My Top 11 Tips To Ride Out "Vata Season" As Your Healthiest, Happiest You.

"Vata", "Pitta" and "Kapha" are the 3 energies or "doshas" recognized in Ayurveda that show themselves in all areas of our lives including our physical, mental & spiritual selves, time of day, foods, herbs and even the seasons of the year.  Vata Season begins from now until late winter.

Vata energy is erratic,  cold, dry, creative, kinetic, fast, changeable & excited.

We can see these elements in the environment around us in the Fall especially if you live in the North East as the leaves change, the breeze picks up, the temperature drops and the fast pace of the impending Holidays are inching our way.

In the physical body Vata rules the colon & elimination as well the nervous system. In the mind Vata rules creativity & love of knowledge as well as fear, anxiety & worry.


Each one of us has Vata energy within us, just in varying degrees. If you have a lot of Vata energy in your physical and mental make up, it may look like this:

You may experience:
*Sensitivity to sound
*Dry hair, skin & nails
*Cracking achy joints
*Tendency to rush from project to project, running late for appointments
*Aversion to cold
*Scattered thoughts & forgetfulness
*You love reading books & have 5+ books started but none finished...yet:)
*Forget to eat & skip meals
*Insomnia or poor sleep
*Tendency toward worry & fearful thoughts
*Gas, constipation, dry hard stools
*Painful, erratic menstrual cycles
*Muscular spasms

Whether you have a predominance of Vata in your individual make up or not, when we move into Vata season, "Vata energy" is heightened in all of us.

During this time  it's in our best interest to tame and balance our own Vata tendencies as best we can as we move through the Fall & Winter season.

How do we make peace with Vata?

Think all things warm, naturally sweet, cozy, grounded, easy, organized, well oiled, gentle, planned, peaceful...

1. Eat cooked food.

Put away the salad, get out the soup. Remember we are avoiding adding more of the cold, dry, raw Vata energy.
If you must have your raw greens, be sure to dress them with a good amount of oil in vinegar as this will make it easier and "warmer" for you to digest during Vata Season.

Naturally sweet, sour & salty foods are best for balancing Vata.

2. Turn up the heat.

Cook with warming spices: ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin & turmeric... Don't skimp:)

These herbs are packed with antioxidants, antimicrobials, taste great and will aid in circulation, detox, digestion and energy.


3. Nix the Ice & HYDRATE

Drink Warm (or at least room temp.) water with fresh ginger.
Add lemon or lime too if you like.

This is the perfect beverage to amp up digestion, metabolism and move waste from the body. If nothing else get at lease 1 8oz. mug of ginger tea in before for you have anything else in the AM.


Whatever you do keep hydrated 1/2 your body weight in ounces ya hear?



4. Oil Up.

Self massage is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.

Whether you can manage a quick head to toe oil rub down before hopping in the shower (any unrefined oil will do- warmed or room temp. is up to you), or if you can only manage to fit in a nice foot rub before hopping in bed at night- do it.

Abhyanga (self massage) soothes the nerves, strengthens the skin & aids in daily detox.

Eating healthy fats is also a key component in keeping your physical body well lubricated during the dry, cold vata season.

Focus on butter or ghee (clarified butter), avocados, olive oil, coconut in all its forms, hemp seeds, flax seeds, cod, mackerel, salmon and supplementing with Omega 3's.


5. Follow a Routine.

Your body wants a routine. Set alarms if you have to. Your most important meal is lunch- make it your largest and eat it before 2pm.

Our natural clock is at it's happiest rising no later than 7am and going to bed no later than 11pm.

This may sound wacky but give it a whirl.

Waking and retiring at specific times allows our bodies to detoxify & rejuvenate as we sleep.

Staying up past 11, is when we'll often get our "second wind". I know you know what I'm talking about:)
This "second wind" is really the energy our bodies need to allow our organs to detox- not have a night cap and answer a few more emails.

Eat consistently & sleep consistently. Try it you'll like it:)



6. Go Easy On the Caffeine. 

Drinking too much caffeine isn't great for anyone, but especially those who have high Vata.

Try switching to green tea or yerba mate a few days a week- or go super green and try one of my favorite herbal allies Nettle- She'll give you the energy boost you need without the caffeine- MY PROMISE.


7.Make Friends With the Neti Pot.

It's really not scary.

It's something you just have to try, and then you'll realize how simple and easy it is.

