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| Left to right: Sesame Oil, Triphala, Green powder, Turmeric, Herbal Teas in the Tin, Flowers from my 3rd anniversary All in the Northeast corner of my kitchen: the corner that should be open or with items that promote peace according to Vastu. |
"Why?" you're wondering. "Any particular reason?"
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer to follow, and the main lesson that can come from all this is: Let your loved ones find their way to Ayurveda, even if it feels like it takes for-ev-er. ;) And in the meantime, let your own health be the best possible marketing for this gorgeous science.
So my boyfriend, Blake, is on his first day of the Ayurvedic Cleanse and Yoga Intensive led by my teacher, Scott Blossom of Doctor Blossom. Of course, he agreed to do it after me saying I would cook all his meals for him (not hard when you already eat rice and beans every day), so there was a little coaxing involved, but really he's committed to doing this all of his own accord. This includes three 6:30am yoga classes and for a guy who works until midnight most nights isn't an easy thing to throw into his schedule. That said, he was there for class this morning and didn't even snore in savasana. I'm so proud, I'm beaming- can you tell?
A few girls mentioned how lucky I am to have a guy who's not only into going to a yoga class but willing to do a 7-Day Ayurvedic cleanse. Yes, I absolutely agree. I am so lucky. Then a couple asked, "How do you find a guy who wants to do Yoga and Ayurveda?" and my answer was, "You don't. You find a guy who really really loves you." This is not to say that if your boyfriend doesn't do a cleanse, he doesn't love you. That's not it at all. What it means is if there's something (like Ayurveda) that is so important to you that it effects your daily life, you change your diet and lifestyle dramatically twice a year for two weeks + a year, and it happens to make you a more lovely partner, chances are that in time (3 years in this case), your significant other might come around to try it a little bit to see what it's like and because they know it'll make you so ridiculously happy.
Blake and I have different views on healthy living (I rise at 6:30am, him at 11:30am), eating (he cooks chickens for a living and I'm a vegetarian) and what defines breakfast (oatmeal vs milano cookies). BUT - and here's the most important thing - we love each other even when we do things that the other would absolutely avoid at all costs. While I may have my moments of giving him a terrible time when he eats his biggest meal at 10pm in front of the tv, he knows that if he didn't ever try an Ayurvedic cleanse that I'd still love him.
So when you my dear Ayurvedis are feeling like you need your friends/lovers/family to get on this Ayurvedic/Yogic bandwagon with you, don't worry if they say "pass". As they see you skipping the winter colds and Sunday hangovers and being a better listener, more compassionate and all around healthier, they'll start to wonder about these things you're doing with oil before the shower and all the tea and early mornings. Sometimes (and I speak from experience), they'll be trying it out and they won't even tell you! Shocking, I know. But give your loved ones time and space for their own discovery of Ayurveda. Be happy for them, however they find their way to these gorgeous practices even if you're dying to say "I told you so!" or "It's about time!". *
Back to my man's detox: So I went to the opening workshop with him, so that I'd know the protocol and just to support him. I left with my own bag of green powder and a commitment to do it with him. I just can't help myself. The good news is that when you're doshas are well balanced, (After practicing Ayurveda for this long, mine are in good shape.) the detox guidelines aren't too different from the way I live and eat normally. I think it'll all be pretty easy going and I'll still have lots of energy to be super-supportive-cheerleader girlfriend- my most important role of the week obviously. ;)
*For those close friends of mine who are reading this: Yes, I know. I will try and take my own advice as much as possible... ;)
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| From left to right: Bottom tin: cumin seeds, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, celery seeds, mustard seeds, turmeric, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, hing Top tin: cinnamon, cardamom, cardamom pods, all spice, ginger, cloves Sea Salt Sunflower Oil, Olive Oil, Fresh Ginger in Mortar, Ghee & Pepper Utensils! Rice in the 'Flour' Tin Mung Beans in the 'Coffee' Tin |
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