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Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
We've all heard that it is important to drink more water. These tips below bring it to a whole 'nother level! (courtesy of Maharishi Ayurveda)
Healing Waters
Well water, pond water, rain water -- there are many types of water described in ayurvedic texts, and each has a therapeutic value, just as food does.
"Water represents soma, the nourishing, cooling quality that is associated with lunar energy," says The Council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians. "It helps with digestion, cools and balances Pitta dosha, supports Kapha, and counteracts the dryness of Vata. It nurtures, lubricates and also detoxifies when it flows out of the body as urine."
Water, when properly absorbed by the body, has several healing qualities:
1. Helps to remove fatigue (Shramnashana)
2. Enhances glow of skin
3. Prevents constipation
4. Increases stamina
5. Provides satisfaction
6. Helps the heart by pacifying Sadhaka Pitta
7. Helps digestion
8. Cooling
9. Always helpful to the body
10. Easy to assimilate
11. Life-giving
12. Antioxidant
Vaidya Mishra explains how the healing effects of water can be enhanced using ayurvedic methods.
Water for Cleansing
"Sometimes people have dry skin and unquenchable thirst even though they drink lots of water," says The Council. "The deeper physiology is not getting enough moisture."
The Council explains that this occurs when the person's agni is low and ama blocks the microchannels (shrotas) which carry water to the cells. In order to cleanse the channels and enhance moisture absorption, ayurvedic texts recommend boiling the water for various lengths of time, creating a therapeutic water called ushnodaka. Another method is to add spices or herbs to the water after boiling.
Why It Works
"When the water boils, it gets charged with heat, becoming sharper in quality (sookshma)," explains The Council. "This sharpness allows it to cleanse the channels and penetrate deeper levels of the physiology."
Spices create an added therapeutic effect by interacting with the water on the molecular level. Spices create different effects on the body through aroma and taste.
"It becomes easier for the body to flush out toxins and impurities because of the sharpness of the agni (heat) in the water and because of the sharpness of the spices," explains Ayurvedic Expert. "Over time, it cleanses the channels so the water is unobstructed as it travels into the body to hydrate the tissues, and travels out carrying waste."
Ancient texts talk about the difference in the rate of absorption of regular water vs. boiled water:
regular water -- takes about 6 hours if every channel is clear
boiled and cooled water -- takes about 3 hours to be absorbed, and helps open the channels
hot herbalized water -- takes about 1 1/2 hours, due to sharpness of agni and herbs and spices
Healing Waters
Well water, pond water, rain water -- there are many types of water described in ayurvedic texts, and each has a therapeutic value, just as food does.
"Water represents soma, the nourishing, cooling quality that is associated with lunar energy," says The Council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians. "It helps with digestion, cools and balances Pitta dosha, supports Kapha, and counteracts the dryness of Vata. It nurtures, lubricates and also detoxifies when it flows out of the body as urine."
Water, when properly absorbed by the body, has several healing qualities:
1. Helps to remove fatigue (Shramnashana)
2. Enhances glow of skin
3. Prevents constipation
4. Increases stamina
5. Provides satisfaction
6. Helps the heart by pacifying Sadhaka Pitta
7. Helps digestion
8. Cooling
9. Always helpful to the body
10. Easy to assimilate
11. Life-giving
12. Antioxidant
Vaidya Mishra explains how the healing effects of water can be enhanced using ayurvedic methods.
Water for Cleansing
"Sometimes people have dry skin and unquenchable thirst even though they drink lots of water," says The Council. "The deeper physiology is not getting enough moisture."
The Council explains that this occurs when the person's agni is low and ama blocks the microchannels (shrotas) which carry water to the cells. In order to cleanse the channels and enhance moisture absorption, ayurvedic texts recommend boiling the water for various lengths of time, creating a therapeutic water called ushnodaka. Another method is to add spices or herbs to the water after boiling.
Why It Works
"When the water boils, it gets charged with heat, becoming sharper in quality (sookshma)," explains The Council. "This sharpness allows it to cleanse the channels and penetrate deeper levels of the physiology."
