Summer into fall
The changing of the seasons is a pivotal time for the body. Moving from one season to the next can be challenging, especially summer to fall and winter to spring. These are ideal times in ayurveda to take steps to mitigate illness. You see, there is an in between time with seasons when it’s no longer summer but not quite fall. This space between is when the body is susceptible to illness. As it lets go of one season and moves into another it can be vulnerable.
So how do we mitigate the chances that we will end up sick in this transition time?
We cleanse and fortify, this is the ayurvedic way. Release any stored heat in the body from summer and build it up to face the cool weather as we move into fall. A seasonal routine is called Ritucharya in ayurveda, and it’s just as important as our daily routine, dinacharya. Luckily nature gives us cues as to what our bodies need at this time of transition and we can look to it for insight.
Here are some ayurvedic tips for moving into Autumn
Cleanse
- Ayurveda never really suggests fasting, what it does suggest is monofasting; meaning you eat a limited simple diet for several days in order to reset digestion and cleanse the system. What’s usually suggested for this is kitchari, a staple in ayurveda. Eating kitchari for a few days allows the system the space and time to heal and reset.
Kitchari Recipe
I love using this recipe from Real and Vibrant
Ingredients
Kitchari
- ½ cup moong dal split mung beans
- ½ cup Basmati rice
- 4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon ghee coconut oil or avocado oil for vegan-friendly
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon minced fresh ginger or a pinch of ground ginger powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Garnish:
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- slices of lime or lemon
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the rice and moong dal. Pour enough water to cover the mixture and soak for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, pour the mixture into a fine mesh strainer and rinse with cold water until it runs clear.
- Warm the oil or ghee on medium-low heat in a medium pot. Carefully add the cumin seeds and let them cook for about a minute until the seeds start to brown and become fragrant. Add the ginger and ground turmeric.
- Add the rice and dal mixture into the pot. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Stir and add the 4 cups of water.
- Increase the heat to medium-high to bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Turn the heat down immediately to a gentle simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally until you get a porridge-like consistency. It should be soft and creamy.
- Taste the kitchari to make sure the texture is soft. If not, you may need to let it cook a little longer. Turn off the heat and adjust the seasoning, if needed, and stir again. Serve or cool down completely and refrigerate in a sealed container for 3 days.
Fortify
- Begin to eat slightly heavier foods by introducing root veggies and whole grains. Digestion naturally gets stronger as we move into the colder months.
- Begin to move into warmer foods, such as oatmeal, baked sweet potatoes and warmed apples with cinnamon.
- Incorporate abhyanga to prepare and protect the skin for cooler temps.
- Wind builds as we move into fall, so be sure to cover delicate areas of your body like your neck and ears.
- Stick to your daily routine during transition times, the body LOVES this type of stability.
- Spend time with loved ones. A cup of cacao and a good chat is good for the soul. It is important to feel and experience love in times of transition.
- Elderberry and Amalaki are so beneficial for this time so stock up on our Epic Elderberry for fall using code Fall15.
Overall, do your best to keep your body comfortable as we move into Fall.
In good health,
Amanda