Things seem to be settling down digestively speaking. I have to be prepared for off times because that is the nature of my system. I thought that if I changed my lifestyle, everything would change immediately. So there it is; another lesson in patience. I am becoming more comfortable with the idea that I can put out my intentions and take action. The result is not up to me. I just need to watch with patience as it all unfolds. When I practice this, the results are usually quite favorable. When I interfere or try to control, who knows what mess occurs!
Day 16 of the meditation challenge! I am very pleased that I have stuck with this journey. The benefits are tremendous. I am more patient and loving with myself and others. I have been able to detach from some stressful situations with a knowing that they will work out fine. Today's topic was about archetypes and identifying those that resonated with us on the physical, creative, practical and spiritual realms. I am so blessed to have so many people in my life that I admire close up, as well as those from afar that I have been exposed to. Who do you admire? What lessons do you learn from them?
Namaste
Jan
Friday, August 27, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
What is going on????
My eating of only foods good for me (doshas and allergies) has been going well. I am incorporating the tastes and the agni building tea. I am eating my meals at scheduled times. I am having a lighter dinner most nights. What I am noticing is an uncomfortable feeling of fullness at night and a re-appearance of digestive symptoms that had gone away. I am perplexed.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Today I shall judge nothing that occurs...
On this 11th day of the 21 day meditation challenge, I have been challenged to judge nothing. I am to just observe...have no opinion...just let all be and float. WOW....when the judgement thoughts float in, I say...thank you, but please, I can not answer you today...This was an interesting experience while watching Meet The Press... I will not judge my success or failure...I will spend the rest of the day practicing not judging myself or others...just being ...soaking it all in...and meditating again this evening to seal the experience.
Namaste.
Jan
Namaste.
Jan
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Just Go Easy!
Some days it is so hard to stay in the Ayurveda zone. I don't get to bed on time, or I don't get to eat the lunch I have prepared, or my dinner occurs too late, or I didn't include all of the "tastes". I really feel the effects of being out of the zone. I am struggling with how to make these habits daily. My gratitude is focusing on the things I have accomplished each day, and that is helping with my perfectionism. So, I am meditating every day. I am using the neti or nasalium every day. I am oil massaging every day. I am so much more conscious of foods and eating patterns every day. ALL of that is a GREAT accomplishment. I am learning to go easier on myself. So...just for today...be your own best friend. Celebrate your accomplishments...and just go easy!
Namaste
Jan
Namaste
Jan
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Kichari
Kichari loves me and I am learning to love it. Even though it feels like winter comfort food, I am enjoying it this summer. Since adding it to my diet, my digestion has calmed way down...I guess I am building Agni and clearing Ama... who knew??? It needs another spice to make it more flavorful for me...can't decide what that should be...seems like more salt, but I don't like to salt my food (even with good celtic salt). Here's my recipe....what do you add? what would you suggest? What do you serve with Kichari?
3/4 C Basmati rice rinsed several times
1/2 C split moong bean rinsed several times
1/2 tsp ghee
1 tsp cumin seed
1/4 tsp hing
1/2 tsp tumeric
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp chp fresh ginger
4 cups water
1 zucchini sliced thin
1 yellow squash, sliced thin
1 tsp ghee
Over medium heat, place ghee in pan. Add cumin. Stir til seeds pop. Add ginger and saute. Add rice, beans, tumeric, salt, and water. Bring to boil using high heat. When it reaches a boil, lower heat to low and cover pan. Let cook for 30 minutes. While this is cooking saute zuchinni and squash in 1 tsp ghee. Turn off heat of rice and bean mixture and let sit for about 5 minutes. Then add sauteed zucchini and yellow squash.
It freezes well too.
Have a creative time discovering the joys of kichari!
Namaste,
Janis
3/4 C Basmati rice rinsed several times
1/2 C split moong bean rinsed several times
1/2 tsp ghee
1 tsp cumin seed
1/4 tsp hing
1/2 tsp tumeric
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp chp fresh ginger
4 cups water
1 zucchini sliced thin
1 yellow squash, sliced thin
1 tsp ghee
Over medium heat, place ghee in pan. Add cumin. Stir til seeds pop. Add ginger and saute. Add rice, beans, tumeric, salt, and water. Bring to boil using high heat. When it reaches a boil, lower heat to low and cover pan. Let cook for 30 minutes. While this is cooking saute zuchinni and squash in 1 tsp ghee. Turn off heat of rice and bean mixture and let sit for about 5 minutes. Then add sauteed zucchini and yellow squash.
It freezes well too.
Have a creative time discovering the joys of kichari!
Namaste,
Janis
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Perfection
What is perfect??? An evening with a cool breeze tickling my skin spent listening to music......a wonderful connection....time spent with loved ones...playing with children.....Ayurveda adventure!
I am where I am supposed to be...I am doing what I am supposed to do...I am having an easier time staying in the present moment...now for my meditation...mmmm
I am where I am supposed to be...I am doing what I am supposed to do...I am having an easier time staying in the present moment...now for my meditation...mmmm
Friday, August 13, 2010
Ahhhhh!!!
I've taken the challenge...a 21 day meditation challenge from the Chopra center. I'm on day 2. David G has such a calming and soothing voice...I have always enjoyed his guided meditations. As part of my morning routine of rising early, meditation calms me for the day. So far we have done a mindfulness meditation and a centering breath meditation. For me, the centering breath meditation has always given me the best results in calming the "monkey chatter." I wonder if my mantra from TM in the 70's will come back to me?
I've noticed that in rising earlier, I have the time to take care in the morning and do the neti and the oil massage. Adding the daily meditation and exercise/yoga will encourage me to rise even earlier. I seem to be sleeping better too! I am ready to go to sleep by 9:30 or 10:00 P.M. Also, because of this I am not wanting to watch TV. But after the summer, the best shows are on at 10:00. I guess I will either give it up or learn to DVR.
