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Michigan Summer...Dream Come True! 
Greetings!
Summertime . . . and the living is easy . . . (to be sung, not read. :-) Michigan summers are reward for the "character building" weather the rest of the year. Michigan is alive with sunshine to embolden our attitude, rain to water our gardens and to cool us, lakes and rivers to move us, and a huge range of vibrant fruits and vegetables grown right here to nourish our bodies and souls. We also have the occasional thunderstorm to startle us into appreciation of magnificence.
With all this energy, summer is a wonderful time to build our Ojas (oh-jus). Ojas is a Sanskrit word which means "that which invigorates". According to Ayurveda, a high level of Ojas brings bliss and happiness. Ojas is the vital life force energy that courses through our mind-body. Ojas is also thought to be the most refined state of physical matter according to Ayurveda wisdom but has not yet been discovered by tools of modern science. Ojas is what is extracted from food once perfectly digested. What we eat nourishes our physical body and our emotions. Ojas at its full potential creates energy in all we do. When Ojas is depleted our immune system is compromised and we experience a breakdown in our normal emotional and physical systems. Living in balance in a way that is pure and close to nature increases our Ojas. Here's to an Ojas summer.
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Making Vigor!
Ojas is vigor. Vigor is not magically bestowed by a fairy godmother or blessed toad. You guessed it, we make or diminish our own vigor for life. When we eat fresh ripe pure fruits and vegetables we are taking in not only the nutrients but we are also absorbing the energetic Ojas of those foods. When we walk in the sunshine we take in Vitamin D and, as we also appreciate nature in our walk, we are boosting our ojas reception. When Ojas is maximized in us, all with whom we come in contact will benefit. The people in our life are lifted, our plants are healthier, our pets are shiny, our children glow.
By creating an abundance of Ojas within, we remember our divine wholeness and experience vigor that is evident in our radiant skin, shining eyes, strong body, good digestion, overall luster, and feelings of bliss. Here are some ideas to add to ones that you may have for building Ojas:
- Eat a sattvic (pure, clean, and wholesome) diet - fresh, local, organic milk, ghee, fruits and fruit juices, rice, almonds, mung beans, dates, honey, pure oils like olive.
- Eat to balance your imbalanced doshas (take the free assessment).
- Turn your attention to what brings you bliss and joy. Do not repress worrisome thoughts but do not entertain them. Attend and release.
- Avoid drugs, alcohol, processed foods.
- Stay active daily-30 minutes of walking, yoga or other exercise.
- Get enough sleep.
- Meditate.
- Eat in a peaceful environment; honor your food and those around you
- Eat with consciousness noticing smells, tastes, and colors.
- Avoid using ice in your drinks. Ice slows your digestion and can cause indigestion and weight gain.
- Eat mostly cooked food as it is easier to digest however raw food in moderation in the summer season is ok.
Don't get overwhelmed by a list like this . . . just request the travel upgrade for the trip you are already on. Choose a few things, try them out, notice the difference and then watch as you are naturally drawn to more healthy choices. Be well and prosper.
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Classes July 2011  Rhonda Egidio, Ph. D. is offering classes at various sites in the Kalamazoo area. Rhonda is an Ayurvedic Practitioner with great passion for sharing the wisdom of Ayurveda and the simple yet effective practices that can make important upgrades to our digestion and overall radiant health. For more information visit: http://RadiantLifeAyurveda.com Ayurveda at Awake and Aware: - Ayurveda Introduction: Thursday, July 7 @7:15-9:00pm; Cost: $25
- Really Cool Ayurveda: Cooling foods, spices, and herbs for the Hot Pitta Season, Thursday July 14, 2011 @ 7:15-9:00pm; Cost $40
- Slipping Into Slumber: Ayurveda Practices for Restorative Sleep, Thursday July 21, 2011 @ 7:15-9:00pm; Cost $40
- Ayurveda Nutrition Local and Fresh: How to Cook with Veggies from Community Farmers' Markets, Thursday July 28, 2011 @ 7:15-9:00pm; Cost $40
- Or Combo Platter-2 courses of your choice for $70 or 3 for $90. Awake and Aware flier
Ayurveda at Suzanne's Organics - A Taste of Ayurveda 1: The Wisdom of Life. Monday, July 11 @ 6:30-8:30pm. Cost $40 includes vegetarian dinner. Can be taken alone.
