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A Healthy Holiday Treat [Seviyan Kheer] – An Indian Dessert Recipe

  A Healthy Holiday Treat The holidays are just around the corner and it’s the perfect time to bond with family, friends, and loved ones. It is also the season to enjoy your favorite foods. Is it possible to enjoy the holiday treats without the guilt of gaining weight? Yes – just indulge sensibly and consider more healthy holiday options. In fact, holiday foods don’t have to be unhealthy. Consider for the holidays, a simple and delicious Indian dessert – “Seviyan Kheer” which is often made on religious and auspicious occasions. First – Digesting Our Holiday Experience … Nothing brings out the holiday spirit more than eating amongst friends and family in a joyous and pleasant manner. According to Ayurveda, the act of cooking and eating in a positive atmosp...

The Mystifying Symbolism Of Ganesha & Santa Claus

Ganesha and Santa Claus In Hinduism and Vedic mythology, Ganesha is the elephant-headed boy with the big belly and (generally) jolly disposition. He has a lot in common with our own Saint Nick, and this time of year it’s fun to look at the similarities: Long trunk & long white beard – the trunk represents our spinal cord and nervous system, and the awakened kundalini traveling along its channels. It is the connection between our lower, ‘reptilian brain’ and our higher thinking centers, giving us self-control and wisdom. Ganesha lives at the base of the spine, but has access to the brain and higher centers. This means he is a complete being, and like him, we too can aspire to become fully-integrated humans, with control over our survival instincts, sexual impulses, drives, desires, spee...

Ten Health Tips For The Holidays

Ten Health Tips For The Holidays Ama, the toxic waste-product of inefficient digestion, can accumulate at any time of the year. During the holidays, we’re particularly susceptible to it. The bounty of festive meals and lots of sweets tempts us to overeat and eat at irregular times, and these are all triggers for the build-up of ama. If left unchecked, our body can become clogged and our immune system weakened by the accumulation of ama. Do you experience lack of appetite, stiffness in the joints, occasional constipation, respiratory issues, allergen reactions, or weight gain? Ama is the most likely culprit. So, what is the ayurvedic tool for conquering ama? Agni — our digestive fire! If we keep our agni strong, our bodies will be able to digest the food we eat without creating toxic by-pro...

Amalaki – The Most Nourishing & Rejuvenating Herb

Amalaki – The Most Nourishing & Rejuvenating Herb According to Ayurveda, Amalaki is considered one of the most nourishing and rejuvenating herbs. In fact, Charak – the ancient scholar of Ayurveda states “of all the Rasayanas, Amalaki is revered as one of the most potent and nourishing; Amalaki is the best among rejuvenative herbs.” Amalaki is a strong natural antioxidant containing high levels of vitamin C and acts as a powerful immune strengthener. Amalaki is one of the best sources of natural vitamin C and contains 20 times more vitamin C than an orange. Amalaki is commonly known as Indian gooseberry or amla, and the Sanskrit name “Amalika” means ‘sour juice of the fruit’. Interestingly, despite all the health benefits, Amalaki is also commonly known as the “poor ma...

Chakras – The Reservoirs Of Consciousness

  Chakras – The Reservoirs Of Consciousness The ascent through the chakras can be viewed as an upward journey of consciousness refined by a process of awareness. Chakra is a Sanskrit word which literally translates into a spinning wheel. According to ancient traditions of yoga, there are seven major chakras in the body. In essence, chakras can be thought of as reservoirs of consciousness. The chakras are not physical and are to be understood as being situated, not in the gross body, but in the subtle or etheric body. That said, the chakras do appear to interact with the physical body mainly through two major systems, the endocrine and the nervous system. Each chakra correlates to specific bodily ailments and physical dysfunctions. When we have a physical issue, it often creates ...

Ayurveda Oil Massage [Snehana & Abhyanga]

    Ayurveda Oil Massage The ancient Sanskrit word “Sneha” means compassion and the word “Snehi” refers to a loving friend. Daily oil massage [snehan] implies making a person loving by unfolding the healing qualities innate to the human body. In fact, Charaka – the ancient scholar of Ayurveda states that if you really want to bring happiness and joy to a client, don’t try to discuss their problems but do an oil massage and all the problems will simply dissolve. “Love is oily, soft, and gentle.” – Dr. Vasant Lad The skin provides the ability to heal through touch. The healing touch may include various modalities of healing such as massage. Ayurveda describes in great detail the benefits of daily oil massage. Not only is massage comforting to the body but essential for ...