The neti flushes excess mucous, microbes & bacteria from our sinus & nasal passages keeping all those nasty bugs & flus at bay.

Try it you'll be happy you did-especially those of you who are "sinus" imbalance prone.


8. Try Yoga.

Yoga (there are lots of kinds- so try more than one!) is a wonderfully grounding, peaceful yet powerful and cardio pumping practice (if you do it right!).

 I find it particularly helpful for bringing more balance to the erratic, chaotic and sometimes crazy energy Vata can instill in our lives.

If you can't make it to class try a youtube video- it's free! And if not yoga, move your body in SOME way, any way for at least 15 min daily.

9. STOP and BREATHE

Whether it's a 30 minute meditation or 5 minutes upon waking or before you go to bed, intentional breath is of the utmost importance.

 Anytime you think of it, stop and breath with intention- especially when you're stressed waiting in traffic, in line getting groceries or when you're have a difficult discussion. It makes all the difference.



10. Go Green:

Here are my favorite Vata herbal allies:(found at any good natural food store)
   

*Ashwagandha: take 8oz of milk (any milk will do your pick) a tsp of ashwagandha, add a pinch of cinnamon, cardamom & turmeric and bring to a simmer. Turn off the heat add a bit of maple syrup or raw honey to taste and drink before bed. This brew will relax you to sleep while it rebuilds your reserves as you rest.

 
  *Gotu Kola, Rose, Sacred Basil Tea: So to your natural foods store and buys these herbs in bulk. Add equal parts of each herb and mix together. Add 1 tsp per 8oz mug steeped at least 15min. This blend will ground, center & bring a peaceful disposition to your mind & body.

 
  *Triphala: Probably the weirdest tasting of all Ayurvedic herbs but one of the most powerful. If you feel really out of whack and need a "reboot", take 1/2 tsp of triphala powder in 4oz of warm water drunk before bed. It will cleanse you from head to toe & is a gentle laxative. Please only use triphala when you are thoughtfully eating as well ie: cutting out sugar, alcohol, processed foods etc. as it's meant to aid in a gentle detox.



11. Breathe & Ride the Wave


Fall is a crazy busy time- no doubt. The most important thing we can do is focus on enjoying it right?

The country fairs, the foliage, the holiday cooking, time spent with friends and family. Soak it all up, leave the stress behind and breathe.

The more we breathe with intention and surrender to the moment - whatever it brings the more we can fully enjoy our crazy lives to the fullest.  Focus on what's important and focus on what feeds your spirit. Forget about the rest:)


May your Vata Season be warm, cozy, peaceful, healthy and bliss-filled! xo Amanda


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*The information shared on this blog is for educational purposes only.  If you are pregnant, nursing, have  serious health condition or are taking prescriptive medication please consult your healthcare practitioner before using herbal supplements. 

Are You A Tick Magnet? Tips For Keeping Those Suckers OFF!

Don't let those bugs keep you from enjoying your Spring, Summer and even Fall (they love the cold weather ya know...) to the fullest!  Whether it's a long hike in the woods, gardening or just hanging out in the backyard, there are many simple ways to protect yourself & your loved ones from the dreaded tick.

1.  Keep Your Immune System "Strong Like Ox" (said in an accent.)
This seems an obvious thing and yet we often overlook its importance.  A strong immune system makes it harder for microbes, viruses and negative bacteria to prevail and wreak havoc on our systems.  The same goes for being preyed upon by bugs.  It's been proven that ticks in fact seek out the weak to attack and infect, more so than animals with a strong defense- or immune system. Since we're ALSO animals, the same is true for us. So let's keep our immune system strong with these helpers:
     *Probiotics: the good guy bacteria we need in our gut for proper digestion & immune function.  You can find encapsulated probiotics at your local health foods store for the greatest benefit or in fermented foods like kimchi, kombucha, kefir and yogurt.
     *Eating a whole foods diet focused on fresh fruits and veggies- especially greens. 
     *Pure clean water intake- and lots of it- at least 1/2 your body weight in ounces.
     *Take immune enhancing herbs like Astragalus & Eleuthro on a regular basis- especially during tick season.  I find tincture form is the most potent. Ask your health care practitioner for details.
     *Manage your stress, whatever that looks like for you.  Meditation or breath work, exercise or just taking time out for you....whatever works- because stress is one of our worst enemies for a healthy mind, body & spirit.

