FROM Dukh Niwaran Kaur’s Kitchen Makes approximately 60-90 balls. Too many? No way! They can be kept in the freezer ready-to-go for your next special occasion such as birthday, anniversary, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, etc… or to feed drop-in guests, to make that spur of the moment party easy, etc. They will last
Here is the set I taught last week in my Kundalini Yoga Class and that I promised to put up on this blog. This set was developed by Super Health. I found it in the 10/30/2012 “Kundalini Rising”, the 3HO international Kundalini Yoga Association Newsletter. It was contributed by Mukta Kaur Khalsa, author of “Meditations for
Greetings. Sat Nam. The words that we tune in with in Kundalini Yoga classes are “Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo.” and the English translation is “Salutations or Greetings to the Divine within and without.” Since we used a lot of mantras in Kundalini Yoga, I also wanted to give you a little explanation about mantra. Mantras
Just got this letter and thought that some of you with allergies or sensitivities might like to see my answer: Dear Dukh Niwaran Kaur, My friend, Jane, seems to be allergic to her clothes detergent and/or shampoo. Her skin itches and blisters. I told Jane that I’d ask if you can recommend healthier product brand names.
How does Kundalini Yoga make me feel? Alive! My body feels vibrant and full of energy. My mind is clear as a diamond, and I’m awash with patience. My spirit glows and rejuvenates. I am blissful.
Join us this week for Free Yoga Classes.
How does Kundalini Yoga make me feel? Alive! My body feels vibrant and full of energy. My mind is clear as a diamond, and I’m awash with patience. My spirit glows and rejuvenates. I am blissful.
Just got this letter and thought that some of you with allergies or sensitivities might like to see my answer:
Dear Dukh Niwaran Kaur,
My friend, Jane, seems to be allergic to her clothes detergent and/or shampoo. Her skin itches and blisters. I told Jane that I’d ask if you can recommend healthier product brand names.
Sat Nam.
Dear Sat Nam,
I use California Baby Super Sensitive (no fragrance) Shampoo & Body Wash for my hair. Also, California Baby Super Sensitive (no fragrance) Hair Conditioner. Both of these are gluten free. I got California Baby Therapeutic Relief Eczema Shampoo & Bodywash for my husband who has oily/scaly skin (It has collloidal oatmeal in it so it contains gluten and I can’t use it, but it has really helped his skin. It has no added fragrance.) You can get them at places like Whole Foods–sort of pricey…usually 8.5 fl. oz or 251 ml. plastic bottles. At Drugstore.com you can get that size and also the shampoo and the Eczema Shampoo & Bodywash in a 19 fl. oz (562 ml.) Drugstore.com is the only place I’ve found the Eczema Shampoo & Bodywash.
For my clothes I wash in Ecos Free and Clear All Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent. It comes in a big bottle or in an even bigger bottle. Again pricey but concentrated and lasts a long time. I used to use Seventh Generation Baby Liquid Laundry Detergent (Unscented). However, they went from it being 2x concentrated to 4x concentrated and now it is too strong for me. I still use it to get out spots I can’t get out any other way (It has enzymes in it and works great for soaking clothes with spots. Really gentle and works on most washable fabrics—even wool and silk. I scrub the spot gently with a toothbrush, small scrub brush, or my hands with the Seventh Generation Baby Liquid Laundry Detergent and then stick put it in a bucket with water to cover and let it work…sometimes I leave it for several days or longer. Only problem is that that Seventh Generation Baby is 4x concentrated that I have to rewash in Ecos after I soak them so I can wear them! Not a good drought practice!
Blessings, Dukh Niwaran Kaur
Greetings. Sat Nam.
The words that we tune in with in Kundalini Yoga classes are “Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo.” and the English translation is “Salutations or Greetings to the Divine within and without.” Since we used a lot of mantras in Kundalini Yoga, I also wanted to give you a little explanation about mantra.
Mantras are formulas that use the energy of sound to balance the brain, mind, chakras (energy centers that correlate with various parts of the body), and psyche (or soul mind). Mantra uses the creative projection of the mind to create balance of body, mind, and spirit.
Some questions I’ve been asked about mantras are:
Adi Shakti, namo, namo
Sarab shati, namo, namo
Pritam bhagvati, namo, namo
Kundalini, mata shakti, namo, namo.
It means:
I bow to the Primal Power.
I bow to the all Encompassing Power and Energy.
I bow to that through which God creates.
I bow to the creative power of the Kundalini, the Divine Mother Power.
Some Kundalini mantras come from the Sikh tradition such as “Guru Guru Wahe Guru.” It’s a mantra of ecstasy. “Wow, bliss!”
Other mantras come from the Kundalini Yoga tradition:
Sat Nam. It means truth is my identity or God is truth.
and Sa-ta-na-ma. It means Infinity, Life, Death (or transformation), Rebirth.
