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Mediterranean Bean Salad (High-Fiber) | Skinnytaste

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

This Mediterranean bean salad with garbanzo beans, black beans and cucumber is so flavorful and fresh, with lemon juice, mint and parsley to brighten it up. Serve it as a side dish for potlucks or a light lunch.

Garbanzo bean Mediterranean salad on serving platter.

Easy Mediterranean Bean Salad

Have you ever had the Balela salad from Trader Joe’s? This Mediterranean bean salad is similar, pairing the chickpeas with black beans for varying texture, along with crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes, a bright lemon dressing, and fresh herbs. Each serving has over 9 grams of fiber! Serve this chickpea recipe with air fryer falafel and pita bread for a Middle Eastern inspired dinner perfect for hot summer days (or any day, really!).

Why This Mediterranean Bean Salad Is a Hit

Gina @ Skinnytaste.com

This is one of those salads I make on repeat to hit my fiber golas, especially when I need something quick and healthy. It comes together in minutes; I love that it doesn’t require any cooking, and it actually tastes better as it sits. The combination of lemon, olive oil, garlic, and herbs gives it that classic Mediterranean flavor.

  • No cooking required: Perfect for hot days when you don’t want to warm up the kitchen.
  • Bright and fresh: Lemon juice, parsley, and mint give it a fresh, vibrant flavor.
  • High Fiber: Over 9 grams of fiber per serving!
  • Meal-prep friendly: Make it in advance for lunch, potlucks, or as a side for dinner.
Gina signature

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients for garbanzo bean Mediterranean salad.

Below are the ingredients for this garbanzo bean Mediterranean salad. See the recipe card for exact measurements.

  • Garbanzo beans (chickpeas): Drained and rinsed.
  • Black beans: Drain and rinse these too. Or, if you prefer, add a second can of garbanzo beans instead.
  • Grape tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes would also work, as would a regular-size diced tomato (they’re just not quite as sweet).
  • Garlic and red onion: Finely minced to blend right into the salad.
  • Fresh parsley and mint give the salad its fresh, herby flavor.
  • Olive oil forms the base of the dressing.
  • Lemon juice: Be sure to use fresh lemon juice for the most vibrant flavor.
  • Kosher salt and black pepper to taste.

How to Make Mediterranean Bean Salad

This Mediterranean bean salad comes together in just a few steps.

  • Combine the salad: In a large bowl, add the garbanzo beans, black beans, tomatoes, garlic, red onion, parsley, and mint.
  • Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice until combined.
  • Toss everything together: Pour the dressing over the salad, season with salt and pepper, and gently toss to combine.
  • Let it sit: Allow the salad to rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes so the flavors can meld.
Garbanzo bean Mediterranean salad in serving spoon held over bowl.
Skinnytaste High Protein cookbook protein

Prep: 15 minutes

Total: 15 minutes

Yield: 6 servings

Serving Size: 3 /4 cup

  • In a large bowl, combine the beans, tomatoes, garlic, onion, parsley, and mint.

  • For the dressing, in a small bowl, whisk the olive oil and lemon juice until smooth and emulsified.

  • Pour the dressing over the beans and veggies, add ½ teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste and carefully toss with a large metal spoon. Allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes so flavors combine, or refrigerate to serve later.

Last Step:

Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.

Serving: 3 /4 cup, Calories: 175 kcal, Carbohydrates: 26 g, Protein: 8 g, Fat: 4.5 g, Saturated Fat: 0.5 g, Sodium: 327 mg, Fiber: 9 g, Sugar: 1 g

Tips from Gina’s Test Kitchen

  • Rinse the beans well: This removes excess sodium and improves their flavor.
  • Chop the onion and garlic finely: Smaller pieces help distribute flavor evenly and also helps avoid the unpleasantness of biting into a big piece of garlic or onion.
  • Let it rest: Don’t skip this step! The flavor gets much better after sitting because the beans soak up the flavors of the lemon juice, herbs, onion, and garlic.
  • Put your own spin on it: Add crumbled pita chips (or toasted pita pieces) for extra texture, toss in crumbled feta for a little creaminess, or add diced red bell pepper.

Storage Tips

Store this Mediterranean garbanzo bean salad in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Stir well before serving to redistribute the dressing.

Garbanzo bean Mediterranean salad in two bowls.

More Chickpea Recipes You’ll Love

Mountains to Beach Half Marathon Recap (2026) | Course, Review & Results

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If you’re searching for a fast, scenic California race… this one isn’t the first one that pops up on most of the ‘fastest marathons for a PR’ lists because it’s a small-ish race compared to a lot of the others, but it’s a great option. I remember this being one of the best courses to attempt a BQ or PR years ago and several of my running buddies ran the full marathon course to chase down a goal. This recap is just for the half marathon though, I wanted to mention that info in case it wasn’t already on your radar and you’re looking for a good 26.2 course. I ran the Mountains 2 Beach Half Marathon on April 19, 2026 and have a classic race recap for ya. Here are the highlights, major stress events and general fun… 

Why I Chose This Race

This wasn’t my original plan. I wanted to run the OC Half Marathon (my local go-to)… but it sold out earlier than expected. Which honestly still feels wild – I’ve literally signed up for that race last minute before, even at the expo (one year I thought I had registered, got to the expo and they didn’t have my bib!!?! Luckily, the race wasn’t sold out and you could register right there at the expo). 

Running is having a moment right now. Between TikTok, Instagram, and more people getting into fitness, races are filling up fast. So I pivoted.

The Mountains to Beach Half Marathon checked a lot of boxes:

  • Drivable from Orange County (originally intended to drive up race morning)
  • Option to have your bib mailed (huge win)
  • Known as a fast, net downhill course

After looking up the ETA to drive up race morning (and realizing I’d have to leave by 2am, which means waking up by 1am)… I ended up getting a hotel in Ventura and made a mini weekend getaway out of it. 

Two days before the race, my bib arrived in the mail because I opted for the bib in mail option when I registered (see: my original plan to drive up race morning and skip the need to be there the day before). I LOVE that this is available and wish all races would offer this. Having to go to an expo the day before a race makes a race take over an entire weekend, which I know some runners enjoy. But, sometimes I like to run races as long runs or just to run with the community and don’t want to plan my entire weekend around it. I’m fine with it dominating the day, but I like the option of not having to have a race related activity both days of the weekend. Even for local races like the OC Marathon & Half Marathon – getting to the expo (which is relatively close), parking, getting my bib and leaving without shopping around the expo takes at least 2.5 hours and that’s in an effort to be in and out (not counting getting In & Out after). 

