Spring Arugula Salad

Spring Arugula Salad

This spring arugula salad is delicious! This time of year diet should be light, warm, dry and rough. Think bitter greens, astringent beans and pungent chilies. 

Dosha considerations -
Pitta avoid chili and add coriander or fennel as seasoning. Swap arugula for mixed greens. 
Vata can cook in ghee. 

INGREDIENTS

• Dash of oil, flax or sesame
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp oregano, fresh or dried
• 1/4 tsp thyme, fresh or dried
• 1/4 thai chili, chopped
• Small handful green beans, chopped
• 10 stems asparagus, chopped
• Handful arugula
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Squeeze of lemon juice 

DIRECTIONS

1. Add oil to pan. Add spices and sauté. Add green beans. Stir to coat then cook for a few minutes.
2. Add in asparagus and continue cooking. Stir occasionally. Cook until tender. Add in arugula. Sauté until barely wilted.
3. Place in bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add a squeeze of lemon juice!

Ayurvedic Cleanse Explained

Cleansing is a hot topic in our society -- but why? Well, people are drawn to detoxing for various reasons. Some include: drop weight, reduce cravings, shift dietary or mental patterns, improve digestion and/or hit a reset button. As there are many reasons for cleansing, there are many options for cleansing as well. Some popular cleanses include: juicing, shakes, fasting, eating raw and/or a diet consisting of whole foods. 

Prior to learning about Ayurveda, I had never participated in a cleanse. My interest was zero to none. The idea of not eating food seemed drastic, harsh AND plus I get really hungry. During my studies with Dr. Paul Dugliss from New World Ayurveda, I learned about the practical application of Ayurvedic cleansing. This style of cleansing is different, and has been practiced for thousands of years. I have since participated in an Ayurvedic cleanse every spring and fall since 2014, and am convinced from my experience that mind, body and spirit under-go a healthy release and reset. It is something that I genuinely look forward to. 

Ayurvedic cleansing is different than most cleanses for a few reasons:

You Eat!

Our bodies are intelligent. If suddenly you stop eating, your body can go into survival mode also known as adaptive thermogenesis [1]. Survival mode means that even if caloric intake is reduced, weight will remain or may even increase. It also means that the body is holding on to everything it possibly can, and is using its natural defense mechanism to keep you alive for the "famine" or lack of food available. This begs a question: how can the body remove toxins if it's in survival mode? 

Cleansing should be gentle for exactly this reason! Ayurvedic cleansing uses a very special and well formulated meal - kitchari. It is designed to create satisfaction and provide necessary nutrients so the body does not go into survival mode. Kitchari is mung beans, rice, spices and ghee which makes it the perfect meal of fat, protein and carbohydrates. 

Self-Care Practices And Emotional Release

Many cleanses require a lot of emotional energy to stick-with-it. They test willpower, which can be emotionally exhausting. Yes, any cleanse requires a certain amount of accountability and commitment. However, Ayurvedic cleansing is designed to be simple and nourishing. Practice self-care techniques that are used to aid in emotional release - such as mindfulness (breath practice and meditation), self massage and ample sleep.

Ayurveda suggests that fat cells store emotions. Therefore, emotions can get "stuck" in the body. The cleanse uses ghee, clarified butter, to pull fat soluble toxins from the body which also releases emotions. [2] In addition, ghee feeds the healthy microbes in the gut. Butyric acid is the main fatty acid in ghee, and it happens to be the preferred source of energy for the intestinal cells. [3] Gut health and emotions are certainly connected! [4]

It’s All About Digestion

Impaired digestion is the bridge to disease. Inability to digest foods well is a sign that digestion needs a reboot. Wheat + dairy are well-known culprits that are hard to digest in our society. 

Liken your digestion to fire. If you put a lot of liquid on a fire the fire will go out. If you put too many logs on the fire it will go out. If you put the right amount of wood on the fire, it will roar! This is the idea behind Ayurvedic cleansing, feed the body the correct food and correct portions to kindle the fire. Once the fire is strong, it will "burn up" or cleanse undigested foods, undigested experiences and environmental toxins. 

Group Cleanse

Shri Wellness hosts Ayurvedic cleanses twice yearly - spring and fall. If you are interested in joining a group cleanse this fall, please consider our guided 12 day home detox. For further questions please contact us!

Authenticity in 2018

Setting Intentions

As the New Year settles in, I, like many, am setting intentions for the year ahead. This year I seem to have difficulty reigning my thoughts in. As life's responsibilities increase, focus becomes more delicate yet more important. To help gain clarity, I used a process for life reflection and goal setting which I had been shown a few years ago. It forced me to stop and think critically about where I am on my life journey and where I desire to place my attention and intention in 2018. I focused on areas that bring meaning to my life experience as I know it: personal well-being, relationships, career, community engagement and leadership. 

The overarching word that came up for me during this introspective process was authenticity.

Authenticity

As a collective, being true to our most authentic self is not always the easiest route to take. Our friends, family, community, society, social media, television and ad campaigns send us conscious and subliminal messages about who we should be and/or how we should live.

My invitation is that you connect with your true self. Show up, listen, and let your focus be on what YOU (the deepest and maybe scariest depths of you) truly desire to cultivate this year. This honest process begins by being authentic with yourself.

Let us define authenticity as to uncover the meaning and relationship of the word to you. Authenticity is the act of being authentic. According to Merriam-Webster, authentic is "not false or an imitation". It is being "true to one's own personality, spirit, or character". 

