Jennifer Kurdyla

Constitution: Vata-Pitta

Jennifer Kurdyla is an Ayurvedic Health Counselor, yoga teacher, and writer who lives in Brooklyn, New York. Plant-based since 2008, she learned to love food by experimenting with vegan and Ayurvedic cooking in her tiny New York kitchens. She is the co-author of Root & Nourish: An Herbal Cookbook for Women's Wellness (Tiller Press, 4/6/2021). Read more about her wellness services and educational resources at www.benourished.me.

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Articles by Jennifer Kurdyla

Springtime Rejuvenating Red Dal Recipe
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Springtime Rejuvenating Red Dal Recipe

In this tasty springtime recipe, red dal combines with vibrant, seasonal produce and carefully selected herbal allies to bring new life to your table.

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ayurvedic recipes /

Springtime Rejuvenating Red Dal Recipe

In this tasty springtime recipe, red dal combines with vibrant, seasonal produce and carefully selected herbal allies to bring new life to your table.

Read Article
Simple Sweet or Savory Coconut Rice Recipes, Perfect for Summer
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Simple Sweet or Savory Coconut Rice Recipes, Pe...

This twist on classic Thai coconut rice uses coconut water instead of milk, basmati rice instead of jasmine, and other cooling additions perfect for summertime.

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ayurvedic recipes /

Simple Sweet or Savory Coconut Rice Recipes, Perfect for Summer

This twist on classic Thai coconut rice uses coconut water instead of milk, basmati rice instead of jasmine, and other cooling additions perfect for summertime.

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Ginger Lemon Cornmeal Cake Recipe with Honey Lavender Glaze
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Ginger Lemon Cornmeal Cake Recipe with Honey La...

Perfect for Spring or any time the kapha in you craves a treat, this cake is not too sweet or too spicy, making it a lovely choice for dessert, breakfast,...

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ayurvedic recipes /

Ginger Lemon Cornmeal Cake Recipe with Honey Lavender Glaze

Perfect for Spring or any time the kapha in you craves a treat, this cake is not too sweet or too spicy, making it a lovely choice for dessert, breakfast,...

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Modern Ayurvedic Self-Care to Cleanse and Nourish the Five Senses
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Modern Ayurvedic Self-Care to Cleanse and Nouri...

Support your entire being with self-care practices for the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and skin that fit easily into your modern lifestyle.

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daily routine /

Modern Ayurvedic Self-Care to Cleanse and Nourish the Five Senses

Support your entire being with self-care practices for the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and skin that fit easily into your modern lifestyle.

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The Joy of Enough: Cultivating True Abundance in a Materialist World through Ayurveda
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The Joy of Enough: Cultivating True Abundance i...

Let's take a look at how we can receive true satisfaction from what we take in, rather than getting caught in the endless and insatiable search for more.

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health topics /

The Joy of Enough: Cultivating True Abundance in a Materialist World through Ayurveda

Let's take a look at how we can receive true satisfaction from what we take in, rather than getting caught in the endless and insatiable search for more.

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Ayurveda’s RPM: the Channels of Love
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Ayurveda’s RPM: the Channels of Love

Many things can pull us out of our hearts. Learn how the pathways of rasa, prana, and manas can expand your ability to experience more love and joy in your...

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emotional wellness /

Ayurveda’s RPM: the Channels of Love

Many things can pull us out of our hearts. Learn how the pathways of rasa, prana, and manas can expand your ability to experience more love and joy in your...

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Cauliflower Pumpkin Soup Recipe for Cozy Winter Days
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Cauliflower Pumpkin Soup Recipe for Cozy Winter...

In this vibrant and soul-satisfying soup, pumpkin moves out of its typically sweet role alongside rich and creamy cauliflower for maximum warmth and nourishment.

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ayurvedic recipes /

Cauliflower Pumpkin Soup Recipe for Cozy Winter Days

In this vibrant and soul-satisfying soup, pumpkin moves out of its typically sweet role alongside rich and creamy cauliflower for maximum warmth and nourishment.

