There is often a digestive component, or was at the beginning of the story.

In this case, the pain may increase after eating difficult to digest foods like dairy, wheat, and fatty or fried foods.

In the ayurvedic view, improving the agni, burning ama, and cooling the blood reduce inflammation. See my summer recipes in #everydayayurvedacookbook

Systemic situations can be complicated, and while I share these general principles to shine some light on sources of joint pain, its a good idea to seek out a professional about anything chronic.

The juice on joints.

In the event of dryness, pain will be aggravated by cold, dry weather, and by taking cold, dry food like raw vegetables, crackers, and ice water. Joints are likely to make cracking sounds.

This will be more likely in people with cold, dry constitutions.  General vata management, increasing ghee and hemp in the diet, and practicing oil massage regularly can help. Be on your game in cold weather.

The juice on joints.

Why paining?

Joint pain can be due to dryness breaking down articular surfaces and/or, joint pain can be the result of inflammation. Pain in one joint can be structural, while many joints hurting belies a systemic situation.

Dude. Seriously. What’s the deal?? CAN we mix fruit with other food???

If its cooked, yes. The idea is that the fruit is introduced to the agni, pre-digested a bit, and it is working out its differences with the foods while they stew together. Regardless, Ayurveda may recommend you not do this every day, for optimal gut health.

Raw fruits for dessert or on the side, not so much.

Personally, I notice if I keep it simple, like just 2-3 ingredients: hot grain, bit of ghee, cooked fruit. It works. When its gets complicated and there’s lot of fruits, or some proteins plus grains plus ghee- or EGGS. Then I get gassy. THIS is how you know if its working. Gas.

Another thing I notice, honestly...as the years go by I am less drawn to mixing fruits with foods, and go for savory a lot more often. Period. I hardly eat fruits in the cold months. Except, of course apple crisp. It all goes out the window for apple crisp! : )

How do you cook fruits with food and how often??

FALL BREAKFAST RECIPE ALERT!

I can’t tell you how many people have told me over the years that this is their breakfast on those “I don’t know what to eat” mornings. When you’re not super hungry but you know you need something. Don’t eat something weird and processed- eat this!

Ghee Bomb Apples

The easiest recipe yet: 

Stir-fry one apple in a tsp ghee, add a Tbsp or 2 of water if it sticks.  Top with sweet cinnamon and ginger powders.  A light, warm breakfast.  Note: this works great with peaches too!!

Is it apple time yet where you are??

Taking care of yourself...

Taking care of yourself is about maintaining good health through a steady practice of self-observation. Ayurveda works when you pay attention to your Self. The information you gain about what makes you glow is pure gold.

Think about caring for plants and pets. You have to pay attention to them—figure out what kind of food they like, how much sun and water they need—by watching how they react to changes. Everybody knows you have to walk a dog and water a plant, but how often? Does it change as they age or at different times of year as the sunshine and rains shift?

There’s no judgment if a plant likes less sun or needs fresh soil. And there’s no need to judge what makes you thrive, like needing more rest than exercise or the other way around. There’s true intimacy, acceptance, and joy in this kind of self-discovery. I am feeling so lucky today that this is part of my work.

RASSPBERRY!!!

This year, my raspberry bushes are on their third summer and look what they did! I find greatest meaning in growing food at this stage of life. I wish I were better at it. Live and learn!

INNER CONFLICT ALERT!

I get overwhelmed by how many of the posts here are about “building your business” and “nobody ever told you this secret” about the algorithm and etc.

Honestly, my move to integrating social media has helped me begin to recognize your names and faces, to share my work, and has increased my income, my reach, and given me a current place to share what I'm thinking about.

Like this: if I am, as they say, an “influencer” I would in this moment like to influence you to put away the phone. Last days of summer. Our enjoyment of the moments as they arise is every bit as important as anything else. Somehow this space makes a person feel like they can never do enough.

I feel like I can never do enough time on the water. The experience links me to something so much greater, lifts my spirits, and refreshes me for the moments which still must be spent...here on this platform.

CUKAMINT!

Here’s a cool cocktail without the booze to quench your thirst.  A tumbler will make this drink look so nice, and have just enough ice to make the tinkling sound when you serve the drinks- 2 cubes- without freezing your belly.

2 cucumbers, peeled and deseeded

2 cups coconut water.

A few sprigs of fresh mint.

Juice of one lime

4 ice cubes

In a blender carafe, blend cucumbers and mint with half the water for one minute until liquified, then add remaining coconut water and lime to the carafe and blend again to combine.

Serve cool, pouring into two tall glasses, over 2 ice cubes and one lime wedge per glass.

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.