Aug 082017
 
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You feel everything. You always have.

From the itchy tag on the back of your shirt to the emotional state of the stranger sitting next to you on the train. Taking it all in like a giant porous sponge.
You notice the tiny cracks in the paint that resemble the shape of an alien’s head. Nobody else seems to notice the sound of the refrigerator’s hum, or the ticking of your friends watch. Your left palm is often itchy and there is a mild achy pain in your upper left abdomen. When you walk by the smelly sewer spots in the city, it hits you harder than most. The almonds that were stored in the cooler with cheese now have a slightly cheesy taste that nobody else seems to notice.
It’s not easy feeling it all. In fact it can be incredibly isolating. You may have been told that you were “too much” more than a few times in your life. Feeling like nobody can hold you is scary. It can get exhausting to live life with the belief that you have to hold it all. Processing the emotions of every person in the room and filtering them through your fragile system is rough. It especially hurts when you feel other people’s negative emotions towards you.
I have spent countless nights wondering why I was different. Wishing I could just be like one of the “cool girls” who could sit bare-legged in the grass and not be bothered by the pokey blades. Praying that I could somehow shut down the part of my brain that was constantly analyzing what everyone was thinking.
Being sensitive can be challenging on so many levels… but what we often forget, is that it is also a gift.
Because we feel so much, so deeply we are able to experience life in all its vibrancy. We get to appreciate the full range of complexity that this world has to offer. From being the first to notice the subtle smell of the night blooming Jasmine that grows in summer to detecting the boysenberry undertones in your glass of Pinot Noir, we are able to detect life’s delicate nuances that may have otherwise been overlooked.
We have the capacity to experience deep empathy and compassion for those in pain and allow others to feel seen and heard in their suffering. Because we feel so much ourselves, we are able to feel for others, and are able to offer them the most beautiful gift of all… our loving presence.

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Jun 012017
 

6/1/2017

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Who doesn’t love fancy camping hacks? These are my top 3 favorite Ayurvedic tricks that you can use on your next weekend getaway!

1. Make your own mosquito repellent that actually smells good!
Directions: Just add the following ingredients to a small jar, cover with a lid and shake well.

  • 2 tablespoons of sweet almond oil
  • 1 tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel
  • 10  drops of rosemary essential oil
  • 10 drops of lavender oil
  • 10 drops of lemon balm oil (citronella)

Application: Just dab it onto your skin and watch those mosquito’s run (or fly) for the hills!

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2. Quick and Easy 10 minute Coconut Chai (serves 4)

Ingredients: cinnamon powder, cardamom powder, fine ground black pepper, fresh ginger, black tea bags, optional: maple syrup or natural sweetener of choice

  • Before you leave for your trip, mix equal parts cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper in a small jar.
  • Add 2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of the pre-made spice blend, and 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger to a medium size pot. Boil for 3 minutes.
  • Add 4 tea bags and boil for 2-3 minutes.
  • Remove tea bags with a spoon and add 1 can of coconut milk. Heat until it starts to boil stirring occasionally.
  • Sweeten to taste and ENJOY!
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3. Skip the S’mores and Try making these delectable Stuffed Dates instead!

Coconut Cardamom Stuffed Dates

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Ingredients:

  • Medjool Dates (10)
  • Coconut Butter (sometimes it’s called “coconut manna” NOT coconut OIL… You can find it at your natural foods store) (1/2 cup)
  • Unsweetened shredded coconut (1 cup)
  • Ghee (1 tablespoon)
  • Lime (1)
  • Cardamom Powder (1 teaspoon)
  • Cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon)
  • Himalayan Pink Salt (a pinch)  

Directions:

  • On low heat- Warm up 1/2 cup of coconut butter with1 tablespoon of ghee. Only warm until soft. Just needs to warm up enough to melt… then let it cool to room temp in a separate bowl
  • Squeeze the lime juice into a separate bowl and strain pulp/seeds if there are any.
  •  Add the cardamom, cinnamon, salt, and lime
  • Dry toast about a half cup of unsweetened coconut shreds on medium heat until golden brown (this happens fast, so keep a close eye!) Then remove from heat and put in a separate bowl so they don’t continue to cook.
  • Open dates and remove pits- split in half with your fingers and make little boats.
  • Slowly add the coconut shreds to the coconut butter mixture until you have reached desired firm “stuffable” consistency.
  • Stuff the mixture into the date boats and sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon if desired.

Please like and share if you enjoyed this post!
All the best,
Britt

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Feb 272017
 

On February 26th, the new Moon takes place in Aquarius at 07:59 am MST with the annual solar eclipse and four planets transiting the medicine star, Satabisha. Amavasya is the empty Moon or new Moon, ripe with potential, fertility and possibility. It is always connected to Pitr, the god of the ancestors, particularly the father’s lineage.

Months of provocative themes have been emerging around the masculine, father, patriarchy and misogyny. Months of confrontation with power, strength, empowerment and the inner authority have emerged in brutal, challenging ways.

Inner conflicts have intensified with the masculine and feminine. These themes have shown up in relationship dynamics, losses, pains and struggles, and with inner and outer needs.

A new balance is arriving, but not without painful restructuring.

As the annual Solar eclipse coincides with this Amavasya, new Moon, a breaking free, a certain release, is awakened with the masculine. Sun is the expression of all things masculine, father and authority. With the conjunction of Sun and Ketu at this time, a powerful restructuring is taking place with the tail of the serpent.

Don’t resist the changes occurring within you and around you. Don’t deny the transformations taking place within you and within your relationships. There’s no turning back.

What are you letting go of within your personal mythology? With the masculine, father, men and relationships? What stories with the inner authority are finding their release right now?

Satabisha is considered the ‘star of a hundred medicines’ and is ruled by both Rahu and Varuna who has thousands of eyes. His many eyes see everything, often intensifying the critic and its gaze. This can be helpful for the healing process, as nothing is missed. However the scrutiny is particularly painful.

Use this time to notice your inner critic and its messages. What stories are emerging that keep you in lack, pain and struggle? What battles are you fighting with not feeling ‘enough’? How is this story of lack, scarcity and feeling unworthy of love keeping you malnourished and disempowered?

Lean in and listen, then lean in again. There are important pieces of wisdom arriving right now. Once the eclipse portal closes, the shadow of deep awareness will dissipate, leaving you in the dark once again.

It may feel painful to look more closely at your challenges, but without truly honoring your hardships and inner darkness, you will not be able to awaken the light and transform your suffering. Use this time wisely.

The annual solar eclipse begins at 05:10 am MST, peaks at 07:58 am MST and completes at 10:35 am MST.

This solar eclipse marks the close of the eclipse portal, a cycle that has forced a certain confrontation of inner shadows. As the portal closes, a very old chapter also finds closure, release and ending.