Amway. I love the option to get your bib in the mail. But there was a mix-up and I opened the envelope on Friday before the race to see my bib had:

  • Wrong name.
  • Wrong race.
  • Full marathon instead of half.

Cool cool cool cool cool. (Not cool at all, I was stressed on another level. But I was trying to tell myself it was fixable.) 

I emailed the race organizers (while mentally spiraling a little), and to their credit – they responded quickly and fixed it. They reassigned the number to me and said I could just run with it.

Everything worked out… but yeah, opening that envelope sent a wave of anxiety throughout my entire body. I already get extra anxious before races and this was overwhelming. I’m so happy the team responding to emails was so quick and on it. I’m sure they were very busy the Friday before the race, but they were so responsive to my multiple emails asking questions about the bib issue and how that would impact my shuttle assignment. Thank you thank you thank you. 

For the record: I’m still 1000% pro bib-by-mail. It is so convenient. Race expos stress me out, and this option is rare and amazing. I’ve done this option in the past and it’s worked perfectly. This bib mix up was clearly just a fluke. It is an extra fee, but completely worth it – especially if you can save money on a hotel night if you have to drive out the day before. Getting your bib by mail is a great idea for races in Southern California where traffic can be ridiculous (and getting to a race expo in a certain time frame can take hours the day before a race). But early race morning = no traffic, so a drive to the expo that would take 2.5 hours could take 1 hour. 

This race is in Ventura, which is north of Los Angeles. If you live in LA it’s possible to get your bib in the mail and just drive up race morning without getting a hotel the night before. 

I considered doing this, but I live in south Orange County right now and that was just a lil too far. But I was glad I didn’t have to rush on Saturday to get to the expo Ventura Beach by a certain time since I already had my bib. 

We found a random pizza place on the drive up for a great pre-race meal…

  • Point-to-point course
  • Start is inland, finish is in Ventura near the beach
  • Net downhill 

Mountains to Beach half Marathon course

This is a “fast course,” but don’t expect Revel-level downhill. This is great if downhill races are too hard on your knees or quads. Some runners don’t like downhill races because it burns out your legs and doesn’t give your stride or muscles any variety. I’m not some runners for this example, but I understand it. 

It felt like:

  • Gentle downhill most of the half marathon
  • Some flat areas
  • A few small hills early
  • A hill around mile 12

Also – important note:  You finish at the beach… but you don’t really see it at the finish line. The area is gorgeous and you can enjoy it after the race, but the course doesn’t give a ton of ocean views. You’re not running along the water, you kinda run to the water. Does that make sense? 

  • Shuttle system was easy and organized
  • Clear signs for half vs full marathon
  • No chaos, no confusion

This matters more than people think. A stressful start can ruin your race before it begins – this one was smooth and well organized.

  • Cold at the start (I was very glad I brought a throwaway layer)
  • Minimal wind
  • Ideal racing conditions overall

One note: My hamstrings felt super tight and cold early on – something I’d prepare for better next time (maybe throw-away pants, hot hands or a different warm-up).

I didn’t have a goal time going in.

From running over 60 half marathons I’ve learned:

  • If I don’t have a specific time goal → I run by effort
  • If I do have a goal → I have a plan / strategy before the race and stick to it

This race was all about working hard, even though I wasn’t going for a PR- I was trying to run strong, pace myself in a smart way and DO THE HARD WORK. I don’t push myself in my solo long runs, I NEED races in order to get in a strong long run. I wanted to lock in and run harder than I would in my usual weekend long run. 

What I did:

  • Started near the 1:50 pacer
  • Used first ~3 miles to warm up
  • Gradually picked up pace once I felt good

This is KEY: I don’t want to sprint past people early in the race and then get passed later. That is not the vibe.

Miles 1–3:

Cold. Tight hamstrings. Slight panic. I stayed patient.

Mid-Race:

Felt strong → picked up pace → left the 1:50 group. Tried to fuel regularly. Walked through some of the aid stations. Steady work.

Final Miles:

This is where it got interesting. The 1:50 pacer had mentioned a hill near mile 12 (bless them for that warning), so I was mentally ready for that. I checked the elevation chart for the race, and it looked like there was a hill around mile 10.5 – not 12. There’s both. I think the hill around mile 10.5 to 11 is probably a lil bigger so you can see it on the elevation, but there’s also something around mile 12. It’s not crazy steep, but it’s late in the race so it’s important to know this so you can push and pace yourself accordingly. 

In the last half a mile I saw the 1:45 pacers ahead. One of them kept looking back… and literally waved me forward multiple times like: “COME ON. LET’S GO.” I think they were looking for people who were running with their pace group and wanted to get them across the finish line. There wasn’t anyone super close to me and it felt like she was calling me out. She waved again in a c’mon catch up, pass us motion. 

I hesitated because I didn’t see the finish line and was afraid I’d push too early. But she did it again and I figured she knew the course better than me and we must be close to the finish.  So… I went. I caught them, realized I could push a lil more and ran past them towards the finish. They wanted me to push past them, it was their job to pace runners to 1:45. They cheered me on to go go gooooooooo. 

  • Finish Time: 1:44:21
  • Pace: 7:57/mile

No PR – but a strong effort. **Please note: I wouldn’t normally specify “no PR” because, obviously, I didn’t train for a PR. I’m saying this because there are a lot of new-ish runners doing races right now and some don’t understand what it takes to set a new personal record after running for years. At first you can hit PR after PR because your body is getting stronger and building endurance. You can make a lot of progress from your first race to your second, third, even fourth. But after you’ve run for years, done dozens training cycles for races and hit PRs – you really have to be intentional about getting faster. 

“It doesn’t happen by accident.” – is one of my favorite quotes and applies here. Have I told you the backstory? I must have because it was from a blog event years ago… but maybe not? 

Before races, I get anxious. During races? I try to lock in. The scariest part to me is race morning logistics, finding parking, shuttles, the start line, etc. Anyone else/?

This race, I focused on:

  • Checking in with my body
  • Not overreacting to discomfort
  • Reminding myself: you’re here to work

When things got hard: “Do your best with what you have today.”

That’s it. It’s simple, but not easy. You have to be very intentional about your self talk and mindset when you run. Practice it daily. Practice while you run. Make it a part of your life when you’re not running so your default setting is positive and persistent. 

