If you’re trying to determine what’s causing you to feel a bit ‘off’ and suspect food intolerances, then a simple elimination diet can do the trick. For severe symptoms a food allergy test is recommended. But for milder symptoms like fatigue, low immune system, headaches, skin issues, constipation or bloating then the elimination diet is one effective and easy method for finding out if they are food related.
This is not an anti-raw food rant – just to clarify! I simply want to look at the big picture when it comes to raw vs. cooked food. The way I see it is that many of us grew up eating mostly cooked food and I know I will probably continue to eat cooked for the rest of my life, not because raw is ‘just a craze’ but because it feels natural for me.
Recognizing the fact that we’re all unique in terms of our body types, stages of life, issues going on with our health, climates we live in and foods we eat daily – it makes sense then to approach detoxing in a way that takes these factors into consideration.
I would like to present this piece in the spirit of compassion, co-operation and communication. My thanks to Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Sharat Jois and all teachers who have developed this practice and helped me along this path. The purpose of writing is to encourage debate and dialogue amongst practitioners.
This golden wonder spice came into my radar during recent stints in Bali when I became rather fond of a local drink called jamu, made with fresh turmeric, ginger, tamarind and honey. Lately much has also been researched and written about the wonders of this intensely bright, pungent super food.
Eating to balance yin and yang has been the Chinese way of eating for centuries, a concept which later became key to macrobiotics. So what does it mean? Balancing yin and yang is about balancing the energy of food, as opposed to balancing certain food groups. Yang foods are considered to be more heating to the body and dense energetically, while yin foods are more cooling, lighter in energy and with higher water content. The Chinese ideal is to eat both types of food to keep the body in balance.
Where in the world are you? What’s the weather like outside? What’s going on in YOUR world i.e. your body? What’s the weather like inside?
In Ayurveda it’s all about eating and living according to the season (outer climate) and your body type (inner climate). It’s fairly easy to check weather patterns but what about your own body’s tendencies? How well do you know yourself? Do you tend towards being hot or cold? Is your skin dry or moist? Do you gain weight easily or find it hard to retain? Are you sensitive to heat, cold or damp? How is your digestion? How is your appetite? Are you a fast mover, talker and walker or slow, patient and calm? Do you sleep deep or wake up frequently? Do you sweat a lot in practice?
Over a cup of tea, she told me how they found her tumor. Mira, a middle-aged woman with large blue eyes and a gentle smile, holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Development and works as an administrator for the Swedish Army.She explained how the stress and long hours of her work had culminated in 25 kilos of extra weight and high blood pressure.
As the New Year approaches, you may be considering a cleanse or detox program. Amidst today’s cleansing craze, it’s difficult to know which path to take. The most popular detoxes include colonics (cleansing of the colon through enema) and various juice fasts, as well as The Master Cleanse. Widely practiced for decades, the Master Cleanse prescribes a 10-day diet of lemon water infused with cayenne pepper and molasses.