SPRING RESOURCES
Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, the world's oldest natural healing system also known as the universal art and science of life and longevity, it is taught that our bodies, minds, and spirits are significantly impacted during the change of seasons and that preparation for this transition can aid a person to go through with grace, balance, and flourishing health. Ayurvedic wisdom recommends regular cleansing as a lifestyle ideally during the spring and fall seasons (when indicated for your current doshic balance by a practitioner).
Many of you often ask, when is it appropriate to cleanse? Since we are constantly exposed to toxins and these toxins build up in our bodies and make it harder for our bodies to do their job, it is important for anyone to take time to gently eliminate them to live a preventive, healthy lifestyle. Even when we eat all organic foods, toxins are everywhere including in the air we breathe, air flight travel, plastics, our water, pesticides from that one restaurant meal last week that uses Sysco Food, pets, cleaning supplies, public washrooms.... and the list goes on. Even our mind and thoughts can get acidic and toxic. Perhaps you have heard of the phrase 'toxic shame.' Doing a purge of unhealthy thoughts or starting a new exercise regime are examples of healthy practices for mind, body and spirit.
When to Cleanse?
Cleansing is reducing, therefore it reduces toxins, weight, mucus (which is the heavy earth element of Kapha) and alleviates heat from the liver (pacifying Pitta).
A cleanse is recommending if you suffer from any of the following symptoms:
Inflammation
Low energy
Halitosis (bad breath)
Fatigue
Indigestion, bloating, diarrhea
Bad body odor &/or stinky feet
Buildup of ear wax
Excessive mucus
Sick often
Drinking too much alcohol & feeling it
Excessive weight
Brain fog
Itchy nose or anus
Strong fecal odor, sulfur smell
Suspicion of parasites or candida, travel to foreign countries
When NOT to cleanse?
If you are going to be traveling either during or immediately following the cleanse. It is best to cleanse at home or in a safe environment and not travel for 2 days after your cleanse is over so that you can transition food back into your diet effectively and establish healthy routines.
If you experience high Vata symptoms such as constipation, anxiety, daily overwhelm or insomnia. If you have high Vata, consider:
a) Getting an Ayurvedic consultation with Whitney or another practitioner
b) Doing some tonification and building protocols instead of reducing practices such as cleansing and weight loss programs
c) Eat Vata pacifying foods such as butternut squash soup, sesame milk, steamed veggies, baked sweet potato and quinoa. With support, you can eat these foods as well in this program and still do a light cleanse program of tonification. Once your Vata is pacified, then raw living foods such as kale salad, green goddess dressing and chia seed pudding are better absorbed. With high Vata, it is best to cleanse in the warmth of spring and summer.
Ayurvedic wisdom recommends regular cleansing as a lifestyle twice a year, especially during the major spring and fall seasonal transitions, as long as it’s been safely indicated on an individual basis. We give individual cleanse guidance in our Ayurvedic services.
KAPHA BALANCING LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE BEGINNING OF SPRING
Take time to ease into starting big new projects, as the external energy now is very supportive toward major shifts
Favor dressing in warming colors such as black, red, yellow and orange on cooler days
Apply sesame oil or customized herbal-infused oil recommendation of choice to the entire body before taking a hot shower for daily self-massage (Abhyanga); self-massage calms the nervous system and strengthens not only the skin, but also muscle tissue, bones, concentration, and overall stability
Give yourself and others extra grace, gentleness and care as we continue to deal with the lingering ramifications of supporting ourselves through a pandemicLean to bitter, pungent and astringent foods
Include more raw honey, which is heating, full of incredible nutrition and scrapes toxins out of the body
Favor kapha balancing herbs like ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, pippali, punarnava, licorice and kutkti
Drink the classic tridoshic Ayurvedic cumin, coriander and fennel (CCF) tea anytime of the day
SPRING RECIPES
Restorative Skin Salve
This is a cherished recipe that I refined during graduate school and have loved giving as Christmas presents! The essential oils are specifically designed to support deep skin healing with the beautiful addition of ylang ylang for its breathtaking and euphoric aroma.
