Ayurvedic Tips
Delicious Chutneys
Delicious & Wholesome Chutneys Chutneys do more than add taste to a meal. When used correctly, they can aid in digestion, kindle agni and promote health. There are numerous types of chutneys incorporating the six tastes and using many different types of fruits and spices. Fruits are revered in Ayurveda, as they are one of the purest foods that enhance ojas (think vitality, immunity and strength). They are a superb source of nutrients and vitamins, not to mention their antioxidant properties. When used in chutneys with a combination of spices, these fruits can provide a delightfully tasty, yet healthy, accompaniment to dishes. It is important to consider the spices and types of fruit to use in chutneys, in conjunction with one’s constitution and current season. Ayurvedic Suppleme...
LOVE – Mind, Body & Soul
LOVE – Mind, Body & Soul By Priya Singh The vast magnificence of Love is a power that has never been fully understood or explained. It is an idea, a feeling, an ethos, a concept – and it is not tangible. Even though it is one of the most powerful emotions on the planet – it is not quantifiable. Not in actual scientific terms where a chemist could put your ‘love’ in his test tube and weigh and measure the love you feel for your partner, child, parents or anyone. You own your love. And that is why, even the person you profess to love has no idea of how much you love them. You own your love. It is your sorrow, your joy, your suffering and your delirium. It is your dragon to fly. It is your unicorn to ride. Where does this love come from? Where does love exist in our body? Is ...
Masala “Spiced” Chai + Ayurvedic Tips For Winter
Masala “Spiced” Chai … Winter is a time when nature’s energy withdraws back unto herself as nature’s many expressions begin to slow down. According to Ayurveda, a person is a miniature reflection of nature and winter represents a time for much needed restoration. Even more reason to treat yourself to the warming qualities of delicious and yummy masala “spiced” chai. INGREDIENTS: – Ginger, 1 TSP finely shredded – Cardamom, 7 whole seeds – Clove, 1/2 whole clove – Cinnamon – Milk, 1.5 Cup – Sugar, 1 TSP – Orange Pekoe Tea, 2 TSP ~Winter Tips~ Generally, the food we eat during winter season should be warming, nourishing, and mildly spicy. Likewise, we should avoid cold food and flavors which are excessively sweet, sour, or salty as these are all considered “kapha pro...
Making Health Happen: 5 Simple Steps To Accomplishing Your Health Goals
Making Health Happen There are ideals and there are realities when it comes to health. We almost all know how profoundly different our lives could be if we ate right, exercised regularly, and rested when required. But life happens. We have soaring, sparkling goals but our ability to follow-through can fall short – the realities of social gatherings, packed work schedules, and life-long less-than-ideal living habits make health a true hurdle. So the question stands, how do we make health happen without making ourselves inflexible or insane in the process? How do we find balance between holding ourselves accountable for necessary growth and transformation, and simultaneously allow space for spontaneity and enjoyment. Our reality is that what we set out to do isn’t always as easy to ac...
Sustainability In Ayurveda: Essential Principles & Guidelines
Sustainability In Ayurveda Essential Principles and Guidelines By Sarah Devi Otto-Combs While words like “sustainability” and “Ayurveda” have become increasingly popular in recent years, there has been little conversation about what it really means to practice Ayurveda sustainably. As Ayurveda has taken hold in the West, there has been a corresponding surge in use of herbs from the Ayurvedic Apothecary. Aushadhis, or medicines, such as ashwagandha and triphala that were once foreign commodities are now commonplace and readily available in most cities in local coops and natural food stores. This in addition to the plethora of products available from India directly online has vastly changed the face of this market. While this has a been a boon for many reasons, there is a side of th...
You Are Only As Healthy As Your “Agni”
You Are Only As Healthy As Your Agni Agni is the fire of transformation. It is responsible for the digestion, absorption, assimilation, and transformation of what we take in (food and experiences) into energy. The well-known ayurved Dr. Lad, defines “Agni” as: Awareness Governing Nutritional Intelligence. Your agni can be balanced, too low, too high, or irregular. Ayurvedic Digestive Supplements You are only as healthy as your digestion!! What we feed the agni, and as David Frawley says, “Everything in the universe is food”, determines how our agni burns. Imbalanced agni can mean weakness, poor digestion, poor elimination, internal coldness, compromised immunity, fatigue, or generally a lack of bright, shiny, vitality. Balanced agni looks like strength, vital...
