Tag: cleanse

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Do you want to have a mindful start to the New Year?

New Year Cleanse PromoADENA ROSE AYURVEDA and VIDYA come together for an Ayurvedic-inspired New Year’s Detox

For many, this is a challenging time of year. Here in the Northern Hemisphere it’s getting darker, and colder, and darker….and colder…

Yet we need a cleanse…

It’s not only the weather which invites us to indulge in heavier, sweet foods. The holidays are at time of ritual, of celebration, of bringing light to to the darkness in the form of literal holiday lights, and friends, family and warm hearts. And as we do, as humans, we celebrate with a bounty of special foods. Though special foods are not always to one’s best for us – at least in excess, which tends to happen.

I like to call this a ‘normal abnormality.’ It’s ‘normal’ in our culture, and usual, expected even, but that doesn’t make it healthy.

I lead an Ayurvedic cleanse twice per year, and privately, at the junction of the seasons (as is traditional, Spring/Summer, Summer/Fall.) We talk a lot of kitchari, of agni, of triphala and even castor oil.

But a cleanse like that is not recommended in January. It’s too lightening for some – I speak from experience.

A cleanse in January should be really focused on intention, on renewal, on food as medicine – no to little fasting (hey, we do enter Kapha season January 15th) and warm, cooked, whole, fresh foods.

I am teaming up with Claire of VIDYA to bring you the best of Ayurveda’s knowledge of cleansing, combined with her incredible whole foods recipes and yoga lifestyle, in a two week holistic detox for the New Year.

Included:

  • 50 page ebook of whole food recipes
  • 3 webinars to guide you through the course
  • daily emails of inspiration and guidance
  • a private cleanse forum
  • yoga practices tailored to the season
  • a follow up consultation post-cleanse

A small gift to you

My mailing list members can the code ADENA5 to get $5 off

JOIN US for a GRACEFUL START to 2015

Love,

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Questions? Write me at adena[at]adenaroseayurveda[dot]com

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Sweet and Spicy Tea Recipe and Digestion Tips

Some rights reserved by stevendepolo
Some rights reserved by stevendepolo

Today is one of those transition days – where early winter becomes deep winter, Vata season transitions to Kapha season.  We still need to focus on warm food and drink, but the emphasis moves from heavy, towards spicier, lighter foods.  These foods help keep stagnation – or clear it – from settling into the lungs, and lethargy from taking hold.  I love this simple, spicy tea recipe, so wanted to share it with you.

Spicy and Sweet Tea

3 small cinnamon sticks, or 1 tsp powder

1 T licorice root

2 c water

Place water and cinnamon and licorice root in a small pot.  Simmer for 5 or 10 minutes over low-medium heat.  Strain and pour into a mug.  No need to add sweetener!  Helps to curb sweet cravings, especially helpful before bed.

Tips for Optimal Digestion:

It doesn’t matter how well you eat, if you’re not digesting it well!

1. Eat only when you are hungry.  If you are not hungry, it may be recommended to fast until true hunger returns.

2. Eat three meals per day, with emphasis on lunch being the largest.  As a general rule, avoid snacking unless you are experiencing true hunger between meals, not cravings.

3. Always eat fresh fruit on its own.

4. Sit down to eat, with full attention on your food.  Eat slowly, and chew well.  Light, pleasant conversation is ok, but do not eat when you are sad, mad or upset, and do not eat in front of your computer, or while driving.

5. Sip warm water or ginger tea while you eat your meal, but avoid large amounts of water directly before or after eating.  Also avoid iced water at all times.

Learn more tips like these, and put them into practice in my 7 Day Ayurvedic Cleanse Course – registration is open!

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: 7 Day Ayurvedic Cleanse Course Opens

It’s time to  take charge of your well-being.

You’re Invited to this 7-Day Online Ayurvedic Cleanse

So what is an Ayurvedic Cleanse? The aims of this cleanse involve removing toxins from the tissues, improving your metabolism, and increasing your peacefulness and clarity while you rest and reflect on habits and patterns.  An Ayurvedic cleanse is clarifying but also nourishing, because it is NOT a fast.