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True Beauty Is More than Skin Deep—Here's How to Nourish Yours
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True Beauty Is More than Skin Deep—Here's How t...

You've likely heard the phrase "beauty is only skin deep"—but Ayurveda says just the opposite. Here's how to nourish your beauty on every level, body, mind, and soul.

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map hair /

True Beauty Is More than Skin Deep—Here's How to Nourish Yours

You've likely heard the phrase "beauty is only skin deep"—but Ayurveda says just the opposite. Here's how to nourish your beauty on every level, body, mind, and soul.

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The Ayurvedic Approach to Healthy Habits
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The Ayurvedic Approach to Healthy Habits

Ayurveda can help us develop a relationship with our habits that keeps us awake to who we are, rather than confined by an idea of who we think we should...

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ayurveda 101 /

The Ayurvedic Approach to Healthy Habits

Ayurveda can help us develop a relationship with our habits that keeps us awake to who we are, rather than confined by an idea of who we think we should...

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3 Mucuna Recipes to Tap into Your Inner Happiness
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3 Mucuna Recipes to Tap into Your Inner Happiness

These tasty recipes incorporate mucuna into pantry staples you can use in a variety of ways, morning, noon, and night—like a happy pill you take with your meals.

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adaptogens /

3 Mucuna Recipes to Tap into Your Inner Happiness

These tasty recipes incorporate mucuna into pantry staples you can use in a variety of ways, morning, noon, and night—like a happy pill you take with your meals.

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Late Summer Golden Chai Apple Crumble Recipe
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Late Summer Golden Chai Apple Crumble Recipe

Inspired by nature's seasonal plant-based offerings, this spicy-sweet apple crumble recipe is the perfect healthy and heavenly treat for late summer and early fall.

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ayurvedic recipes /

Late Summer Golden Chai Apple Crumble Recipe

Inspired by nature's seasonal plant-based offerings, this spicy-sweet apple crumble recipe is the perfect healthy and heavenly treat for late summer and early fall.

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Honoring These 4 Natural Cycles Is the Secret to a Successful Diet
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Honoring These 4 Natural Cycles Is the Secret t...

In Ayurveda, there's no one perfect diet. In fact, learning to shift your food choices along with your changing needs is essential to mastering great nutrition.

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daily routine /

Honoring These 4 Natural Cycles Is the Secret to a Successful Diet

In Ayurveda, there's no one perfect diet. In fact, learning to shift your food choices along with your changing needs is essential to mastering great nutrition.

Read Article
4 Cacao Recipes to Nourish Your Heart
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4 Cacao Recipes to Nourish Your Heart

Embrace the healing properties of raw cacao with these four delicious recipes—perfect for Valentine's Day or anytime you're craving a healthy touch of sweetness for your body and mind.

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ayurvedic recipes /

4 Cacao Recipes to Nourish Your Heart

Embrace the healing properties of raw cacao with these four delicious recipes—perfect for Valentine's Day or anytime you're craving a healthy touch of sweetness for your body and mind.

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Ayurveda and the Koshas: Nourishing Body, Mind, Spirit, and Heart
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Ayurveda and the Koshas: Nourishing Body, Mind,...

Dive into the five layers of our being, known in Ayurveda as the koshas, and learn how nourishing these subtle layers can support whole-body and whole-being health.

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8 limbs yoga /

Ayurveda and the Koshas: Nourishing Body, Mind, Spirit, and Heart

Dive into the five layers of our being, known in Ayurveda as the koshas, and learn how nourishing these subtle layers can support whole-body and whole-being health.

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How to Share Ayurveda with Your People | 8 Tips for Spreading Wisdom with Integrity and Care
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How to Share Ayurveda with Your People | 8 Tips...

Falling in love with Ayurveda and ready to share it with everyone you know? These tips will help you do so in a way that's clear, helpful, and unique to...

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banyan community /

How to Share Ayurveda with Your People | 8 Tips for Spreading Wisdom with Integrity and Care

Falling in love with Ayurveda and ready to share it with everyone you know? These tips will help you do so in a way that's clear, helpful, and unique to...