- A Taste of Ayurveda 2: Strategies for Radiant Health. Monday July 18 @ 6:30-8:30pm. Cost for Taste 1 and Taste 2 combined is $60. Click here for Suzanne's Organics flier.
Follow the links to the fliers for the registration form that may be mailed in. For classes coming up soon pleases send me an email to confirm registration and you can pay at the door. Advanced notice is needed as there are many handouts. You may also call me at 269-345-2991. |
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Keep your Cool!
Summer is the Pitta season in Ayurveda. Pitta is the dosha of fire so we want to keep our Pitta pacified by being cool. Here are some tips for pacifying Pitta:
- Spend time in nature
- Meditate daily
- Surround yourself with cooling colors like blue, green, and white
- Use cilantro and mint in your meals...very cooling herbs.
- Learn to appreciate others
- Use cooling,calming aromatherapy oils like rose and sandalwood
- Take time to rest
- Laugh and smile more often.
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Personal Ayurveda Assessment
Rhonda Egidio PhD, provides Ayurvedic assessments of primary health concerns, diet, sleep and lifestyle. The assessment includes pulse and tongue diagnosis to determine your Constitutional Dosha balance (prakruti) and your current imbalance (vikruti). You will receive a written summary of your dosha states/assessment results and a list of personal recommendations to support you in restoring balance
Time and Cost: 2 hours for the Initial Consultation & Assessment. Total price for the assessment and written report is $130.
Also receive $10 off of your first follow up session--which is recommended. Follow up sessions are $60.
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Summer is here and we have an abundance of fresh local produce. Learn how Ayurveda can help you to make the most of this season of abundance by making food and lifestyle choices to restore your radiant health. Check out a workshop or consider a private consultation as you ever move on the path of light.
Cheers and blessings,
Rhonda Egidio
Radiant Life Ayurveda rhonda@radiantlifeayurveda.com
269-345-2991
http://www.radiantlifeayurveda.com
Ayurveda information shared here is for general educational purposes and is not intended to substitute for medical or psychological advice. Please consult with a qualified medical professional in these matters.
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Upcoming Events
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Ayurveda at Awake and Aware-various topics. July 7, 14, 21, and 28Taste of Ayurveda at Suzanne's Organics July 11 and 18.
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Featured Tip
Summer Slumber
The sun gets up early in the morning and stays up late at night and often so do we, which results in insufficient sleep hours. During sleep we digest food we have eaten and we restore emotionally. Insufficient sleep affects our physical, mental, and emotional health. Here are a few sleep tips:
+Go to bed by 10pm while still in kapha time.
+Reduce evening stimulus that agitates, instead listen to music, read a bedtime story to children, or do a easy breathing practice.
+Eat a light early dinner, lunch should be your large meal.
+Avoid alcohol and caffeine, drink soothing tea or warm milk with nutmeg in the evening.
+Apply coconut oil to scalp and feet, it cools your system.
Consider the "Slipping into Slumber" workshop to learn why sleep is one of the 4 pillars of Ayurveda, how we can understand our dosha imbalance by noting the kind of sleep disturbances we have, and more tips for falling and staying asleep to maximize its restorative qualities.
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In Our Community
Kalamazoo Farmers' Market on Bank Street, between Lake Street and Stockbridge Avenue
June - October:
Tues, Thurs & Sat from 7 am to 2 pm or until the last seller leaves the market.
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Recipe of the Month
Mint Coconut Sauce
Grilling some veggies? Put them on top of some rice and add this sauce.
2 Tbsp ghee (or butter)
1 Tbsp chickpea flour
2 Tbsp mild curry
1+1/2 C organic coconut milk
3 Tbsp plain yogurt
salt and pepper to taste
Heat the ghee in a saucepan over medium low heat. Add flour and stir with whisk to make a paste Cook for 2 min stirring constantly. Add the curry powder and stir 2 min more.
Whisking continuously slowly pour in the coconut milk. Continue whisking until creamy. Remove from heat whisk in yogurt and mint leaves. Salt and pepper to taste.
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Your Reception of Mailings
I will send out a monthly newsletter and perhaps an occasional additional mailing. If you do not wish to receive future mailings from Radiant Life Ayurveda, please unsubscribe at the bottom of this email. This mailing list will not be sold or shared with others in respect for you privacy. Rhonda
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