The Chili

The chili. Is spring a good time for chili peppers? They are sharp and dry which opposes the damp and cool spring weather nicely. They melt mucous and can speed up a sluggish gut and aid circulation.
The thing is the chili is not a very moderate friend. It’s an all-it-nothing kind of thing. If we take the so often followed road of more-is-better we can end up in a pickle. The chili is strong medicine and can be enjoyed in small amounts in damp cool weather it doesn’t need to be taken daily.
My first spring in Maine I completely overdid it. Then dealt with aggravated heat in the summer in the form of PMS, skin blemishes, and the occasional night sweat. Ah, my friend the chili your medicinal powers are not to be underestimated! I will be more moderate this year 😇. Will reach for ginger and cumin instead.

Move with Spring

Do you sometimes feel like you need to do a “recall”? I get those from my car manufacturer at least annually.  

Stagnation, loss of meaning, feeling crappy, it's all normal, really. Life calls us to renew, periodically. Relationships and perspectives require a rhythmic renewal of commitment and a fresh take. 

As a Hatha yogi, I find changing movement routines with seasonal changes helps me show up for regeneration and change on a regular basis. For me, it's all tied up in the body.  

Shifting movement = shifting prana = shifting mind. 

Join me for a Move with Spring class on April 5. We discuss the whys and hows, do a practice, AND you get lifetime access to the practice video to integrate it and make it your own. Let’s move the body! 

What is Sattva

What is Sattva? 

The nature of consciousness is pure, undisturbed Sattva. The word Sat may be translated as “to be,” which makes Sattva simply a state of pure being. Simple as Newton’s apple growing on a tree. Our mind, however, is a complex instrument designed to comprehend the internal self, and the external environment, and to ultimately bridge the two.  

 Our thoughts and desires move through the mental field, but balanced consciousness sees them for what they are, and discerns when to act and when to remain still — without angst, anxiety, or regret. Our Sattvic mind is an unbiased observer, not troubled by agenda or craving. 

Untroubled by agendas or cravings, doesn’t that sound nice? I’ll take two! The thing is, the guns are always acting upon one another, and this dynamic dance is what makes the world go round, and allows for creativity and change. 

I’ll be teaching a 5-day retreat this May @kripalucenter on Sattvic Living. 

Doshas Of The Mind

While the physical activity of the doshas certainly affects the mind, Ayurveda is more specific about subtle, energetic tools for understanding balance in the mind. There are three energies: Sattva, the clear essence of the mind, and the two energies that act upon it, Rajas and Tamas. Rajas (restlessness) and Tamas (stagnation) are considered the “doshas of the mind” by the Charaka Samhita. 

All three are natural and braided together throughout the course of the day. Keeping them in balance is the key, and improves the quality of mind and Life. 

I’ll be teaching a 5-day retreat this May @kripalucenter on Sattvic Living. 

The Role of Mind in Health

I keep returning to how important mental balance is in becoming aware of our bodies, our food choices, and how we care for ourselves. What has intrigued me most in my Ayurveda practice is the role that our mind plays in our ability to listen, heal, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Stay tuned for more from Ayurveda on mental wellness this week. 

A former extremist, I’ve learned about balance by swinging in either direction a good deal, which might make me the ideal guide. It’s been a process and not always an easy one. 

Always good to keep in mind that the process is our friend. 

I’ll be teaching a 5-day retreat this May @kripalucenter on Sattvic Living. We will cook, we will breathe, and we will connect. 

What’s the deal with HONEY?

HONEY! It’s THE spring sweetener because, unlike most sweets, honey is astringent. This means it dries up excess moisture. Honey also has the special power of “scraping” goop from the channels. 

If your springtime is moist and heavy, move to herbal honey such as turmeric or elder here from my buds @banyanbotanicals. These are great products, I lick them off with a spoon, a tsp or so as a dessert. 

They are both excellent cold care as well and curb sore throats and mucus conditions.

Don’t Forget the Carrot Ginger Muffins!

Who’s baking?? This is one of the most often shared baking recipes from my books. 

Don’t forget about these carrot ginger muffins from Everyday Ayurveda Cooking for a Clam, Clear Mind. Wheat flour-free and veggie packed. Kids like them too.

Top Five Food Tips for Spring Diet

Ayurveda sure has it going on when it comes to seasonal food transitions!

Number five may be the most important!

The Time my Ayurvedic Doctor Taught me a Lesson on Moderation

The time my Ayurvedic doctor taught me a lesson on Moderation …. 

At an Ayurveda clinic on a local holiday, a reveler wandered in from the street with sweets to share. I was observing a cleansing diet that week, and when the man put a sweet in my hand that I “shouldn’t” eat, I wanted to cry.  

Seeing my reaction, the doctor broke off a chunk and said, “enjoy this small piece, and be happy.” This challenge to my “all or nothing” approach was the beginning of a continuing path toward moderation and a true, mindful enjoyment of food. 

Ayurvedic meals often feature small amounts of ingredients, which could be aggravating in larger quantities. Rather than omitting an ingredient, dishes will have just a sprinkle of roasted nuts, chopped chili, or potato, for example- enough to please the senses without accumulating in the system. 

Spring Digestive Tea Uses and Recipe

RECIPE ALERT! 

Don’t miss this one, extremely useful and tried and true by #everydayayurvedacookbook readers for nearly ten years now. 

This tea breaks up congestion, improves digestive fire and appetite, as well as tastes delicious, and curbs a sweet tooth when you sip a bit after meals. 

Spring Digestive Tea 

• Fresh Ginger, ½-inch piece 

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder  

• ½ Star Anise 

• 2-3 Cloves 

• 2-3 Black Pepper Corn 

  2 cups water 

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. 

Coarsely chop the ginger root, including the skin. 

Add the ginger, anise, clove, pepper, and cinnamon to the water. 

Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10+ minutes. 

Take 6oz. alongside or after meals. 

Use this consistently for a week or two and you WILL notice a difference.