  • Water stations: frequent enough
  • Electrolytes: inconsistent (some signs said yes… but didn’t have them)
  • Gels: one station around mile 7

Note:  If it were a hotter day, this setup would need more water stops. 

Hydration plan:

  • Skip first station
  • Walk through the rest
  • Electrolytes when available, water otherwise
  • Quiet and peaceful for most of the race
  • Minimal crowd support until the last mile
  • Finish line had more energy, but overall low-key

If you need crowd hype → this isn’t that race
If you like calm, focused running → you’ll like it

Pros

  • Net downhill (fast potential)
  • Easy logistics + smooth shuttles
  • Bib-by-mail option (LOVE)
  • Great weather (hello, California)
  • Drivable from LA, OC, inland and Santa Barbara 

Cons

  • Limited crowd support
  • Electrolyte inconsistency
  • Finish line not scenic even though it’s near the beach
  • Bib mix-up (rare, but should mentioning)

Yes. Not just because of the race, but because of the whole weekend. This turned into a mini getaway with Ben… amazing pizza on the drive up,  post-race breakfast, gorgeous beach time after. 



I ran a smart race. Could I have gone out a little faster? Yeah, I think so now, but I haven’t been running enough races to be sure. 
I checked in with my body, adjusted in real time, and finished strong.

That’s a win. Now I just need to figure out what’s going on with my hamstrings… because we are not doing that again.

If you’ve run the Mountains to Beach race — I want to hear it.

  • Did you think it was as “fast” as advertised?
  • How was your experience with the course + logistics?

Drop a comment and let me know your thoughts on this race or about the most recent race you ran. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The workout we forgot about (it’s time to bring it back 💪 )

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Do you remember how you ran and played as a kid?

Whether it was storming castle walls, avoiding lava pits, or cartwheeling down the sidewalk, we weren’t worried about sets, reps, or time-under-tension. We were just having fun in the moment.

When was the last time working out felt like that for you?

For those of us that love strength training, exercise DOES feel this way. We love getting in the gym and crunching numbers and focusing on technique. It can be totally absorbing and fun.

But for many folks I work with, exercise feels more like a chore than a hobby. More like an obligation than something they look forward to.

Here’s one way to change that.

An Alternative To Traditional Training

Years ago, I ran a group class at my local gym called the “Ninja Academy.”

Twice a week, a group of adults would show up and we’d spend an hour running around like 10-year-olds. We played tag. We crawled on the floor. We had lightsaber battles with foam swords. We played Zombie Dodgeball (which is a-maz-ing.)

We weren’t focused on reps, heart rate, calories, or weights. And yet – people were genuinely out of breath, laughing too hard to talk, and asking “can we do that again?”

That experience transformed how I look at fitness.

Sure, exercise and strength training and 5k races are all awesome.

But the fitness industry tends to laser-focus on things we can count and track. That has naturally led to the idea that real exercise looks a certain way. And by extension, anything that CAN’T be easily tracked becomes less valuable.

That’s backwards.

When you’re playing, you move because you want to. You push yourself without thinking about it. You come back the next day not because you’re disciplined, but because it was genuinely fun and you want more.

Play doesn’t have to replace traditional training. It just gives you more options.

And the benefits go beyond just getting sweaty. Play builds community, keeps your brain young, introduces your body to movements it never gets in a gym, and promotes lifelong movement across all ages and generations.

Here’s what Christy – a mom of two teenage girls – said after her first Ninja Academy session:

“I took my twins to a class at my gym last night. Probably the only reason they agreed to go was because it’s called ‘Ninja Academy.’ It’s exercise, yes, but basically it’s structured recess for adults. We did silly stuff, like jump over a ‘creek’ (made out of jump ropes), did tripods or handstands depending on ability, played follow-the-leader (outside in the dark!), and just had a fun time.

The girls and I had a blast doing this together. They were still talking about it this morning. I’m on cloud 9 because it was just one of ‘those moments’ that can be hard to find. We just got to PLAY for a change. Not homework, not housework, not some dumb chore, just play. I don’t do that enough with my kids anymore. I’m going to try to fix that.”

Want to try it? A few principles first:

  • Everything is optional. Not feeling a game or activity? Try something else!
  • Try your best no matter what. You’re not going to be good at these movements and games right away. Especially when stuff is new, it’s easy to get frustrated. We used this mantra in the Ninja Academy to help us focus on doing our best instead of being the best.
  • Have fun, but don’t let your head explode. When you’re out of practice with playing, it’s easy to go too hard too fast. You try to jump too far and take a spill, you get a bit too aggressive in a game of tag. Ease in.
  • The 70/30 rule. If you’re playing with someone else, adjust the rules so one person isn’t winning more than 70% of the time. Stronger player? Make them use their off hand. Taller player? Make them balance on one foot. Keep it competitive for everyone.

Some games to get you started

🎯 Taps: Try to keep a foam ball or balloon in the air. Kick it, hit it, backheel it, whatever it takes. Bluey fans will recognize this as Keepy Uppy. Works solo against a wall or with a whole group. This was our warm up game every session of the Ninja Academy. 😊

⚔️ Samurai Warrior: One person stands in front of a group and swipes their arm either up high or down low: high swipe = duck, low swipe = hop over. Note: you don’t LITERALLY hop over their arm. just react to their cues. If you get “hit,” take a step back, do 2 squats, and step back up. Just keep playing.

🏹 Zen Archer: Try to keep your feet planted while your partner slowly sweeps a hand or stick toward you in slow-motion. Move out of the way at the last possible second with as little movement as needed. Harder than it sounds.

🪄 Stick Drop: Stand a broomstick upright, let it fall, and your partner (or yourself!) tries to catch it right before it hits the ground. Start close. Move farther away as you get better.

💥 Crack-About Dodgeball: Free-for-all dodgeball. Best played with those foam Rhino-Skin dodgeballs (one of my favorite tools to facilitate play without someone getting nailed painfully in the face.) When you get hit, sit down. If a ball rolls to you, you can still throw it. When the person who hit you gets hit…you’re back in! No one is ever really out, which creates infinite amounts of fun.

🫳 Reaction Drop: Hold two balls at shoulder height and drop one at random. Your partner tries to catch it before it hits the ground. Deceptively hard. Immediately addictive.

🥅 Goalies: Roll or toss a ball so it’s just at the edge of your partner’s reach. They try to stop it. The goal is to find that edge so they are successful about 50% of the time. It’s a game for practicing your aim, too, and if you can put it in the perfect spot!

