“I would like my life to be a statement of love and compassion - and where it isn't, that's where my work lies.” -Ram Dass | |
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Hello friends,
I'm writing to you amidst the complexity of this global crisis and spread of COVID-19. I keep hearing that we're all in this together, and we are! Can we feel and remember that now even in times of isolation and social-distancing? Who knows how this pandemic will continue to unfold and what shifts our collective will go through because of it, but my wish is that we keep supporting each other in whatever ways we can, and stay as calm and grounded as possible. I know it's not always easy, but every reminder helps!
As probably expected, we are canceling our Half-Day Spring Retreat at Open Sky on April 19th to ensure we all stay healthy and minimize exposure. We don't have any plans to reschedule at this time, but we'll keep you posted. Now that we are all required to be at home more, perhaps there is opportunity to create a retreat-like space in our immediate environment as we take a step back, slow down a bit, and sit with all that is occurring within and without.
Below are some Ayurvedic recommendations for keeping the immune system strong, and an InstaPot Kitchari recipe that has been my go-to these days for making a simple, yet deeply nourishing meal at home.
Take good care out there! 🌿
~Camina
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Lots of great wellness information is circling around and I trust we all find the resources we need to stay healthy and recover quickly if we do contract the coronavirus. Here are my personal tips to stay in balance and amp up our home self-care routine. Springtime, according to Ayurveda, is already a time when more moisture in the earth (kapha season) and our bodies are already more prone to colds and flus, as fluid can build up in our lungs. Eating lighter foods, reducing dairy and oils, as well as, sweating regularly through exercise or steaming are all ways to reduce the kapha dosha and assist the detoxification process from consuming heavier, richer foods in the winter. Here are some other simple remedies that can building immunity through this seasonal change, as well during the spread of a virus.
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Daily Routine
- Stick with a regular sleep and eating schedule. It's easy to 'graze' while home more, but setting mealtimes creates a consistent rhythm during the day lending to more stability, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Check out this wonderful book on circadian medicine by Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar, Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life.
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Exercise
- Moving the body and sweating not only supports the detoxification process by moving the lymph, but also can help enormously with stir-crazy, cabin fever! Adding in dry brushing before your shower can also increase circulation and boost the mood while reducing kapha.
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Rest
- Getting good, sounds sleep at night is important, but also resting during the day increases our immune function and soothes our nervous system. Have your tried yoga nidra?
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Herbal Support
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Love and Care
- Whether it's self-care or care for loved ones, let's amp up giving and receiving of love to boost our health and immunity through the release of oxytocin! I saw a meme on hand washing while repeating a loving-kindness prayer, "May all beings be safe. May all beings be content. May all beings be healthy. May all beings live with ease."
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I've made Kitchari hundreds of times and each time is a little different than than the other. Sometimes I measure the spices and use a recipe, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I use white basmati rice, sometimes I use brown rice. There are endless ways to make it! Usually, I like mixing it up, but I will say the variability doesn't always work in my favor. About a week ago I experimented with an InstaPot recipe and was pleasantly surprised. Not only did I measure the spices ;) but the consistency was perfect - fluffy yet not mushy.
I've been making it almost daily since and am sold that this is the way to go when time is limited. Here is the recipe I used, but I do encourage you to experiment and try out different spice blends and veggies that you love. 💚
InstaPot Kitchari
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Split Mung Dal (soaked overnight or for at least 6 hours)
- 3/4 cup of White Basmati Rice (rinsed well)
- Purified water (double the amount of what the rice and mung measure out to together after soaking and rinsing)
- 2 Tablespoon of Ghee
- 1 inch of Fresh Ginger (peeled and finely chopped)
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon of Banyan Botanicals Kitchari Spice Mix
- 2 Cups of Seasonal Vegetables (my favorite combination for Kitchari is carrots and chard, and in the colder months adding in sweet potatoes. Kale, celery, leeks, and golden beets are also great options for spring).
- Bundle of Cilantro
- Lemon or Lime
- Sea Salt or Himalayan Salt
Instructions:
- Use the Sauté feature to sauté the spices in ghee at the bottom of the InstaPot until they are golden brown.
- Add in soaked mung beans and rice and stir around.
- Add water, close and steal the InstaPot. Pressure Cook for 25 minutes.
- While that's cooking, steam veggies to add them to the beans and rice after they're cooked.
- Once everything is done, top with a handful of chopped cilantro, lemon or lime and sea salt. Enjoy!
*Photo by Balance with Tiff
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"Harmonize with Nature, Walk a Path of Balance" | |
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