Mantra is a powerful technique to heal body, mind and spirit. Give it a try!
Yogi Bhajan Birthday Sadhana 8/26/2011
Here is the set I taught last week in my Kundalini Yoga Class and that I promised to put up on this blog.
This set was developed by Super Health. I found it in the 10/30/2012 “Kundalini Rising”, the 3HO international Kundalini Yoga Association Newsletter. It was contributed by Mukta Kaur Khalsa, author of “Meditations for Addictive Behavior.”
SuperHealth is a highly specialized technology that helps people move from recovery to self-discovery. You can learn more about SuperHealth and find more tools and information about Breaking Addictive Behaviors at their website: http://www.super-health.net.
Note Re the Music: You can find the music mentioned in this set at SikhNet http://www.sikhnet.com or Spirit Voyage http://www.spiritvoyage.com. SikhNet may be free or by donation. I’m not sure since I haven’t yet used SikhNet for this. Spirit Voyage is by fee and you can buy CD’s or download albums or particular selections. They have a free Mantrapedia that lists lots of mantras, their meaning, uses, etc. along with all the albums that have each selection.
Note Re Nirinjan: There are two Nirinjans with amazing ethereal voices. The Nirinjan talked about in this class is Nirinjan Kaur Khalsa from Espanola–not the one from Vancouver, Canada.
1)Tune In – Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo
2)Do Warm-Ups
3) The Kriya: The “4 U” kriya sets the nervous system to withstand pressures of society and challenges of times. Do each posture for 11 minutes for 11 days without moving a muscle and this is said to create nerves strong as steel – “stainless steel forever.” This kriya also works on eliminating fear and developing greater spinal flexibility.
Framing: Different people in class will function at individual levels of development and capability. Therefore, though the full time for each posture is 11 minutes, allow people to stop at 3 minutes, 6 minutes and full 11 minutes according to their individual ability. Those who stop before 11 minutes can simply rest until it is time for the next posture.
Explain: Each person to access his/her own level of capability without straining himself including those with medical limitations.
Suggested Music: As stated by Yogi Bhajan, “Nirinjan Kaur’s voice is from the heart. The sound on the listener has a profound affect. When the vibration hits the eardrum it stimulates the hypothalamus which triggers the pituitary and pineal glands. This in essence has an ‘awakening experience on the listener’ to the higher center of consciousness.” Coupled with Yogi Bhajan’s poetry in the suggested music below, this music gives the practitioner an enhanced experience.
a) The first “U Shape” posture: Lie on the back, raise both legs and arms 90 degrees. Encourage students to set the pose and hold it without moving. Suggested music: Bountiful, Blissful and Beautiful by Nirinjan Kaur.
After 3 minutes, ask those who wish to stop to inhale, hold, exhale. Repeat 3 times then relax. Encourage everyone else to continue the posture and everyone can sing aloud. Also encourage to use breath as a tool to help; can do long deep breathing or breath of fire to help maintain the posture, help quiet the mind and give energy.
At 6 minutes, again ask those who will stop at this point to inhale, hold, exhale. Repeat 3 times, then relax. Encourage everyone else to continue the posture and everyone can sing aloud. Also encourage to use breath as a tool to help; can do long deep breathing or breath of fire to help maintain the posture, help quiet the mind and give energy.
After 11 minutes, inhale, hold, exhale. Repeat 3 times, then, relax.
b) Second “U Shape” posture: Remain on the back, legs overhead like plough pose however toes not touching the ground. This creates a “U” shape. Arms overhead toward the toes. If support is needed, the student can brace his/her back
with hands so as not to create a strain.
See Posture # 1 and repeat same 3 minutes, 6 minutes and full 11 minutes. Suggested music: Say Saraswati by Nirinjan Kaur
c) Third “U Shape” posture: Sit up with legs extended in front and arms straight out at heart level. Repeat 3, 6 and 11 minutes intervals. Suggested music: Humee Hum Brahm Hum by Nirinjan Kaur.
d) Fourth “U Shape” posture: Stand up and bend forward with hands pointing toward the toes. Back is straight and head is flat (not tipped back) to create a “U” shape. Repeat 3, 6 and 11 minute intervals. Suggested music: Heal Me by Nirinjan Kaur.
4 ) Completely relax on the back. Guided relaxation through every nerve and muscle of the body beginning at toes through crown and top of the head. Suggestion music: Guru Ram Das by Snatam Kaur. 15 minutes.
Entire Set: 1 hour
5) Meditation: Habituation Meditation:
This is a great meditation for changing habits.