👑 King of the Log: Hold hands with a partner and try to make the other person take a step. That’s it. You can adjust this by having to stand on a crack in the sidewalk, on a small curb or even on an actual log in the woods!

🔥 Floor is Lava: All-time classic. You know the drill 😉.

🧱 Jenga Balance: Stack two Jenga blocks on top of each other and try to hold the bottom one without letting the top one fall. Once you get the hang of that, try adding some slow motion movement. Great focus game, surprisingly challenging.

👻 Mario + Ghosts: One person walks around the space. When they turn to look, everyone freezes. The goal is to sneak up and tap them on the shoulder. (I’ve also called this “The Weeping Angels” for all my Doctor Who fans out there.) We even did a version of this at Camp Nerd Fitness where our entire group was ghosts and we picked an unsuspecting coach to be Mario. 😂 We got some WILD looks as coaches saw a hoard of people move at them and then all freeze in an instant.


I hope this gave you some inspiration to explore a new game or movement – either for yourself, or with a friend or family member.

And more than anything, I hope it gave you permission to rethink what your training “needs” to look like.

I’d love to hear from you – what are some physical games you love to play? I’m always collecting new ideas!

– Matt

P.S. Want to make fitness a sustainable part of your routine? That’s exactly what our coaches help with. It’s like having your own personal fitness Yoda in your pocket, except instead of Yoda it’s just a real nerdy human who has your back. Otherwise it’s basically the same thing 😜

Philly Cheesesteak Bowl (Healthy + Meal-Prep Friendly)


You read that correctly, HEALTHY Philly Cheese Steak Bowls! If you’re craving red meat and tons of veggies, this balanced dinner recipe is for you. Plus, it only takes around 30 minutes to cook, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights and is meal-prep friendly! You’ll absolutely LOVE the cottage cheese queso to top it all off.

Recipe Highlights

  • Classic Philly cheesesteak flavor: I have LOVED Philly Cheesesteak for as long as I can remember, but wanted a healthier version that could be made easily at home. And these bowls are IT!
  • Quick cook time: Make this recipe from start to finish in under 30 minutes aka perfect for busy weeknights.
  • Meal-prep friendly: Want to prep these Philly cheesesteak bowls ahead of time? No problem! This recipe is meal-prep friendly.

“Made last night, I love this recipe! Watching calories, and I am celiac, and this is a filling, healthy, satisfying meal. The queso is crazy good!!!” – Melissa

“Just made these for dinner, my husband is raving! Thanks for the recipe. So quick with minimal prep.” – Carly

What You’ll Need

  • Steak: I’ve tested this recipe with both ribeye and top sirloin steak, and both work great! Both will cook quickly with a ton of flavor. Ribeye is a more classic choice for Philly cheesesteak, so go this route if you’d prefer.
  • Peppers and onions: Keep it simple with bell peppers and onions.
  • Sweet potatoes: You’ll dice sweet potatoes and bake them right on the same baking sheet with the peppers and onions. Diced russet or Yukon gold potatoes would also work quite well.
  • Cheese sauce: If you do ONE thing in this recipe, it’s making the cottage cheese sauce. All you need is cottage cheese and shredded cheddar. You’ll double-blend it and warm it up in the microwave for a cheesy drizzle everyone will love.

I love how simple all of the flavors are in this meal and how balanced it is! You get your veggies, lean protein, starch, and healthy fats all in one meal.

Best Steak for Cheesesteak Bowls

The most classic steak to use for Philly cheesesteak is a ribeye. Ribeye has incredible marbling, which helps keep the steak moist, and adds a great deal of flavor. No one wants a dry, tough steak.

I’ve also tested these Philly cheesesteak bowls with top sirloin, and this also works great!

If you’re choosing a flank steak or skirt steak, just know that you’ll have to tenderize the meat before cooking to avoid toughness.

  1. Pat flank steak dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper. Let sit for 30 minutes.
  2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear steak for 4 minutes per side (medium-rare). Let rest for 10-15 minutes, then slice.
  3. Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss peppers and onions with oil, salt, and pepper.
  4. Bake for 30 minutes, tossing halfway through.
  5. Cook 1 cup brown rice with 2 cups water in a pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30-40 minutes.
  6. Massage kale with olive oil, salt, and pepper for 3-4 minutes.
  7. Divide steak, peppers, onions, queso, rice, and kale into bowls. Serve!
Sliced onions and bell peppers with seasoned diced sweet potatoes arranged on a baking sheet, ready for roasting.
  • High heat: In order to get perfectly cooked steak on your cast iron skillet, you’ll want to make sure that you have your burner set to high regardless if you’re using a gas or electric stove.
  • Oil: Make sure that your oil is fully heated up and fragrant before you put your steak on the pan! This will allow for a delicious medium rare cook.
  • Don’t overcook: There’s nothing worse than overcooked steak. Your steak only needs a few minutes on each side.
  • Seasonings: Keep it simple with salt and pepper!

Once you’ve got your steak seared, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing against the grain. Patience is bliss.

Absolutely! I don’t use a marinade for this recipe, but you’re welcome to use my favorite flank steak marinade!

Yes! I chose to use my cast iron because it was easier, but you can totally grill your steak for a more charred, smoky taste if you’d prefer!

You can store the bowls in the fridge for 3-4 days. If you’re meal prepping this recipe, I recommend storing individual servings in airtight meal prep containers so you can take it on the go.

A bowl containing sliced steak, roasted sweet potatoes, sautéed onions, red and yellow bell peppers, and a dollop of sour cream, topped with cracked black pepper.

  • Massage the steak with kosher salt, then set it aside. Let the steak sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400ºF. Add the sweet potatoes to a baking sheet and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic powder, chili powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Be sure sweet potatoes are coated.

  • Bake for 10 minutes and then toss. After 10 minutes, push the sweet potatoes to one half of the pan. Add the peppers and onions to the other half. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon sea salt. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender. Set aside.

  • Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the steaks. Cook for 2-4 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 160-165ºF or desired temperature. Remove from the pan and let rest for 10 minutes.

  • Add cottage cheese, shredded cheese, and ½ teaspoon sea salt to a blender and blend until smooth.* Pour the queso into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute, stirring halfway to avoid any burning.

  • Transfer the queso back into the blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.*

  • Thinly slice the steak and then mince it into small pieces.

