Danette May's Lotus Journal - May 2020

SUCCESS STORY

she agreed to share a quick tip with our other members.

Meet Elida Kusha! In the last few years, more and more people

“My advice to Fit Rise members is this: You did not gain the weight all in one day or get health problems over a short period of time. It’s going to take time to become healthier, so be patient with yourself and your body. The mindset piece that we are offered is helpful to stay focused and achieve our goals. This is a lifestyle that is sustainable and easy to adapt to.”

“I love everything about this program,” Elida says. “I’ve learned so much. I know what foods are good for my body, and the mindset piece has been a game-changer. I love that it’s actually sustainable, and it’s easy to make it fit everywhere you are. I recently went on a minivacation with my family, and I made great choices, whereas before I would not even bother. I did not gain a single pound.”

have found our tribe through social media. It’s amazing how much of a gift Facebook has turned out to be for our sisterhood! Not only does it keep us connected with the Fit Rise 365 group, but it also helps incredible ladies like Elida Kusha find us and get started on their rise.

So far, Elida has released 30 pounds following our lifestyle!

“I’m so blessed to be part of Fit Rise 365 with an amazing group of sisters and with an amazing mentor in Danette,” Elida says. “I love the wisdom and knowledge she shares with us and the world.”

Elida discovered Danette and our movement two years ago when one of Danette’s 30- Day New You Challenge videos popped up on her Facebook feed. She clicked and, after doing a bit more research, quickly fell in love with our philosophy. After that, it wasn’t long before she joined the sisterhood.

During that trip, Elida and her family journeyed from their hometown of Humble, Texas, to Las Vegas. She was mindful for the entire trip, and she even brought prepared smoothie ingredients and a blender along to make sure she stayed on her plan. All we can say to that is wow! Elida’s determination is inspiring, and

Elida, we’re so proud of how far you’ve risen. Keep living your truth!

Please Note: This story was originally intended to run in the March edition of Lotus Journal and has already been published online. To read more about why, turn to Page 10.

Unlock Your Spice Potential! THE TECHNIQUES BEHIND MAKING EXCELLENT INDIAN FOOD Indian food is often healthy, delicious,

spice mixture that has been ground into a powder or paste. Most commonly, masalas are a combination of onion, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, and spices. However, masala ingredients can vary according to region and personal preference. You can find some version of it on the spice aisle of most grocery stores.

or you can stir them into a dish right at the end, like dal or stew.

and packed with healing foods like lentils, spices, and fresh vegetables, but it can be intimidating to cook at home if you aren’t familiar with the cooking techniques it requires. How do you make the most of your spices? How do you combine vegetables (and/or meat) with the spices? If you’d like to have some fun in the kitchen and explore a new style of cooking, try these two techniques to get your favorite Indian dishes to taste as authentic as those served at a restaurant. Baghar/Tarka (Tempering ) Add whole spices (cumin, cloves, cardamom, peppercorns, curry leaves, dried pepper, etc.) to a good fat like coconut, grape seed, or flax oil and fry until fragrant. That’s it! The spices infuse the oil with flavor, and the roasting further develops the spice. You can temper spices at the beginning of a recipe, like a curry, before adding other ingredients,

Every Indian household has a different version of tarka dal ,

To bhunao , start by heating your oil (coconut oil is a great choice). Then add

which is essentially prepared lentils with a tempered oil and spice mixture stirred into it. This technique jazzes up

your masala and cook over medium- high heat. As the water in the masala evaporates, it’ll stick to the pan; use splashes of water, plain full-fat Greek yogurt, or stock to loosen it and prevent burning. Do not let your masala burn! Your masala has been “bhunaoed” once it’s thick and shiny and you can see the oil has separated. Finally, add meat and vegetables and cook down to your liking. This is the most important technique for recreating Indian curries, such as tikka masala and korma.

any Indian dish, and getting creative with spice combinations is half the fun! Not only are they delicious, but many spices are full of beneficial compounds that boost immune health. Bhunao (Sautéing and Roasting) In order to understand how to bhunao , you need to be familiar with masala, an Indian

Danette May’s Lotus Journal

4

Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog