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 include fresh 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.

 

For details: Akhil J.L

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

 

 

 

 

With Prayers,

Akhil J.L