Crunchy Coconut Macaroons!

Every Tuesday, Deacon Carpenter – our resident Ayurvedist – shares an easy to make recipe.  Come by to taste the goodness.  Here is this week’s recipe:

Crunchy Coconut Macaroons
2 egg whites
1/2 cup date sugar or cane sugar
1 cup chopped dates (optional)
¼ cup dried unsweetened, unsulphured papaya, finely chopped
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup toasted cashews (optional)
2 cups unsweetened flaked coconut
Toasted sesame seeds

Preheat oven to 300 degrees

Beat egg whites until they peak.  Fold sugar gently into egg whites.  Fold in dates, papaya, vanilla, cashews and coconut.

Spoon onto a non-stick or well oiled cookie sheet and garnish with toasted sesame seeds.

Bake for 12 – 15 minutes

Health Benefits:

This is one of my favorite Ayurvedic recipes .  They are gluten free and call for one of my most favorite ingredients – coconut!

Coconut is one of the best foods in Ayurveda to pacify the Pitta dosha.  People who have a predominantly Pitta dosha tend to run warmer and need to consume more water than those who have a predominance of another dosha.  The summer season is also known as Pitta season, so it’s a good idea to be more mindful of the heat.

Coconut water contains many natural electrolytes, like potassium, which help with absorption and preventing muscle cramps.  Coconut also has a natural cooling action, which is great to prevent any Pitta imbalances. Coconut can also help to remove toxins, help balance stress hormones and can bring luster to the skin.

Sesame seeds are great for balancing the menstrual cycle and are an iron-rich food.  Papaya is also an anti-toxin and can help to cleanse the liver and cashews can aid in digestion.

Ayurveda Events at Tone this week:

Tuesdays @ 6:10pm – Ayurveda Chat – Ayurveda and Rheumatoid Arthritis Part 1 – How the pathology of RA begins in the body.