Reminder: Feel Nourished AND Energized: Springtime Tips! – your SV Ayurveda Newsletter April 24, 2025 – #14, Vol 15

We know through Ayurveda that Spring is Kapha Season, but what does that mean in practical terms? It’s the season when things “feel” heavy, cold, dull, and moist. This is what happens in the environment as the sun literally melts the accumulated snow of the Winter in the northern hemisphere. In our bodies, this environmental change translates into a relaxing and opening of the “shrotas” or physical channels, and the release of stored up toxins. To support the body in this natural seasonal detox, Ayurveda recommends Spring detox. But if you are not able to do detox for 6-8 weeks at least 1-2 days a week, then you can opt for dietary and lifestyle changes. Such as: eating lighter and warm foods; incorporating and staying on top of regular exercise and physical activity. A lighter diet and regular physical activity will help keep those toxins flowing out Sounds easy, right? Well, there is ALWAYS a catch!

It is one of Ayurveda’s most “mystical” truths that we crave MORE of what we already have or are. So in the Spring, we will crave more heavy, more cold, more unctuous foods; we will want to sleep more and longer; we will want to stay in our pj-s later and indulge in mentally and physically in lazy distractions…. All this will result in kapha aggravation and a foggy heavy mind. Of course, this may also bring about the seasonal sniffles, body aches, cough and cold…. So be aware of your sudden cravings for cheesy heavy rich pasta dishes; for cold sugary ice-cream and desserts; late-night and sleeping-in in the mornings… all these things will just make you feel dull, unmotivated, and even heavy physically and mentally! You may even feel “depressed” for no reason!

So what to do? If there is one thing we have learnt from Ayurveda, it is that EVERYTHING PIVOTS ON DIGESTION… Fix your digestion and your uplift your mood, you address body aches, and you can even get rid of other long-standing imbalances that may have developed into dis-ease. 

So this Spring, focus and try to fix one thing: your diet. 

1. Eat lighter easy to digest food items: choose quinoa, millet, sorghum, or Vaidya Kitchdi mix – over rice and wheat
2. Choose raw honey over sugar and syrups 
3. Have almond milk (make your own!) instead of cow’s milk
4. Lighter vegetarian proteins instead of heavier meat based protein – Lent and other religious traditions are a reminder for us that ancient cultures were aware of Spring Detox too! 
5. Eat lots of leafy greens- boil spinach, Swiss Chard, Collard greens etc with a pinch of ajwain and cumin, or try the Spicy Mom’s with green chillies – then garnish with Soma Salt and Olive oil and enjoy with a side of well-cooked grains – and feel the bliss! 
6. Add some warming spices to your meals, or some grated ginger to your morning breakfast stews, or with your lunch. At a loss for “warming spices”? Try Vaidya’s Garcinia Masala for Kapha – tangy and delicious!
7. Keep dinnertime light with boiled veggies and some protein blended into a creamy soup: add 1 tsp of coriander seeds and 3 peppercorns. Try the Vadi-s or vegetarian dumplings! They are succulent with a delicious chewy texture that will satisfy your hunger but not make you feel heavy and too full!

Getting back into your regular exercise/yoga routine will be key now, not just for physical health but for your mental and emotional health as well. Spring season is a time when you can feel “stuck” emotionally and mentally. Re-ignite your digestion and witness your emotions flow and your thoughts settle down! Vaidya Mishra made wonderful remedies and food items that help balance and keep Kapha in check. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A KAPHA BODY TYPE TO CONSUME KAPHA PACIFYING FOODS AND ROUTINE IN THE SPRINGTIME! All doshas experience the Kapha imbalance. Vaidya Mishra’s Kapha pacifying Kitchdi, vadis, masalas, are good for one and all. Try them and let us know which one is your favorite! Namaste!

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