  • Evenly distribute the sweet potatoes, peppers, onions, and meat to four bowls. Top with the blended cottage cheese. Serve immediately.

  • In step 5, if the cottage cheese isn’t blending, add 1-2 teaspoons of water or milk to the blender to loosen things up.
  • If you are looking for a little spice, add 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sweet potatoes, peppers, and onions.
  • I double-blend the queso to ensure it is extra creamy.
  • This recipe was updated in April 2026. Find the original ingredients and recipe instructions HERE.

Calories: 506 kcal, Carbohydrates: 18 g, Protein: 32 g, Fat: 35 g, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 6 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Photography by: The Wooden Skillet

How to Boost Your Life Expectancy by 12 to 14 Years

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What can physicians do to promote healthy, life-extending lifestyle changes?

A pivotal paper published in Europe more than a decade ago entitled “Healthy Living Is the Best Revenge” found that practicing just four simple, healthy lifestyle factors compared to none could potentially have a strong impact on preventing chronic diseases. We’re talking nearly 80% less chronic disease risk, slashing diabetes risk by 93%, dropping heart attack risk by 81%, and cutting stroke risk in half and cancer risk by 36%. Think about what that means. The potential for preventing disease and death is enormous. In the United States alone every year, there are a half million first heart attacks, a half million first strokes, a million new cases of diabetes, and a million new cancer diagnoses. The message is clear: Practicing a few healthy behaviors can have a huge impact.

What are those four fabled factors?

  • never smoking
  • not being obese
  • averaging about a half hour of exercise a day
  • following healthful dietary principles, including a lot of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and less meat

Follow those four simple rules and boom! Enjoy nearly 80% reduced risk of major chronic diseases.

What does that mean for mortality risk? As I discuss in my video How to Increase Your Life Expectancy 12 to 14 Years, a similar combination of four healthy behaviors predicted “a 4-fold difference in total mortality in men and women, with an estimated impact equivalent to 14 y[ears] in chronological age,” meaning the individuals were dying at such a reduced rate that it was as if they were 14 years younger. “Finally, a Regimen to Extend Human Life Expectancy,” proclaimed a commentary in reference to a study that had made a similar analysis of the impact of healthy lifestyle behaviors on life expectancies. But this time, it looked directly at the U.S. population, which is particularly important, since Americans have a shorter life expectancy compared to people living in nearly all other higher-income countries. The researchers concluded that a healthy lifestyle could substantially reduce premature mortality and increase life expectancy in U.S. adults. Okay, but by how much? They estimated that adhering to a low-risk lifestyle could extend life expectancy at age 50 by 14 years in women and 12.2 years in men. So, if you’re 50 right now, instead of only living to 79 if you’re a woman and 75½ if you’re a man in the United States, taking even just basic care of yourself could propel you to an average life expectancy of 93 if you’re a woman and 87½ if you’re a man.

The bottom line is it’s never too late to turn back the clock. A midlife switch just to the basics—at least five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, walking 20 minutes a day, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight—leads to a substantial reduction in mortality even in the following few years. We’re talking a 40% lower risk of dying in the subsequent four years. Indeed, “making the necessary changes to adhere to a healthy lifestyle is extremely worthwhile, and…middle-age is not too late to act.”

As an aside, when I realized the 12 to 14 years of added life expectancy were based on data from health professionals, I got excited about all the potential ripple effects. If health professionals start getting healthier, they can become role models for more healthful living and potentially save more lives than just their own. But that may have been wishful thinking. Practicing what you preach can sometimes backfire. Evidently, “displays of excellence can paradoxically turn off the very people they are trying to inspire.”

It’s reasonable to assume that not being a hypocrite and trying to walk the walk would lead to positive consequences, inspiring confidence in others. Don’t you want a dance instructor who can dance, a music teacher who can play, and a health professional who’s healthy? But “this simple intuition fails to take into account the concerns about devaluation than an expert’s superior behavior elicits in others”—that is, that may make people feel inadequate. For example, you know how vegetarians often become targets of ridicule and hostility? That’s because they may come off as morally superior and make other people feel like they’re being looked down upon.

There was an elegant demonstration of this phenomenon in a study where “principled deviants who take the high road threaten others’ moral self-worth.” Participants were asked to complete “a racist task,” and those “moral rebels” who refused to do so were cheered on by observers but disparaged by their fellow participants who had done the task. Why? Because the rebels’ stance was “an implied indictment of their spinelessness.” Isn’t that interesting?

So, when doctors portray themselves as “the picture of health,” patients might think they’re being holier-than-thou, which can unintentionally alienate those who need the doctors’ help the most. It’s easy to imagine how someone with a weight issue might feel threatened and judged by a physician triathlete. But what are we supposed to do? We want healthy practitioners. Physicians who smoke are less likely to tell their patients to quit smoking, physicians who are overweight are less likely to advise about weight loss, and physicians who don’t work out are less likely to talk about exercise. What doctors can do to make patients more comfortable is emphasize that their role is to help people meet their own personal health goals, whatever they may be. Studies show that when doctors take this approach, it increases the appeal of “fitness-focused” physicians to overweight patients. So, doctors can then display model behavior without inadvertently alienating those who would most benefit from their counsel.

Doctor’s Note

For more on lifestyle medicine, see related posts below. 



Am I messing up my workout if… 🧐

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I’ve gotten a bunch of really great questions recently, and I noticed a theme.

A lot of them have this undercurrent of “am I doing this wrong?” 🧐

I get it! There’s so much conflicting information out there on the internet, and it gets a lot more clicks to talk about how “You’re ruining your gains if you…”

That’s why we’re here. To help you sort the helpful advice from the overblown hyperbole so you’re not constantly second guessing yourself. Fitness should be something you can feel good about.

Let’s get into it. 💪

“Is strength training on an empty stomach pointless?”

Haley asks:

I’ve been doing all this reading about best practices and everybody says to eat at least a carb-heavy snack or light meal 30 minutes to an hour before strength training. But my schedule is such that I need to workout first thing in the morning before I can have breakfast. I take a medication that I have to wait for at least 30 minutes (preferably an hour) before I can eat anything, and that is the time I have for my workout.

Is strength training on an empty stomach pointless? I know strength training on an empty stomach is better than not strength training at all, but how much am I hurting my results by not eating first?

Great question, Hayley – and the short answer is: nope. You’re not ruining anything.

The biggest factor here is what your overall nutrition for the entire day looks like. If you’re getting adequate protein, calories, and fiber, then you’re basically checking off every box already.