2.  Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself- of rather, the tick does.
Ticks, whether or not they bite, sure do like crawling all over  you assessing the situation-but hey, as long as they don't bite- you're in the clear!  BUT do check yourself often.  They love all of our nooks and crannies-yes you know the ones... so each time you go inside to use the restroom, or back to the tent while camping- shake out your clothes and check your body: arm pits, behind the knees, ears, hair, under breasts and nether regions thoroughly.  LOOK HARD deer ticks can be really TINY!

3.  Make Friends With Essential Oils.
Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Rose Geranium *& Lemon Tea Tree are the heavy hitters when it comes to tick prevention.  Essential oils are versatile, anti-microbial in action and they smell great!  Here are a few easy ways to use them:
     *Make your own tick spray: buy a 1 ounce spray bottle, fill with water or a combination of witch hazel and water, then add 1-15 drops of essential oils.  Shake well and spray your skin, hair and clothing as needed.  If you want a heavier blend that will last longer on your skin, use a carrier oil like grapeseed, almond or olive oil instead of water in a 1 ounce pump bottle.  Again add the 10-15 drops of eo's, shake well and apply to skin before dressing yourself.  
    *Add them to everything!  I love using tea tree essential oil ( I find that ticks hate this essential oil the most). In the shower after a day outside in tick-land (aka the garden!), I use unscented Dr. Bronners castille  soap and add tea tree essential oils to it. Once again using the 10-15 drops of eo's per ounce ratio.  Another option is buying (or making!) an unscented body lotions to lube yourself up with after a nice hot shower (btw ticks HATE hot temperatures- so make your shower extra steamy!)

4.  A Non-essential Oil To Love.
Neem Seed Oil is a pressed oil from the seed of the Native Indian Tree- the Neem Tree.  It smells a little like garlic and peanut butter to me ( I know, gross), but man does it work!  Add this to your tick repellent oil or spray and give it an extra punch for tick prevention!  The Neem tree is known for it's anti-EVERYTHING properties.  From fungus, parasites, microbes and even malaria- Neem is your plant to kick butt.  Neem seed oil is also an excellent  choice for keeping ticks off your pets, as animals are often too sensitive for essential oil use.  Simply dilute Neem seed oil (6 drops per ounce) in a carrier oil of choice and rub into your pet's collar.  Put the collar on your furry friend (or ruffle the oil blend into their fur- or both!)  and they will be good to go!  Refresh the collar with new Neem oil every few weeks. 

5. Meet Your Herbal Allies.
Since ticks are the culprit for Lyme disease and it's co-infections, prevention is key.  Prevention of getting bit by a tick and keeping our bodies strong to combat the possible infection (heaven forbid) is where we need the most help.  The herbs are here to do that for us. 
     *Garlic: A heavy duty herb that boosts immune function, flushes viruses and microbes, calms inflammation, boosts circulation, repels parasites and fungus and so much more- EAT UP!
     *Astragalus: As mentioned above, Astragalus is and amazing adaptogenic herb, which really just means it's a "super hero" herb.  Adaptogens have the ability to bring our bodies back to balance, enhance or modulate immune function and aid in combating stress of all kinds- pretty great right?!  Astragalus has a particular affinity to the immune function and it has an anti-spirochetal action (spirochetes are the bacteria like critters that come with Lyme.)
     *Eleuthro: As mentioned above is another adaptogen specific for boosting immunity in a  very depleted and stressed states as well as supporting adrenal function.
     *Stinging Nettle: One to the most mineral rich herbs that gives the whole body a boost!  I call it an herbal "multi-vitamin".  Nettle is specific for supporting an building a healthy nervous system but offers a myriad of other benefits-one of my absolute favs!
     *Red Rood Bark: Red root gets things moving!  Especially the lymph which is where we often have a lot of toxins built up in our systems.  Getting the lymph moving and supporting our liver/spleen function, Red root will help out bodies get back on track in no time.
You can find all of the above herbs in tea, tincture or capsule from at your local health foods store.  I find that tinctures are the most potent and fast acting form of herbal medicine.  As your health practitioner for guidance.

In conclusion, don't choose to live in fear over ticks & their possible infections and deprive yourself of time enjoying Mother Nature- act now, prevent, now, just plain take care yourself  now and not only will you stay tick free, you'll just feel fantastic.

XO AMANDA

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*All of the information shared on this blog is for educational purposes only and  is not meant to treat, cure or replace any other form of medicine or treatment. Use herbs under the guidance of your healthcare practitioner.