HeyMonicaB

I have a question about combining dairy… you mention milk should be had alone. And yogurt is not ayurvedic at all. What about cheese? Please don’t tell me it shouldn’t be combined with anything either. As a vegetarian, cheese is a major component of finding food at restaurants. Pasta, quesadillas, on sandwiches… Great question and [...]

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Heya! Following up on that non-ayurvedic breakfast, I thought you might find it useful if I shared some agni-stoking foods. These are important to keep in your daily Ayurvedic bag of tricks and incorporate into your meals each day. Ayurveda goes pretty nuts with the agni-promoting therapies, foods, spices, herbs, etc., and the reason is, [...]

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As you’ve been learning about Ayurveda, you know how we stress the importance of digestion. Instead of, “You are what you eat” Ayurveda says, “You are what you digest.” That little saying really reminds us that the focus is not only in what we eat, but how we eat it, at what time, and which foods are [...]

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I have one question. I know Vatas are supposed to avoid leftovers and eat freshly cooked warm foods esp. in winter which is what we are coming into down here in Melbourne, Victoria. How can I do this at work without taking in my whole kitchen? Any tips? Ayurveda says that each meal be prepared [...]

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Hey Monica! I’ve been having the same little sad ball issue for awhile (I went from pitta poo (as you know) – to this). Anyway, I KNOW that ghee is one of your first recommendations to cure the sad balls (esp. for vatas) but I am AFRAID to eat ghee. I know it is clarified [...]

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In case you missed it last year, I created “Good Morning” mugs that came with homemade chai mix for the holidays. Since it’s chilly outside, now is the perfect season for a hot, spicy, velvety cup of chai. If you need some little gifts, stuffers, or hostess gifts the mug is cute and inspiring. And [...]

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My question is about green smoothies. As you know, they are all the rage now and the concept is pretty appealing. BUT as vata, with all the “fun” digestive issues that entails, I have wondered if they are something to embrace or avoid. 1. They are cold. 2. They are raw. Got a take on [...]

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Not sure if it’s motherhood that’s making me extra soft and smooshy, but lately I’ve been overwhelmed with gratitude. I was rocking my baby before her bed time and I stepped out on the balcony to give us some fresh air. I took a big inhale as I paid special attention to the trees and [...]

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OH.m.g. I am beside myself. We went grocery shopping today. It was produce time and usually my favorite because it’s the warmest part of the store :) My husband picks up this package which held 4 “apples.” See the label below. My husband kinda giggles in anticipation for my reaction. I was like, “What. Did [...]

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On last night’s radio show (episode 12) we were talking about how to calm down chaos and focus on what really matters so that we aren’t lost in the spinning spinning spinning of life. We breezed over what my routine is in my busy-busy world and we also talked about managing everything when there’s SO [...]

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YYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!! Introducing Seasonal Bloom Kapha!! I think this is my FAVORITE one yet! If you are unfamiliar, each season I put together a little newsletter/booklet focusing on the dosha (vata, pitta, or kapha) for that season. On this FIRST day of spring (see? I was worried I was late, but timing always works out as [...]

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Okay for those of you who think kaphas “can’t eat anything,” that’s just not true. Kaphas have a very large variety of foods and spices that they can enjoy and all of it is mighty tasty! It does take a little creativity (no grabbing for a bagel with cream cheese, guzzling a frappochino or fast [...]

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Okay peeps. Kapha season is not that hard, it’s just different. THIS might help you. Think of a kapha diet as Asian cuisine. Spicy soups, rice/soba/udon noodles, lots of veggies, edamame, spicy, warm, brothy sauces, ginger+garlic. Seek out Asian-inspired recipes, just be mindful of the salt content. Does that help!?

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On this happy Sunday, take a peek at The Smiling Kitchen!! My friend and fellow Ayurvedee, Diana Bayless, started this little resource for all things Ayurveda in your kitchen! She’s just beginning but check back often for more goodies as she evolves and expands the site. :) :) ♥

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‘Elo! So, understanding this dosha balancing thang can be a little confusing. I get lots of emails and questions that my readers have about their own unique balance. Sometimes I even get vatas saying, “I wish I was a kapha!” Doesn’t everyone? ;) Just kidding. Oh come on now, kaphas have their problems just like [...]

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Recently a loyal reader of mine had a question about drinking alcohol because she’s menopausal. She noticed she was getting terrible night sweats when she would have beer or a glass of wine. Yes, it was because of the heat in alcohol and her moving from pitta stage (heat escaping) to vata stage of life. [...]

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Do you all know about the daily routine?! Ooooo…if you don’t you should because it’s one of the BEST things you can do for your health. Most of it is easy because it’s just making sure you are doing the right things at the right time. No mystery! Just a switching of the clock is [...]

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Dude!! Has anyone read, The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone? I just got it last week and I am LOVING it!! To be honest, I was a little skeptical (pitta) at first because I wasn’t sure how substantial it would be. I thought it might be a lot of fluffy air about nothing or that [...]

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Hohkay! Did you know that how you build your plate of food should be based on your dosha(s)? You may have (You win! Again, someday maybe I will give out fabulous prizes. For now, just enjoy that you won). Since Ayurveda focuses on the individual, it only makes sense that the way we serve ourselves [...]

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HERE’s a lovely thought: When you have clear/clean burps, it means you have fully digested your last meal and your body is ready to eat! A fine example: It’s 6:00 pm (dinner time) and you are still burping up Indian food you had for lunch (burp talk is just never pretty). That means the food [...]

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