A plate that that contains a portion of protein, healthy carb, veggies/fruit, and unsweetened drink.

The idea that you have to eat before a workout is pretty overblown. Your body has glycogen stores from yesterday’s food that it can absolutely use to fuel your A.M. strength training session. For most people, training fasted works just fine!

Now, if you feel terrible – low energy, dizzy, super hungry – then yes, let’s problem-solve (maybe some liquid carbs and protein before you head out, or see if we can shuffle the schedule a bit.)

Takeaway: for most people, meal timing around your workouts is a minor factor. Focus on getting solid nutrition in across the day, workout hard when it fits your schedule, and you’re good to go. 💪

“What am I sacrificing by splitting my workout up across the day?”

This was another great question I got from several different folks. The idea being if you don’t have time to do a workout all at once, does it still count if you break it up?

Short answer is: YES!

There’s solid research showing that accumulating your training volume throughout the day (a set here, a set there) produces similar strength and muscle-building results compared to a single traditional session, as long as the total volume and intensity are matched. (i.e. you do the same amount of challenging stuff in total.)

The one thing I see trip people up: intensity. It’s hard to go in cold and push yourself hard, safely. Give yourself a minute or two to warm-up before you do your work set so you can challenge yourself and feel good.

Takeaway: Splitting your workout up across the day is absolutely a viable strategy. Heck, we have many clients that squeeze in a single set of pushups, squats or lunges when they can and it makes a HUGE difference. Make sure you still feel warmed up and challenge yourself. Dial those pieces in, and you’ll get great results.

Hopefully, these answers show you that there are many ways to fit strength training in to your life – and they are all great!

You’re not doing it wrong. It doesn’t have to look like a traditional 60-minute gym session to work. It just has to work for you. 🙌

You got this,

– Matt

P.S. Ready to make a change in your fitness? Our coaches are here to help. ❤️

🎓 Admissions Open – Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics Programs!

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Sushruta Samhita Uttaratantra Chapter 61 Apasmāra Pratişedha (Treatment of Epilepsy)


AIAPGET POINTS

        Pana and Abhyanga of Purana Sarpi and Yogas described in the treatment of Graha Roga are also prescribed in the treatment of Apasmara.

        Godha-Nakuladhya Taila is used in the treatment of Apasmara.

        Rudra and Rudra Ganas should be worshipped every day by patients suffering from Apasmara.

        Panchagavya Ghrta described in Apasmara Pratisedha is also used in the treatment of Chaturthaka Jwara.

        Siddharthaka Ghrta described in Apasmara Pratisedha is also used in the treatment of Vishama Jwara

        In Apasmara, the person loses Smriti and Bhutartha Vijnana.

        Sanjnavaha Srotas are affected by doshas, rajas and tamas in Apasmara.

For More AIAPGET Points from this chapter and also for content and preparation, please join our SARATHI Program.

The 61st chapter of Uttaratantra of Sushruta Samhita is named as Apasmāra Pratiședha. This chapter deals with Treatment of Epilepsy.

अथातोऽपस्मारप्रतिषेधमध्यायं व्याख्यास्यामः ||१||
यथोवाच भगवान् धन्वन्तरिः ||२||

We will now expound Apasmāra pratişedha – treatment of Epilepsy; as revealed by the venerable Dhanvantari.

Nirukti – definition

स्मृतिर्भूतार्थविज्ञानमपश्च परिवर्जने |
अपस्मार इति प्रोक्तस्ततोऽयं व्याधिरन्तकृत् ||३||

Apasmara is the name of a disease in which the memory and knowledge of nature (of the things) are lost. It eventually causes the death of the person.

Nidāna – causes

मिथ्यातियोगेन्द्रियार्थकर्मणामभिसेवनात् |
विरुद्धमलिनाहारविहारकुपितैर्मलैः ||४||
वेगनिग्रहशीलानामहिताशुचिभोजिनाम् |
रजस्तमोभिभूतानां गच्छतां च रजस्वलाम् ||५||
तथा कामभयोद्वेगक्रोधशोकादिभिर्भृशम् |
चेतस्यभिहते पुंसामपस्मारोऽभिजायते ||६||

Below mentioned are the causes of Apasmara –

        improper and excess association of sense organs with their objects and

        improper and excess activities of the body, mind and speech,

        excessive indulgence in incompatible and contaminated foods and improper activities leading to aggravation of the doshas,

        suppression of the urges of the body and

        habitual consumption of dirty or polluted foods,

        being greatly engrossed with rajas and tamas qualities,

        copulation with woman during her menstrual periods,

        being greatly afflicted with lust, fear, agitation, anger, sorrow and such other emotions

Due to these causes, the mind of the person gets disordered. As a result, Apasmara develops.

Pūrvarūpa – premonitory symptoms

हृत्कम्पः शून्यता स्वेदो ध्यानं मूर्च्छा प्रमूढता |
निद्रानाशश्च तस्मिंस्तु भविष्यति भवन्त्यथ ||७||

Below mentioned are the premonitory symptoms of Apasmara –

        tremor,

        feeling of emptiness of the heart (mind),

        sweating,

        worry,

        fainting,

        unconsciousness and

        loss of sleep

These symptoms appear before the manifestation of the disease (apasmara).

Samprāpti – pathogenesis

सञ्ज्ञावहेषु स्रोतःसु दोषव्याप्तेषु मानवः |
रजस्तमःपरीतेषु मूढो भ्रान्तेन चेतसा ||८||
विक्षिपन् हस्तपादं च विजिह्मभ्रूर्विलोचनः |
दन्तान् खादन् वमन् फेनं विवृताक्षः पतेत् क्षितौ ||९||
अल्पकालान्तरं चापि पुनः सञ्ज्ञां लभेत सः |
सोऽपस्मार इति प्रोक्तः… |१०|

Below mentioned events (signs and symptoms) occur when the samjnavaha srotas i.e. channels carrying sensation become filled with vitiated by doshas, rajas and tamas also –

        the person becomes senseless due to disordered mind,

        makes violent movements of the arms, legs, eyebrows and eyes,

        grinds the teeth,

        emits froth from the mouth,

        falls on the ground with eyes open and regains consciousness after short time

The disease presenting with the above said features is called Apasmara.

