Why is it important that we keep a healthy weight? And, what exactly is a healthy weight? These are both important considerations for our well-being. Ayurveda has an interesting perspective that doesn’t quite match our popular western standards or beliefs.
It’s April and spring is in full swing here in Northern Arizona. It’s a great time for an uplift and nothing says uplift more than a spring cleanse. Now I know what you are thinking, a cleanse…isn’t that where you drink lemon juice all day? But no! Ayurveda has a wonderful plan for a spring cleanse that purifies and clarifies by removing all the heavy buildup of the prior months without starvation and sacrifice. A spring cleanse will refresh and boost your physical being and your spirit so that you can feel invigorated, more cheerful and inspired as you move into this new season.
Continue reading “Reasons for a Spring Cleanse”
Ayurveda says that spice enhances an individual’s health. Yet, most of us just use salt or pepper to spice our food. And, while the use of salt can enhance the flavor of foods and black pepper has a lot of healing properties, there are so many more spices to incorporate into our diets. Just think of the old saying, “Variety is the spice of life.”
In general, adding spice to your food can enhance its flavor. But, a pinch of seasoning can add wonders to your life. In my last blog, I spoke of the reason for incorporating all of the six tastes into your meals. Choosing particular spices to cook with is one way to get all of those tastes included in your diet.
Continue reading “Spice Up Your Life!”
According to Ayurveda, taste is more than a flavor or sensation on the tongue. There are six tastes, called the sad (six) rasa (tastes): sweet, salty, sour, pungent, astringent and bitter.
Each rasa or taste is connected to a combination of particular elements: space, air, water, fire or earth. Each taste can also have a specific effect on a dosha (Vata, Pitta & Kapha) by either aggravating or pacifying these energies.
Continue reading “Do You Have Taste?”
According to Ayurveda, choosing the right food to eat is personal. Although there are many examples of healthy foods out there, Ayurveda believes that foods should be selected based on their natural qualities, compatibilities, modes of processing, quantities and timing.
Let’s take a deep dive into the quality of foods…
Continue reading “Are You Eating Quality Food?”
Food is our medicine. And, when it is taken at the right time, in the right quantities and is full of prana or life force, it will provide us with the fuel that can be appropriately digested so as not to leave behind any uncooked or undigested food. Undigested food can build up in our systems, cause aggravation and ultimately lead us to a state of dis-ease.
“No disease can be cured unless supplemented by the right diet. 90% of the disease can be prevented by the right diet alone.”
– Dr. Everett Koop
“Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food.”
– Hippocrates
Ayurveda states that there are three pillars or supports that we need to build and preserve in our lives to foster our wellbeing for our physical, mental and spiritual bodies.
Continue reading “You Are What You Digest!”
In general, of course it is.
But, it depends on when you are drinking it, how much you are drinking and the temperature of the water.
Continue reading “Is Water Always Healthy?”
This phrase is a simple way to state that what you put into your body truly creates the individual you will become. What you eat (and drink) not only affects your physique but your outlook, your productivity and how you relate to those around you. It is especially significant when you are trying to establish a steady yoga practice.
Continue reading “You Are What You Eat”