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Vegetarian Cuisine

YOGA GRANOLA – Can be stored in airtight container for few weeks in cool place (not refrigerated). Serve with milk or yoghurt. Delicious even on its own. This recipe for granola contains no added oil. The nuts and seeds contain monounsaturated oils which are good for the health and the grains contain added fibre. The well balanced sweetness of this granola is achieved with maple syrup but it is not overly sweet even with the optional dried fruits. The maple syrup can be reduced if coconut is added, either dry shredded or fresh toasted coconut (about 2/3 cup). Makes 12-16 servings.

Ingredients:

½ cup maple syrup
½ cup water
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
3 ¾ cups rolled oats
5 cups rye, millet or wheat flakes
8 ½ tablespoons wheat germ or bran
¾ cup hazelnuts, almonds or any other nuts
1 cup sunflower seeds
⅓ cup sesame seeds
½ cup raisins or golden raisins
⅓ cup chopped dates or other dried fruits eg. figs/ apricots (optional)

Preparation:

  1. Heat oven to 250F.
  2. Combine the maple syrup, hot water and vanilla extract.
  3. Mix the grains, nuts, seeds in large mixing bowl.
  4. Stir in the maple syrup, water and vanilla extract and mix thoroughly.
  5. Spread out the mixture on a large and lightly greased baking sheet.
  6. Bake in the oven for about 1 hour, stirring three or four times to prevent it from burning. The granola is ready when it is lightly brown.
  7. Mix in the dried fruit to the granola while it is still warm, breaking up the larger chunks. Leave to cool before storing the granola in airtight container.

This recipe is an edited contribution for the Sivananda Gurugram, partly sourced and edited from The Yoga Cookbook. Vegetarian Food for Body and Mind. Recipes from the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres. 1999.

In the beginning, observe fasting for a day in a month. Then, once in fifteen days. After some time, you can fast once a week. – Sri Swami Sivananda

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Glossary

SANNYASANA – [Sanskrit] – [nyasa] renunciation; abandonment. A member of the sannyasa order is known as a sannyasin (male) or sannyasini (female); one who abandons or resigns from worldy affairs. Brahman in the fourth order.

Commentary from Swami Sivananda –
Who is a Sannyasin?

A Sannyasin has a different angle of vision of the worldly affairs, looking upon everything from an absolutely different point of view. Just as the man who wears green spectacles sees green objects everywhere, so also a Sannyasin/Jnani sees the Atman everywhere through his new eye of wisdom. There is absolutely no personal element in him. He has not a bit of selfish interest. The lower self is completely annihilated. He lives for serving all. He feels the world as his own Self. He actually feels that all is himself only. There is not a single thought or feeling for his personal little self. He has cosmic vision and cosmic feeling. Just as the river has joined the ocean, he has joined the ocean of bliss, knowledge and consciousness. He thinks and feels and works for others.

A Sannyasin is absolutely free from worries, difficulties, troubles, tribulations, sorrow and anxieties under any circumstance or condition. He is always cheerful and happy. He is not a slave or victim of different moods. He is not moved a bit by sorrow, grief or persecution.

A Sannyasin has got all-round development. He has spotless or unblemished character. All sattwic virtues shine in him. He is an embodiment of mercy, sympathy, love, patience, serenity, etc. He has high qualities. The whole nature has been perfectly unfolded. All divine attributes are fully awakened in him.

The life of Jesus shows how a real Sannyasin will behave. A Sannyasin is a very good and extremely virtuous person, with no attachment to the world. He may live in the forest or in the city. He will always be thinking of God and of the welfare of other people. He will keep his mind and heart quite pure. He is without anger, without hatred, is truthful and kind. He wants no luxuries but just enough food to keep him alive. He wears very simple dress. He has no family and children and property. Yet he is extremely happy. He is wise and virtuous. He possesses divine qualities such as mercy, universal love, truthfulness, purity. He has control over his mind and senses. He is free from anger, lust, greed, pride, jealousy. He loves all. He always prays and meditates. He never does any harm to anybody. People respect and adore him.

Where is God? Look within. – Sri Swami Sivananda

2022-01-01T19:30:17+00:00