R Amadea Morningstar, MA, RPE, RYT

Constitution: Pitta-Vata

Amadea Morningstar works with Ayurveda as a nutrition educator, writer, and cook. She first trained in Ayurveda in 1983. She is the founder of the Ayurveda Polarity Therapy & Yoga Institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her books include the best-selling Ayurvedic Cookbook with Urmila Desai, and her recent publications are Easy Healing Drinks from the Wisdom of Ayurveda and a chapter on Ayurveda in Leininger’s Transcultural Nursing, 4th Edition (2018).

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Articles by R Amadea Morningstar, MA, RPE, RYT

Delectable Date Shake Recipe
ayurvedic recipes /

Delectable Date Shake Recipe

Great for balancing vata and pitta, this date shake recipe by Amadea Morningstar blends the rejuvenative benefits of dates with delicious vanilla and coconut. 

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Energizing Sun Balls Recipe
ayurvedic recipes /

Energizing Sun Balls Recipe

With sunflower seeds, coconut, raisins, and coriander, this recipe makes a great midday snack that can be customized to suit your dosha and your taste.

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Fresh Coriander Chutney Recipe
ayurvedic recipes /

Fresh Coriander Chutney Recipe

With fresh cilantro, ginger, and lemon juice, this chutney recipe is great for cleansing and pairs well with dals, grains, curries, and bread.

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Rejuvenating Almond Milk Recipe
ayurvedic recipes /

Rejuvenating Almond Milk Recipe

Almonds are packed with health-promoting benefits. This recipe blends them with other tasty ingredients to rejuvenate the body, mind, and spirit. 

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Dreamy Date Balls Recipe
ayurvedic recipes /

Dreamy Date Balls Recipe

Dates are considered rasayanas, or rejuvenating foods in Ayurveda. This date ball recipe is an easy, dreamy way to enjoy their benefits! 

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Maple Tapioca Recipe
ayurvedic recipes /

Maple Tapioca Recipe

Tasty and not too sweet, this nourishing maple tapioca recipe can be made with dried apricots, peaches, figs, or prunes for a healthy and satisfying treat.

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Baked Apples Breakfast Recipe
ayurvedic recipes /

Baked Apples Breakfast Recipe

Baked or stewed apples make a healthy and delicious breakfast. This recipe features raisins, spices, and seeds as well to help enkindle the digestive fire.

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Kapha-Balancing Fruit Crumble Recipe
ayurvedic recipes /

Kapha-Balancing Fruit Crumble Recipe

For a sweet recipe that also calms the sweet tooth, try this fruit crumble by Amadea Morningstar, which can be customized to balance vata, pitta, or kapha. 

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Delectable Prune Bars Recipe
ayurvedic recipes /

Delectable Prune Bars Recipe

Prunes are well-known for supporting healthy digestion. These easy and delicious prune bars add spices and ghee to increase those excellent digestive benefits. 

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Saffron Asparagus Kitchari Recipe
ayurvedic recipes /

Saffron Asparagus Kitchari Recipe

This dynamic variation on the classic Ayurvedic kitchari recipe blends the dietary benefits of asparagus with the digestive support of saffron.

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Restorative Almond Drink Recipe
ayurvedic recipes /

Restorative Almond Drink Recipe

A rasayana is a substance that provides deep rejuvenation. This variation on a traditional rasayana grounds vata, soothes irritated pitta, and tonifies the nerves.

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Basic Warming Kitchari
ayurvedic recipes /

Basic Warming Kitchari

Kitchari is one of the staple foods of an Ayurvedic diet. This classic recipe is great for cleansing, and is also good for stimulating digestion and circulation.

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Sweet Potato Halva Recipe
ayurvedic recipes /

Sweet Potato Halva Recipe

This delectable Indian dessert can also be made with butternut squash or pumpkin in place of sweet potato. Rich in vitamins and entirely delicious.

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An Ayurvedic Perspective on Apple Cider Vinegar
food cooking /

An Ayurvedic Perspective on Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar wasn't common in ancient India, but read this article to learn what Ayurveda has to say about this popular condiment and its health benefits.

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Honey as Medicine in Ayurveda: How Sweet It Is
food cooking /

Honey as Medicine in Ayurveda: How Sweet It Is

In a bevy of cool sweeteners like white sugar, maple syrup, and others, raw honey dances to a different melody because it brings the rare quality of warmth. 

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The Ayurvedic Perspective on Milk
food cooking /

The Ayurvedic Perspective on Milk

Fresh dairy from the farm is not always possible. So, what can we do? Here is some information on milk and milk alternatives from an Ayurvedic perspective. 

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Education and Experience

A Registered Polarity Educator and Integral Yoga Teacher, Amadea has a MA in counseling and a BS in nutrition. She integrates Polarity Therapy and marma therapy in her private practice and teaching. Learn more about Amadea's education and experience.

Amadea's Point of View

How were you introduced to Ayurveda?

In 1983, I heard Dr. Vasant Lad speak at a healing arts school; I was on the nutrition faculty. Later, I informally copy edited his first book, Ayurveda: The Science of Self Healing. In the spring of that year, Dr. Lad kindly gave me a one on one pulse tutorial. I was hooked.
 

When are you most likely to go out of balance and how do you bring yourself back in balance using Ayurveda?

Too much internet. The solution? Nature!!!
 

What does the future of Ayurveda look like to you?

We're needed. As we move toward greater inclusivity at NAMA, we'll be able to meet the needs of broader populations. This is positive.
 

What's one Ayurvedic practice anyone can implement to spur change in their life, right here, right now?

Send respect to someone very different from you with compassion and equanimity.

Classes and Events

Learn with Amadea online! She currently offers a class on working with menopause skillfully, as well as a new online Polarity Therapy Energetic Nutrition course.

Amadea also offers a free Grounding and Centering Meditation on YouTube.

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