The bigger questions: What does authentic mean to you? What does authenticity look and feel like for you? How do you show up in your life with your unique spirit?

When thinking about resolutions, intentions, goals, etc. for the new year: Do you set them because you want to accomplish X,Y,Z? Or do you set them because you think you should accomplish X,Y,Z? 

It's subtle, but different. Understanding this distinction helps you clearly see the way you look at yourself and how you maintain a relationship with your authentic self. Are you showing up to your life in the way that your higher self knows you should? The authentic you is not concerned with your ego or the ego of others. That same you is not preoccupied with what others think about you or how you should exist. 

I believe the higher self is deeply intelligent and connected to all beings and existence. The higher self understands that all obstacles you face are an invitation to grow in ways that your unique soul needs to evolve in this lifetime. It is intuitive and knows what's right, but you have to listen. 

How do you get connected to your higher self?

The path we take to get there looks different for all of us, but I believe that the feeling of connection to our higher self is similar for everyone. For me, the path to my higher self looks a few different ways: My yoga practice is where I get real and clear with myself; Meditation and reflection is valuable to uncover and accept my deeper desires; Hardships and tough times expose me to where I feel most vulnerable; The outdoors connect me to spirit. 

When do you feel most authentic, real and raw? What do you do to become clear about a messy situation or decompress after a difficult conversation? These inquires will help you connect to your highest self. 

The actions we take day in and day out bring us closer to connection or disconnection with our true self.  I invite you to keep taking the actions that lead you closer to YOU. Only you know when you are being truly authentic and when you are not.

The Invitation

Now, invite yourself to cultivate intentions, resolutions and goals for 2018 that serve your true self. If you already have intentions, then reevaluate. Do they really feel authentic? Write them down, and share your intentions with passion and love. Authenticity is contagious. Let your walls down, and invite people to see who you really are. They can drop their armor. Let's help each other heal and build from the inside-out in 2018. 

I see you and honor you. Namaste! 

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The Ayurvedic Clock

Ayurveda provides a framework for how to sync the mind and body up to the rhythm of nature. When we are in tune and in the flow with the cosmos then energy is steady, digestion is strong and the mind is clear. Life becomes easier because we are swimming with the current - not against it. 

The Ayurvedic clock is broken down into six cycles. Three cycles occur during the day and three during the night. 

Before laying out the clock, it is beneficial to understand the energies which guide us. Ayurveda is based on the five great elements: earth, water, fire, air and space. These elements combine to create three doshas. Dosha is a sanskrit word which provides understanding to the elements and relating qualities. The three doshas govern mental and physical response. 

Vata is the lightest dosha comprised of air and space.
Pitta is the hottest dosha comprised of fire and a little water.
Kapha is the densest dosha comprised of earth and water. 

Day Cycle

6a - 10a - Kapha Time
Dense kapha energy is strong at this time. It is best to engage in movement and exercise because there is already natural lubrication and strength in the physical body. Exercise also shakes any lethargy or heaviness in the mind.

10a - 2p - Pitta Time
The sun is at the highest point in the sky which increases the fire element. Use the hot, fire-like energy in your advantage and enjoy a large, slow lunch because the digestive fire is strongest this time of the day!

2p - 6p - Vata Time
Vata invokes light and mobile energy, so harness this energy through a focus on work. The subtle and expansive qualities offer greater creativity and productivity.  It is also a time of transition from the day cycles to night cycles. 

Night Cycle

6p - 10p - Kapha Time
Enjoy a light meal. Digestion is not as strong during this time of the day. Supper is supposed to be supplemental meaning it should supplement the mid-day meal. If unable to exercise in the morning, this is a good alternate time to exercise. Get into bed and aim to be asleep before 10p while the dense energy can ease you into a restful night's sleep.

10p - 2a - Pitta Time
During this time, the fire and transformative energy of pitta is used to detox the system. It is important to be asleep before 10p, or else you may catch a second wind of energy. Being awake during this time affects your liver's ability to clean house or clean and repair your body.

2a - 6a - Vata Time
Start your day bright and early! The air is naturally lighter which makes for an easier transition into your day. You may notice that you are groggy if you wake after 6a during the kapha time. However, it is important that you get sufficient rest or waking up before 6a will be challenging. 

Conclusion

Have you noticed any of these energies in your daily life? It can be overwhelming to think about switching your routine up. Habits are hard to break! The invitation is to begin noticing how the energy of each dosha affects your mind and body at certain times of the day. Perhaps start by slowly retiring to bed a little bit earlier each week over a few weeks, or have a slightly larger lunch than dinner. It is encouraged to make small changes and adjust habits over time!

Spiced Lassi

Spiced Lassi

Lassi is Ayurveda's natural probiotics. It is a combination of yogurt and water with sweet or savory spices. This particular recipe is great for fall with warming spices and a sweet finish. 

Lassi aids digestion and improves intestinal flora. Yogurt eaten alone can be difficult to digest due to its cold, heavy and dense properties. The preparation of lassi lightens the yogurt while the spices aid in digestion. As a note, freshly prepared yogurt is preferred over store bought yogurt. It's qualities are lighter and easier for digestion.

Serving Size: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups water
• ½ cup plain yogurt
• Pinch of spice(s) of choice (cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, etc.)
• Squeeze of honey

DIRECTIONS

1. Place all ingredients in blender. Blend for 45 seconds - 1 minute until foamy on top. If you don't have a blender you can also hand blend. 
2. Skim foam off top then serve.