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Beyond Kitchari: Rice and Bean Recipes for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
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Beyond Kitchari: Rice and Bean Recipes for Vata...

Rice and beans are tasty, versatile, and packed with nutrition. Try these dosha-inspired recipes in place of kitchari or anytime you want a wholesome meal.

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ayurvedic recipes /

Beyond Kitchari: Rice and Bean Recipes for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha

Rice and beans are tasty, versatile, and packed with nutrition. Try these dosha-inspired recipes in place of kitchari or anytime you want a wholesome meal.

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Ayurveda and Mental Health | Connecting Mind, Body, and Soul
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Ayurveda and Mental Health | Connecting Mind, B...

Ayurveda views the body, mind, and soul as one intelligent and interconnected system. Learn how to support all layers of your being from the very root.

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emotional wellness /

Ayurveda and Mental Health | Connecting Mind, Body, and Soul

Ayurveda views the body, mind, and soul as one intelligent and interconnected system. Learn how to support all layers of your being from the very root.

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Nourishing Spring Greens Broth Recipe
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Nourishing Spring Greens Broth Recipe

This nourishing broth features mineral-rich greens and offers a source of dense nutrition that requires very little work for the body to break down and absorb.

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ayurvedic recipes /

Nourishing Spring Greens Broth Recipe

This nourishing broth features mineral-rich greens and offers a source of dense nutrition that requires very little work for the body to break down and absorb.

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The ABCs of Summer Salad | An Ayurvedic Recipe
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The ABCs of Summer Salad | An Ayurvedic Recipe

Is it possible to honor Ayurvedic food principles and create a delectably healthy summer salad that is perfect for barbeques and picnics? Yes! Simply follow these ABCs and you'll be set.

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ayurvedic recipes /

The ABCs of Summer Salad | An Ayurvedic Recipe

Is it possible to honor Ayurvedic food principles and create a delectably healthy summer salad that is perfect for barbeques and picnics? Yes! Simply follow these ABCs and you'll be set.

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Experience and Education

Jennifer has spent twelve years practicing yoga, four years teaching yoga, and four years living Ayurvedically.

Degrees and Certifications

  • Ayurvedic Health Counselor program—Kripalu School of Ayurveda
  • 500-Hour Yoga Teacher Training—Yoga Works
  • Restorative and Therapeutic 100-Hour Yoga Teacher Training with Jillian Pransky

Publications

Jennifer is the co-author of Root & Nourish: An Herbal Cookbook for Women's Wellness (Tiller Press, 4/6/2021). Learn more about it on her website.

Upcoming Events

Jennifer teaches weekly yoga classes with drop-in and membership options. Registration is available on her website at benourished.me/yoga.

Jennifer's Point of View

How were you introduced to Ayurveda?

I first learned about Ayurveda through my yoga teacher training, which prompted me to seek out a practitioner for help with my chronic digestive and hormonal imbalances. After experiencing almost immediate relief with the Ayurvedic remedies she offered me to address my imbalance and constitution, I was hooked!
 

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

I easily go out of balance from excess vata in mind, body, or environment. Too many choices, requests for work, distraction, or inconsistency will affect how I digest and the state of my thoughts and emotions.

The most effective Ayurvedic remedies I turn to over and over are abhyanga, regular mealtimes, and an herbal boost with hingvastak or herbal teas. I focus on grounding rituals like belly breathing and wearing layers to stay warm and feel contained.
 

What does the future of Ayurveda look like to you?

The future of Ayurveda is bright to me. We're facing a moment where the value of preventive medicine couldn't be more obvious, and I think as we continue to endure the COVID pandemic and its repercussions more individuals will be thinking about how to support their health all the time through diet and lifestyle, using the accessible home remedies Ayurveda offers.
 

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

Breathing! So many of us don't breathe fully or with awareness, and without that connection to prana (and oxygen) we prevent ourselves from experiencing so much fullness in our lives.