Vegetarian Balance

We’re well into autumn, the season of Vata, when we generally may have issues letting go at all levels. For example, are you feeling stuck on a physical and emotional level at the moment – with how to move forward at work, at home. With the large intestine being the seat of Vata, I often get clients contacting me with more issues of digestive problems in that area at this time of the year. We may feel a bit more sensitive than usual, and want to get involved in many activities but lack the energy.

There is a block which needs to be removed before you can go forward. What has this got to do with nutritional therapy?

Autumn is the 2nd opportunity in the year, after Spring,that we have for doing detox work. Obviously it shouldn’t be as deep as Spring work since the body does not have the same amount of energy to support it. Any detox work done in autumn should be seen instead as a chance to prepare our bodies for the winter to make sure we stay healthy and vibrant during this period.

However, many of us find that at this time we get colds or flu or other ailments which may drain our bodies of energy because they are not managed adequately.

One of my most popular techniques to suggest at this time of the year is to do neti. However, I know there are many people who are not so keen on the idea as I am. Are you one of them?

So for non-neti (and even neti) lovers, let me share one of favourite seasonal recipes. Not only should it get those digestive juices going and clear out your sinuses but you’ll also be bringing more fluid and warmth into your diet at a time of the year when dryness and cold prevail.
Enjoy this tasty detox recipe for the autumn!

Spicy pumpkin soup ( for 4 generous starter portions)

Ingredients:3 tbsps olive oil & sesame oil (half and half)
500g pumpkin (diced)
½ tsp cumin seeds
Salt to taste
¼ tsp chilli powder
½ tsp curry powder
½  tsp turmeric
1 generous tbsp fresh ginger (peeled and chopped)
small bunch of fresh parsley (finely chopped)

Method:
Heat the oil in a pot. Test the heat of the oil by dropping in one cumin seed. If the oil sizzles it is hot enough to add the remainder of the seeds. Fry until brown.
Add the diced pumpkin to the pot and mix well.
Add salt and chilli powder, mix well and leave to cook for a minute.
Add enough hot water to cover the pumpkin completely and stir well.
Add the curry powder, turmeric and fresh ginger and stir well.
Leave to simmer for approx. 20 – 30 minutes.
(optional) Pour the mixture into a liquidizer and blend for 30 seconds.
Sprinkle on the chopped parsley just before serving.

What’s next?

1. Go out and get the ingredients for the recipe.
2. Make it part of your gentle detox schedule for this season.
3. Feel free to share your feedback with me, including photos!

Fancy some more delicious simple recipes for autumn? Grab a copy of my “Recipes for Autumn” booklet for easy preparation and digestion during your gentle detox this season.

Most common health issues such as colds, sinus issues, fatigue, at this time of year are associated with the winter season. In Ayurveda this is the season of Kapha and we have a tendancy to feel sluggishness at all levels. Because of the wet, cold and heavy energy of Kapha it’s a time when many of us feel sluggish and tired.
Good nutrition is only one aspect on the path to achieving fuller health. Cleansing or a detox of the body is also important, especially if you’re feeling tired and drained. Let me share with you 3 longstanding simple strategies that I use on a regular basis to boost vitality and relieve fatigue.

Doing neti
This is a technique I do practically every morning and one which has been used for a long time by yoga practitioners, particularly to enhance deep breathing.

Benefits of doing neti

* By enhancing breathing capacity, it increases general vitality and prevents fatigue.
* It clears out blockages, for example, during a cold, asthma, thereby relieving breathing difficulties
* It cleanses the sinuses and the mucous membrane of dust and allergens, i.e. pollen.
* It regulates the nasal secretion so that the mucous membrane, important for the immune system, can move out invading particles and micro-organisms.
* It can help to give us breathing space to deal with emotional and psychological issues in our lives.

Benefits of using a neti pot when doing neti

* It is an important tool for cleansing the sinuses, increasing breathing capacity and enhancing general vitality.
* It is easy and safe to use
* It is much more pleasant to pour lukewarm than cold water into your nostrils.
* It’s ecological.
* It’s good value for money

When to use your neti pot
The best time to use it is first thing in the morning shortly after getting up.
You can also use it before going to bed to help prevent snoring and produce a deeper and more relaxing sleep.
However, you can also use it whenever you feel congested and want to breathe more easily.

Skin brushing

This second technique is another favourite of mine which I do primarily in the winter and spring. Let me explain why.
Skin brushing

* can help maintain healthy muscle tone
* stimulates the circulation and the lymphatic system, important for the immune system
* removes dead skin cells for smoother and more radiant skin
* invigorates the body through the massaging strokes of the bristles
* can be used in a cleansing programme. Excess waste moves into the solar plexus area, where the toxic fluid is drained into the intestines and excreted from the body.

What type of brush?
A brush that is good quality and made with a natural fibre. One with a long handle is great to get to those hard-to-reach areas of the back.

When?
The best time to skin brush is in the early morning, before washing and dressing, although any time is fine. For some people it’s too stimulating before bedtime. You’ll feel invigorated and refreshed each day after just five minutes’ skin brushing.

