Ayurveda

We have just celebrated the passage of time on New Year's eve.This time of change from old to new is for many the perfect time to take a moment to reflect. To take from it what we have received and to let go of what doesn't serve us any more. New Years eve is since day and age time to make positive resolutions for the new year. In the yoga tradition we call a resolution like this a Sankalpa which means a 'positive resolve', much like an affirmation or a small prayer. Traditionally, the Sankalpa is made and repeated often until it comes to fruition.

This tea is easy to make, with a delicious nutty flavour. It helps to scrape any unnecessary mucous from the digestive tract and sinuses. This helps to improve the health of our digestive tract and helps to prevent cold's and flu's.

 

To make the tea:

Boil 1 liter of water for 20 minutes and add ½ teaspoon of fenugreekseeds to start with. You can always adjust the amount of fenugreekseeds to your personal preference.

 

Each time when we have to adapt to a new situation we experience some kind of stress. Each time anything changes in our world, whether this is of an physical, mental, emotional, social or spiritual nature, we need to adapt and create a new balance in our system. Our body has its own, very intelligent and protective mechanism to deal with change and stress.

Recipe by Susan Pully

1 cup almond milk* (see options below)

2 medjool dates (the moist ones), pits removed

½ tsp ground cardamom

1-2 pinches of nutmeg

natural sweetener to taste (agave nectar, organic sugars, jaggery)

pinch of saffron (optional)

 

Ayurveda looks at the individual first in every situation- before offering recommendations, giving herbs or treating. It honors each person as unique. Every individual has a unique constitution at birth, made up of 3 different types-Vata, Pitta and Kapha. It is our life’s blueprint.

by Susan Pulley

 

Kitcheri is a classical indian dish and is it often eaten by practitioners of yoga. Kitcheri is said to be a feast for a pauper and good enough for a king. It can be eaten just like it is or served with extra dishes like vegetables, raita, chutney or poppadams.

When the weather becomes more rainy and windy our digestive system reacts to this by also becoming more changeable.