Smoothies that Detoxify and Cool!

Memorial Day is the harbinger of summer.  Warm days and a more relaxing state of mind is promised for the next three months.

According to Ayurveda we can build imbalances (blockages in our energetic network) if we are not careful to keep our mind-body cool in the summertime.

The human being is an aspect of the natural world and as such is influenced by the change of seasons, the flora and fauna and changing temperatures.  We possess homeostatic mechanisms helping our physiology to remain in balance in the face of environmental changes and challenges.  At the same time, our physiology can always use a nudge toward balance.

Smoothies are great for keeping us cool in the summertime.  In addition, they work well as a liver cleanse.  Why not enjoy a smoothie and accomplish two tasks at the same time?

Your liver can be compared to the engine of a car.  It is what keeps you going and it doesn’t continue to work efficiently unless it is cleaned from time to time.  Food that is easy to assimilate, gives energy and detoxifies is perfect for a liver cleanse.  These smoothies are also cooling and so they make a good summertime treat.  Enjoy.

Play around with the amounts of the ingredients until you get something flavorful.  Each person might prefer a little more or a little less of this or that!

Smoothie Ideas from Nancy and Sandra

 

Dandelion and Fruit Smoothie

2 cups of dandelion greens (dandelion greens are great for cleaning your motor aka—liver!)

1 cup milk thistle

2 cups chopped apple

1 chopped pear

1 tbs of grated gingerroot

½ cup of dried cherries or cranberries

Add coconut water to make desired consistency of smoothie

Dandelion and Fruit/Vegie Smoothie

 

1 cup of cilantro or parsley

2 cups of dandelion greens

2 stalks of celery

2 chopped pears

1 chopped zucchini

1 tb of grated gingerroot

1/4 -1/2 tsp turmeric

1 tsp lemon juice

1 chopped mango

Add coconut water to make desired consistency

Enjoy!  Happy sipping and happy summer!

Sandra and I hope you have a wonderful and “cool” summer!  We hope “your engine” helps you to enjoy lots of time in the great outdoors!

Breathing exercises are a way of communicating a sense of peacefulness to our nervous system.

Yesterday we started to discuss preventing the flu and colds this winter.  According to Ayurvedic thought winter is the Vata time of the year and our physiologies change with the seasons.  In autumn many individuals begin to feel run down and as winter progresses they encounter illnesses.  Often these illnesses, while not serious, come one after another and they drain energy, leaving the person feeling listless and worn out.  To prevent illnesses from coming our way we need to nurture our immune system.  We can do this in several ways.  Yesterday we discussed drinking wise water as a way to nourish and nurture our immune system.  Today we will talk about breathing exercises.

When we go into winter time and the days get shorter and the wind blows people often experience the feeling of simply having too much to do.  When one more thing—even something as little as feeding the cat—-seems overwhelming you need to push your reset button.  The reset button can be set through breathing exercises.  Three-part breathing is an especially good intervention for resetting that button!

Our nervous system is always communicating with us.  If we are nervous or startled we begin to take shallow breaths.  When we are sad or relieved we sigh.  In this way our breath is a one- way communication system.  However, through breathing techniques we can consciously communicate with our nervous system and can directly influence how we feel.  We can put ourselves in the drivers’ seat and gain more control over our experience of self.  For instance, three-part breathing communicates a sense of peacefulness to our nervous system. The nervous system responds to this communication by sending out neuro- chemicals that comply to relaxation. Neuro- chemicals affect the mind and body holistically.

Following are instructions for this breathing technique.  Use it to communicate to your nervous system.  Your nervous system will respond by sending out healthy neuro- chemicals which will affect your physiology in a holistic way.  You will sleep better at night and this technique is a great way to boost immunity.  Send the flu and colds scurrying away!

Three-Part Breathing

This is a cleansing and balancing breathing exercise.  It involves consciously filling three different areas of your lungs.  Start by filling the lower parts as you watch your belly expand, move up through the middle chest region, and finish in the upper spaces with a gentle lifting of the collarbone.  Shift your intention as you direct your breath, and you will notice a deeply releasing, expanding effect as tension dissolves from the body.

