EAT THE FOOD IN THE RIGHT SEASON, STAY HEALTHY

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EAT THE FOOD IN THE RIGHT SEASON, STAY HEALTHY

 

 

 

1. Choose intelligent, easy-to-digest foods. Intelligent foods

includefresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and light dairy

products. If you choose fresh, whole foods that are not altered by

processing, then your meal is going to wake up the intelligence of

nature and convert quickly to ojas. (Ojas is the end product of

complete digestion that creates radiant good health, stable emotions,

and immunity ).

 

Foods that are processed, canned, frozen or packaged are harder to

digest, and thus create ama (Ama = the digestive impurities caused by

eating hard-to-digest foods or by unhealthy eating habits, creates the

opposite effect to that of ojas--it compromises immunity and health).

Also, because they are old, denatured by processing, or include

harmful ingredients such as chemical preservatives, you could even

call them dumb foods, because they no longer contain nature's

intelligence. Rather, they create ama and block nature's intelligence

from reaching the cells.

 

Organically grown foods are best because not only are they free of

harsh chemicals, but they also contain more minerals. Vegetarian

proteins such as paneer (homemade cheese), milk, and pulses

(split-mung dhal, lentils and other small, split beans) enhance ojas

and immunity. Meat is not a recommended protein because it is

difficult to digest and creates ama.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Cook with immune-boosting spices. Cook your food in a way that

doesn't disturb the food's natural intelligence. For instance, if you

add mild spices to cooked vegetables, grains and legumes, the food

will convert more quickly to ojas. Spices add good flavor and have a

property, that support digestion and make the nutrients easily

available to the body. Different spices also have specific

immune-boosting properties. Turmeric has an immune-modulating effect

because it is detoxifying and enhances the intelligence of the immune

cells. Cumin burns ama. Black pepper clears the channels so ojas can

reach the deeper tissues.

 

3. Eat immune-boosting foods. All sweet, juicy fruits (such as pears,

peaches, plums, sweet pineapple and mangoes) enhance immunity because

they transform quickly into ojas. If they are tree-ripened, they

convert almost instantly. Pomegranate seed juice and pomegranate seed

chutney are also excellent boosters of immunity, because they enhance

digestion and elimination without increasing Pitta dosha. A papaya

after lunch enhances digestion and increases immunity.

 

Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower contain antioxidants, flavonoids

and other immune-enhancing nutrients. Whole grains such as quinoa,

amaranth and barley also have immunity-fighting effects, because they

provide cleansing fiber and contain many essential nutrients.

 

Last but certainly not least, ghee and milk are cherished in the

ayurvedic tradition for their ojas-enhancing effects. Ghee is the most

easily digested fat, contains essential fatty acids, and is a great

immunity booster. Both milk and ghee should be organic and free of

additives, and milk should be boiled with a pinch of cardamom before

it is drunk in order to make it easier to digest. Drink it alone, away

from meals, to avoid indigestion.

 

4. Cook your food but not too much. According to Ayurveda, food

becomes more digestible when you cook it. But you don't want to cook

it too much, as that reduces its immune-boosting effect. The food

should be soft and easy to chew, but not mushy.

 

5. Eat at the proper time. Eat your main meal in the middle of the

day, when the sun is highest and digestion strong. Eat lighter at

breakfast and at night, when digestion is weaker. This will enhance

immunity. It's also important to eat your meals at the same time every

day. Your digestion gets used to a routine, and becomes more

efficient.

 

6. Eat the proper quantity. Eating the right amount for your body

type--not too much or too little--enhances ojas and supports the

immune system. Ayurveda recommends that you sip a cup of

room-temperature water with your meals, so the meal is part liquid.

Eat to only 3/4 of your capacity, in order to leave some space for the

digestive process to take place. If you eat until you are really full,

it creates discomfort and ama.

 

7. Choose foods for your body type and for the season. It's not

correct that you can eat anything you want, as long as it's good food.

If you want to stay healthy, you need to choose foods that will bring

balance to your body type and for the particular season. Whatever

influences from the weather and climate is causing an imbalance, you

need to counteract them with the food you eat.

 

Santhigiri Ayurveda & Siddha Vaidyasala,

 

No. 1458, H Block, 16th Street, 16th Main Road,

 

Annanagar West, Chennai 600 040.

 

Ph No. 044 32914322, 26160340, 26160441.

 

www.ayurvedasanthigiri.org , www.santhigiriashram.org

 

 

 

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With Prayers, Akhil. J.L