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 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.

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!

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.

Long-term stress takes a huge toll on one’s body and mind. Sometimes that stress can chip away at vital reserves and one’s sense of wellbeing, ultimately leading to a state of burnout. In digging into the exact meaning and causes for burnout, it is clear that its defining borders can be quite nebulous. Unlike depression, burnout is not clinically defined or diagnosed. However, if you have ever experienced burnout, you know how real it is. Just because burnout is not a diagnosable condition does not mean that it isn’t palpable and that it cannot have profoundly negative effects on your physical and emotional wellbeing. In this article, we will briefly explore how to recognize burnout and even more importantly, ways in which you can call upon herbs to rebuild from burnout. Read the full article HERE.