Instructions

1. Stand or sit erect with a straight spine.
2. Inhale steadily through your nose.
3. Fill the lower part of your lungs. Your belly will push out as it expands.
4. 4.  Fill the middle part of your lungs.  Your lower ribs, breastbone (sternum), and chest will push out as they expand.
5. Fill the highest part of your lungs.  Draw in the abdomen slightly as your collarbone expands.
6. Exhale twice as slowly as you inhaled.  Your belly will naturally contract as it returns to its natural position.
7. Complete your exhalation by letting the abdomen draw slightly inward and upward.

What will this breathercise do for you?

• Increase calmness
• Enhance detoxification of blood-borne toxins through the lungs
• Enhance oxygenation of the blood, which benefits the liver and other organs of digestion
• Reduce physical tension in the abdomen, chest, and back
• Increase intake of vital energy (prana) form the air.
• Nurture your nervous system and increase your immunity.

Bye for now.  On Monday we will discuss oil massage and how this simple intervention can also help increase immunity and calmness.  We want you to have a glorious winter!

 

-Nancy

 

Depression Affects Our Immunity

A few weeks ago we wrote about autumn being the beginning of the Vata time of the year.  In the fall the weather changes and we experience less humidity, more coolness, and the sun doesn’t shine with the strength of a summer time sun.  Increased darkness, cold and dryness adversely affect our Vata dosha.  Consequently, this is the time of year when many of us begin to feel run down.  In our book Healing Depression the Mind-Body Way we identified three distinct types of depression based on specific doshic imbalances.  No matter which type of depression you have there is a good chance that your symptoms will worsen during the Vata time of the year.  Depression, in turn, is hard on the immune system.  We want to give you some ideas about strengthening your immunity.

Autumn is the time to nurture Vata dosha.  Through this nurturance we strengthen the nervous system which, in turn, has an effect on the immune system.  Following are some ways to nurture Vata, strengthen the nervous system and to avoid having colds and the flu this winter.

1. Bringing warmth to your physiology will nurture Vata dosha.   A good way to nourish the nervous system and to build-up immunity is to drink wise water.   For centuries, spices have been used for medicinal purposes.  Each spice carries a unique effect.  The spices in this wise water recipe will enhance physiological balance and will strengthen your immunity.
2. ¼ teaspoon cumin seeds (cumin helps to absorb and use nutrients)
3. ¼ teaspoon coriander seeds (coriander helps to eliminate toxic chemicals and waste through your kidneys)
4. ¼ teaspoon fennel seeds (fennel helps to normalize digestion, thereby reducing gas and bloating)
5. Add the spice seeds to 1 ½ quarts of plain, pure water, and boil for several minutes.  After straining the spice seeds pour the liquid into a thermal container that has a glass or stainless steel (not plastic) lining.  Sip the powerful concoction every hour or so throughout the day. Since this intervention may promote nighttime urination, stop drinking it by 6 p.m. so your sleep will not be disturbed.

Be careful not to chew and eat the seeds: this can aggravate your system.  The wisdom of the spices becomes infused in the water, so imbibe the liquid and leave the rest.  The subtle benefits of that wisdom will benefit your immune system over time.

We have never seen a case of a person being allergic to these particular spices, but anything is possible. If you are taking medications, there is always the chance of adverse effects when a new substance is added to the diet.  Whenever you are introducing something new, it is a good idea to move cautiously.

 

Tune in again tomorrow! Tomorrow we are going to write about breathing technique and we will tell you about the power of the breath to raise our total immunity.  Yes, if we put our breath under our conscious control we can use this basis of life to promote our strength too.

 

Wise water and breathing techniques are only two ways to promote immunity and would it not be perfectly lovely to go through this winter without any colds or flus. You can do this!  Ayurveda will help you!

 

Have a great rest of your day!

-Nancy

 

 

Detoxify during the change of seasons to avoid depression

Depression is a mind-body-spirit problem.  We can intervene in any aspect of the physiology and affect the entirety.  During the change of seasons the physiology must adjust to changes.  If we are overstressed, exhausted or just basically out of balance the demands on the body will be taxing and a problem, such as depression, can arise.  Ayurveda recommends gentle detoxification four times a year to keep the body-mind functioning at optimal condition.  Learn more about detoxification the Ayurvedic way to keep depression at bay!