Detoxing
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Rev Up Your Digestion for Good Health
   
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Aqua Detox
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What is Aqua Detox and does it really Work?
There are so many detox and diets available out there that promise us overnight .....
5 Ways to Introduce Ayurvedic Principles into Your Daily Diet
"You are what you eat." Right, but only 50% right, according to
the ancient healing tradition of ayurveda. The combination of
what you eat and what your body does with what you eat is what
actually shapes health and well-being. According to ayurveda,
you are unique, and your dietary needs are unique too,
determined by your body constitution, age, the season, your
environment and your needs for balance at any given time. But
there are some diet and digestion principles that are
universally applicable. Here we present five that you can begin
any time...the quick and-simple way to incorporate the ayurvedic
way of eating into your daily diet. Once you start seeing
results, you can delve more deeply into doshas#8212;ayurvedic
body types#8212;and tailor a diet and digestion routine that's
best for you.
1. Add some zest to your life with lemon!
Add the freshly squeezed juice of half a lemon to a large cup of
really warm water and drink first thing in the morning.
Fresh lemon juice in moderation is good for all doshas. Lemon is
a wonderful aid to internal cleansing. Antibacterial and
antiseptic, lemon retards the presence of disease-causing
bacteria in the digestive tract. It is also a digestion enhancer
and helps reduce bloating and flatulence. It kindles a lethargic
appetite, getting the digestive juices flowing. And it aids
elimination, so your digestive tract is naturally flushed clear
every morning. As an antioxidant, lemon helps fight
disease-causing free radicals in the body. It helps keep your
skin clear and your eyes sparkling.
More ways to use fresh lemon: Add lemon zest to your herbal tea.
Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over your lentils. Skip the fatty
prepared dressing and opt for a squeeze of fresh lemon and a
dash of extra-virgin olive oil over your salad.
2. Say "No ice, please!"
According to ayurveda, iced beverages, especially with or right
after a meal, can really slow down digestion. Imagine pouring
cold water over burning coals set up to cook your food. That's
effectively what you do to your digestive fires when you gulp
down iced beverages with your meal. Instead, opt for
digestion-enhancing drinks. Warm water infused with fragrant
fennel helps enhance digestion, prevents bloating, and freshens
your breath naturally. Cumin tea, or ginger-mint tea made with
fresh ginger root slices and fresh mint leaves are great
alternatives.
Warm herb/spice teas stimulate the digestion, help your body
assimilate the nutrients from the foods you eat and help flush
toxins from the system.
To make herb or spice teas, bring water to a boil, add the fresh
herbs or spices, turn off the heat, and cover. Let steep for 5-7
minutes, strain and enjoy.
3. Invite all your senses to the table.
Digestion begins much before the first morsel of food goes down
your throat. When food is prepared properly and presented
beautifully, and your body and mind are receptive, all of your
senses can aid digestion. When you eat mindfully, colors,
flavors, aromas and textures blend to make the process of eating
a delightful and productive experience.
Create an inviting, pleasant environment to aid in the enjoyment
of a meal:
Keep the dining table free of clutter. Only your food should
grace the table at mealtimes. Diffuse appetizing aromas 30
minutes before your meal#8212;lemon, orange and coriander are
wonderful for getting those digestive juices flowing. Eat in a
silent, serene atmosphere. Keeping your mind free of clutter
while you eat will help your body and mind make the best use of
what you're ingesting.
4. Take a lunch break!
How many times a week do you "grab a quick bite" for lunch, use
lunch as an excuse for getting business accomplished or skip
lunch altogether?
According to ayurvedic healers, lunch should be THE most
important meal of the day. It's the time of day when your
digestion is naturally at its peak, and your body best able to
complete the digest-absorb-assimilate cycle.
Yet most of us eat the biggest meal of the day at night, often
not long before we go to bed, and the body has to rev up and
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to get into rest mode. Unless you're among the lucky few with a
workhorse for a digestive system, eating heavy at night tends to
result in undigested food clogging up your insides. You'll find
it harder to fall asleep, your skin might break out, you'll gain
weight easily, and you'll not feel as energetic as you should
during the day.
So take that lunch break, and eat your most substantial meal of
the day around noon. Heavier foods and yogurt should be eaten at
lunch rather than dinner for the same reasons.
And when you have five to ten precious extra minutes, take the
time to just sit quietly after the meal, savoring the
experience, before you resume activity. This will direct your
body's energy towards digestion before you draw it to other
activities.
5. Drink to good health!
Water, the ayurvedic beverage of choice, is crucial for
digestion and absorption and to help flush toxins out of the
body. It helps prevent bloating and constipation, and helps
transport nutrients to the cells and tissues. It helps support
the metabolism of fat.
Drink room temperature water or warm water through the day.
Water spiked with digestion enhancing spices and herbs is even
better. Light, clear vegetable broths, prepared fresh each day,
are good detoxifiers and offer soothing comfort on cold winter
days.
Note: This ayurvedic information is educational, and is not
intended to replace standard medical care or advice. Please
consult your physician before making any changes to your diet or
lifestyle.
About the author:
About the Author: Shreelata Suresh is a yoga instructor fron the
Bay Area. She writes on yoga and ayurveda. For more information
on ayurveda, please visit http://www.ayurbalance.com.