Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!
We all move to the rhythms of water. We are attracted to its simplistic and complete beauty perhaps because our bodies are about 2/3 water.
Water is our mate...the element with which we most closely match. We yearn for water and quench our thirst by drinking it slowly or gulping it down like a thirsty camel; we bathe in water to cleanse and soothe ourselves; and we dance in rain (sometimes just in our imagination) and play in water. As a primary source of our health, water
reminds us to be flexible, harmonious, and relaxed. Our attraction to water is mysterious, miraculous, and inexhaustible.
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Proper hydration positively affects our digestion, skin, energy level, and mood. You might think that feeling overheated is just an inconvenience, but there are health effects that can add up over time. As mentioned in the July issue, when your body becomes overheated, your metabolism slows to cool you. When metabolism slows you experience incomplete digestion and weight gain. An overheated body can also invite heated emotional frustrations, conflicts, and outbursts.
Plain water is an excellent choice, of course, but you may want to alter it occasionally. A variety of drinks may increase your intake of sufficient daily water. A cooling Ayurveda drink can make regular occasions special and special occasions festive-- without alcohol. Alcohol and sugars in general are very heating. Here's another bonus, the ingredients of these drinks are not only cooling, also nourishing and healing.
The theme for this month is queeeench. So jump right in. The water is refreshing! Ahhhh.
Live with radiant intention and be well. Rhonda
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If You are Already Thirsty, It Is Too Late!
Ayurveda Tips for Daily Hydration  You should never feel thirsty -- this is a sign that you are already dehydrated. Many of our challenging health conditions are instigated by dehydration. Keep fully hydrated with good daily habits.
- Begin with Morning Lemon Detox (after scraping tongue which always comes first)--see recipe to right.
- Drink 8 oz of room temp water about 30 minutes before each meal (only drink 1/2 cup water with meal) to lubricate the stomach to receive food.
- Sip 16oz or more hot spice water (1/2 tsp fennel, 1/4 tsp cumin, and 1/4 tsp coriander seed tea) through the day. You can let it cool to room temp in summer.
- Eat brothy soups (e.g., veggie soup w clear broth) and dahls.
- Drink herbal teas hot or cooled to room temp to take in healing Ayurveda herbs--recommend brahmi tea, mint tea, or chai tea.
- Drink organic coconut water daily.
- If you need to snack, choose watery fruits like organic grapes, strawberries, and oranges.
- Add fresh lemon/lime slices or cucumbers to water for extra taste and vitamins/minerals.
- Avoid alcohol, sugar, and processed foods--very dehydrating.
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Hydration Problems and Remedies
Hydration is essential for proper digestion as fluids are the medium for enzymatic activity. Without proper hydration the stomach cannot secrete the 2/3 of a liter of hydrochloric acid typically needed to digest a meal.
Here are two common hydration problems with remedies.
Do you feel full after drinking just a little water?
This may be due to weak digestion or insufficient acid production in the stomach. To increase digestive capacity, add a wedge of lime, pinch of salt and slice of ginger. 
Do you have dry skin and cannot quench your thirst even though you drink plenty of water? What is going on? The deeper physiology is not getting enough moisture. This occurs when your agni (digestive fire) is low and ama (toxin deposits) blocks the microchannels (shrotas) that carry water to the cells. So the water just passes through superficially.
To cleanse the channels and enhance moisture absorption, Ayurveda recommends boiling the water you drink which activates the water with heat that brings out its sharp and more penetrating qualities that can cleanse the microchannels of stagnant ama and move more deeply into the physiology. Agni is further enhanced by adding digestive spices to the water.
Here is a great formula for
hot spice water: combine
- 1/2 tsp organic fennel seeds,
- 1/4 tsp organic cumin seeds, &
- 1/4 tsp organic coriander seeds all in a quart thermos of boiled water
- In the heat of the summer, you can let the water cool to room temperature before drinking.
- You can get organic seeds here
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Pomegranate Juice with Lime and Aloe
 1 tsp Aloe Vera Gel1 whole lime - juiced
1 cup organic pomegranate juice
2 tsp raw sugarMix all ingredients and enjoy on a warm day.  Aloe is very cooling, reduces inflammation, supports fat digestion and cleanses the liver. Aloe is known as the great Pitta Pacifier. Support healthy skin by drinking aloe gel or by smearing it on your face. Taking aloe orally (about 1-2 teaspoons daily) is purported to reduce wrinkles by increasing collagen production. Aloe is high in natural vitamins and minerals.Having your own aloe plant is the best way to go. Limes are acidic in taste but alkaline in effect. We want an alkaline diet to provide an optimal healthy internal environment and prevent receptivity to cancer, osteoporosis, and other conditions. Lime increases the flow of bile which aids in fat digestion. Lime is very cooling and cleansing and reduces inflammation. Limes can also brighten your smile by preventing tartar buildup on your teeth with a light bleaching effect. Recipe from Joyfulbelly.com
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Rhonda Egidio Ph.D., R.A.P., [Registered Ayurveda Professional] provides Ayurvedic assessments of primary health, diet, sleep, and lifestyle concerns and offers Ayurvedic recommendations. It's a wise idea to obtain a baseline assessment to help you customize Ayurveda knowledge to your particular needs. Check out assessment and session options.
Dr. Rhonda Egidio, 269-345-2991
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Classes offered by Dr. Rhonda Egidio will resume in the fall. Stay tuned.
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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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Spicy Coconut Smoothie
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 Water and meat from one young coconut 2-3 Medjool dates pitted and chopped
1/8 tsp ground cardamom
Blend all ingredients
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WOW!!!
Banyan Botanicals is Offering 20% off everything for orders over $75
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Go here
and enter AFF816
at checkout.
Get your herbs for fall. Enjoy this big offer!
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Mint LimeAde
Sweet mint limeade is a refreshing, cooling digestive aid for the lazy dog days of summer.
1/4 whole peeled lime
1 tsp mint
1/4 tsp raw sugar
1 C water
Mix all ingredients in a blender.
Lime improves digestive function while cooling and grounds Vata. Raw sugar brings ethereal mint back to earth also grounding Vata.
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More Free Guides
from Banyan Botanicals
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Ingredients: 
1/16 tsp Cayenne pepper
1 C boiled water
1/4 lemon
1 tsp raw honey
1/8 tsp raw apple cider vinegar
Preparation:
Place ingredients in hot water and stir.
ayurvedic notes
Lemon, honey, vinegar and cayenne form a classic, vivacious Ayurvedic blend to boost fat digestion and metabolism. A strong sour taste encourages the free flow of bile from your liver and gall bladder to your gut.
Courtesy Joyfulbelly.com
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Vanuatu Women's Water Drummers
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Celebrate water here
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