The eclipse will not be visible from North America, but South/West Africa, much of South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Antarctica will receive the shadow. Nonetheless in the Vedic tradition, it is never advised to be outside during the eclipse. It is considered a time to meditate, fast, clarify, purify and purge the shadow.

Use your Sunday morning for spiritual practices that move you closer to silence, inner listening and your wisdom within. Clarify intentions for the coming cycle as we near the fertility of Holi and Navaratri.

What seeds are you planting? What do you wish to take root in the coming months? Attend to your garden now and pull out the weeds.

Discover how to awaken your path, purpose and inner knowing + resources for using your jyotish chart as a powerful resource for dharmic awakening.

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Feb 132017
 

Have you ever used a face cream which just soaks in within minutes, without leaving a film of greasiness? Did you get a deep hydrating feeling that stayed with you all day?

Let me introduce you to a traditional Ayurvedic remedy called shata-dhauta-ghrita or ‘100 times washed ghee’.

Washed ghee is made by placing ghee into a copper vessel and then mixing it with purified water. It is then washed ten times, with the water poured away after each cycle of ten washes; and it is literally washed one hundred times.

The result is an odorless cream of whipped cream consistency that penetrates all seven layers of the skin. It is an excellent anti-aging treatment that smooths wrinkles, fades sun spots, heals burns, and soothes the inflammation of rosacea, eczema and acne.

Of course, after studying it in Ayurveda school, I had to try it and the result was amazing. What I made was a beautiful, silky, odorless and oh so creamy wonderfulness that went into my skin without any oily residue. It left me with a deeply moisturized, silky feeling that stayed with me until I washed my face again.

I really wondered how this worked from a scientific basis, and found a couple of studies that looked at Shata-dhauta-ghrita.

Here is how it works. Washed ghee starts as a lipid (fatty) emulsion and with each introduction of rinsing water, as the pressure from mixing gets applied to the fat particles, it splits them and makes the emulsion more aqueous (water infused).

This ‘fat splitting is the process in which, fat is hydrolyzed in the presence of water to yield free fatty acids and glycerols’ (1). Copper acts like a catalyst to promote fat splitting, (which is why a copper pot is used) and also increases the copper content in the emulsion, and copper is known to have anti-inflammatory effect on skin (2).

A study done by the British Journal of Nutrition  (3) suggests that 100 times washed ghee should become a base for pharmaceutical topical preparations. They promote the use of washed ghee instead of using inert ingredients like beeswax, stearic acid or paraffin that don’t have any therapeutic value. Also washed ghee possesses a number of healing factors in itself. Due to its small particle size, washed ghee may be able to deliver pharmaceutical ingredients deeper into the skin tissue.

Ghee is high in butyric acid which is a short chain fatty acid that is linked to an immune response that decreases inflammation. It’s the same stuff that’s added in steroid creams, you know – those that knock out acute inflammation (but have a lot of adverse effects). Well, this is butyric acid made by nature. It also explains why Ayurveda recommends it for inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, rosacea and acne.  

Ghee is packed with Omega 3 and Omega 9 essential fatty acids. It is also high in Vitamins A, D, E and K,  all good for you and your skin. It is also contains high levels of  CLA or Conjugated Linoleic Acid, when made with milk from grass fed cows. This in turn makes your skin more resilient to external factors such as stress, sun and pollutants, especially as you age (3). Ghee is also high in antioxidants and numerous other minerals which are good for your skin.

This cream is absolutely amazing, and has become part of my regular skincare routine. After a good exfoliation mask, my skin feels terrific – like I just had a facial.

Bowl & Spoon – You will need a large clean copper bowl. Why a copper bowl? Copper acts like an accelerator to promote fat splitting, and also increases the copper content in the ghee. Copper is known to have anti-inflammatory effects – which means it’s great for psoriasis, eczema, rosacea and acne. You will need a clean spoon as well.

Ghee – I used ghee that I made but you can also use store bought organic cow ghee. Most supermarkets are now carrying it.

Water – I used filtered ice cold water.

Towels – The process can be pretty messy so it is a good idea to have several large towels. I wore my old clothes as this can get messy.

Container – I transferred my washed ghee to pretty glass jars.  Just make sure they are airtight so that nothing can contaminate your luxurious cream!

Pour the ghee in your bowl and add an equal amount of water. Use your hand (after washing really well) and swirl the ghee in the water 10 times. This is where a lot of splashing happens. Stir the ghee and water clockwise and then counterclockwise, then throw out the water. I  make a note on a piece of paper where I am – after about 50 times, its easy to lose count!

Strain The Ghee

Once you have drained out the ghee, add more water to it and keep washing it. I generally wash at least 10 times with the same water. Then rinse and repeat and drain. It’s a several hour process to wash the ghee a hundred times.

After the last drain, transfer your washed ghee into your pretty containers. Ensure that it is airtight. I prefer to store the cream overnight in the fridge. That firmly sets it and dries off any water still in the ghee. The ghee lasts for about three months easily even in the hot humid summer. If you can store it in the refrigerator, it will have an additional cooling and soothing effect on the skin.

Sources

Seshpande.D. (2009). Shata-dhauta-ghrita A Case Study. Journal of      Traditional Indian Knowledge. Found online at: http://nopr.   niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/5074/1/IJTK%208(3)%20387-391.pdf

Beveridge, A.(2010).  Copper and Zinc in Inflammatory and Degenerative Diseases. University of Newcastle, Australia. Found online at: http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-94-011-3963-2_9#page-

Daichi Oikawa et al. (2005).  British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 94, Issue 2.  Modification of skin composition by conjugated linoleic acid alone or with combination of other fatty acids in mice.

(c) Can Stock Photo / vm2002

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Feb 122017
 

Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that women who had B12 deficiency in their diets were 21% more likely to have a preterm birth.

Their 11 country study examined 11,216 pregnancies and births. Their data showed that low levels of vitamin B12 were linked to increased risks of having preterm births. Researchers noted that birth weight was unaffected. According to World Health Organization, preterm birth complications are the leading cause of death among children under age 5.1

Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin for red blood cell production, brain and nervous system functions, cellular metabolic energy, as well as regulates and synthesizes DNA. A vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to anemia, damage to the nervous system, lead to menstrual dysfunction, weight loss, mouth sores, and diarrhea.

The researchers stressed that women in countries with high animal product consumption (like Norway and many Western countries) had fewer B12 deficiencies.

According to the lead author, Dr. Tormod Rogne, of Akershus University Hospital, “Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient found only in products of animal origin such as meat, milk and eggs… Pregnant women who consume too few animal-derived foods increase their risk of developing a vitamin B12 deficiency.”

Vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, as well as socioeconomic factors can also play a role in vitamin B12 deficiencies.

“Low blood concentrations of vitamin B12 may be related to other factors, such as malnutrition and poverty, which can also affect birth weight and length of pregnancy,” Rogne said.2

Vegetarians can increase their B12 by eating dairy products like milk and yoghurt or eating grains and other products, like nutritional yeast, that are fortified with B12. A 2014 study identified a likely bacterial source of B12 production in the ocean. Thaumarchaeota, from domain Archea, may be responsible for the world’s B12 production, as the bacteria is one of the most abundant organisms around. Professors Andrew Doxey and Josh Neufield, of University of Waterloo think that the marine presence of B12 controls the biological productivity of phytoplankton as well.3

1 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs363/en/
2 Rogne, T., Tielemans, M. J., Chong, M. F., Yajnik, C. S., Krishnaveni, G. V., Poston, L., . . . Risnes, K. R. (2017). Associations of Maternal Vitamin B12 Concentration in Pregnancy With the Risks of Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Individual Participant Data. American Journal of Epidemiology. doi:10.1093/aje/kww212
3 “New bacterial source of vitamin B12 identified”, Nathan Gray+, 16-Sep 2014 http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/New-bacterial-source-of-vitamin-B12-identified

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Feb 112017
 

The statistics are frightening. Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States. Every 20 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack. One in four Americans has some form of heart disease. Every 34 seconds someone in the United States dies of heart disease. Heart disease takes more lives than the next seven leading causes of death combined.

Yet, both modern medicine and Ayurveda agree, there are things you can do every day to keep your heart healthy. Here we offer some suggestions to get you started. Pick one or two and start with those if you like, then add a couple more every few weeks until you are naturally living a heart-healthy lifestyle. Bonus: not just your heart, but your entire physiology will thank you.

According to Ayurveda, a holistic approach to heart health requires you to nourish the emotional heart as well as the physical heart. The heart is not just a pump — it’s the fountainhead of all emotions, whether it’s joy and exhilaration or sadness and frustration. Mental and emotional stress can disrupt the emotional heart. Practicing the Transcendental Meditation® technique twice daily has been shown in research studies to help in lowering blood pressure, reversing arterial blockage and enhancing resistance to all types of stress.

Maharishi Ayurveda herbal supplements Worry Free and Blissful Joy nourish the mind and emotions and contain herbs like Ashwagandha and Arjuna, renowned for their positive influence on the mind and emotional heart.

While warding off excess stress is essential to prevent the emotional heart from wasting away, actively seeking mental and emotional well-being can help the emotional heart flourish. Ayurveda talks about ojas, the substance that maintains life.

The finest by-product of digestion and the master coordinator of all activities of mind and body, ojas leads to bliss, contentment, vitality and longevity. Inner strength and poise and the cultivation of positive attitudes and emotions increase ojas. Spend time every day on those activities that give you this contentment and happiness. Listen to soothing or uplifting music, enjoy serene natural beauty, practice uplifting aromatherapy and sip relaxing herbal teas. Maintain a positive attitude and walk away from situations that distress or anger you.

Arguably the most critical step you can take towards heart health is to eat a heart-friendly diet. For a society used to fast food and eating on-the-go, this is also arguably the most difficult step to take and maintain. But there are small things you can do to make your diet more heart-healthy. Eat more servings of fresh fruits and vegetables; start your day with stewed apples or pears; include soaked blanched almonds in your diet; dress your veggies with fresh lime juice; and eat heart-friendly spices such as fresh-ground black pepper and the antioxidant power-spice turmeric.

Choose fresh foods over processed foods or leftovers; light foods over rich, deep-fried ones; and warm, cooked foods over cold, heavy foods. A balanced antioxidant Rasayana such as Amrit from Maharishi Ayurveda is excellent nutritional support, and published research confirms that Amrit helps reduce LDL cholesterol, which has been implicated in plaque build-up.

How you eat is as important for heart health (and overall health) as what you eat. Eat moderately. The ideal Ayurvedic “portion” is what fits in your two cupped palms. Don’t skip meals, because eating three meals at regular times each day “trains” your digestion to anticipate and digest your food.

Stimulate a sluggish digestion with ginger, salt and lime. Have lassi, made by blending one part fresh yogurt with three parts cool water, with lunch. Spike it with roasted ground cumin and fresh cilantro for flavor. Don’t tax your digestion by eating late at night or eating a heavy meal at dinner.

Arterial plaque is ama — toxic matter that builds up in your blood vessels because your physiology cannot get rid of it efficiently. Ayurveda recommends a program of internal cleansing with every change of season to help your body flush out ama.

The Elim-Tox or Elim-Tox-O herbal supplements are formulated to cleanse the fat tissue (medha) of ama. Other things you can do to clear out ama: drink lots of warm water through the day; go to bed by 10 p.m. to help the body cleanse itself during the natural purification time; eat a lighter diet high in fiber and antioxidants from fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts; and avoid drugs, alcohol and smoking.

You don’t have to do a strenuous workout five times a week. The key is regularity. If you follow the Ayurvedic principle of balaardh — exercising to half your capacity — you can exercise every single day without straining your muscles. Walking is excellent exercise for everyone and excellent therapy as well. The early morning is ideal for taking a 30-minute walk. It will not only help your heart; it will prepare you for the day by charging up your circulation and your metabolism.

Research studies have linked sleep deprivation to blood pressure problems, depression and other factors that increase the risk of heart disease. Ayurveda considers sleep just as important as diet in maintaining health. Practice good bedtime habits — favor restful, calming activities as bedtime draws near to help disconnect the mind from the senses. Keep your bedroom clear of distractions — television, computers, other work-related material. Maintain a temperature that’s comfortable. Wear comfortable, organic cotton pajamas. Stay away from stimulants in the evening. Go to bed by 10 p.m. — early to bed and early to rise still work to keep you healthy and energetic through the day.

From the Ayurvedic perspective, the heart is the seat of prana (life energy), which is maintained by a delicate balance of agni (the solar energy element) and soma (the lunar energy element). Excess mental and emotional stress wastes away soma in the heart. The heart, as we said earlier, is also the seat of ojas, the substance within us that maintains life and promotes bliss and longevity. To protect and nourish the physical heart and the emotional heart, it is essential to promote both soma and ojas. Heart health is governed also by three sub-doshas: Sadhaka Pitta (emotional balance), Avalambaka Kapha (stability and strength) and Vyana Vata (blood flow and beat), which, though present everywhere in the body, has its seat in the heart.

