2.  Chop garlic  and jalapeno. Combine garlic, jalapeno, paprika and salt in bowl.
3. Add Olive oil the mixture and stir to an even consistency.
4. Pour over chicken or add chicken to bowl to marinade. You can marinade all day or for at least 30 minutes.
5. Chop potatoes, parsnips and onions. You can chop into slices, wedges or chunks.
6. Combine paprika, salt and pepper. Add olive oil and stir.
7. Lay potatoes and parsnips on a lined baking sheet and pour mixture over them.
8. Put in oven for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through baking.
9. Preheat skillet to  medium heat and add 1 tbsp olive oil. Bake chicken about 5 minutes per side. Remove from skillet.
10. Add chicken or vegetable broth. Add lime, crushed red pepper or cilantro if desired.
11. Stir mixture and bring stove to a simmer. Add chicken and simmer 7-8 minutes. Flip chicken half way through.
12. Remove from heat and take vegetables out of the oven. ENJOY!

 

Sacral Chakra 

• The sacral chakra is the emotional center of the body. When in balance, it can be associated with healthy relationships, emotional balance, sensuality and creativity. On the other hand, if off balance you may feel depressed, emotionally unavailable, have intimacy issues or lack motivation.
• Foods: papaya, mango, oranges, peaches, carrots, sweet potatoes, coconut and tree nuts including cashews, almonds and Brazil nuts.

• Sacral Chakra Recipe: Mango Coconut Cashew Balls

  

  Ingredients

• 1 cup raw cashews
• 1 cup dried mango
• 10 dates pitted
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
• Pinch of sea salt (optional)

 

Instructions

1. Soak cashews for 2 hours. Drain and rinse.
2. Soak mango for 30 minutes and dry with a paper towel.
3. Combine all ingredients in a food processor except maple syrup. Set aside some coconut flakes if garnish is desired.
4. Pulse until a dough like consistency exists. Taste and add maple syrup or sea salt to desired taste.
5. Roll dough into balls and coat in coconut flakes if desired. Enjoy!

Solar Plexus Chakra

• When in balance the solar plexus brings about confidence, self-purpose, clarity and healthy digestive health. On the flip side, if you experience self-esteem issues, fatigue or gastric problems you may want to pay close attention to this energy center. As a fun fact, the color yellow is known to elevate your mood .
• Foods: Bananas, corn, pineapple, yellow bell peppers, curry among many other yellow foods! Grains including brown rice, rye, quinoa and other cereals as well as beans are rich in fiber and great for digestion. Spices such as ginger, curry and turmeric are also beneficial.

• Solar Plexus Recipe: Curried Chick Peas with Rice (or cauliflower rice) and Cilantro

  

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas, rinsed.
• 1 cup rice
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp ginger (fresh)
• 2 garlic gloves&1/2 onion
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1/4 cilantro (optional)

Instructions

1. Add one cup rice and one cup water into rice cooker. Wait minutes before cooking the chickpeas.
2. Heat oil in a frying pan at medium heat. Add onions and cook until tender.
3. Add curry powder, cumin, ginger, and garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
4. Add chickpeas and vegetable broth to the mixture. Simmer for 10-15 minutes
5. Combine chickpeas and rice. Garnish with cilantro if desired.

Heart Chakra  

• The heart chakra is the center of your being and the source of love, compassion, kindness and being open to others. Issues in this chakra could mean you hold grudges, have a hard time giving or receiving love or you lack a sense of self-love.
• Foods: Broccoli, spinach, kale, dandelion greens, peas, green apples, celery, cabbage, basil, thyme, oregano, cilantro, kiwis, cucumbers, limes and green tea.

• Heart Chakra Recipe: Spinach Salad with Green Apple and Basil Vinaigrette.

  

Ingredients

• 4 cups organic spinach
• 1 green apple
• 1/4 cup walnuts/almonds
• 1/4 red onion
• 1/8 cup feta or crumbled cheese (optional)

Dressing

• 2 cups fresh basil
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• salt to taste
• pinch of sugar (optional)

Directions

1. Chop red onion and apple, remove stem and core. Cut to desired thickness for each.
2. Put spinach in a bowl, layer with apples, onions, and top with choice of nut and cheese if desired.
3. Wash basil and dry. Place basil, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, red pepper, salt and sugar, if desired, in a food processor or blender.
4.  Blend 1-2 minutes or to desired consistency. ENJOY!

 

 

I hope you enjoy all of these delicious recipes as you balance your chakras! Next blog post I’ll cover the final three chakras so you can live a well-balanced life. Let me know what you thought of these recipes if you gave them a try.

Namaste, Kay.