Apples come just in time. With a cooling virya (energy) to balance the heat (Pitta) accumulated over summer, they are moistening and fibrous to support the colon as autumn’s Vata blows in.
After autumn rains, and volatile temperatures, this weekend has been hot, hot, hot, and so dry. Just home from long distance travel, all I could think was hydrate, cool, replenish.
Fortunately, we had apples fresh from Julian, and coconut water to boost minerals and hydration. I added psyllium to make it more like a smoothie, which made me think you could call this an Apple Pie Smooth Move Smoothie.
You could think from this post, and this one, that I’m obsessed with the subject of smooth move.
Well, we are earth bodies mirroring the power of mother earth to renew and regenerate. Presently, the earth is in a state of overwhelm, and so are many of us, including our bodies, our digestion, immunity, minds and hearts. So why not a little extra help?
Psyllium is like earth to a fire. Helpful in reducing internal heat. Helpful too, in colon function. Apples are high in fiber, with pectin that binds to toxins to help remove them from the colon. It’s a Pitta/Vata reducing tonic therefore, ideal for late summer, early autumn, or our nutty San Diego weather that is hottest in autumn – or any time you feel a need to cool, cleanse, release.
Apple Pie Smoothie
Ayurveda understands apples to sweet, astringent, cooling; coconut as sweet, light, cooling; psyllium as astringent, scraping, cooling; and date as sweet, heavy, cooling. Spices are gently warming and light, offering digestive balance.
Ingredients
1 apple
1-2 cups coconut water, adjust to taste
1 date
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon psyllium
Hearty pinch of cinnamon
Small pinch of cardamom, ginger each
Tiny pinch pink salt
Method
Chop and core the apple, pit the date and put everything in the blender. Mix on high until the consistency is evenly smooth. Taste and adjust spices, coconut water. Serve at room temperature, or warm gently before serving.
Speaking of reducing and clearing, my home got a powerful purification last week from the masters of Vastu, Robin and Michael Mastro. It was like a spiritual bath, blessing, and boost, all at once.
What is Vastu? Vastu Shastra is the ancient Vedic system of placement, construction and design, believed to precede and form the basis of Chinese Feng Shui. Vastu helps create balanced living and working environments for better health and well-being. The principles of Vastu can be seen in enduring structures around the world, as in the Greek Parthenon, the Roman Coliseum, the Egyptian Pyramids, the Mayan Pyramids, the Taj Mahal.
Michael and Robin Mastro are the leaders in the field of Vastu Shastra, and they have a gift for you: A 20% discount on their Level One Vastu Training. The discount is for this month of October only.
So tell us, what is transitioning in this season of your life?
What helps you feel free, or in flow?
What would you do with renewed energy?
I look forward to hearing.
Wishing you blessings for this Navratri, this celebration of nature’s divine energies, this October Fest of autumn’s harvest.