Cardio Support nutritional supplement from Maharishi Ayurveda is formulated to balance all these ayurvedic factors. The combination of Corallium rubrum (Coral), Indian Tinospora and Sacred Lotus promotes soma. Shilajit (Mineral pitch), Zinc, Mica and Licorice promote ojas. Arjuna, Cabbage Rose, Licorice, Mica, Indian Tinospora, and Corallium rubrum (Coral) pacify Sadhaka Pitta. Avalambaka Kapha is supported by Shilajit (Mineral pitch), Guggul, Zinc, Ostrea edulis (Oyster), Turbinella rapa (Conch), Cypraea moneta (Cowrie) and Hemidesmus indicus. Vyana Vata is balanced by Guggul, Boerhavia, Mica and Licorice. In particular, there are two star health herbs in this formulation — Arjuna, renowned in ayurveda for its ability to pacify Sadhaka Pitta and to nourish both the physical and the emotional heart; and Guggul, which has been shown in research to help lower cholesterol.

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Feb 092017
 
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What do you do when you start to feel that scratchy throat and stuffy nose? Everyone has their own cold prevention remedies and recipes, but in my humble opinion, green mung bean soup is the winner!

First thing first, it’s incredibly delicious! It may look a little funny if you aren’t used to it…but it tastes amazing. The caramelized onions and garlic and cumin seeds give it a rustic and comforting and appetizing aroma and the mung beans have a very pleasant creamy texture.

Not only does it taste like heaven, each ingredient is incredibly healing. When I was healing from Ulcerative Colitis, green mung bean soup was one of my staples because each ingredient is so medicinal. Now I just cook it when I want something that I know will digest well, or if I would like to do a little cleansing.  If I feel like I am getting sick, I just make a pot of green mung soup and eat it throughout the day. Works like a charm!

The key is that it’s warming and nourishing, but not too heating and also light and easy to digest which makes it ideal for people who have compromised immunity. The green mung beans are high in protein, but they are very light and also have a mild scraping action to help pull out impurities from the body. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory and helps to purify the blood. Cumin seeds, mustard seeds, garlic and onion all help to stoke your digestive fire.

The best part about this soup is that you can keep all of the ingredients on hand at all times so you don’t have to make a special trip to the store if you feel like you are getting sick. You even add any vegetables that are in your fridge and make it even more delicious. I like adding greens and carrots to mine, but you can add any kind of vegetable that suits your fancy!

Ingredients:
1 cup whole green mung beans (must soak at least 5 hours)
3 1/2 cups water
1 Tbsp Ghee11/2 tsp ginger – chopped
1/2 tsp garlic – chopped 
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp mustard seeds 
1/2 tsp Turmeric          
1 small pinch of hing (asafoetida- available for purchase at the Indian Store)                                              1 tsp Himalayan Pink Rock Salt or to taste (available at Trader Joes or Whole Foods)

Directions:
1. Soak the mung beans overnight in water. 
2. Finely chop ginger and garlic. 
3. Drain the mung beans, rinse them and put them in pot with 3 1/2 cups of water.
4. Add salt and turmeric and bring to a boil.
5. Cook Mung beans fully stirring occasionally. (they are not fully cooked until they are breaking apart. Will take approx. 45 min unless you use a pressure cooker in which case it will only take about 20 minutes)
6. Heat ghee in a separate pan. Add hing, mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Wait until you hear the cumin seeds pop. Then add garlic and ginger and let simmer for a few minutes until garlic becomes golden brown.
7. Add ghee mixture to cooked mung beans and stir.
8. You can add greens like kale or spinach to this for some added texture. If you want to add other harder veggies like carrots or potatoes, add them after the mung beans have been cooking for 10 minutes, always add greens at the very end.
9. Enjoy 🙂

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Feb 092017
 

Infertility is usually defined as the inability to conceive despite regular sexual intercourse for more than 12 months. This article will address primarily female infertility or “female-factor” infertility.

In the conventional Western medical paradigm, a woman’s advanced age, hormonal abnormalities, tubal-, uterine-, or endometrial-related conditions are common causes of female infertility. In men, infertility is seen to occur due to poor sperm quantity and/or quality and spermatogenesis as well as erectile dysfunction.

In both sexes, psychosomatic aspects and stress levels are important but rarely addressed. Ayurveda would add another unique aspect as well which impacts fertility–karmic effects. Frequently we see infertile couples in whom standard investigations including hormonal levels, semen analysis, ovulation testing, and tubal patency are normal. This accounts for 25-30% of all couples seeking help.

The complete evaluation for female infertility includes patient history, gynecological examination, record of basal temperature, vaginal and cervical cultures, ultrasound studies, hormonal analysis [i.e. follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)], hysterosalpingogram with dye to visualize the fallopian tubes, and semen analysis of the partner.

Depending on the presumed cause(s) of female infertility conventional drug treatment can include any of the following:

  • Gonadotropins in the case of hypogonadotropic ovarian failure
  • Selective Estrogen Receptor Modifiers (SERMs) like clomiphene
  • Prolactin inhibitors in the case of hyperprolactinemia
  • Metformin in the case Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
  • Progestogens, surgical measures to lyse adhesions in case of endometriosis
  • Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) in case of hypothalamic ovarian failure

However, the most common treatment offered for most women is in vitro fertilization (IVF) with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

In Vitro Fertilization is a very recent and still evolving treatment. The first pregnancy using it was in 1973, however it ended after a short time in a miscarriage. Back then it was making a great deal of news and controversy and the phrase “test-tube baby” was in the headlines. A second pregnancy was recorded in 1976, however, the embryo was embedded in the fallopian tubes and had to be surgically removed. In 1977, a study with 68 women was conducted, resulting in only two pregnancies: one woman having a deformed, still-born child, and another woman requiring an abortion. Altogether, up to the birth of the first successful IVF child, only about 200 embryos transfers were attempted.

In 1978, the first child was born using IVF in England (Louise Brown, age 38 today). In the U.S. it happened in 1981. I recall at that time the news was met with both amazement by some and revulsion by others.

Today the procedure has changed greatly from those early days, but it’s certainly not a simple or natural process. First, a medication is given to suppress the woman’s LH surge and her ovulation until the developing eggs are ready. This drug is commonly a GnRH-agonist (gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist) such as Lupron. Next an FSH analog (follicle stimulating hormone) is given to stimulate (hyperstimulate, in my opinion) development of multiple eggs (Gonal-F and Follistim are the most common).

Finally HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in a usual dose of 10,000 mIU/mL is given to cause final maturation and ovulation of the eggs. The eggs (oocytes) are collected and assessed for their health and degree of maturity. Following preparation of the ejaculate, insemination takes place by mixing the eggs and sperms. A maximum of 3 embryos are transferred to the uterus. The embryo, at this point, is in the four- to eight-cell stage.

