Given the drastic upheaval that has touched all of our lives in 2020, feeling a bit more stressed or run ragged than normal is to be expected. We are living in unprecedented times—a time of great hope and potential and also a time of great loss and uncertainty for many. If you wake up most mornings feeling less than wonderful, you are certainly not alone. Perhaps “OK” is the new “great.” Yet, there are ways in which we can move toward happiness and wellness—even during the most challenging times. This article will explore practices and herbs for happiness, elucidating practical ways in which you can take steps toward greater wellbeing. Read the full article HERE.
Ojas: What it is and how to build it
Literally translated as ‘vigor,’ ojas is the essential energy of the immune system. There isn’t an exact correlation for ojas in Western medicine. Truly, the meaning of ojas encompasses many things. Ayurvedic practitioner, author and chef Kate O’Donnell describes ojas as “the subtle essence of our life energy”. In some ways this vital essence can be considered the eighth dhatu (bodily tissue), but it is not exactly a tissue. It is more refined and subtle than that. However, ojas can only be built after all the seven dhatus are nourished.
Learn about ojas and how to build it in my PIOR Living post HERE.
Homemade Massage Oil for Each Season
Massage oil, especially when infused with herbs, can be more than just a feel-good skin moisturizer. Ayurveda teaches that fat is closely connected to love, satisfaction, and protection (Svoboda, 1999). In addition to nourishing and nurturing the skin, using herbally infused homemade massage oils produces a grounding, supportive, and protective effect on the body and mind. Daily self-massage with oil, called abhyanga, is a wonderful practice for soothing vata dosha in particular but can be practiced with benefit by all types. The base oil and herbs can be adapted based upon your constitution and the season.
This article explains how to adapt your homemade massage oil so that it fits the season. Get the full article through the Herbal Academy blog HERE.
Ayurveda Daily Routine
Ayurveda teaches that living out of harmony is one of the foundational causes of illness and chronic health issues. But what does it mean to live in harmony? To begin with, living harmoniously means tuning in with the rhythm of the seasons. It also means living according to your dosha—making choices that keep any excess dosha in check. Also, there is something we can all do on a daily basis. Having an Ayurveda daily routine that lines up with the ebb and flow of the doshas throughout the day will help keep your body and mind in balance. Check out the full article HERE.
3 Cooling Salads for Summer
As summer days grow warmer and longer, you may find yourself reaching for cooling, refreshing foods that require less time in a hot kitchen and allow more time to enjoy the long, lazy days of summer. These inclinations speak to the innate wisdom of the body; when temperatures heat it up it is better to focus on foods with cool energetics, especially those with a sweet, bitter, and/or astringent taste. According to Ayurveda, foods and beverages with this particular profile are soothing to pitta dosha, which predominates in summer. Plus, portable dishes, like these cooling salads, work great on the go. Prep at home and then pack up for a picnic, beach trip, or afternoon at the park. In this post, I share three cooling salad recipes for summer—all kitchen and taste-bud tested! Get 3 cooling salad recipes HERE!