We have had snow and ice on the ground for three weeks. It finally hit 50 degrees and melted. And now we are awaiting a blizzard.

We are in deep winter.

Vata has accumulated in the body all autumn. Cold. Dry. Windy. Irregular.

And now Kapha has entered the scene, increasing dampness and potentially making things feel heavier, slower, and muddier.

This is the perfect time to make my famous Moroccan Chicken recipe.

Not because you are sick.
Not because you are cleansing dramatically.
My body craves it, knowing it will feel harmonized afterward- and I know your's will too!

Vata needs something warm, nourishing, and moisturizing. Kapha needs something warm and easy that supports the body in releasing stagnant fluid accumulation. Both need something that feels like home.

This Moroccan chicken stew does exactly that.

Why This Is So Supportive Right Now

As winter deepens, Vata accumulates. Even if you do not feel anxious or scattered, it is present in the dryness of the air, irregular routines, joints that crack more easily, and a higher likelihood of constipation.

In autumn, we often eat a lot of Vata-supportive foods. Those foods are warm and grounding, but over time they can also build Kapha. At some point, the scale tips. Instead of feeling light and airy, we begin to feel heavy and dense.

If we ignore this transition, we often enter spring bloated, sluggish, and foggy.

The goal is balance, and this stew definitely supports that.

Why It Works for Vata

Vata responds to warmth, moisture, and stability.

This stew is:

• Slow-cooked and deeply softened
• Rich in bone broth and extra cooking fluids
• Made with chicken thighs, which are grounding and moistening
• Gently sweet from apricots
• Warming from spices like cumin, cinnamon, ginger, clove, and nutmeg

Everything is cooked long enough to fully break down. The texture becomes soft and easy to digest. The fluids counter dryness. The warmth supports digestive fire without overstimulation.

For Vata, this is deeply regulating.

Why It Works for Kapha

Kapha needs warmth and stimulation without heaviness.

This stew is satisfying but not too dense. It includes:

• Digestive spices that stimulate without overwhelming
• Lentils for lighter protein and fiber
• Lemon at the end to brighten and clear stagnation
• No cream, no excess oil, no heaviness

It satisfies hunger and stabilizes energy without sitting like a brick in the gut.

Kapha feels nourished, but not weighed down.

A Note for Pitta

If you are in a strong Pitta flare with heat, irritation, or active inflammation, this may feel too warming. In that case, lighter and more cooling meal may be more supportive.

My Personal Reset

Just like people reach for chicken noodle soup when recovering from illness, I reach for this Moroccan chicken when I am not quite feeling like myself.

Or when I am, and I want to stay that way.

I make a big pot. I eat it for a few days. My digestion regulates. My energy steadies. My routine returns.

And yes, the poops are excellent 😜

It is simple. One pot. Repeatable. Reliable.

This is medicinal food that also happens to be casually delicious.

The Recipe

Moroccan Chicken (Serves 6-8)

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 3–4 pieces)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium carrot, chopped
• 1 pouch double-steamed brown lentils (5.3 oz)
• 3–4 dried, no-sulfur apricots, chopped
• 14 oz chicken bone broth
• 3 cups water
• 1 tbsp olive oil or ghee
• 1 lemon (1 squeezed per serving)
• Fresh parsley and/or cilantro, for garnish

Moroccan Spice Blend

(Half will be used for the chicken, and half for the rice and lentils before adding the liquid.)

• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp allspice
• ¼ tsp ground clove
• ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Directions

1. Wash chicken. Coat with olive oil and half of the seasoning mix.
2. Cook the chicken – Heat 1 tbsp olive oil or ghee in a large pot or deep pan over medium heat. Remove from pan and rest. 
3. Chop the veggies + apricots while the chicken is cooking, then sauté them once the chicken is removed from the pan until softened. 
4. Be sure to continuously let the fond build up and then scrape it, this builds the flavor. If you need a bit of fliud, just use a splash of broth to loosen it from the pan before if it looks like it is going to burn.
5. While the veggies are cooking,chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces. It will fall apart further as it cooks.
6. Add the Rice & Lentils – Stir in the lentils and rice, then add the remaining half of the spice blend. Stir for about 1 minute to evenly coat everything with the seasoning.
7. Simmer – Pour in the bone broth and water, stirring to deglaze the pan. 
8. Cover and let simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
9. Garnish and Serve – Top with a squeeze of lemon, fresh parsley and/or cilantro for a bright, fresh finish.

The Bigger Picture: Preparing for Spring

This stew is often how I stay grounded without feeling heavy.

Not dramatic.
Not extreme.
Just warm, digestible, steady nourishment that clears stagnation and restores rhythm.

As spring approaches, the body will naturally crave lighter foods and more movement. But we want to begin that transition from a place of strength, not deficiency or excess.

How can you know whether your body is excess or deficient? Dry or damp? Heavy or light?

Take my free quiz, “What Season Are You?” to learn your dominant constitution and receive specific guidance for seasonal eating. Understanding your constitution makes choosing supportive foods much easier.

If you feel ready to lighten up but want structured, supportive nourishment, my free 3-Day Detox includes more recipes like this designed to gently clear winter accumulation without deprivation.

And if you would like personal support from me along the way, there are options for deeper guidance and integration.

This is not about restriction.

It is about rhythm, regulation and routine.

In nourishment,
Fletcher