In addition to IVF, ICSI has also been introduced in cases of more complex male subfertility (insufficient sperm count or motility). In this procedure a single spermatozoon is injected directly into the cytoplasm of the oocyte using a micropipette.
After 48-72 hours the embryo is transferred into the uterus. After transferring the embryo, implantation is no longer controllable, and everyone waits and hopes. The ensuing 2-week luteal phase is supported with medication (commonly progesterone injections every day!). Using IVF with intra-cytoplasmatic sperm injection and subsequent embryo transfer, most Reproductive Medicine centers around the world claim their rate of successful pregnancy is around 60%; the “baby take home” rate depends on the age of the mother ranging from about 40% for women under 35 to about 10% if over 40.

The physiology of the reproductive system as a whole is governed by sadhaka pitta, prana vata, and apana vata, yet the reproductive organs themselves are endowed with the qualities of kapha. Kapha is the growth-promoting (anabolic), structure-forming dosha that generates and sustains creation. Together with ojas (life force) and rasa dhatu (plasma tissue), kapha dosha organizes the nourishment required to build and re-build the endometrial lining during a lifetime of artava (menstruation) and has an unctuous quality that lubricates the uterus and its ‘sister’ organs (e.g. ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, vaginal canal). Kapha also confers stability and strength to the reproductive tissues helping maintain ovarian structure and uterine shape, tone and ability to contract.

A woman whose artava is exhausted, is called vandhyatva (vandhya-barren, childless). This disease entity—vandhyatva—is the condition closest to infertility in the Ᾱyurvedic classification of diseases. Detailed diagnostic and therapeutic strategies were already described as early as 200 AD in the authoritative Ᾱyurvedic text Caraka Samhita (chapter Cikitsa-sthana, Yonivyapat).

In the centuries that followed, specialized texts on gynecology evolved, including the Kashyapa-Samhita which contains detailed descriptions of various diseases and dedicates a complete chapter to female infertility. As we shall see below, both samshamana (gentle) and samshodhana (strong) therapies are advised for the treatment of infertility in Ᾱyurveda.

The main Ᾱyurvedic treatment goals are (1) the purification and (2) the functional optimization of reproductive tissues (artava- and shukra-dhatu) of both sexes. According to Ᾱyurveda, reproductive health is primarily determined by the health of tissue metabolism and tissue nutrition, both being ultimate requirements for conception. The presence of any accumulated tissue toxins will hamper treatment.

Therefore, general panchakarma purification measures must almost always be the initial step in the treatment sequence. Depending on the Prakriti (unique constitution) of the individual these purification measures may include emesis, purgation, medicated enema, blood purification, and several other specific procedures pertinent to reproductive health. One such example is uttara-basti, intrauterine douche with medicated oils or decoctions. A description of the complete range of these specialized treatment options is beyond the scope of this article.

As Ᾱyurveda is a holistic science, it is important to always consider the patient’s overall health condition, including her mental health and living environment. Importantly, the unique feature of the Ᾱyurvedic approach to fertility is that it emphasizes improving the overall health of both the prospective parents. Fertility therefore may ensue partly due to improved overall health. This approach contrasts with the biomedical approach, which does not directly consider overall health and narrowly focuses on the reproductive tissues.

After thorough patient history taking (prashna) including modern and Ᾱyurvedic parameters, the eightfold and tenfold diagnostic processes (ashtasthana– and dasha vidha-pariksha) are performed according to traditional diagnostic principles of Ᾱyurveda (see below). Patients are understood by Ᾱyurvedic diagnosis as having a particular sub-type of vandhyatva based on their doshic constitution (prakriti).

The most obvious and relevant pathological findings in all cases of infertility from the Ᾱyurvedic perspective are: (1) an overall imbalance of all of the 3 doshas (sannipata-prakopa of vata-, pitta- and kapha-dosha), but usually with dominating kinetic and metabolic principles (vata and pitta) and (2) an irregular functioning of the digestive principle (agni) at both the organ and cellular levels, (3) srotodushti, obstruction or blockage of the channels for both gross and subtle nutrients and energies.

According to the Ᾱyurvedic explanatory model for etiopathogenesis/disease staging (samprapti), most woman, by the time they are aware of any problem, are in the fifth stage of the disease sequence (manifestation or vyakti) or the sixth and latest stage (chronic disease or bheda).

Ashtasthana Pareeksha (Eightfold Examination)
Nadi – Pulse diagnosis
Mutram – Urine examination
Malam – Fecal matter examination
Jihwa – Tongue and taste assesment
Sabdam – Voice and speech of the patient; heart, lung and abdominal sounds
Sparsham – Touch, skin and tactile sense
Driksha – Eyes and vision
Akriti – General physique (i.e. lean, muscular, etc.); general complexion

Dasavidha Pareeksha (Tenfold Examination)
Dushyam- Regarding the structural and functional abnormalities of the body
Desham -Geographical situation of the place where patient lives (eg: marshy)
Balam -Physical strength
Kalam- The season and climatic conditions
Analam -The digestive system of the patient
Prakriti- The natural Tridosha constitution of the body
Vayas -Age of the patient.
Satvam- Psychological strength of the patient
Satmyam- General and personal habits of the patient e.g. tobacco use, regular exercise, yoga asana practice, napping, etc.
Aharam- Nature of food (e.g. vegetarian or non-vegetarian)

Although there are usually strategies to neutralize the negative effects of most conditions, one should be aware of the influence of all aspects of health on female fertility. Here I will mention a few of the more common ones. Chronic menstrual irregularities and associated symptoms like excessive bleeding and severe cramping represent signs of imbalanced gynecological functions (apana vata prakopa and artava dhatu-dushti); anatomical abnormalities (ovarian cysts, retroverted or T-shaped uterus, etc.) also have significance (vata-kapha prakopa). Previous Caesarian section, curettages, miscarriages, intramural pregnancy with iatrogenic abortion, and IVF procedures represent traumas to the reproductive tissues (vata, particularly apana-vata, rakta dhatu-dushti, etc.), leaving scars and leading to a ‘channel obstruction’ (sroto-rodha) of apana-vata, the subdosha regulating gynecological functions; ovarian cysts (artava-dhatu-vrddhi and vata-kapha-prakopa) interfere with implantation. The ovarian hyperstimulation with FSH drugs which is casually recommended by doctors certainly causes significant Vata aggravation (vata-prakopa).

Lyme disease, multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto thyroiditis, allergies, obesity, anorexia, irritable bowel syndrome as well as any other low-grade chronic inflammatory condition are indicators of a generally disturbed immune system (rasa-kshaya, rakta- and majja-visha and ojovyapat (loss of vitality) with vata as dominant active factor) – creating a suboptimal environment for implantation and conception in general. Any history of drug intake or environmental exposures is another inhibiting factor for natural fertilization according to Ᾱyurveda, which is why Panchakarma is so vitally important. Sleeping disorders engender mental stress weakening both physical and emotional stability. Furthermore, there can be any number of other factors which create imbalances (e.g., excessive traveling, job stress, relationships, moving to a new home, illnesses in the immediate family, etc.).