Spices create an added therapeutic effect by interacting with the water on the molecular level. Spices create different effects on the body through aroma and taste.
"It becomes easier for the body to flush out toxins and impurities because of the sharpness of the agni (heat) in the water and because of the sharpness of the spices," explains Ayurvedic Expert. "Over time, it cleanses the channels so the water is unobstructed as it travels into the body to hydrate the tissues, and travels out carrying waste."
Ancient texts talk about the difference in the rate of absorption of regular water vs. boiled water:
regular water -- takes about 6 hours if every channel is clear
boiled and cooled water -- takes about 3 hours to be absorbed, and helps open the channels
hot herbalized water -- takes about 1 1/2 hours, due to sharpness of agni and herbs and spices
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Here's a hand out I give to my clients on Healthy Eating Guidelines. I'll keep sharing!
Guidelines for Healthy Eating
How you eat your food is even more important than what you eat. In fact, Ayurveda
understands that eating is one of the most sacred experiences we have. After all, when we eat our food, we are taking in the atoms and molecules that have been around in different forms since the beginning of time and asking them to become a part of us. If we eat our food properly, with awareness and respect, the food joins well with our bodies. If we do not, the food has difficulty joining with our bodies and causes gas and other digestive disturbances. The end result of poor digestion is ama (toxins formed from poor digestion) and this leads to disease. Hence, in Ayurveda, we try our best to make eating a form of meditation (to eat in peacefulness and with awareness) and sadhana (taking ordinary activity and approaching it with spiritual awareness).
The Five Major Rules
· Begin meals with grace or by simply taking 3-5 slow breaths with eyes closed. This prepares the body to receive the food.
· Eat in a calm environment where there is little distraction. It is best to avoid having the television or the radio on. Avoid excessive conversation and all conversation about emotionally intense issues. Avoid reading.
· Chew your food until it is an even consistency. This requires your attention to be on the food in your mouth. There is no magic number of times to chew food. Chewing properly improves digestion and absorption of the food.
· Eat at a moderate pace and until you are 75% full. Overeating is one of the major causes of disease in our society. When we eat too much, digestion becomes difficult. When we finish eating, we should not feel heavy and we should not feel hungry. We want to feel satisfied. This is what is meant by 75% full.
· Following your meal let your food digest some before going on to the next activity. It is best to wait 15-20 minutes for food to digest. During this time engage in light conversation or read a light book. You can also go for a slow walk. If you are rushed, take at least 3-5 slow breaths to close the door on this sacred experience.
Additional Tips
· It is best to drink only a little bit of liquid with meals. One-half cup of room-temperature water is average. Dry meals may require more. Moist meals, like soup, require none at all.
· Take all water and drinks at room temperature or warm. Cold drinks destroy the digestive fire and decrease digestion. This is true not only at mealtime, but also throughout the day.
· The body’s rhythms mirror those of the universe and digestion is strongest around noon when the sun is at its peak. Therefore, it is best to eat a larger meal around noon and have a lighter meal in the morning and the evening.
· Allow three hours between meals for food to digest. This allows most people 3-5 meals per day. Those with a vata nature or imbalance should eat 4-5 times per day.
· Eat food prepared with love. The energy of the cook is always in the food. Avoid eating food prepared with resentment. We eat not only the food but also the emotions of the cook.
Guidelines for Healthy Eating
How you eat your food is even more important than what you eat. In fact, Ayurveda
understands that eating is one of the most sacred experiences we have. After all, when we eat our food, we are taking in the atoms and molecules that have been around in different forms since the beginning of time and asking them to become a part of us. If we eat our food properly, with awareness and respect, the food joins well with our bodies. If we do not, the food has difficulty joining with our bodies and causes gas and other digestive disturbances. The end result of poor digestion is ama (toxins formed from poor digestion) and this leads to disease. Hence, in Ayurveda, we try our best to make eating a form of meditation (to eat in peacefulness and with awareness) and sadhana (taking ordinary activity and approaching it with spiritual awareness).
