Ayurvedic Tips for Spring

As the weather changes from the bitter cold to signs of new life we begin a springtime routine. Ayurveda provides you with the tools required to begin a routine that will create balance and wellbeing.

It would be helpful to familiarize yourself with the common manifestations of the seasons and a good suggested foundation is learning more about Ayurveda. If you have not taken the Introduction to Ayurveda workshop with Dr. Deepa Apté, we suggest that you consider learning more to begin the journey to true inner and outer wellbeing. Even those that have studied elsewhere find the workshop refreshing and insightful to authentic Ayurveda.

During this next season of spring one should familiarise themselves with kapha imbalances so that they can address them quickly if they do arise. And, if you know your dosha (constitution), you can further refine your daily routine to more specifically support your body type.

Create a Supportive Spring Diet with Kapha-Balancing Products

The arrival of brighter days and the warmer weather often lends to a decline in our desire for the substantive and heavy foods so essential during the colder months. Many people notice a natural shift in their cravings as winter gives way to spring.

In fact, many notice an instinctive preference for lighter foods. You may find that your appetite decreases, and you start craving fresh fruit and vegetables. These changes are also are a way of your body telling you that it’s time for some spring cleaning. Spring is a perfect time of year for a cleanse. To get a jump start on the season we suggest Ayurveda Pura’s Pippali Detox Kit, which is a 15 day cleansing program. The kit provides all the necessary herbs, teas and suggested plan for food and activities to experience a natural and beneficial cleanse.

However, even outside the confines of a structured Ayurvedic cleanse, you can support your body’s natural desire to purify and renew using herbs like Neem, Tulsi and Triphala. It is also favourable to eat warm, light foods the have pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes. These foods are relatively easy to digest and assists the body in the digestive process, helping to balance mucus production, regulate moisture levels, and serve to open the channels of elimination so critical for purification.

Each day can start with a light breakfast of fresh fruit and consuming Ayurveda Pura’s Cinnamon & Ginger Spice™ - Kapha Balancing Herbal Tea.

Lunch and dinner should be of light, cooked grains, steamed vegetables, and legumes.

Throughout the day you should drink warm or hot Ayurvedic herbal teas. It is especially beneficial to drink Orange & Fennel Bliss™ an hour before bedtime for a restful nights sleep.

When planning meals structure your diet around eating lots of fresh lightly steamed vegetables and a variety of legumes. These foods tend to be astringent and often somewhat bitter.

It is also beneficial to eat lots of bitter greens, cabbage family vegetables. Also, cook with pungent flavour of onions, garlic, ginger, black pepper, chili pepper, small amounts of cayenne pepper, and an unlimited variety of herbs and spices.

Moderation is key. Local freshwater fish, tofu, and poached or hardboiled eggs are great portions and also appropriate for the season.

The following is a list of recommended spring foods:

Fruits:

Apples
Apricots
Blueberries
Cherries
Cranberries
Raisins and Other Dried Fruit
Lemons and Limes
Peaches 
Pears
Limes
Pomegranates
Prunes (soaked)
Raspberries
Strawberries

Vegetables:

Artichoke
Asparagus
Bell Peppers
Beets & Beet Greens
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Chilies
Collard Greens
Corn
Dandelion Greens
Endive
Garlic
Green Beans
Kale
Leeks
Lettuce
Onion
Peas
Potatoes, white
Radishes
Spinach
Sprouts
Turnips

Grains:

Amaranth
Barley
Buckwheat
Corn
Millet
Oats (dry, not cooked)
Quinoa
Rice, Basmati
Rice Cakes
Rye
Seitan
Tapioca

Legumes:

Aduki Beans
Bean Sprouts
Black Beans
Black-Eyed Peas
Garbanzo Beans
Kidney Beans
Lima Beans
Lentils
Miso
Mung Beans
Navy Beans
Pinto Beans
Tempeh
Toor Dal
White Beans

Seeds:

Popcorn
Pumpkin Seeds
Sunflower Seeds

Dairy (In Moderation)

Cottage Cheese
Goat's Milk
Yogurt

Animal Products:

Eggs
Freshwater Fish
Poultry (white meat)
Shrimp
Venison

Oils (In Very Small Quantities):

Corn Oil
Flax Seed Oil
Ghee
Mustard Oil
Safflower Oil
Sunflower Oil

Sweeteners:

Honey
Maple Syrup
Molasses

Spring is a perfect season to create a new healthy routine through Ayurveda that will help you cleanse, rejuvenate, and revive yourself. If you would like more information or delve further in understanding your dosha (constitution) consider scheduling a consultation with one of our Ayurvedic doctors. Make spring your fresh start!