Newsletter October 2006

Celebrating our 10 years journey into Ayurvedic Education
At the Ayurveda Institute of America, we are excited to celebrate our 10th Year of promoting Ayurvedic education for better health in our community. In this inaugural newsletter, you will find different aspects of Ayurveda in relationship to our beautiful Harvest Season.
The team at AIA wishes you a very Happy Diwali, the Indian New Year celebrated with lights and delicious meals on Oct 21st and 22nd, 2006.
Namaste, to good health and healthy living,
Dr Jay Apte

An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.
Ayurveda is all about Healthy living. Staying in tune with Mother Nature, means making seasonal changes in our daily life style to maintain the balance.

Don’t fall ill this Fall.
In the months from Oct-Dec Vata increases in the nature and in our body too, so we are prone to Arthritis, body pain, constipation, bloating, depression, anxiety, dry skin, itching, dandruff and many more,

Fall –O these Ayurvedic Tips:
Cut down on dry and light foods such as pop corn, toasts, rice cakes etc, ice cold foods and drinks, junk food and too much alcohol.
Emphasize warm nourishing foods, sautéed, stir-fried, or steamed vegetables, sea food, turkey, and chicken. Take dairy products in moderation. Herbal teas and warm drinks are best.

Some choices for foods are:
Breakfast 6-8am Oatmeal / Cream of Wheat / Grits and Warm herbal tea
Lunch Noon Soups, Stews, Pasta and sauce, Vegetables with gravy, rice or bread
Dinner 7.00 pm Rice, Soups, steamed vegetables
Dessert 8-8.30 pm warm pie (Occasionally), fruits
Snack 10. am, 3-4.00 pm a handful of Nuts, chewy energy bars, Sweet fruits(apples, banana, peaches)

Life style tips:

• Stick to the routine
• Keep yourself warm. Drink plenty of warm water and herbal teas
• Be regular
• Get up early in the morning
• Meditate (around 15 minutes) in the morning
• Plan the day (Do not schedule too many activities)
• Massage the whole body with sesame oil two three times a week
• Do not fast during this season

Herbal Care offers Ayurvedic herbal Formulas for Fall –
Trilax – For regularity with bowel movements
Reflex - For Arthritis aches and pains
X-tension- For a peaceful mind
X- Gas – For bloating and gas
Mahanarayan Oil – For joint massage
Vata oil- For Body massage
Call Herbal Care @1-800-313-4372
www.herbalcare.com

Something to think about:
Singlepointedness - To liberate the power of Mind, direct its focus only on one task. The moment you concentrate only on one purpose, extraordinary gifts will appear within your life. ---- R. Sharma

Ask Dr. Jay about Staying healthy in Fall

Q: Now that we’re in fall season, what are a few foods I should be eating and a few foods that I might want to avoid? I tend to get sick at the change of seasons and maybe information in this regard would help.

The transition period between two seasons is called Ritusandhi (a passage between seasons). It is very important health wise, because it is the perfect time to prepare yourself for the oncoming season. If you change your eating habits and a few daily routine, it will take you long way.

The cold weather makes you feel like eating warm and moist oatmeal for breakfast rather than toast or cold cereal and have a cup warm herbal teas rather than chilled beer at the end of the day. That is exactly what you are supposed to do.

A few things to avoid are ice cold salads, cold water, cold juices and ice-creams. Sweet fruits like Banana, Apricot, Papaya, Peach, Pineapple and Grapes are good. Steam or sauté veggies – a Variety of winter squash, asparagus, beetroot, green beans, okra, zucchini, sweet potatoes and enjoy with some ghee.
All nuts are good to moisten our skin and feel good. Good grains are rice, wheat (unless gluten intolerant), oats and amaranth. You can spice up your food mildly with Cumin, coriander, ginger, cinnamon, mint, sage, spearmint or thyme.
Just remember “keeping your self warm, grounded, and moisturized” is the Mantra for fall and early winter.

Grounding Vata tea
4 Cups water
! tsp Fennel Seeds
! tsp Coriander seeds
2 pods Cardamom
1 tbsp Sucanat
Procedure:
Boil water in a pot. Add slightly crushed fennel seeds, coriander seeds and cardamom pods. Boil for 2 more minutes. Add sucanat. Serve hot.