Except for acute causes such as the various traumas listed above, female infertility is almost always a result of a gradually-incremental, slowly developing disease process. The holistic Ᾱyurvedic treatment to any disease or condition, including infertility, utilizes a multimodal approach. Both samshodhana (strong; purifying) and samshamana (gentle; balancing) treatments are always used.

Ᾱyurvedic treatments are not merely a series of single and autonomous treatments, but on the contrary, are a carefully formulated highly-individualized and complex arrangement of treatments whose functioning can only be understood if viewed as an integrated whole. A defining feature of the holistic-oriented Ᾱyurvedic strategy is the therapeutic integration of the physical (e.g. purification through Panchakarma, dietary recommendations, herbal medicines, etc), psychological, and spiritual realms (e.g. mantra recitation, use of gemstones, placement of sacred objects in the home, prayer, etc). In Ayurveda, female infertility is understood as a somato-psycho-spiritual disintegration with a tendency to somatize unresolved emotional and mental conflicts; these conflicts are either wholly or partially causative or they further aggravate co-existing epigenetic, traumatic, and biochemical causes.

The selected purification methods (most commonly purgation, enemas, intrauterine enemas and nasal irrigation) are delivered to restore balance to the kinetic vata principle, according to Ᾱyurvedic theory. The far-reaching therapeutic benefits for this are difficult to explain through conventional modern pathophysiological principles. A detailed explanation of Ayurvedic theory and energetics though fascinating and compelling is beyond the scope of this article.

However, what can pragmatically be said here is that these methods optimize mucosal transport and general function, regulate and stabilize the intestinal microbiome, restore hormonal homeostasis to the interior milieu, enhance intestinal digestion, metabolism and excretion, and counteract side effects of both endogenously-produced and environmental toxins. These effects are augmented if the individual is concurrently observing an appropriate individual dietary approach, receives the appropriate herbal medicines, and also follows the other prescribed Ᾱyurvedic principles.

Here is a brief description of some of the Ᾱyurvedic approaches used and the reasoning behind them. Not every therapy is used for every woman and they are always modified according to the individual constitution.

Virechana (purgation): This procedure involves several days of internal oleation by taking either pure ghee or a specially prepared medicated ghee followed by a gentle herbal purgative. Purgation acts on aggravated and accumulated pitta and kapha doshas. It decreases the heat (ushna guna) of pitta and increases coolness (sheeta guna) required for formation of shukra dhatu (ovum and sperm). Impaired agni due to disturbed pitta is also rectified by the virechana procedure. A strong and balanced dhatvagni (tissue agni) is required for dhatnirmiti of shukradhatu (creation of reproductive tissue). Obstructing kapha dosha is removed through virechana and the blocked apana vata obstructed by kapha dosha is also relieved by virechana. Common virechana dravyas: mahatiktaghrit, trivrit (leha or churna).

Anuvasana and Niruha Bastis (medicated enemata): These are two different types of medicated enemas. The reproductive system present in katisthana (hip and loin region) which is a region chiefly regulated by of apana vata. Action of basti is predominantly on vata dosha and pakvashaya (large intestines). The uterus (garbhashaya) is made up of vayu and akasha mahabhuta. In basti, mainly tiktarasadravya (vayu + akasha mahabhutas) despite being potentially vatavardhak (vata-increasing), are useful because they act as a vehicle and catalyst to deliver medicines to vatasthana (vata regions). Sneha in basti promotes trans-membrane absorption of herbal medicinal components. Since Basti is targeted at regulating the apana vata, it facilitates the well-timed release of ovum and also normal motion of sperms.

Uttar Basti (medicated intrauterine enema): Uttar basti plays a very prominent role in treating female infertility because it has a direct local action upon the reproductive tissues. The ovaries contain receptors which receive hormones secreted by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The herbal medicines used in uttar basti stimulate and sensitize these receptors, so that proper ovulation occurs in each cycle. It also helps to increase the receptivity of the genital tract to the entry of sperms.

In addition, uttar basti relieves artava srotosanga (congested channels of menstrual flow) and corrects artava dhatvagni (reproductive metabolism). Because selected medicines are administered directly to affected areas, it can help clear tubal blockage by direct lysis of adhesions. Finally, altered cervical pH can be corrected by uttar basti. Depending on the specific issue identified, different uttar basti dravyas are used. For example: in ovulatory disorders: shatavarighrita, balaguduchyadi taila, phalaghrita; in tubal obstruction: kshar taila, bhallataka taila, til taila; in uterine fibroids or PCOD: dashmoola taila, panchatiktaguggulghrita, varunadi kwath, hapushadi ghrita.

Nasya (administration of nasal medications): All Ᾱyurvedic students learn the sloka: “nasya hi shiraso dwaram,” which means “the nostrils are the gateway to the brain.” Therefore any substance introduced intranasally (even smoke) acts directly on the brain and specifically in this context, the hypothalamus and pituitary glands.

Today we know that the olfactory nerve fibers literally enter the back of the nasal passage through the cribiform plate and conveys stimuli directly to the brain. The mucosal epithelium is sensitive to a variety of stimuli including various herbalized ghritas and tailas which are easily absorbed through mucosal epithelium. Nasya medications may help to stimulate the hypothalmal- pituitary axis to secrete FSH & LH hormones. We often use chandanbala taila, shatpushpa taila, and phalaghrita.

Adjuvant Panchakarma Treatments: The specialized physical therapy techniques, including Shirodhara (forehead-dripping therapy), Shirobasti (oil-crown), and Lepa (herbalized mud) with precisely selected medicated oils and other substances, further facilitate the stabilization of the overall constitution by balancing the impaired vata and pitta doshas.

Oral Herbal Medicines: While it is beyond the scope of this article to describe the many individualized formulas which can be used as part of the treatment for vandhyatva, it can be stated that Ᾱyurvedic herbal formulas used in these patients primarily target adaptogenic, rejuvenative, aphrodisiac, and general strengthening (ojo vardhana) as well as strengthening of the reproductive tissues; they also are designed to enhance digestion and cognition as needed and have mild anxiolytic and antidepressant properties.

That being said, some of the more common plants used include Ashwagandha (W. somnifera), Shatavari, (A. racemosus), Guduchi (T.cordifolia), Brahmi (B. monnieri), Yogaraj guggulu, Krishna Jeeraka (N. sativa), Shatapushpa (A. graveolens), Atibala (A. indicum), dashmoolarishta, maharasnadi kwath.

