Keeping well with Ayurvedic food
The Winter is here. It is cold, dry and dark for a good portion of the day. We’ve indulged at Christmas with lovely treats, heavy home cooked meals with loved ones… and maybe the odd glass of wine or two (or three). January looms along with those oh-so-familiar blues and our brains are going overdrive at what on Earth will unfold this year? We might not be a mystic meg and have the ability to predict the future, but we might be able to shed some light on how to reset, shed 2020 and release anything that might no longer serve you and your intentions for the new year ahead…
Reflect on your past year.
What was incredible about the past year? What did you achieve? What was unexpected? (A lot. A LOT of 2020 was unexpected!) Even the most mundane or daily achievements are by definition still achievements. Practice a little gratefulness and take stock of all the wonderful things from the past 12 months and wonderful people. Thank them, but also thank yourself. What about the things you maybe didn't quite manage to fulfill? Maybe some work on the house, a book you didn’t finish or someone you haven’t caught up with? Take these and show yourself some compassion. Use these questions to set your intentions.
Give your gut a break with a kitchari cleanse.
Kitchari is a split mung bean, white rice and spice based dish which is a traditional cleansing dish of Ayurveda. The dish is eaten as a meal replacement and can last for as little as 3 days or as many as a month! It is easy on the digestive system, promotes feelings of satiety and is so flexible that it could be tailored to almost anyone! When paired with a scheduled eating habit, like intermittent fasting, and the discipline of a Monk (that means NO SNACKS) this truly has the potential to reboot your system.
A Kitchari cleanse is typically used to remove any toxins that might have accumulated in the body and to promote the strength of the agni (digestive fire). A balanced agni will give you vitality and longevity! This form of cleanse is tridoshic (the three doshas being vata, pitta and kapha) which means it is suitable for every constitution and will help promote a better balance of the dosha (energetic system) that make up your prakriti (nature). If you don’t know what your prakriti is, or which is your more dominant Dosha take this quiz to find out!
https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/dosha-quiz/
But here are a few other benefits of a Kitchari Cleanse:
Improve digestion and metabolism.
Mung beans and rice form a complete protein and aid a balanced diet.
Promote regular and balanced elimination.
Promote better health.
Increased energy, vitality, and even promote longevity!
Improve clarity and promote groundedness in the mental, spiritual, and emotional spheres.
Regulate your sleeping pattern and circadian rhythm.
A few other Ayurvedic tips to promote wellness and a supportive Winter lifestyle.
Create a morning routine that suits your constitution. Start your day the right way, every day! Believe it or not the body excels in routine. It sets up a stable circadian rhythm, meaning our body can run more efficiently and each of our systems are more interconnected.
Start the day with elimination, a glass of water and wash your face/body/teeth.
Scrape your tongue in the morning. This removes the build of toxins (ama) that develops on the tongue… as well as improving that wonderful morning breath!
Meditate. As well as helping improve anxiety, mood swings and clarity of mind, this daily practice cultivates greater self-awareness and the ability to remain present.
Go for a walk and/or do some yoga practice. This will help boost that winter lethargy.
Try to take part in daily journalling or read an excerpt of a book.
Avoid unnecessary toxins like alcohol or caffeine (I say unnecessary but... I find coffee an irresistible morning go-to!)
Rest! Winter is the Kapha season and is typically a period of hibernation for most animals.
Drink warm beverages and eat hot food. Ayurveda works with opposition creating balance… There are Gunas (qualities like hot and cold) that are attributed to everything. The winter is cold, so to support the immune system we eat hot foods.
Eat sweet, sour, and salty foods instead of bitter, astringent, and pungent tastes. These balance the Kapha season.
This list may seem slightly overwhelming but as with any new habit over time it will become a lifestyle. Take it one day at a time and remain present. If a Kitchari Cleanse is something you would like to start but don’t know where to begin, join us in starting 2021 the right way with a New Year Cleanse, 3 Day Kitchari Fast 20th-22nd January.
Having spent a lot of time reflecting on what has happened this year, we think it is time to put the past year behind us physically, spiritually and mentally. After a year of isolation and uncertainty a collective kitchari cleanse will clear your insides whilst bringing us together into this new year.
The Community Cleanse will begin with a communal opening zoom gathering, before embarking on three days of Kitchari supplied by Chai (2 meals a day- no snacks and no cheating!), a 15 minute morning cleanse routine instructed via video, 1 yoga class a day, guidance for each day and access to a WhatsApp group so we can support one another... and we will finish the cleanse with a closing communal zoom ceremony.
Follow the link below to find out more...
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17639464&appointmentType=19288916