10 Ways to Balance Vata During Vata Season

Vata season

How to Balance Vata During Vata Season

As we progress further into fall and rapidly approach winter, the weather in many regions is becoming cold and dry, and along with that comes increased Vata. Fall and early winter are considered Vata season, with the cold, dry, clear, and moving qualities that characterize Vata. If you have a Vata-dominant constitution, it is important to keep these qualities in balance. Doing so will ensure that you stay healthy, energetic, and creative.

However, if Vata becomes imbalanced in the body, you are prone to mental and physical disorders that are more common in Vata-dominant individuals. These include anxiety, depression, joint pain, dry skin, and constipation. In order to maintain physical and mental health, it is essential to keep Vata qualities balanced during Vata season.

Use these 10 strategies to maintain optimal health during Vata season: Continue reading “10 Ways to Balance Vata During Vata Season”

The 5 Best Breakfasts for Your Constitution

Top 5 Breakfasts for your Constitution

Balancing Breakfasts for Your Constitution

Breakfast is an important meal, setting the tone for the day and preparing the body for digestion and activity. Breakfast can be one of the more difficult meals to plan for when transitioning to a new way of eating. We all have foods that we are accustomed to, and those foods might not do a good job of balancing our constitutions. It is important to choose foods that calm your dosha and bring the body into balance.

The importance of breakfast for you as an individual depends in part on your constitution. Kaphas often are not hungry early in the morning and can function well if they choose to fast instead of eating an early breakfast. Vatas, however, often find it important to have a solid breakfast. Pittas can vary, but usually find it best to eat something by mid-morning. Failure to do so can lead them to become agitated.

Regardless of your constitution, it is beneficial to include grains in the morning, as they are one of the most grounding foods. Continue reading “The 5 Best Breakfasts for Your Constitution”

All About Kitchari (Plus 4 Variations Tailored to Your Constitution)

kitchari
source: Drriad [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

About Kitchari

Kitchari (also called Kichadi) is a simple stew based on basmati rice and split mung dal. It is at the center of healing in Ayurveda and is suitable for almost every constitution. Kitchari can be customized to create endless variations, each of which can be used for specific purposes. It is very easily digested and assimilated, and as such is a primary food in Ayurvedic cleansing therapy.

The essential components of kitchari are ghee, spices, basmati rice, and dal. Ghee is necessary for lubrication of the digestive tract and assimilation of nutrients. Other beans can be used in place of dal for specific healing purposes, as long as they are very well cooked. Vegetables are a very common addition to kitchari and are beneficial for balancing a variety of conditions.

It is important to source high quality organic ingredients. Ghee, in particular should be chosen discerningly. It should be sourced from pastured cows that are treated well, and should be prepared properly. I really like Tin Star Foods cultured ghee, which is completely free of any milk proteins (important if you have a dairy allergy). Banyan Botanicals also makes an excellent, high-quality kitchari kit if you prefer to purchase all of the ingredients together. Continue reading “All About Kitchari (Plus 4 Variations Tailored to Your Constitution)”

Moringa: Uses and Health Benefits

moringa powder

What is Moringa?

Moringa oleifera is currently enjoying a bit of a spotlight moment in the superfood world, and deservedly so. In the world of superfoods, moringa deserves a top spot. It has been a staple of traditional medicine for over 4,000 years, and Ayurvedic medicine credits it with the prevention and treatment of close to 300 diseases. Moringa, also called the drumstick tree and the miracle tree, is an extremely nutrient-dense plant native to South Asia. It is also cultivated throughout the tropics.

Moringa is anti-inflammatory, extremely nutrient dense, full of antioxidants, and can help to improve health and prevent disease. In many parts of the world, it is used to treat joint pain, cancer, anemia, heart problems, headache, diabetes, digestive issues, asthma, high blood pressure, kidney stones, thyroid disorders, and bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral infections. Continue reading “Moringa: Uses and Health Benefits”