Lifestyle Factors: In a similar way to everything mentioned above, yoga, meditation, and mantra recitation address the physical and mental stress caused by the often numerous futile fertility attempts with conventional therapy. One other interesting practice is to have a woman simply place a stone shiva linga of any size under the foot of her bed. The connection between detoxification, stress and infertility is not yet well understood. However, in my more than three decades of Ᾱyurvedic practice, it is not uncommon to see patients finally give up IVF, undergo Panchakarma and Ᾱyurvedic protocols–and then become pregnant shortly thereafter. Once the stress, expectations, and adverse physiological effects of IVF treatment subside, the body is sometimes able to function normally again. That is why from the Ᾱyurvedic perspective, these seemingly gentle mind-body recommendations are effective; they also target the regulation of vata, in this case on the level of manas (i.e. the mind).

Despite the many successful case reports in India and other Ayurvedic clinics around the world, it remains an open scientific question whether the Ᾱyurvedic approach exerts any specific fertility-promoting effects. Besides my own U.S.-based medical practice, the effectiveness of Ᾱyurvedic interventions is based primarily on numerous case studies and rather small and mostly preliminary clinical trials conducted in India. From the perspective of modern scientific research, given the many successes documented and despite the lack of well-designed randomized controlled studies, further research is warranted. In particular, the integration of Ᾱyurvedic treatments into modern medical strategies for fertility has the potential to improve patient outcomes with little to no downside.

Image: Unsplash.com

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Jan 262017
 

Saturn brings both the blessings and the curses of life- as he gives his wisdom only through the slow ripening of time, effort, suffering, loss and age.

It takes time to learn the deepest, hardest and most important wisdom of life. This wisdom has to be worked for and requires effort to receive. Thus, Saturn pays us in enlightenment for the work, effort, steady actions, that we make over a long period of time. If we don’t adhere to his rules for wisdom, he will make us suffer the consequences.

Saturn moves slowly and methodically, taking 2.5 years to move through each sign. What Saturn offers us is the depth of our being, our humanness, whether through experiencing the human form, the physical body, or through the reactions of our actions.

Life might be easier without him, but it would truly lack depth, lessons learned, and the necessity for consistent effort which is necessary for us to grow and evolve.

Saturn is worth studying, working with, not against. Being very familiar with his ways is vital for life and living. For on the other side of suffering is great alliance with Nature and her wisdom, as well as the sacred Laws of the Universe. This is one of the gifts that Saturn grants us when we are in alignment with Source.

Saturn shifts to Sagittarius at 02:55 am MST, and into Mula nakshastra, where he will be transiting the majority of 2017. This is a powerful re-structuring transit. As the planet of grief moves through the star notorious for adharma (that which is against dharma), it is imperative to stay close to resources, support and guidance that will help you stay true to your inner wisdom, your dharma and life path.

Sagittarius correlates to the 9th house of your natal chart, which is the house of dharma. The 9th house is considered the most auspicious house of the chart, offering support and resources, more than challenges and struggles.

For everyone, understanding their natal 9th house, and how it expresses itself in the chart, will be important right now. As Saturn enlivens the themes of the 9th house during this transit, he will also by default, be activating your natal 9th house themes.

This year, Saturn spends the majority of his time in Mula nakshatra, the first constellation situated in Sagittarius. It will be easy and tempting to succumb to fear and anxiety with this transit. It will provoke challenges and discomfort that might make you lose hope, trust or certainty with your inner light, your inner truth.

This transit of Saturn in Mula can bring great awakening, but only through your diligence, willingness and consistently showing up for your inner wisdom. This process will take your resolve. You must show up for yourself and others repeatedly in order to harvest the power of this process.

What is your highest truth? What intentions are you aligning with right now? What is your heart and soul longing to bring forth into this one precious life?

Saturn will stay in Mula nakshatra until June 21st of 2017. Part of this transit includes his retrograde dance back through this chaotic gandanta (gap). Saturn will retrograde on April 5th, 2017. Saturn will then re-enter Scorpio on June 21st for another four months, before re-entering Sagittarius and Mula nakshatra on October 26th, for the remainder of his 2.5 year transit through this fire sign.

This ongoing lengthy transit will be the most provocative and transformational since Saturn is the slowest moving planet and the grief giver. He impacts the physical body directly and brings ongoing duress because he is so heavy, old and slow. As the planet of grief, this is also an important time to pull out the roots of grief that have been living in your bodies unconsciously.

Attending to your grief process and healing old wounds will be especially important in 2017.

With great diligence however, this can also be a time of strengthening your determination, focus and alignment with dharma. Do not lose hope. Stay connected and aligned with your dreams, desires, goals and passions. These are important resources to help you honor your dharmic path.

As painful as this process of letting go and uprooting will be in the coming months, it’s also an opportunity for great change and transformation. Release and letting go allows new space and possibility to arrive on all levels of your being. How you work with your pain, grief and challenges will determine your outcome.

Remember that there’s always a resource hidden in the challenges. The trick is to find them! It will be important to get extra support, resources and guidance in the months to come to help you transform challenges into possibility.

Do not lose sight of your visions and dreams, goals and aspirations. Stay close to your body and breath and deepen your inner roots.

*Horoscopes are based on your sidereal or Jyotish rising sign, not your Western or Tropical sign. You may also use for your sidereal Moon or Sun sign for extra insight. For these particular horoscopes, understanding where Saturn sits in your natal chart is key. This will determine your relationship with him and how he gives his effects.

As Saturn steps into your 9th house of dharma for the majority of 2017, it’s time to truly enliven your purpose for being alive. This is a very important year for you. Changes, transformations and shifts in how you share your wisdom and gifts with the world are invoked.

This is a vital year of transformation for you as Saturn dips into your unconscious territory, the 8th house. Think of it as a major internal house clearing. You will be forced to look at parts of yourself that you’ve had under lock and key for years.

For the majority of the year, Saturn will be moving through your 7th house. There is a radical release and restructuring process taking place within you and your relationships. It’s time to let go of the people you’ve been hanging on to for no good reason.

Saturn transits your 6th house as it moves into Sagittarius for the majority of 2017. This is a house of conflict, strength and determination as well as a place of overcoming enemies. The enemies you face are parts of yourself that must be honored and healed.

The 5th house is enlivened as Saturn moves to your place of power and passion. It is also the house of children, romance and past life credits. Saturn’s passage through the solar plexus of your chart, increases challenges, hardship and grief with these parts of your life.

The fourth house of heart and home, mother and land, will be the focus of much transformation as Saturn transits through your chest for the majority of 2017. Grief must be digested and released. Attend to your breath, chest and lungs, as well as your emotional body.