The Five Major Rules
· Begin meals with grace or by simply taking 3-5 slow breaths with eyes closed. This prepares the body to receive the food.
· Eat in a calm environment where there is little distraction. It is best to avoid having the television or the radio on. Avoid excessive conversation and all conversation about emotionally intense issues. Avoid reading.
· Chew your food until it is an even consistency. This requires your attention to be on the food in your mouth. There is no magic number of times to chew food. Chewing properly improves digestion and absorption of the food.
· Eat at a moderate pace and until you are 75% full. Overeating is one of the major causes of disease in our society. When we eat too much, digestion becomes difficult. When we finish eating, we should not feel heavy and we should not feel hungry. We want to feel satisfied. This is what is meant by 75% full.
· Following your meal let your food digest some before going on to the next activity. It is best to wait 15-20 minutes for food to digest. During this time engage in light conversation or read a light book. You can also go for a slow walk. If you are rushed, take at least 3-5 slow breaths to close the door on this sacred experience.
Additional Tips
· It is best to drink only a little bit of liquid with meals. One-half cup of room-temperature water is average. Dry meals may require more. Moist meals, like soup, require none at all.
· Take all water and drinks at room temperature or warm. Cold drinks destroy the digestive fire and decrease digestion. This is true not only at mealtime, but also throughout the day.
· The body’s rhythms mirror those of the universe and digestion is strongest around noon when the sun is at its peak. Therefore, it is best to eat a larger meal around noon and have a lighter meal in the morning and the evening.
· Allow three hours between meals for food to digest. This allows most people 3-5 meals per day. Those with a vata nature or imbalance should eat 4-5 times per day.
· Eat food prepared with love. The energy of the cook is always in the food. Avoid eating food prepared with resentment. We eat not only the food but also the emotions of the cook.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Recipe!
Everyone loves recipes! As promised, here's one of my favorites...
Red Lentil Soup (courtesy of Melanie Sachs)
1 onion chopped finely
Carrots – two or tree, chopped small (same amount as onion)
Celery – 2 stalks chopped
One cup red lentils, rinsed well
½ teaspoon tumeric
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 ½ teaspoonds coriander powder
Saute onions in ghee or oil (olive or another vegetable oil) then add the tumeric, cumin and coriander. Add the carrots and celery next.
Add the lentils and 4 cups of vegetable broth, or 4 cups of water and a vegetable stock cube instead of the veggie broth.
In a pressure cooker, bring to pressure, then simmer for 20 minutes.
If you don’t have a pressure cooker, probably cook for about 45 minutes (however long it takes for red lentils to become tender.
Blend until smooth (with blender or hand puree tool) and squeeze in a bit of lemon or lime juice.
Enjoy!
Delicious J
Red Lentil Soup (courtesy of Melanie Sachs)
1 onion chopped finely
Carrots – two or tree, chopped small (same amount as onion)
Celery – 2 stalks chopped
One cup red lentils, rinsed well
½ teaspoon tumeric
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 ½ teaspoonds coriander powder
Saute onions in ghee or oil (olive or another vegetable oil) then add the tumeric, cumin and coriander. Add the carrots and celery next.
Add the lentils and 4 cups of vegetable broth, or 4 cups of water and a vegetable stock cube instead of the veggie broth.
In a pressure cooker, bring to pressure, then simmer for 20 minutes.
If you don’t have a pressure cooker, probably cook for about 45 minutes (however long it takes for red lentils to become tender.
Blend until smooth (with blender or hand puree tool) and squeeze in a bit of lemon or lime juice.
Enjoy!
Delicious J
My friend Jean and I will be holding a workshop on Ayurveda for "Women of a Certain Age." Ayurveda really helps with the symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause. If you are in your late thirties, a women, and starting to feel a little off balance, you may be experiencing menopausal symptoms. Come join us and learn some tips on handling this transitional time! Here's a link to the flyer and details:
http://www.balancedlivingayurveda.com/6-0-events--classes.html
http://www.balancedlivingayurveda.com/6-0-events--classes.html
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