Make fists and press the thumbs on the indentations of the temples. Lock the back molars together with closed mouth. Focus the eyes between the eyebrows. Breathe normally. Silently repeat ‘Sa Ta Na Ma.’ On each sound vibrate the jaw muscles by pressing the molars together and releasing. As you press you will feel a movement at the temples.
This meditation is known to break the persistence of substance abuse. It triggers a reflex in the brain and affects the pituitary and pineal gland known to recalibrate addictive patterning.
Begin with 5 – 7 minutes and gradually work up to 31 minutes for 40 days to break a habit.
6) End: Long Time Sunshine Song
7) Prayer
This set was shared by:
Mukta Kaur Khalsa, Ph.D., is the Director of SuperHealth and personally studied the teachings for addictive behaviors with Yogi Bhajan beginning in 1973. She directed a specialized rehabilitation hospital in Tucson, AZ, which was rated in the top 10% of all residential programs in the US by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Mukta directed a pilot program in collaboration with the Punjab government in India and is co-author of a recently published research manuscript on the results of the India program. Mukta is the 3HO UN Special Representative to the Office of Drug Control and Crime, Vienna, Austria for the 3HO Foundation and conducts trainings on SuperHealth technology for healthcare professionals, yoga teachers and students, and people seeking a new and healthy lifestyle. Mukta is author of “Meditations for Addictive Behavior” and lives in Espanola, New Mexico.
SuperHealth is on the cutting-edge of behavioral health and addiction therapy. It is not filled with fads and gimmicks nor is it a quick fix or “talk therapy” approach. A proven and precise yogic technology, the experience rebuilds the nervous and glandular systems, recalibrates the imprint of addictive patterning on the brain, and inspires and uplifts the human spirit. The neuron patterns of the brain must be changed to affect addictive behavior. A person cannot change and sustain the change until his awareness or consciousness has been heightened.
Consisting of Kundalini Yoga, meditation, and nutrition restoration, the SuperHealth program is helpful for anyone whose well-being has been compromised by drugs, alcohol, food issues, smoking, co-dependency, depression, stress or information overload. An overtaxed nervous system can leave you vulnerable to temptations and urges, fatigue, anxiety and disconnection from your intuition and sense of completeness within.
This is a great meditation for changing habits.
FROM Dukh Niwaran Kaur’s Kitchen
Makes approximately 60-90 balls. Too many? No way!
They can be kept in the freezer ready-to-go for your next special occasion such as birthday, anniversary, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, etc… or to feed drop-in guests, to make that spur of the moment party easy, etc. They will last for months!
This is my most sought after recipe. Since I started to make these, no one wants me to bring anything else!
1. INGREDIENTS:
FOR CAKE:
Cake-Mix, jellycake pan, parchment paper and melon-baller
1 package Gluten-Free Cake Mix (I recommend Pamela’s Wheat-Free and Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake Mix or Cherrybrook Kitchen Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake Mix. Pamela’s is also non-dairy and includes some organic ingredients. Namaste Chocolate Cake Mix was too dry, and I don’t recommend it. If you are not following gluten-free, of course, you could use any chocolate cake mix. )
½ cup oil (I used cold-pressed high quality organic oil that was non-GMO such as walnut, sesame, safflower or sunflower.)
Egg-replacer to equal 2 eggs (If you eat eggs, then use 2 large eggs instead.)
1 ½ cups water
Wax Paper
Little Oil to grease pan (used same as oil above—just a little)
Little Gluten-Free flour
FOR FROSTING:
1 package Gluten-Free Dark Chocolate Frosting (I use Pamela’s Dark Chocolate Frosting Mix, Gluten-Free, Wheat-Free, Non-Dairy or Cherrybrook Kitchen Chocolate Frosting Mix.)
6 Tbsp. Earth Balance (Use one that works for you. I used Earth Balance Organic Buttery Spread Whipped which is vegan.) or if you use dairy use 6 Tbsp. Butter. Room temperature, not melted. Cherrybrook Farm calls for 2 sticks softened margarine.
2-4 Tbsp. water or rice milk.
FOR FUDGE DIPPING SAUCE:
1-2 Jars Wax Orchards Classic Fudge or Oh, Fudge, Fat Free, Fruit-Sweetened Dark Chocolate Sauce (Diabetic, gluten free, preservative free. Contains: unsweetened pineapple juice concentrate, pear juice concentrate, Dutch cocoa, natural vanilla)
Walnuts or pecans, chopped
2. GREASE PAN OR PANS*
I used a 13 x 9 inch pan (33x23x 6 cm) but the mix will tell you other pan sizes that will work. Use a small amount of the same oil, butter or Earth Balance that you use for the cake or frosting to grease the pan lightly. If you have a pastry brush you could grease the pan with that—bottom and sides. If you don’t, just put the oil, butter or Earth Balance onto a paper towel or paper napkin and grease the pan with that.
