may 09
IN THIS ISSUE
TIPS FOR A HEALTHIER DIET
UPCOMING EVENTS
TWO ARTICLES
JOYFUL BELLY
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KK Ayurveda

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May 2009

Tips for Achieving a Healthier Diet
In ayurveda, what you eat doesn't matter as much as what you are able to digest.  Theoretically, if your digestive fire (agni) is robust enough, you could eat poison and not be any worse off for having done so.  (I am NOT advocating eating poison to test the strength of your agni so don't get any funny ideas.) 

Strengthening digestion is crucial to achieving and maintaining overal health. Digestion has been strengthened for thousands of years with great success, through the use of herbs, yoga postures, breathing techniques and diet.


Here are some basic tips to help improve your digestion:
� Do not drink iced or cold beverages as they extinguish the digestive fire. Stick to room-temperature or warm drinks only.

� A diet of freshly cooked, whole foods (organic, if possible) will keep your digestive system working most efficiently.

� Eliminate canned and processed foods from your diet. These foods have little prana (life force) and should be avoided whenever possible.

� Although it's not always possible or convenient, avoid leftovers. Foods that are cooked and then refrigerated or frozen lose their prana and can be difficult to digest.  If you eat leftovers, don't eat them past the second day.

� Determine whether you have a vata, pitta or kapha imbalance and then begin altering your diet and/or lifestyle to restore your health.  If you are prone to gas, bloating and constipation and would like to gain weight, you may be dealing with a vata imbalance. If you are prone to acid indigestion, heartburn, diarrhea, rashes and anger/irritability, you may have a pitta imbalance. If you are prone to colds, congestion, asthma and weight gain or obesity, you are likely to have a kapha imbalance.

� Use herbs to enkindle the digestive fire.  (See me about this.  Don't choose herbs on your own.)

� Create a routine for meals. Ayurveda advises us to eat the largest meal around noon, when digestive fire is strongest.

� Eat meals in a peaceful environment.

� Drink CCF Tea (equal amounts of cumin, coriander and fennel steeped for five minutes).


� Incorporate exercise into your daily routine (especially abdominal strengthening and twists).   Avoid stagnation by stimulating your body and mind.

� Meditate daily. Just five minutes a day will help you relax into a state of calm that supports healthy digestion.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SERENITY NOW:  Yoga Nidra
Sunday, May 17, 2009 at Exhale Spa
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
$20

Sunday, May 24, 2009  and Sunday, June 28, 2009
Yoga Now Gold Coast
1p.m. to 2 p.m.
$20


The ancient yogis developed Yoga Nidra as a method of achieving deep and complete relaxation while maintaining consciousness. During this session, all you'll need to do is wear comfortable clothing, lie down, be at ease and listen as I guide you through systematic relaxation and visualization techniques.
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KK Ayurveda  OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, June 20, 2009

Stop by anytime between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
40 East Oak Street
Chicago, IL


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COMING IN JULY:
Ayurvedic Nutrition--Food Is Medicine
at Exhale Spa

Two Interesting Articles

The first, from the New York Times, is about the use of neti (nasal irrigation) to relieve sinus problems and allergy symptoms.  Neti pots are available at such exotic and mystical locales as Whole Foods and Walgreens.  Neti Article.

Many surgery patients don't tell their doctors about herbal supplements they take regularly, according to an article on WebMD.com.  Many doctors don't ask about herbal supplements either.  It is vitally important to tell your doctor if you're taking herbs!  Herbal Risk Article.

WEBSITE RECOMMENDATION

The Joyful Belly (www.joyfulbelly.com) is a website created by my classmate, Joseph.  It's a fun site where you can learn basics about the doshas (vata, pitta, kapha), find recipes and create meal plans to correct various imbalances.


meLove,
Karen Klutznick

KK Ayurveda
[email protected]