Apply to minor skin irritations such as bruises, cuts, bites, burns, or other topical wounds.
Ingredients:
1 cup calendula-infused jojoba oil or oil of choice with Calendula officinalis
40 g beeswax
20 g cocoa butter
60 drops helichrysum essential oil, such as Helichrysum gymnocephalum and Helichrysum bractiferum
40 drops frankincense essential oil, such as Boswellia serrata
40 drops lavender essential oil, Lavendula angustifolia
20 drops palmarosa essential oil, Cymbopogon martini var. motia
20 drops ylang ylang essential oil, Cananga odorata
10 drops wild carrot essential oil, Daucus carota
Directions:
1. Measure calendula-infused oil into a pyrex measuring cup.
2. Measure the beeswax and cocoa butter and add them to the oil
3. Simmer about 2 inches of water in a double boiler or a stainless steel pot, and carefully place the pyrex cup into the water.
4. Stir the oil, beeswax and cocoa butter mixture with a metal spoon until completely melted.
Hot Carrot Smoothie
Time: 15 minutes
Makes: 3 (1 cup) servings
Directions:
1. Bring 1–2 cups of water to a simmer in a medium stainless pot.
2. Wash 3–4 mediums carrots well, and break in half into the pot. Keep simmering.
Add: 1 tsp to 1 tbsp fresh ginger, chopped
¼ tsp fresh lemongrass or to taste, chopped
½ teaspoon coriander, ground
¼ teaspoon each ground cumin and ground cardamom
Pinch of salt
3. Cover and simmer until tender (about 10 mins)
4. Blend until smooth with a blender
(tip: I used an immersion blender straight in the hot soup taken off the burner; it’s quick and easy)
Serve hot.
Effects: calms Vata and Kapha, neutral for Pitta
Supports: plasma/rasa, immunity, and Ojas
Note: a good fall and winter dish, or any time you want to ground and direct downward Vata energy
Options: you can add almond milk at the end of the simmer for extra protein and body. You can put in ½ avocado for extra calories and creamy texture. You can add 1 – 4 Tbsps. soaked flax or chia seeds for a thicker drink and laxative action.
Tridoshic Breakfast Cereal
*VPK: Tridoshic
Makes: 2 servings
Ingredients:
¼ cup quinoa
1 cup water
1 apple, diced
1 banana, sliced (kapha+ can omit banana)
½ tsp vanilla
1 tsp turmeric paste (or ¼- ½ tsp ground)
1 tsp freshly grated ginger
¼ cup coconut and raisins (optional)
¼ cup chia, hemp, pumpkin, or sunflower seeds
1 tsp cardamom, crushed pods or ½ tsp powder
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg (optional)
Directions:
1. Cook quinoa, vanilla, fruit, spices, and water in a saucepan.
2. Simmer on low for 20–30 minutes or until quinoa is cooked. Stir as needed to prevent sticking.
3. After removing from heat, add a splash of nut or seed milk.
Restorative Bath Soak
Unwind stress and tension by adding any of the following ingredients to a hot water bath:
- 2 cups Epsom or unrefined sea salts
- Several handfuls of fresh or dried flowers in a muslin or laundry bag such as rose (VPK=), calendula (PK-V+), chamomile (PK-V+), or comfrey (PV-K+)
- 4–10 drops of essential oils applied directly into the salt or any emulsifier like honey or milk (*contraindicated to apply EO's directly into bath water or take internally) such as frankincense, mint, or rose geranium for emotional calm and relief of muscle tension
- 1 strip of seaweed, such as Maine Sea Coast Vegetable Kelp
Directions:
Soak for 15–30 minutes or until water cools.
Hydrate before and after really well with pure spring or filtered water.
If feeling dehydrated afterward, apply a topical oil like sesame ojoba, or coconut.
Consider adding candles, relaxing music, flower essences, and other support for gentle rejuvenation. Enjoy!
*If feeling overheated, please stop the bath or add cool water to decrease the temperature and apply a cold washcloth to forehead. Some people also like to apply some hot water on their head prior to a hot bath as well, or simply soak for 10 minutes.