*My Mom’s Pan Greasing Tip: Take a piece of wax paper, put the pan on top of it, and trace the bottom with a pencil. Then cut out your pan tracing. Lightly oil the pan and put your wax paper tracing on top of the oiled pan so that it sticks to the oil. Then lightly oil the top of the wax paper tracing. Sift a small amount of flour into the cake pan, and then tap or tilt the pan so that the flour distributes evenly.
3. MAKE CAKE
Make cake according to package instructions and then bake until done**, and then let it cool. If you have a baking rack, place it on that to cool.
Then invert (turn upside-down) cake on top of a plate, cookie sheet or jellyroll pan. Let the cake fall onto the plate, sheet or pan. If you did my Mom’s pan greasing method, peel the wax paper off. (Yum, it’s good to eat the cooked cake off of it. Don’t eat the paper though!)
Then take the cooled cake and crumble into a large bowl. Get your children, family or friends to help. This is a very satisfyingly messy endeavor—like finger painting!
**My Mom’s Method to Check if a Cake Is Done: Put a toothpick into the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. If it does not, cook a little longer until it does.
4. MAKE FROSTING
Make frosting according to package instructions.*** Then put frosting into big bowl with crumbled cake and mix until blended. There should be no big lumps of cake. Put bowl in refrigerator or freezer to chill.****
***Note: For a vegan frosting use Earth Balance of your choice. For a dairy frosting use butter. I have used both and they both work!
****Be sure your bowl can take temperature changes—ie that it is tempered. Old Pyrex can; new ones can’t—there is danger of them exploding! Stainless steel bowls are fine. I bought special tempered European pans so I can go from freezer to oven and refrig to oven. Some of the ones I bought can even go on stove top burner or barbecue! (More about pans in a future blog post!)
5. MAKE CAKE BALLS
Put parchment paper onto a cookie sheet or jellyroll pan that will fit into your freezer. Take part of the chilled cake and frosting mix out of the refrigerator or freezer. I put it in a small bowl and leave the rest of the mixture in the refrigerator or freezer. It is easier to work with when it is cold. Using your hands or the large-end of a melon-baller, take a small amount of the chilled mixture. Then put it between your palms and roll into a small ball. You want the balls to be the size of a small meatball or meatless meatball. The method is like you would use to make a ball with Play Dough. You want the surface of the ball to be smooth. As you finish each ball, place it on the parchment paper covered sheet or pan. When the pan is full, place in the freezer overnight or at least for several hours.
Continue making balls until all the cake/frosting mixture is used up.
After the chocolate cake balls have been chilled overnight or for several hours and are hard, place balls in quart-sized freezer bags if you are not ready to eat them yet (about 18 will fit in a bag). If you are ready to eat them soon, proceed to the dipping step of this recipe.
My niece, Katie, with frozen chocolate cake balls ready to dip.
6. DIPPING CHOCOLATE BALLS
If you want to roll them in nuts, chop your walnuts or pecans first and put in a shallow bowl. I use a nut chopper for this.
(I have also rolled them in shredded coconut or left them plain. The nut rolled ones are overwhelmingly more popular so I’ve stopped making them plain or rolled in coconut. If you needed to avoid nuts because of allergies or dietary restrictions, coconut or plain will work fine.)
Heat Wax Orchard Chocolate Sauce****—either Classic Fudge or Oh, Fudge—in a saucepan on the stove. You want it to soften but not be totally liquid. Take a frozen cake ball put in a spoon and dip in warm fudge sauce. Then put in the bowl with the chopped nuts and roll until it is covered with nuts. Place dipped, nut coated chocolate cake balls onto a plate or into a freezer-safe glass dish. (Do not put on parchment paper! It gets soggy when dipped balls are put on it.) Keep in freezer until ready-to-serve. If you need to take somewhere, put in a cooler with Blue Ice.
Note: Once they are dipped, the chocolate cake balls are best if eaten fairly soon. They will keep in the freezer once dipped if they are kept covered (only cover once the topping has set in the freezer or use a container with a lid), but they are tastiest eaten fresh—ie. within several days.
Katie with dipped gluten-free chocolate cake balls ready to eat for Valentine’s Day (rolled in nuts or coconut).
7. SERVING CHOCOLATE CAKE BALLS
Nearly everyone loves these gluten-free chocolate cake balls, whether they are on a gluten-free diet or not! One per person is a very rich treat. When you need to serve a lot of people, just serve them cold or frozen on a plate. With a smaller group of people, serve with vanilla ice cream or non-dairy frozen treat of your choice. Last night I used Nada Moo, vanilla for me and Trader Joe’s French Vanilla Ice Cream for my husband and son. Served with ice cream this is very decadent but less calories than a huge piece of cake and ice cream. Enjoy!