Ayurvedic Tips and Reminders- Does the thought of detoxing frighten you?

Does the thought of detoxing frighten you? Maybe frighten is not the best word but the thought of food deprivation can be an unpleasant one.There are definitely a few legitimate reasons if you experience some resistance. First, it may be hard to detox when you are working or feeding children. Or the thought of being hungry often triggers emotions such as loneliness, grief or deprivation; or you may be confused as to which detox might be best for you- a juice fast, kitchari diet or whatever else is out there coming at you. In any case, there is a real push to detox in the Spring. Ayurveda says that after the winter when we were busy eating more fats and padding our bodies to keep us warm, Spring invites us to reset or renew our digestion and immune system by eating lighter foods. Spring in Ayurveda is “kapha” season where the qualities of earth and water are more prevalent in the environment affecting our bodies in the form of allergies, and congestion stressing our immune systems. Ayurveda teaches us that the “opposite quality” can heal us- what does this mean?  Go for lighter, bitter foods such as dark leafy greens, pungent in taste such as onions and garlic, turmeric, black pepper to kick off our digestive fire, cloves which benefit overall digestion, ginger which has profound digestive benefits, cardamom which helps with coughs and clears excess kapha from the stomach. Complimenting foods with spices gives us the opportunity to take advantage of nature’s healing gifts. A nice bowl of quinoa or millet and cooked vegetables simply states a Spring meal.

If you are feeling reluctant about doing the “perfect” cleanse, please join me in a 30-day challenge of eliminating wheat and dairy.

Both these foods are highly processed leading to inflammation with both biological and psychological consequences. Both create havoc in the gut which leads to poorly digested food creating pain in the joints, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, nausea, and even abdominal pain. Neurologically these foods can cause headaches, seizures, ADD, depression and new findings even say MS. If you have these symptoms please consider this 30-day challenge.

Here are five results you can expect:

1. Weight Loss- within a few weeks inches will melt away.
2. Skin will become clear and vibrant.
3. You will drop fatigue and experience vitality.
4. Reduced pain and inflammation.
5. You will think more clearly and gain better focus.

With that said, here’s how to get started;

the following grains and starches contain gluten:

barley, bulgur, couscous, farina, Kamut, matzoh, rye, semolina, spelt, wheat, wheat germ, triticale

The following are gluten free:

Amaranth, millet, arrowroot, buckwheat, corn, millet, potatoes including sweet potatoes, quinoa, rice, sorghum, soy, tapioca, teff

Gluten is contained in the following foods:

beer, bacon, breaded foods, ketchup, malt vinegar, mayonnaise, cold cuts, cereals, salad dressings, trail mix, fried vegetables/tempura, veggie burgers, tabbouleh, ice cream, hot dogs

Foods such as dark leafy greens, spirulina ( algae), almond milk all have calcium.

For probiotics, the company “Forager” makes a cashew milk with live cultures- found at Whole Foods. It’s delicious with berries or nuts.

If you are used to eating toast for breakfast or oatmeal here’s a few good substitutes:

1. Pasture raised eggs with spinach, onion cooked in ghee
2. Millet or quinoa cooked with ghee add soaked dates or raisins
3. sweet potato pancakes- cooked sp ( 1/2 cup)- add two to three eggs- mix with 2 tbsp coconut flour- cook in coconut oil in pan- add cinnamon, cardamon to batter.
4. For wraps buy La Tortilla Sonoma Teff wraps which I buy at Dekalb market in the freezer section ( they are from Calif. of course).

You may get hungry at first, here are few good snacks:

Handful of raw nuts ( not peanuts)

Dark chocolate 70% or above a few squares

avocado with lemon, olive oil and pink salt

berries with coconut milk

chopped bell peppers with hummus, cucumbers or nut butter

I hope you choose the steps that will bring you to optimal health without feeling intimidated or deprived. There’s no reason you should feel anything but your best after all you are worthy!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday April 18th  7pm @ Centre Spring MD Brookhaven

” Ayurveda 101″- learn your dosha and the best way to detox for your dosha- kitchari will be served

register  404-814-9808 Space is limited

Ayurveda Cooking Class

Art of Living Workshop April

https://artoflivingretreatcenter.org/

Pause by Gedalia

Moments of Well-Being

Essential Oils to refresh, renew and invigorate your energy.

New “Spring” blend- Digest, Detox and D-stress  with new spring paisley sachets ( hand sewn by refugee sewer) available online here and at Centre Spring Spa

with warm regards,

Gedalia Genin