This transit of Saturn impacts your third house of courage and creativity, as well as self expression and artistry. Step into your artistic endeavors more fully and use the hands! Write, draw, paint and dance. Find new ways to share yourself with the world.

As Saturn moves out of your head and into your mouth, nourishment becomes the primary theme for you this year. This also marks the tail end of Saturn’s return and major restructuring (only 2.5 years to go!) Work with mouth and speech for greater healing.

This is a time of radical transformation as Saturn moves into your 1st house of self and head. The heaviness of Saturn moving through your head, can bring depression and sadness to the surface. Stay out of the chaos as much as possible and stay grounded.

Your ruling planet, Saturn, moves into your 12th house for the majority of 2017, invoking deep introspection and a need for alone time and retreat. It’s an ending, preparing you for a new Saturn cycle, with new structure and physical body awareness.

Your ruling planet, Saturn, moves to your 11th house of gains for the majority of the year. This is a house of pluses and minuses, requiring you to let go and release, in order for more receptivity. Become more aware of your needs- especially with relationships.

Your career will require consistent effort and action steps in order to receive the rewards of Saturn in your 10th house. There is much power activating in your offering for the world, but you must be diligent and stay true to course. Get plenty of rest and stay on a good routine.

For a limited time, I’m sharing extra resources, support and guidance for your dharmic path. Please follow along with my Dharma Awakening Series. Join My Newsletter

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Nov 032016
 
I am here to spark an honest check in with yourself.How are you sleeping?

Cultivating solid and satisfying sleep is something we are all craving. We all try to get more. We all want more. And we all have had those days in the middle of the week we wish we could stay in bed for just a few more hours, if not all day. As we transition into fall, the nights are getting darker, the air is getting cooler, and it is a natural time for us to all hunker down and get cozy. Yet, we still struggle with sleep.

Sleep is when all the good stuff happens in our bodies. Sleep is the time for the body and mind reset, detoxify, and rejuvenate. Sleep allows for our memory and creativity to grow and restore.

After, we are bombarded with a full day getting input from all directions, going to work, caring for our families, running errands, feeding ourselves, trying to get in a working out, checking our Instagram account, refreshing our Facebook feeds, watching the most recent presidential uproar video, trying to keep up with what is happening around the world, staying connected and on the ground to the efforts of so many people doing good in this world in a time of so much inhumanity…we can be left feeling burnt, exhausted, depleted, raw, done.

So where is the respite? We always have sleep to reboot us and refresh us. But what happens when it is not? What happens we stay awake staring at the ceiling for hours, wake up at 3am and can’t go back to sleep, get woken up by sirens just after dozing off, or simply stay up on the computer or phone to get “caught up” and our racing mind keeps going long after the lights are out?

I am here to offer you some inspiration and reminders on nightly self-care. Perhaps some you know, perhaps some you forgot, and perhaps one will inspire you.

Before going to bed tonight, try one of these, two or even all four...

Warm Water
Let a warm shower or hot bath calm your nervous system, release tension in your body, and quiet the mind.

Golden Spiced Milk
Over a flame steam ½ cup whole milk (can start by replacing with nut milk if you are not a drinking dairy), ¼  cup water, and a pinch of turmeric, couple saffron threads,  fennel, cardamom, black pepper, and NUTMEG (induces sleep), with a bit of raw sugar or maple syrup to taste. A little night cap, if you will.

Massage Feet and Scalp
Warm the massage oil to a comfortable temperature either on an electric cup heater, or over a candle flame. Take a spoonful of oil, and rub it into the soles of your feed, and then cover with socks. Pour a tablespoon of oil onto the crown of your head and lightly massage the oil in a circular motion. Put a cap on your head, or a towel on your pillow to protect your linens. Perhaps offer this sweet treatment to your partner, child or family member.

Screen-less hour before bed
Just put them away. It feels awesome. If you must hold your phone, for fear of detachment, try downloading a calming meditation app and practice a 10-minute guided breathing meditation on HeadSpace, which offers a 10-day complimentary trial.

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Molly Russell: Molly has joyfully practiced Ayurveda for past 6 years and offers individual counseling, group classes and cooking workshops around the Bay Area. She graduated from a 3-year intensive Ayurveda Health Counseling program from Vedika Gurukula in Emeryville. After changing her diet and lifestyle, and seeing the effects of cooking with foods that were balancing to her body and mind in changing seasons, she is inspired to share this awesome toolkit of Ayurveda with her community.

Want to learn more? Stay connected for more information about personal consultations with Molly.

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May 192016
 
Do you ever feel dull, heavy or lethargic after you eat?
This may happen because you are eating foods that are too heavy for you to digest or perhaps you are eating too much food at one sitting. There are many reasons this could be happening, however, there is one cause for this post-digestion heavy feeling that is often overlooked. It is not connected to the food that is on our plate, but rather what is in our drinking glass. The first thing they give you when you sit down at a meal in most restaurants in the US is a large glass of ice water. By the time our food comes we have already consumed one or two glasses of cold water. According to Ayurveda the 5,000 year old holistic system of medicine, when we drink cold water we weaken our digestion by dousing out our digestive fire (agni). Imagine that you are sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows and someone comes by and dumps a bunch of wet logs over the flame. The fire would get smothered and become very weak or disappear. The same thing happens to our internal digestive fire when we drink a lot of cold water.

I used to think I needed to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day. I would carry around an enormous bottle of cold water with me and chug it throughout the day. Of course, I was just trying to do what I thought was best for my body. I thought I was flushing out the toxins in my body with every glass. I had no concept of Ayurveda at this time in my life, however, now I can see why the digestive disease I had suffered from for so many years was just being aggravated by my excessive water intake. I was literally drowning in all of the water I was drinking. Now I understand that in order to destroy ama (toxicity), one must kindle the agni (digestive fire). Toxicity cannot be "flushed out", it needs to burn.

It can help to think about it like water flowing through a metal pipe. Cold water will cause the pipes to contract, and hot water will cause the pipes to expand. If we want to keep all of the channels (srotas) in our body open and flowing, it is important to not constrict them by drinking ice cold water.

I never imagined that changing the way I drink my water could have such an impact on my physical health, but over time I have witnessed the effects first-hand. Try sipping a small amount of warm or room temperature water during your meal instead of drinking excessively before or after. According to Ayurveda, it is best to sip water throughout the day as you are thirsty as opposed to drinking a lot at one time. Its helpful to carry around a thermos with you, so you can enjoy hot water throughout the day. I also ask for room temperature water or order hot water with a lemon when I go out to eat. Be your own judge, try changing the way you drink water for a week and see how it makes you feel. You may be surprised at how amazing you feel after making this simple change.

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