- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup vegetable broth or water
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil or ghee (ghee for Vata and Kapha pacification)
- 1 tsp cumin seeds or ground
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper (to support digestion)
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Any cheese you would like to top it off.
Try this Artichoke Quinoa Spinach Bake with Coconut Milk—perfect for balancing mind, body, and spirit!
15 October 2024
Artichoke Quinoa Spinach Bake with Coconut Milk
This nourishing dish is a favorite at my retreats because it perfectly balances the mind, body, and spirit. It’s rich in grounding and rejuvenating ingredients, making it an ideal offering for those looking to nourish their digestive fire (Agni) without feeling heavy. Quinoa is a sattvic grain, high in prana (life force), and artichokes aid in liver detoxification, helping to clear ama (toxins). Spinach provides cooling, yet energizing, qualities while coconut milk adds a rich, hydrating element for all doshas, especially Pitta and Vata. This dish promotes clarity and energy during retreat practices, like meditation and mindful movement.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
- Prepare the quinoa: In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa, coconut milk, and vegetable broth or water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until quinoa is cooked and fluffy.
- Sauté the aromatics: In a skillet, heat olive oil or ghee over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle for a few seconds to release their aroma. Add chopped onion, garlic, and sauté until translucent.
- Add spices and vegetables: Stir in turmeric, ground coriander, and black pepper. Then, add chopped spinach and artichoke hearts. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the spinach wilts and everything is well combined.
- Mix and bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa with the sautéed vegetables. Season with salt. Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is slightly golden.
- Garnish and serve: Let the bake cool slightly, then garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve warm and enjoy!
Why I Love This Dish for Retreats:
This bake is easy to prepare and serves as a grounding meal during retreats. It’s light enough to keep energy levels high, but also deeply nourishing to support the body through intensive spiritual practices. The coconut milk gives a creamy texture without heaviness, helping guests feel both satisfied and refreshed. It’s a one-dish wonder that brings balance to the doshas, making it a versatile addition to any retreat menu.
Stress Awareness Month: 5 Powerful Lessons & Tools for Managing Stress
Ever wonder what it would feel like to embody the grace and grounding of a lizard? 🦎 Enter Utthan Pristhasana, or Lizard Pose — a deep, juicy hip opener that challenges both your flexibility and your patience. But don't worry, no scales required!
Imagine waking up to the soft glow of the desert sunrise, golden light spilling over the landscape as the air hums with stillness and possibility. At Blisstopia Retreats , every moment is crafted to help you reconnect with your essence, release what no longer serves you, and step into your highest self . From sunrise to sunset, our retreats are more than just an escape—they are a soulful journey of deep healing and transformation . If you’ve been seeking a retreat experience that truly awakens your spirit and nourishes your soul , here’s what a day at Blisstopia looks like.
Supine Twist, or Supta Matsyendrasana, is a simple yet powerful yoga posture that offers a range of physical, mental, and energetic benefits. Whether you’re winding down after a long day or seeking a gentle way to release tension, this pose is a go-to for many practitioners.
Hello, beautiful soul. Welcome to this space—a space where the mind gets quieter, the heart opens wider, and your true self steps forward. Whether you’re new to meditation or you’ve been sitting cross-legged long enough to master the perfect “zen stare,” let’s dive into the heart of what makes meditation the life-changing practice it is. And yes, we’ll keep it light because laughter is, after all, medicine for the soul.
Hello beautiful one!✨ Most mornings, as the first light spills over the Sonoran Desert Valley and the Sunrise Mountain in our backyard, I wander outside to greet the day—the warmth, the plants, the rugged beauty that surrounds Blisstopia Retreats. I settle among the chickens, chaparral and mesquite trees, letting the stillness of dawn guide me as I set my intentions. Now that the desert is shifting from summer’s intensity into fall’s softer touch literally overnight, the landscape transforms with new energy, as if the desert taking in a long deep cool breath getting a reprieve from the long summer’s heat. This morning, as I sat in our wild space watching nature wake up with crispness in the air, it struck me—when change comes, nature just lets go. There’s no resistance, no holding on. It’s as if every tree, every bud, just knows: when it’s time, it’s time. There’s trust in the flow, even as the colors change and things shift toward darkness.
Have you ever noticed how, on some days, your energy feels scattered, like you're being pulled in every direction? That feeling of imbalance often indicates that our prana (life force) is not centered. Enter Samana Mudra—a powerful hand gesture that helps to bring harmony back to your energy. In yogic traditions, mudras are considered energetic seals, gestures that help direct prana in specific ways to achieve physical, mental, and spiritual balance. Samana Mudra is one of those hidden gems that can help bring all aspects of your being—body, mind, and spirit—into alignment.
Top 10 Secrets to Knowing If Starting on the Yoga Teacher Training Path is Right for You
From a Yoga Teacher with Over 25 Years of Experience
In a world filled with constant stimulation and distraction, it's easy to lose sight of our spiritual well-being. Just as our bodies benefit from periodic detoxes to rid themselves of toxins, our souls also crave a cleansing of the clutter and negativity that can accumulate over time. Enter spiritual detoxing—an intentional practice of clearing away energetic debris and revitalizing our connection to our innermost selves. So let's explore the transformative power of spiritual detoxing and how you can incorporate it into your life. Understanding Spiritual Detoxing: At its core, spiritual detoxing is about releasing what no longer serves us and inviting in fresh, positive energy. This process involves purifying our thoughts, emotions, and environments to create space for growth, healing, and spiritual evolution. Just as a physical detox might involve eliminating unhealthy foods or habits, a spiritual detox involves letting go of negative patterns, beliefs, and attachments that weigh us down.
3 Key Outcomes of a Healing Touch/Reiki Session
