More mushroom talk.

There is an ayurveda formulation for increasing sperm count that calls on a mushroom. The slimy, dense, heavy nature of the shroom can be a strong nourisher, grounder, and instigator of shukra- the vital and reproductive energy.

Serving mushrooms in damp weather however, or along with foods that promote dampness, such as cheese, is not something Ayurveda would recommend doing on the regular. Maybe sometimes, sure, especially if one is looking for an aphrodesiac.

Think of the shroom as a food to ground you, to support a vegetarian or vegan diet, and to increase sexy juices. For those seeking to elevate the consciousness in a yogic fashion, not so much.

Make sure its cooked, and with a bit of something sharp like ginger, to balance that slimyness.

One very often asked question which I have promised to discuss: what does Ayurveda say about mushrooms?

It may not be what you expect. Now, I am biased. I have HATED mushrooms my entire life. All kinds of them.

In classical texts, mushrooms are said to aggravate all the doshas and are almost never included in medicines and foods.

I once heard my yoga teacher answer to this question: “They grow in the dark, on dead things.”

From the yoga viewpoint, mushrooms are Tamasic. This means they can foster heaviness and inertia in the mind. Interestingly, these days, many folks may need and crave this kind of mental slow-down. Mushrooms are heavy in the earth and water elements, slimy and building. This makes them a better food for light, airy types, stressed-out folks, and for surviving cold climates.

You can imagine in the tropics, in medieval times, how mushrooms could appear rotten, and a little too close to the bugs and such that crawl on decaying vegetation.

It is however, a circle of life situation here! Stay tuned later this week for more on how and when mushrooms might be very useful.

CILANTRO!

I’ve been using this to garnish my soups and dosas, and making herbal water from its seeds. In Ayurveda medicinal substances are understood by their qualities- here’s the break down on cilantro, excerpt from the medicinal foods directory in The Everyday Ayurveda Guide to Self-Care:

Coriander and cilantro are different parts of the same plant. Their classification is the same, but the seed’s medicinal capacity is much stronger. Cilantro leaf is used all the time in Ayurvedic cooking to add color and cool. The seed is often the main ingredient in spice mixes.

Botanical name: Coriandrum sativum
Also known as: cilantro
Parts used: seeds and leaves
Rasa: pungent, astringent
Virya: cooling
Vipaka: sweet
Qualities: dry, light
Actions: improves absorption, is a diuretic, reduces burning sensations

How do you like to use cilantro or Coriander?

BIG HUGE NEWS FOR AYURVEDA PROS.

This has been 15+ years in process my friends. My interest in supporting the professional field for Ayurveda Health Counselors and Practitioners continues to grow, the more I work with y’alls (and the more I look back on my own struggles). My next move is to help you offer seasonal community programs safely and effectively to build your community and practice.

My community cleanses were an essential part of building my consulting practice. Bringing clients into community to share the work motivates, inspires, and keeps the relationship with Ayurveda fresh. Building a detox into an on-going wellness plan is potent indeed, and gets great results.

These seasonal detox programs have sowed seeds of change in participants. They come back season after season, they learn themselves better each time. These offerings have grown, and now sharing my model, evolved over fifteen years, with other practitioners is a natural progression for Ayurveda to continue to find her seat in those willing to undergo a process, and to help practitioners find their way into holding space for others.

What do you think?

Space is limited for Fall term, application required. Please find the link in my bio and LMK if you have questions AFTER following the link and reading about it.

MOCKTAIL RECIPE ALERT!

On this weekend, having NA beverages to choose from, especially when entertaining, is very helpful in sustaining a new habit. On a warm day, relax, and have a glass of this bright orange, spicy lemonade. Quite a conversation starter. Allow time for cooling the spicy syrup as you plan for guests. And…easy on the ice.