Making Ghee On A Full Moon + Mantra For Immortality
“Auspicious Ghee” – Making Ghee On A Full Moon Every thing around us has an effect on something within us. Everything in the Universe – the stars, planets, satellites, and even the moon have a certain frequency. For example, the frequency of the moon affects the mind and influences our feelings, emotions, and desires. In ancient times, it was common to make ghee as the moon developed into a full moon. This practice of making ghee on a full moon is considered auspicious because the moon is thought to influence “Soma” – the source of nourishment, nectar, and bliss. Soma is a Sanskrit term which is derived from the root word “su” which means ‘to energize, stimulate, expand, and grow’. “Soma is the nectar of immortality.” Soma is also called “amrita” which means nectar and is...
The Breath, Poop & Weight Test
The Breath, Poop & Weight Test It’s hard to be sexy when you’re sick. Though our noses are not nearly as sensitive as those of many animals, humans are still wired to sniff out when people are not well… and to avoid them. But the reverse is also true: radiant health is very attractive, to both men and women, and it make sense to cultivate it if for nothing else but to attract a quality partner. There is an aphorism that says: “The root of dharma, prosperity, enjoyment, and freedom is good health. Diseases take this away, as well as goodness and life itself.” This reminder of how important health is not only to love and romance, but practically every area of life comes from the āyurvedic author Charaka. Health stands as an asset and disease is a liability to achieving our goals, ...
Health Is Wholeness – Is Health Really Just The Absence Of Disease?
Is Health Really Just The Absence Of Disease? The concept of health is so familiar that many of us never really give much thought about what it really means. The most common response to such a question is – “the absence of disease”. Is health really just the absence of disease? The ancient wisdom of Ayurveda sees each person as not being a set of parts, but as a whole and for one to be considered healthy – the body, mind, and consciousness must be balanced. More specifically, Sushruta the father of surgery and teacher of Ayurveda explained health as being when the digestive fire [“agni”] is balanced; the bodily humors [vata-pitta-kapha] are in equilibrium; the three waste products [urine, feces, and sweat] are eliminated properly; the senses function normally; and the bo...
Holistic Ways To Improve Your Relationship
Holistic Ways To Improve Your Relationship Relationships can be challenging — there’s no arguing that one. From minor disagreements to seemingly insurmountable differences, keeping a partnership happy, healthy and mutually fulfilling takes commitment and work, but it’s certainly possible. Knowing your partner’s predominant dosha(s) and tendencies can help take much of the mystery (and dare I say frustration?) out of relationship woes. Knowledge allows for insight, and insight for patience and compassion. Vata Vata-dominant types are quick, creative and expressive. They are quick to learn, quick to forget, and may get cold easily. When in balance, they are stimulating company — they have amazing intellects. Out of balance, they can become stressed out, nervous, worried — a...
How To Reduce Stress & Improve The Sense Of Wellbeing
How To Reduce Stress There is no event in life which is intrinsically stressful. However, stress by which we mean psychological stress may not be any more “real” than any other thought within the mind. Likewise, not all stress is considered equal and not all stress need be harmful. For example, it’s only natural to feel the excitement about an upcoming event [i.e. your wedding] while at the same time feel nervous. Interestingly, this motivated yet stressful state of the mind is sometimes referred to as eustress, or “good stress” which may be beneficial for meaningful and purposeful action. However, if this state of stress or heightened state of arousal goes unchecked – we often can feel stressed out! “Wherever a thought goes, a chemical goes with it.” – Deepak Chopra Tu...
5 Health Tips For Winter Season – Balancing Vata Dosha
5 Health Tips For Winter Season Winter is the season when the earth’s energy withdrawls back into herself as nature slows down with cold, damp, and heavy qualities. Because of these cold qualities – many people experience signs and symptoms of vata aggravation [anxiety, insomnia, etc] especially during the early part of winter season. Here are some simple ways to remain cozy and healthy during winter season while balancing vata dosha. Vata Dosha – Flow & Motion Vata dosha governs flow and motion in the mind and body — the movement of thoughts across our minds; memory; food moving through our digestive tract; elimination of wastes; the flow of our blood; and our breath. For the movement of all three doshas — Vata makes it happen; it’s the leader! Since the oth...