Let The Sun Shine In; 3 Ways to balance Kapha

     Next week here in the Northern hemisphere is the Spring Equinox. A very welcome thought after a pretty vicious winter for many. Late Winter into Spring is the season of Kapha. The elements of Earth & Water meet here, which manifests often in Spring as mud! Ayurveda sees that opposites cure- if you think about mud, what causes mud to dissipate- heat ( Pitta/Sun)  & wind (Vata/Air). Makes so much sense it is ridiculous!
Kapha has the qualities of coolness, density, dampness, mucous, & at times lethargy. Kapha gets a bad rap. Yet Kapha is the element of stability, youth, and holds things together. In this season you may see it manifest as the dreaminess  & love that comes as the season blossoms, the congestion of allergies, and the mud of the rain soaked Earth.
     All these things are necessary for seasonal change, and we have the need for Kapha in our lives. Kapha balances out Vata by being grounding & stability, & Pitta by cooling & slowing down, and both by the sweetness of love.  For Kapha to stay in balance it needs the lightness & mobility of Vata, and the fire & drive of Pitta. There is an ebb & flow, and balance between all things.
     In order to keep this balance, the trick is to keep things from becoming excessive. This is the time to dispel sluggishness with activity. Look at the birds, as soon as it starts to get lighter they get busy singing, feathering their nest, & attracting love into their lives. Bring the same qualities in to your spring; make some small changes in your living quarters, bring in light, open the windows, add some color. Get outside, walk clean up outdoor areas to clear excess debris.  . Spring cleaning always feels good, even when you have to argue yourself into it....be real -you know you need the kick to start! If you have clothes you no longer wear, donate them. It makes room in the closet, and gladdens the heart. When Kapha is in excess it leads us to have attachment ( you know that piece in your closet you have been holding on to for 10 years???? Just sayin'......)
If you practice yoga, this is the time to be diligent in your practice. Postures that heat & lighten-Sun Salutations, twists,  back bends, inverted postures, Wheel, & bow all are good now. Kapalabhati, breath of fire will bring heat in.
     Cleaning up the diet is also on spot right now. That doesn't mean going for the whole fast or master cleanse. This is harsh to the system, and not everyone responds the same. Instead, a lighter breakfast, your main meal at lunch, and try substituting dinner with a bowl of light broth. Begin to eat more astringent greens-bok choy, arugula, turnip, kale, & collard. Cruciferous vegetables are good. Dandelion makes a great tea & can be added to salads. Step away from sweets, salt,  & dairy. Warming, stimulating, lightening & nourishing foods with warming spices are the way to go. Go nutrient dense....get the biggest nutritional bang for your buck by eating food as close to its natural form as possible.
     Be like the birds-rise before the sun. Stay up a little later. Stay dry & warm, do activities that stimulate you & stay with it. Eat a lighter diet that incorporates pungent, bitter, & astringent tastes.
                                            Let your heart be light, brighten & bloom!
                                                          Let the sunshine !
                                                    

Welcome Winter- 5 Ways to Stay Warm & Well

December is over, and so are the festivities it brings. As we move into the new year most often after holiday excess we make resolutions ....all about what we are NOT going to do. One way to avoid breaking this is not by taking away, but adding to your lifestyle.
According to Ayurveda, we are skiing the slippery slope between the Vata and Kapha seasons. For those unfamiliar, Vata is Autumn into early Winter. It has the attributes of cold, dry, & changeable. In us it shows up as dry skin & hair, achy joints, and the irregularity in routine can wreak digestive havoc. Kapha is  Midwinter into Spring. It has the attributes of cold, wet, & heavy.  It rears it's head when out of balance as sluggishness, as well as winter colds & flus.  Here in the city of Brotherly Love we are experiencing days like today, at a chilly 32 degrees, windy and dry and later this week it will be about 60 and wet. This up and down can wreak havoc on you system and create imbalance.  Ayurveda tells us to prepare the body for the upcoming season so that we can stay balanced. The easy thing is- Vata and Kapha both need some of the same things.
                                                          

1. Get a routine! Vata likes structure, and Kapha needs the motivation to stay in balance. Walk outside in nature & exercise daily. Eat, wake & go to bed at the same time. Be sure to get adequate rest. Stay hydrated. When it is cold we often don't drink enough fluids. Try warm herbal teas, or water with lemon,  and.....NO ice! Like increases like!

2. Eat foods that are warming-soups, warm grains , veggie stews.  Foods that are lubricating to the digestive tract and easily digested. Avoid cold raw foods. If you crave salad, try  one with warm, slightly wilted greens and a vinagrette. Add warming spices like pepper, ginger, cinnamon, & cardamom to aid digestion and warm you from the inside out.

3. Practice Abyangha, daily self massage with oil. First dry brush the skin with a loofah to stimulate lymphatic drainage, ( great to dispel Kapha) and then use warm oil to massage the body, paying close attention to the joints, which can be aggravated by the cold, dry air.

4. Utilize the Neti Pot to irrigate the nasal & sinus passages  & apply Nasya oil  to soothe and protect. I do this religiously and can't go without. Dry nasal passages are more prone to congestion and catching a bug.

5. If you feel lethargic, or suffer from seasonal affective symptoms be sure you are getting enough sunlight, and find light hearted things to do. Get some seed catalogues to look towards spring, pick up a hobby, or take that class you have always wanted. Hang out with people that bouy your spirits!

We can't reside in our homes when the furnace is not working properly, the same goes for our bodies. We can't be in balance if we don't keep our internal furnace or fire...Agni in optimal function. Stay warm and in good spirits by trying these suggestions.
                                             BULGUR WHEAT SALAD
1 cup bulgur
2 cups water
bunch of mixed greens-beet, kale, arugala, mustard
1 carrot
1 beet
1 leek
juice of an orange
2 TBL apple cider vinegar
1 TBL honey
2 TBL olive oil
ginger
turmeric


In  small bowl whisk together orange juice, cider vinegar, honey, oil, and add 1/4-1/2 of both ginger & turmeric to taste. Let sit.
In a saucepan, bring 2 cups water to boil. Add 3/4 cup bulgur. Turn off and cover.
Slice beets & carrots in thin semi circles, the white part of the leek in slices. Saute in cast iron pan in 1 TBL of ghee until tender. Put aside.
In a cast iron pan, add 2 TBL of ghee & melt. Add greens and lightly stir with wood spoon, remove as soon as they wilt.
Mix veggies and bulgar. Plate greens, add wheat/veggie mixture, & dress. Have some warm herbal tea and enjoy!

                                                                         

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"Food is Medicine,

Medicine is Food"