2 inch piece of ginger, crushed

½ tsp turmeric powder

¼ cup raw honey

½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 4 lemons)

3 cups water

1 cup ice

To make the syrup, boil the ginger and turmeric with one cup of the water, covered, in a small saucepan for 10 minutes. Longer if you want it stronger.

Take off the heat and cool for 3-5 minutes.

Stir in the honey until dissolved.

Refrigerate until cold.

Combine the ginger-turmeric syrup, fresh lemon juice, the remaining 2 cups water, and the spicy syrup.

Divide into four glasses, each with a few cubes of ice.

What are the ideal circumstances for Ayurveda to find a seat in one's life?

What are the ideal circumstances for Ayurveda to find a seat in one's life? My humble opinion, so far, twenty years into teaching..

#1. Awareness and observation.

#2. It is looking like community support is a key for most.

#3. An understanding of how and why things work, so a person can become intuitive in the healing process.

#4. Agency, personal involvement- not a mystery understood by the other.

Explain explain, visualize energy, create allegorical stories, share narratives of our own healings with one another.

I‘ve been running my own business online for three years this spring.

Rather than setting out to “make an impact” with my business, I have always thought about creating the ideal circumstances for Ayurveda to make an impact.

I don’t think about reaching more people, but rather how the spread becomes inevitable once Ayurveda earns a seat in someone’s life- everyone around her sees it, wants it too, asks about it.

Word of mouth is the best, and I thank you all for sharing what you do, when you do. Being a writer and teacher kind of stinks when nobody’s reflecting it back. So grateful.

#ayurvediclivinginstitute #ayurvedalifeinstitute #ayurveda #ayurvediclife #ayurvedafood #ayurvedarecipe #healthandwellness #livingayurveda #kateodonnell #cleansing #detox #everydayayurvedacookbook #ayurvedaquarterly

Sattvavajaya

Sattvavajaya means “victory over the mind” and refers to a branch of Ayurvedic psychology that includes techniques for healing the mind and emotions. Therapies can be diet, herbs, bodywork, meditation and yoga, and lifestyle choices that foster connection between heart, mind, and self.

The seat of the mind is in the spiritual heart, and both mind and heart must digest and metabolize emotions to retain clarity in mind and moods.

It is said the most important quality in this process is patience, and the willingness to look within for the deepest truth in all matters.

Healing the mind may sound a bit lofty, but truthfully, Ayurveda will meet you where you are at. Changes to your daily routine can change both your body and your mind—transforming your overall health. From simple dietary changes to improve your physical wellbeing to managing irritability or sadness, it all counts. All realms of life are fertile ground for self-transformation.

Satisfaction. Desire. Sattva.

The #1 problem for humans...revealed!

According to the Yoga system, there is one basic problem that disturbs the mind: a compulsion to look outward, rather than inward, for satisfaction.

The mind attaches itself to a “sense object,” an object of desire: food, sex, money, power, cars and clothes, etc, in the false belief this object will deliver satisfaction.

The experience of happiness that depends on an object will ultimately come to an end. True satisfaction, the state of Sattva in the mind, is content and unmoved by desire.

THALI. What is it?

The word thali comes from the word for the circular plate meals are served on. A thali is usually served at mid-day, and refers to a meal that contains all six tastes. A thali can change depending on the region of India it is served in, varying in accompaniments and degree of spice.

A thali will usually contain a folded chapatti (whole wheat flatbread), perhaps a papad, a crispy-fried, disc-shaped tortilla made of lentil flour, and a pile of basmati rice in the middle of the plate. This base is then surrounded by any number of small metal cups holding dal, cooked vegetable dishes, freshly made yogurt or buttermilk, perhaps a sweet such as rice pudding, and a spoonful of pickle right on the plate.

Everyday ayurveda Cooking for a Calm, Clear Mind has all the recipes you see in this pohoto and how to assemble them, with homemade lemon pickle, into a thali meal!

Having a few friends over and making an authentic thali together is an excellent way to enjoy Ayurvedic cooking!