Epsom Salts Bath

This third technique is one I use regularly throughout the year. Some of the benefits include:

* it is inexpensive and easy to buy – from any chemist
* it relaxes the blood vessels and the muscles and, for ladies, it is good for period pains.
* it is a highly alkalizing mineral, so great for a detox programme
* it can help to alleviate stress
* it results in deep refreshing sleep

When?
Do this at night before going to bed. Have a relaxing bath. In morning do skin brushing to remove dead cells from the bath, then take a shower.

These techniques are simple and important first steps if you want to overcome fatigue in 2010. The important thing is to get into a rhythm. And for those of you who want to take faster steps towards fuller health I can help you with this programme.

What next? Fix a time to get the tools you need to start these techniques.
Start doing them. Feel free to post further questions or share your comments below.

“Am I eating enough protein, especially as I want to move towards becoming a vegetarian?”

According to the World Health Organization we need a maximum of 10-15% protein in our daily diet. (This is, for example, the equivalent of 27 – 45 grams for a woman weighing 60 kg). This is not a large amount and most of us in the West easily take in more on a daily basis. 

And since we are able to store protein, as long as we are eating a varied whole-food diet every day, we’ll be getting enough protein, even if we decide to take it in plant form. 

In Ayurveda we are not told that we have to be vegetarian. What is important is to be conscious about what we are eating in relation to our activity or intended activity. Meat is intrinsically heavy and requires a lot of energy to digest. It is a very concentrated source of energy at all levels.

Traditional nutritional systems, like the Chinese and Ayurveda, sometimes suggest small amounts of meat as a quick way to build strength in tissues. However, questions are often raised nowadays about the quality of the meat because of how animals are kept and meat processed.

Simply put I have always found it much easier to get hold of quality plant-based protein sources. As a lacto-vegetarian, I eat dairy products occasionally but no red meat, fowl, fish or eggs. My diet consists mainly of whole-foods including nuts, seeds, pulses, grains, vegetables and fruits, all of which contain enough protein for me to cover my protein needs very well and consciously.

Moreover, a plant-based diet offers a lighter alternative to one that is meat-based. It can support those recovering from illness because less energy is used for digestion and more is left for the body to use in healing processes.

(c) 2009 Janet Gomez

About the author:  Janet Gomez, nutritional consultant, produces the “Nutri-Jyoti News”, a free bi-monthly e-newsletter for busy professionals. Feel ready to learn how to use nutritional strategies to manage your energy levels? Then sign up for her FREE e-course “5 Nutritional Keys to Vitality in your Life” at http://www.nutrijyoti.com

If you suffer from gluten intolerance, your digestive system suffers and you feel tired. You know you have to give up a lot of foods you enjoy. So what can you do? Let me share with you an outline of the system I use with clients to help them deal with gluten intolerance and have more energy.

1. Improve Elimination –

* through your breathing channels because the quality of your breath affects your energy levels and immune system. Practising the neti technique, a very effective yogic technique, is a great way to improve the quality of our breathing

* through your cells. To move toxins out of your cells it’s important to dring sufficient water (between 1 to 2 litres daily at least). Are you drinking enough water? Do this quick test for a better idea

2. Eat a variety of foods – even if you have to give up certain foods, make the most of the chance to try new gluten-free options. Take your pick from cereals like rice, millet, corn, quinoa, buckwheat and amaranth. Rice and millet are particularly good because they have a cleansing effect on the body.

3. Enjoy and accept the change – your body is always telling you what it needs to feel goo. You just have to listen to make the whole digestive experience more pleasant. Being at peace with the situation helps.

4. Prepare your own meals as much as possible to be in control of what you’re eating. To get you started here’s one of my favourite recipes from my book “Plans for Dinner”. I’ve adapted this gluten-free recipe to the season for you. Send me a message to receive it.

I encourage you to follow this system even if you don’t suffer gluten intolerance since I’m sure you and your family will see an increase in energy. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

(c) 2008 Janet Gomez

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About the author:  Janet Gomez, nutritional consultant, produces the “Nutri-Jyoti News”, a free monthly e-newsletter for busy professionals. Feel ready to learn how to use nutritional strategies to manage your energy levels? Then sign up for her FREE e-course “5 Nutritional Keys to Vitality in your Life” at http://www.nutrijyoti.com

First of all, you may be wondering what exactly is “neti”.  In a sentence “neti” is a technique for cleansing the nasal passages.  There’s more  info on this page if you’d like further details.

There are various types but my favourite one is the “jala neti” where you use slightly salted warm water to clear your nostrils with a tool known as a “neti pot” or “lota”.

I remember when I first tried it I wasn’t convinced and felt the water  wouldn’t come out  or I wouldn’t be able to breath. However, something made me persist and the water did come out and I could breath and now even speak ( not advised for a beginner)  while doing it!

Even though I don’t have sinus or allergy problems, I’ve seen the benefits especially when I have colds – they get flushed out – literally. Other benefits I’ve experienced have been when having to stay up very late to finish work. While my colleagues had coffee I  did a neti around 11pm and was wide-awake and alert to work until we finished around 3am. My regular neti practice also helped me when I took an early morning flight. I did my neti practice as usual in the morning and noticed that my ears did not pop during take-off and landing.

Do you have any neti experiences to share? Good (or bad – I may be able to help you make them better), feel free to share .