Search Results for: Kapha

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Pumpkin Love: Poetry in a Pie

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Pumpkin is a power food – full of fiber and rich with antioxidants to keep you young and vibrant. If made properly, pumpkin pie can be a healthy dessert, a great snack, and even a delicious breakfast. Continue reading →

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Gluten free, Sugar free, No Bake Apple Pie

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Two years ago at our Yoga Therapy Training, I served a gluten free, dairy free, no sugar added, homemade apple pie. The recipe was requested. It has taken me these years, but at long last, here, finally, it is. Unfortunately, … Continue reading →

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Your Dosha

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Are you Air, Fire or Water? Which element are you?
What can nature tell you about your own unique nature? 

Gifts of Vata
* TAKE THE QUIZ: Discover your Mind-Body Constitution *

Ayurveda is commonly described as the “Science of Life and Longevity.” It is considered the sister science of Yoga as they share many of the same philosophical principles and healing tools.

The Five Elements of Ether, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth, their interactions, fluctuations and rhythms, and impact on the body and to the mind are fundamental to Ayurvedic theory. These elements combine to make three bio-energies, called Doshas: Vata, Pitta, Kapha.

Every person has all of the elements and therefore all of the doshas, but everyone has these elements and energies in proportions that are unique to each individual. The goal of Ayurveda is to re-establish and maintain a person’s natural doshic balance so their own unique nature is supported, enhanced, celebrated, fulfilled.

Pitta Qualities

* Learn How Each Element Affects You *

How to use this Blog for your Dosha 

While this blog is designed to be relevant to everyone, each recipe has a dosha it targets to balance, reduce or pacify. To find recipes for you, type your dosha in the search box, or scroll down to see the “tag cloud” in the right column and click on the dosha of interest.

Since each season has a related dosha, it will benefit you to read about eating seasonally. You might even recognize yourself in the description of the seasons, or notice that there is one season in particular when you feel it’s more of a challenge for you to stay in balance. Spring is Kapha, Summer is Pitta, Autumn is Vata and Winter is Vata/Kapha. 

I’ve organized recipes and articles by season, so once you know your season, you can do a search to find what works best for you. But, remember: the general guideline is to eat seasonally, and most of us can stay in balance simply by aligning with the rhythms of time and nature. 

Mostly, we should eat according to the season, just tweaking or leaning in the direction of our Dosha when we feel out of balance.  I hope that helps. If you have questions, or comments, visit the Facebook page and post it there, so we can share the wisdom.

Kapha Swan

Photo Credits: First and Third ::  Margo Carrera Fine Art

How to tailor your Ayurvedic lifestyle to really suit your needs

“Understanding Ayurveda has helped me understand my family’s unique and individual personal dynamics in a way that has utterly transformed our family life. Where it was once chaotic and overwhelming, it nows feels peaceful and nourishing. We are, at last, a happy family. Thank you, Laura!”  ~ Colleen

Ayurveda is a complete wellness system, supporting self awareness and self care. The effective application of Ayurveda leads to the empowerment of individuals to lead healthy, joyful, productive lives. Now that you know your Dosha, would you like to learn how to tailor a wellness plan specifically for you? Learning about yourself through Ayurvedic Consultations can help you realize your goals, and your dreams.

Thank you Margot Carrera of Margo Carrera Fine Art for the collage collaboration!

Doshas
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Immunity Spices

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How are you handling this arctic blast? Are you staying warm? Is it a challenge or a welcome break for you? I would love to hear – unusual weather has a tendency to draw us closer, so please let us know how you are doing.

Meanwhile, I want to share with you something to help you stay warm and well.

But first a little background: In November, we taught on a Holistic Health Cruise, after which I posted this Immunity Spice Recipe as a thank you to those who attended my talk on Ayurveda & the Power of the Six Tastes to Heal.

Thing is, I posted it in a semi-private place since it was a gift to them… But it got out and around, and now people are looking for it here on this blog and writing me when they can’t find it. So, especially given the weather around the country, and the fact that winter is cold season anyway, I felt it should get a posting here.

I apologize if it is redundant for you, but maybe you’ll appreciate the reminder? I hope wherever you are, you are staying warm, sheltered, safe, and serene.

This Immunity Spice Mix is warming and purifying, with primarily the pungent, astringent and bitter tastes, considered so medicinal in Ayurveda. Try to have a teaspoon, as tea or cooked into your foods, every day.

The spices can be sautéed with ghee or coconut oil before cooking in vegetables, rice, or grains. You could also add it to boiling water to make a tea ~ As a morning tea, it will rev up your system, encouraging circulation. As a tea to accompany meals, add a splash of lemon juice and a touch of honey and sip warm to strengthen digestion.

You can also make it into a golden milk, with boiled coconut milk, or your favorite, plus a dash of cardamom, maybe a spot of honey. You could even add it to your smoothies with a date or two.

Remember: The sweet taste lubricates and tonifies which is important to balance Winter’s Vata. It also helps your body absorb the nutrients of the other tastes, so ghee, milk, dates are all part of the medicine.

A note of caution – this can be stimulative. It’s best to avoid taking near bedtime.

Immunity Spice Mix

  • 6 parts ground turmeric
  • 3 parts ground cumin
  • 3 parts ground coriander
  • 6 parts ground fennel
  • 1 part powdered, dry ginger
  • 1 part ground black pepper
  • 1/2 part ground cinnamon

Mix spices together thoroughly. Store in an airtight container. Use within one month.

For Vata Dosha, add a dash of Himalayan pink salt, and a sprinkle of sesame seed.
For Pitta Dosha, replace the cumin with mint or cilantro. Optionally, use cardamom powder instead of black pepper.
For Kapha Dosha, it is perfect all year round. You could even add 1/4 part clove or cayenne.

#coldremedy

In addition to this immunity spice, you might benefit from one of these make-it-yourself Ayurvedic healing recipes, like the ginger lemon honey cold remedy, pictured here.

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Please take care. Mother Nature can be an overwhelming power, demanding our respect.

I wish you strong inner fires to can stay warm and healthy in this new year!

plaza
Our weekend winter wonderland

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