Types of Apasmara

… स च दृष्टश्चतुर्विधः ||१०||
वातपित्तकफैर्नॄणां चतुर्थः सन्निपाततः |११|

Apasmara is of four kinds –

        one each by vata, pitta and kapha and

        the fourth one by sannipata – combination of all the three doshas

Lakṣaṇa – clinical features

Vataja Apasmara

वेपमानो दशन् दन्तान् श्वसन् फेनं वमन्नपि ||११||
यो ब्रूयाद्विकृतं सत्त्वं कृष्णं मामनुधावति |
ततो मे चित्तनाशः स्यात् सोऽपस्मारोऽनिलात्मकः ||१२||

A person suffering from epilepsy of vata origin has the below mentioned signs and symptoms –

        the person has trembling, bites his teeth, has dyspnoea and vomiting of froth,

        he says that abnormal black coloured animals or objects are running after him and that

        he has lost his mind

Pittaja Apasmara

तृट्तापस्वेदमूर्च्छार्तो धुन्वन्नङ्गानि विह्वलः |
यो ब्रूयाद्विकृतं सत्त्वं पीतं मामनुधावति ||१३||
ततो मे चित्तनाशः स्यात् स पित्तभव उच्यते |१४|

Persons suffering from epilepsy of pitta origin has the below mentioned signs and symptoms –

        the person suffers from thirst, warmth, sweating and fainting, and shaking of the body parts,

        he is agitated,

        he says that abnormal yellow animals or objects are running after him and that

        his mind has become lost

Kaphaja Apasmara

शीतहृल्लासनिद्रार्तः पतन् भूमौ वमन् कफम् ||१४||
यो ब्रूयाद्विकृतं सत्त्वं शुक्लं मामनुधावति |
ततो मे चित्तनाशः स्यात् सोऽपस्मारः कफात्मकः ||१५||

Signs and symptoms of epilepsy caused by kapha –

        cold (rigors),

        nausea,

        sleep,

        falling on the ground vomiting kapha,

        seeing an abnormal animal or object running after him (the patient says so) and

        the mind being lost (as experienced and said by the patient)

हृदि तोदस्तृडुत्क्लेदस्त्रिष्वप्येतेषु सङ्ख्यया |
प्रलापः कूजनं क्लेशः प्रत्येकं तु भवेदिह ||१६||

In these three kinds, pain in the heart, thirst and nausea are the special symptoms respectively. Irrelevant speech, moaning and debility are also found in these kinds respectively.

Sannipataja Apasmara

सर्वलिङ्गसमवायः सर्वदोषप्रकोपजे |१७|

All the symptoms of all doshas will be present together in apasmara produced by combination of all the doshas.

Añyamata – different opinion

अनिमित्तागमाद्व्याधेर्गमनादकृतेऽपि च ||१७||
आगमाच्चाप्यपस्मारं वदन्त्यन्ये न दोषजम् |१८|

Some scholars are of the opinion that Apasmara is not produced by the doshas. Below mentioned are the reasons –

        apasmara arises without any apparent cause,

        apasmara disappears without any treatment and

        because of scriptures describing the disease differently

 Svamata – personal opinion (of Suśruta) 

क्रमोपयोगाद्दोषाणां क्षणिकत्वात्तथैव च ||१८||
आगमाद्वैश्वरूप्याच्च स तु निर्वर्ण्यते बुधैः |
देवे वर्षत्यपि यथा भूमौ बीजानि कानिचित् ||१९||
शरदि प्रतिरोहन्ति तथा व्याधिसमुद्भवः |
स्थायिनः केचिदल्पेन कालेनाभिप्रवर्धिताः ||२०||
दर्शयन्ति विकारांस्तु विश्वरूपान्निसर्गतः |
अपस्मारो महाव्याधिस्तस्माद्दोषज एव तु ||२१||

Wise persons are of the definitive opinion that the disease is born from doshas only because –

        doshas become gradually aggravated,

        the doshas are unstable i.e. changing from one stage to the other,

        in all the scriptures it has been described that it is caused by the doshas and

        of having many kinds

In spite of the rains occurring at other times also, the seed in the ground sprouts only during Sarad Rtu (autumn). Similarly, the disease also develops from the doshas which are staying in the body, getting aggravated in a very short time and manifesting its different symptoms by their nature only.

Hence, this dreadful disease – apasmara is produced by doshas only.

Cikitsä – treatment

तस्य कार्यो विधिः सर्वो य उन्मादेषु वक्ष्यते |
पुराणसर्पिषः पानमभ्यङ्गश्चैव पूजितः ||२२||
उपयोगो ग्रहोक्तानां योगानां तु विशेषतः |
ततः सिध्यन्ति ते सर्वे योगैरन्यैश्च साधयेत् |
शिग्रुकट्वङ्गकिण्वाहिनिम्बत्वग्रससाधितम् ||२३||
चतुर्गुणे गवां मूत्रे तैलमभ्यञ्जने हितम् |२४|

All kinds of treatments indicated for Unmada (insanity, psychoses) in the next chapter should be adopted in the treatment of this disease also.

In the previous chapter, drinking of old ghee, anointing the body with old ghee and use of medicinal formulae are mentioned for the treatment of grahas (demons). These treatments should specially be done in this disease also. Any other method or treatments which are beneficial in curing the affliction of grahas should also be adopted in the treatment of this disease.

Oil prepared with decoction of the below mentioned ingredients is beneficial for anointing –

        bark of sigru,

        katvanga,

        kinihi and

        nimba added with

        four parts of gomutra

गोधानकुलनागानां पृषतर्क्षगवामपि ||२४||
पित्तेषु सिद्धं तैलं च पानाभ्यङ्गेषु पूजितम् |२५|
तीक्ष्णैरुभयतोभागैः शिरश्चापि विशोधयेत् ||२५||

 Oil prepared with the below mentioned ingredients is especially useful for drinking and anointing –

        bile of iguana,

        mongoose,

        elephant and

        spotted deer and

        black deer

Purification of the body in both upper and lower directions i.e. vamana and virechana should be done. Apart from this, purgation of the head should also be done greatly with strong herbs.

पूजांरुद्रस्यकुर्वीततद्गणानांचनित्यशः।।

One should worship Rudra and his Gana (attendants, retinue) every day.

वातिकं बस्तिभिश्चापि पैत्तिकं तु विरेचनैः ||२६||
कफजं वमनैर्धीमानपस्मारमुपाचरेत् |२७|
Apasmara of Vata origin should be

treated by the wise physician by administering enema therapy.

Apasmara of Pitta origin should be treated by administration of purgation therapy.

Apasmara of Kapha origin should be treated by administration of emesis therapy.