A cleanse is a time to reset your intentions as well as burn up or remove ama (toxins.) A cleanse can greatly benefit those suffering from seasonal allergies, fatigue, mental cloudiness, seasonal depression, menstrual difficulties, or skin issues.

Register for this online course now, and begin your cleanse when the time is right for you…Classroom opens January 10, 2014

What you will receive in this online course:

  • Video instruction for how to prepare for your cleanse, including shopping lists
  • Day-to-day instructions, including daily routine schedule
  • Recipes for kitchari and herbal teas, as well as whole food recipes for reintegration
  • Video instruction for relaxing meditation, gentle yoga, and breathing practices (pranayama)
  • Instruction for self-massage and a video on how to use a neti pot (optional, but something you may have always wanted to try!)
  • Discussion/journal topics and the support of the group – past and present members.
  • All of this in a stylish, online classroom area with long-term access.
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Ayurvedic Awareness: Spring

You might notice that this idea of a “Spring Cleanse” is popping up all over the place.  It’s not just a marketing scheme – if you’ve ever heard of cleansing, or thought of trying it, it is literally the season, according the Ayurveda.  The change in the weather (even with this latest snow storm it IS on it’s way, there’s no denying it!) starts to melt that deep freeze of January and February – that solidity of the Earth and Water elements that were stagnant in deep winter.  These elements, which we can see literally in their most gross forms as earth/dirt and ice, make up what we call Kapha dosha.  In the body, Kapha is what keeps us lubricated ~ synovial fluid in the joints, adipose tissue that pads organs and muscle, and mucosa linings.  Kapha keeps us grounded, keeps us warm and safe during the deep cold winter which would deplete us otherwise!

Pungent

When Spring comes, Kapha is on the move, melting, slipping, and sliding around to make its way out, because for Summer, that extra stuff will no longer be needed – it would actually only weigh us down.  As Kapha moves on out, it shows up just like mud season – in the form of something sticky, and sludgy, kind of like mucus.  This is often the cause of those Spring time colds everyone’s getting.  That stuff can also create blockages in the GI tract, especially if it’s mixed with a build up of toxins, or what we call ama, that may be sticking around from over eating during the holidays, or from a past sickness.

Kapha and Ama have some similar qualities, they’re both sticky, heavy, and, especially in Spring time, need to be moved on out.  Cleansing in the Spring time is best because it’s easy to focus on lightening up – eating pungent and bitter greens like arugula, dandelion, and mustard greens which will start popping up in farmer’s markets, and otherwise starting some Spring cleaning for body and mind. You might make it a goal to do 15 sun salutations per day, or get rid of 100 things around your house…there are many ways to make it your own!

Ayurveda has a very specific idea about what cleansing means ~ it’s not just about purging the toxins, but about rejuvenation as well.  We all work hard, and give so much of ourselves between job, family and workouts, that it’s important to refuel every once in a while as well.  A proper Ayurvedic cleanse should leave you feeling light, but grounded, clear, but stable, happy and inspired.  The results are not always immediate, but keep expounding in the weeks and days afterward.

For more information about the Ayurvedic perspective of a cleanse, check out this post – or consider being guided through a cleanse.  Find more information at Adena Rose Ayurveda, or email me any time and I’m happy to answer your questions: adena [at] adenaroseayurveda [dot] com

You may also join me for this workshop at IndyYoga:

Spring Cleaning for Body and Mind with Yoga and Ayurveda

3/23 Sat. 9:30-11:30am   $25      Beginners and up

Come learn about Yoga’s sister science in healing, Ayurveda with Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant and AyurYoga teacher, Adena Harford.Gracefully emerge out of the deep cold of winter and into the vibrancy of spring with some simple seasonal Ayurvedic principles. Yoga tailored for Spring will follow the discussion. Individual Ayurvedic Consultations will be available at IndyYoga by appointment after the workshop. Book ahead with Indy at indyyoga@comcast.net.

Be well!