Have an ecstatic day!
I've noticed that in rising earlier, I have the time to take care in the morning and do the neti and the oil massage. Adding the daily meditation and exercise/yoga will encourage me to rise even earlier. I seem to be sleeping better too! I am ready to go to sleep by 9:30 or 10:00 P.M. Also, because of this I am not wanting to watch TV. But after the summer, the best shows are on at 10:00. I guess I will either give it up or learn to DVR.
Have an ecstatic day!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Pitta, Pitta, Pitta me
Hi all. I am back from my trip. Lots of exciting news...Brad, my son got engaged!!!
How did I do with my Ayurvedic adventure you might wonder? Truth be told, I tried to fit in some of the new routine, but by the end of the trip I was anxious to get home. It definitely showed up in my digestive track. The first thing I did upon return was to brew my digestive tea. This brew works wonders and I would like to share the recipe from my Ayurvedic class with you.
Fill a pot with water (6-8 cups). Add @ a tsp. of coriander seeds, @ a tsp of fennel seeds, and @ a tsp of cumin seeds. Bring to a boil and let boil for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and steep another 10 minutes. Drink throughout the day and enjoy! I keep it in a thermal carafe. I love the fragrance of the herbs as the aroma fills my kitchen.
The extreme heat that we on the East coast are experiencing is kicking my Pitta. Much Gratitude for air conditioning. How do you cope with the heat???
How did I do with my Ayurvedic adventure you might wonder? Truth be told, I tried to fit in some of the new routine, but by the end of the trip I was anxious to get home. It definitely showed up in my digestive track. The first thing I did upon return was to brew my digestive tea. This brew works wonders and I would like to share the recipe from my Ayurvedic class with you.
Fill a pot with water (6-8 cups). Add @ a tsp. of coriander seeds, @ a tsp of fennel seeds, and @ a tsp of cumin seeds. Bring to a boil and let boil for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and steep another 10 minutes. Drink throughout the day and enjoy! I keep it in a thermal carafe. I love the fragrance of the herbs as the aroma fills my kitchen.
The extreme heat that we on the East coast are experiencing is kicking my Pitta. Much Gratitude for air conditioning. How do you cope with the heat???
Friday, August 6, 2010
Where are my Doshas???
I am off to the Beach and Philly....It will be a good experience to try these experiments while traveling...packed some things...hoping the rest will manifest....I hope my doshas show up!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Living in Bio-Rhythms
I know I can't keep a tune...but does that impact my rhythms??? So Ayurveda says to live in the Bio-Rhythms of nature. Well, I am getting up earlier...so far I have pushed my rising time back to 6:30 A.M. which means I am going to sleep earlier...no more 10:00 TV shows...actually, I have not turned on the TV in the bedroom since returning from Kripalu. Maybe I will actually remove it and be able to see the left side of my bureau!
What else am I doing? I am stretching and meditating every morning. This is lovely...to start the day in a quiet rhythm rather than the usual A.M. rush allows me to be more conscious of my choices. There are so many wonderful guided meditation choices out there. I have been listening to Adele Linsalata, Kirtan Rabbi (especially the "Shema"), and Deva Premal to name a few. I would love to learn about others that you have enjoyed. Keep the Light shining!!!
What else am I doing? I am stretching and meditating every morning. This is lovely...to start the day in a quiet rhythm rather than the usual A.M. rush allows me to be more conscious of my choices. There are so many wonderful guided meditation choices out there. I have been listening to Adele Linsalata, Kirtan Rabbi (especially the "Shema"), and Deva Premal to name a few. I would love to learn about others that you have enjoyed. Keep the Light shining!!!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Welcome to my Blog
Namaste...
I am so excited about being a first time Blogger! I have begun a journey in Aryurvedics that I want to share.
I was recently a first time visitor to Kripalu in Lenox Mass. where I took a workshop entitled Ayurvedic Secrets. Now, I have always had an interest in alternative/complimentary health and have a fair amount of knowlege about herbs, aroma therapy, nutrition, etc. But I always felt that what I knew was taken from many different sources and traditions and not cohesive. Additionally, I was never quite sure how to apply this information to me. I had even done some reading about Ayurveda, but it was very surface information. After completing this workshop, I felt that I had found a system that made so much sense to me. There was a way to answer questions and tailor actions that were specific to me personally. I also learned that many things about me now made perfect sense when looked at through Ayurvedics. This information has also helped me understand the ways of others and be able to be more accepting. Wow, quite a way to begin this adventure. I will be sharing the changes I am making and the results I am seeing over the course of my writings(ramblings). I would love to hear from you, dear reader, about your experiences too!
Many Blessings,
Jan
I am so excited about being a first time Blogger! I have begun a journey in Aryurvedics that I want to share.
I was recently a first time visitor to Kripalu in Lenox Mass. where I took a workshop entitled Ayurvedic Secrets. Now, I have always had an interest in alternative/complimentary health and have a fair amount of knowlege about herbs, aroma therapy, nutrition, etc. But I always felt that what I knew was taken from many different sources and traditions and not cohesive. Additionally, I was never quite sure how to apply this information to me. I had even done some reading about Ayurveda, but it was very surface information. After completing this workshop, I felt that I had found a system that made so much sense to me. There was a way to answer questions and tailor actions that were specific to me personally. I also learned that many things about me now made perfect sense when looked at through Ayurvedics. This information has also helped me understand the ways of others and be able to be more accepting. Wow, quite a way to begin this adventure. I will be sharing the changes I am making and the results I am seeing over the course of my writings(ramblings). I would love to hear from you, dear reader, about your experiences too!
Many Blessings,
Jan
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