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!
If you like what you read, please share. Stop by and hang out at www,theayurvedicapothecary.com. or visit at www.facebook/theayurvedicapothecary
"Food is Medicine,
Medicine is Food"
No comments:
Post a Comment