कुलत्थयवकोलानि शणबीजं पलङ्कषाम् ||२७||
जटिलां पञ्चमूल्यौ द्वे पथ्यां चोत्क्वाथ्य यत्नतः |
बस्तमूत्रयुतं सर्पिः पचेत्तद्वातिके हितम् ||२८||

Decoction of the below mentioned is prepared –

        Kulattha,

        Yava,

        Kola,

        Sanabija,

        Palankasa,

        Jatila,

        Herbs comprising of both Pancamula (Dasamula) and

        Pathya

This decoction is added with goat’s urine and ghee is cooked with it. This ghee is beneficial in treating apasmara produced by vata.

काकोल्यादिप्रतीवापं सिद्धं च प्रथमे गणे |
पयोमधुसितायुक्तं घृतं तत् पैत्तिके हितम् ||२९||

Below mentioned are cooked together and medicated ghee is prepared –

        ghee,

        decoction of herbs belonging to the first gana i.e. vidarigandhadi gana group,

        paste of herbs belonging to kakolyadi gana group

This ghee is consumed, mixed with milk, honey and sugar. It is beneficial in treating apasmara produced by pitta.

कृष्णावचामुस्तकाद्यैर्युक्तमारग्वधादिके |
पक्वं च मूत्रवर्गे तु श्लेष्मापस्मारिणे हितम् ||३०||

Ghee is cooked with –

        decoction of Aragvadhadi Gana group of herbs along with

        paste of Krsna, Vaca and Musta and

        mutra vargas – groups of urine

This medicated ghee is beneficial in treating Apasmara produced by Kapha.

Siddharthaka ghṛta

सुरद्रुमवचाकुष्ठसिद्धार्थव्योषहिङ्गुभिः |
मञ्जिष्ठारजनीयुग्मसमङ्गात्रिफलाम्बुदैः ||३१||
करञ्जबीजशैरीषगिरिकर्णीहुताशनैः |
सिद्धं सिद्धार्थकं नाम सर्पिर्मूत्रचतुर्गुणम् ||३२||
कृमिकुष्ठगरश्वासबलासविषमज्वरान् |
सर्वभूतग्रहोन्मादानपस्मारांश्च नाशयेत् ||३३||

Decoction of the below mentioned herbs is prepared –

        Suradruma (Devadaru),

        Vaca,

        Kustha,

        Siddhartha,

        Vyosa,

        Hingu,

        Manjistha,

        Two kinds of Rajani,

        Samanga,

        Triphala,

        Ambuda,

        Karanja Bija,

        Sirisa,

        Girikarnika and

        Hutasana (Citraka)

This decoction is boiled and processed with one part of ghee and four parts of gomutra and medicated ghee is prepared.

Benefits – This ghee is known as Siddharthaka Ghrta. When consumed, it cures diseases caused by worms, skin diseases, artificial poisons, dyspnoea, kapha diseases, intermittent fevers, diseases caused by all grahas (demons), insanity and epilepsy.

Pañcagavya ghṛta

दशमूलेन्द्रवृक्षत्वङ्मूर्वाभार्गीफलत्रिकैः |
शम्पाकश्रेयसीसप्तपर्णापामार्गफल्गुभिः ||३४||
शृतैः कल्कैश्च भूनिम्बपूतीकव्योषचित्रकैः |
त्रिवृत्पाठानिशायुग्मसारिवाद्वयपौष्करैः ||३५||
कटुकायासदन्त्युग्रानीलिनीक्रिमिशत्रुभिः [१] |
सर्पिरेभिश्च गोक्षीरदधिमूत्रशकृद्रसैः ||३६||
साधितं पञ्चगव्याख्यं सर्वापस्मारभूतनुत् |
चातुर्थकक्षयश्वासानुन्मादांश्च नियच्छति ||३७||

Ingredients –

        Decoction of Dasamula, bark of Indravrksa, Murva, Bharngi, Phalatrika, Sampaka, Sreyasi, Saptaparna, Apamarga and Phalgu added with

        Paste of Bhunimba, Putika, Vyosa, Citraka, Trivrt, Patha, two kinds of Nisa, two kinds of Sariva, Puskaramula, Katuka, Yasa, Danti, Ugra, Nilini and Krimisatru (vidanga), along with

        Milk, curds, urine and juice of cow dung and ghee, all of cow

All the above said ingredients are boiled and processed together so as to prepare their medicated ghee.

This recipe is known as Pancagavya Ghrta. It cures all kinds of epilepsy, demons, quartan fever, consumption, dyspnoea and insanity.

भार्गीशृते पचेत् क्षीरे शालितण्डुलपायसम् |
त्र्यहं शुद्धाय तं भोक्तुं वराहायोपकल्पयेत् ||३८||
ज्ञात्वा च मधुरीभूतं तं विशस्यान्नमुद्धरेत् |
त्रीन् भागांस्तस्य चूर्णस्य किण्वभागेन संसृजेत् ||३९||
मण्डोदकार्थे देयश्च भार्गीक्वाथः सुशीतलः |
शुद्धे कुम्भे निदध्याच्च सम्भारं तं सुरां ततः ||४०||
जातगन्धां जातरसां पाययेदातुरं भिषक् |४१|

Milk should be boiled and processed with decoction of Bharngi, rice and milk. This recipe should be fed to a boar which has been made to fast for three days. It should be fed for three days. The boar should be killed after confirming that the boar has become sweet after consuming the above mentioned recipe.

Three parts of this meat should be taken and mixed with one part of kinva (yeast). This is now put into the decoction of Bharngi. This liquid is now poured into a clean pot along with adjuvants such as powder of Chaturjata, Pippali, Honey etc. This pot is kept undisturbed for some days. The recipe should be given to the patient for drinking once it has attained good smell and taste.

सिरां विध्येदथ प्राप्तां मङ्गल्यानि च धारयेत् ||४१||

After this, venepuncture may be done at the stipulated site as explained in sarira sthana, chapter 8. Mangalya i.e. amulets made from auspicious herbs etc should also be worn on the body.

इति श्रीसुश्रुतसंहितायामुत्तरतन्त्रान्तर्गते भूतविद्यातन्त्रेऽपस्मारप्रतिषेधो नाम (द्वितीयोऽध्यायः, आदितः) एकषष्टितमोऽध्यायः।।६१।।

Thus ends the sixty-first chapter by name Apasmāra pratisedha in Uttara sthana of Suśruta Samhita.