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| Happy not-for-dinner Turkeys at Mount Madonna this past month |
Thank you all for your interest in & practice of Ayurveda; Every mindful choice helps grow the spirit of our modern Ayurvedic community!
“If Ayurveda were a religion Nature would be its Goddess,
and overindulgence would be the sole sin She would punish.
Ayurveda is meant to allow you to enjoy the pleasures of life
up to the point that such enjoyment interferes with you health.”
~Robert Svoboda, Prakruti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution
One piece of pie, good. Four pieces, not so good.
One plate of food for family thanksgiving dinner, good. One plate plus seconds on stuffing, turkey and gravy, not so good...
The holidays are the prime example of how overindulgence leads to feelings of sub-optimal wellness. Rather than letting Thanksgiving, a tradition almost synonymous with “food coma”, become the kick off event for a full month of overindulgence try honoring the gratitude you feel for your health by living in moderation. If you can employ just a few of the recommendations below you might be able to side step the post-holiday health slup of weight gain, lethargy, depression, anxiety, poor digestion, aches and the like.
Suggestions follow... (and spread the word! Friends don't let friends binge on Thanksgiving!)
Honor your Health with Moderation
1. Wake with the sun. Breathe deeply- perhaps in a special way (like alternate nostril breathing) and go for a walk. Go to bed when you're tired.
2. Eat...
…with an appetite! Possibly the most important suggestion here! Be sure that when you sit down to eat, you are hungry! That’s your body’s signal that it’s ready to digest some delicious food.
...meals. Avoid the hors d'oeuvres that are the slow and deadly appetite killers. Avoid the mindless snacking on sweets and nuts.
...dinner as your smallest meal of the day.
...until you to feel 2/3 full.
...easy to digest foods like grains & vegetables as the majority of your meal. That means meat, heavy dairy based foods and sugar laden items fall into the minority. Don't think there'll be a green food in sight besides jello? Cook it and bring it with you! Your family might just fall in love with rice & lentils! It's been done before ;) Check out this article by my teacher on creating a Vegetarian and planet-friendly Thanksgiving that really embodies the sentiments of the holiday: "Holiday Feasting on a Budget" plus, it's got some great veggie recommendations that are simple & inexpensive.
3. Drink...
…and be merry. Notice if you’re drinking to avoid the present moment.
…only small amounts of room temp or warm fluids with meals
…herbal tea after dinner for a good night’s sleep (skip the coffee)
4. Watch...
…tv outside of meal time. Enjoy your food in a (relatively) peaceful setting without the background noise.
…pleasant things. Avoid anything distressing like the news or a horror movie before bed. (family drama included)
5. Think...
…positive thoughts. If you're dreading the holidays before they've even begun, notice that and see if you can't shape your holidays so that your actions, words and thoughts carry a more peaceful vibe.
…about the present moment. Notice the taste, texture, aroma and look of your food as you enjoy your meal. While cooking, can you let your body relax and your breath deepen? What would it feel like to cook with love like it was a called-for ingredient?
…with an appetite! Possibly the most important suggestion here! Be sure that when you sit down to eat, you are hungry! That’s your body’s signal that it’s ready to digest some delicious food.
...meals. Avoid the hors d'oeuvres that are the slow and deadly appetite killers. Avoid the mindless snacking on sweets and nuts.
...dinner as your smallest meal of the day.
...until you to feel 2/3 full.
...easy to digest foods like grains & vegetables as the majority of your meal. That means meat, heavy dairy based foods and sugar laden items fall into the minority. Don't think there'll be a green food in sight besides jello? Cook it and bring it with you! Your family might just fall in love with rice & lentils! It's been done before ;) Check out this article by my teacher on creating a Vegetarian and planet-friendly Thanksgiving that really embodies the sentiments of the holiday: "Holiday Feasting on a Budget" plus, it's got some great veggie recommendations that are simple & inexpensive.
3. Drink...
…and be merry. Notice if you’re drinking to avoid the present moment.
…only small amounts of room temp or warm fluids with meals
…herbal tea after dinner for a good night’s sleep (skip the coffee)
4. Watch...
…tv outside of meal time. Enjoy your food in a (relatively) peaceful setting without the background noise.
…pleasant things. Avoid anything distressing like the news or a horror movie before bed. (family drama included)
5. Think...
…positive thoughts. If you're dreading the holidays before they've even begun, notice that and see if you can't shape your holidays so that your actions, words and thoughts carry a more peaceful vibe.
…about the present moment. Notice the taste, texture, aroma and look of your food as you enjoy your meal. While cooking, can you let your body relax and your breath deepen? What would it feel like to cook with love like it was a called-for ingredient?
These are great for daily living, but what about specific for like that holiday party your going to? Or that family party where it is not calm and restful and would be quite rude if you happened to just step out for an hour to eat alone?
ReplyDeleteOk, here are more ideas:
ReplyDelete*HOLIDAY PARTY: If it's at night, be sure you've had a good meal beforehand, so that you won't be overly tempted by unhealthy snacks. Avoid cold (and especially carbonated) drinks. If you must have a cold drink, don't eat as digestion will be impaired. If you have to eat with that cold drink, chew very very well. If you're drinking alcohol, be mindful of how much you're drinking and why, and be sure to drink plenty of warm water when you come home to rehydrate. Be mindful of the nature of your conversations, and try to keep your words sattvic or peaceful avoiding gossip or negative speech.
*FAMILY PARTY: When you can't eat in a calm restful space, take a moment before eating to create a calm & restful space within your body and mind. Take in the smells, colors, and textures of your food. Take a deep breath and take a moment to feel a sense of gratitude for the food you're about to consume, regardless of it's quality-- understanding that you have a privilege that many people in this world do not. Invite your body's tissues to be a welcome environment to the nutrients of your food and for it to eliminate anything that doesn't serve your body's growth. Chew well. Eat slowly. Avoid the cold drinks with your food.
**For all cases: make a digestive tea once you're home. Teas made from: cumin, coriander, fennel, mint, cinnamon, cardamom, licorice, ginger, and turmeric are all great ideas.
**Triphala before bed can also be a great digestive boost when you've eaten out of your normal pattern to encourage a bowel movement in the morning.