Timing is everything. This well-worn saying couldn’t be more true when it comes to herbal tea blends. The Sanskrit word kala refers to time or timing, and desa to place. According to Ayurveda, harmonious living isn’t just about what; it is also about when, how, and where. When it comes to what we put into our bodies, the timing of how and when we partake can be as significant as the foods and beverages we choose. Here I offer you four different herbal tea blends and suggestions on the best time of day to enjoy them. Check out the full post HERE! Includes my own masala chai recipe!
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.
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!
3 Ayurvedic Practices for Mindful Eating
If you have experienced heightened stress levels within the past few months, you are not alone. As if normal life isn’t hard enough, the year 2020 has been marked by dramatic changes and uncertainty. No matter your particular circumstance, we are all in a more fragile state—whether we recognize it on a daily basis or not. This is indeed a time of great potential, and also a time marked by fear and loss for many. With so many changes good and bad happening around us, it is more important than ever to develop daily habits, such as mindful eating, that keep us grounded, clear-headed and healthy. Check out the full post HERE.