The body has many different channels: physical channels like the channels of digestion and elimination and more subtle channels like the nadis, or energy lines, Like any path or passageway, they need regular clean up work to keep an optimal flow. Ama in the Ayurvedic system of health, is defined as the sticky, toxic substance that causes toxic backup in the body and eventually leads to disease. There are many things one can do to clear out and clean up the backup of undigested food, emotions, or environmental overload. A harmonizing diet is one foundational way to regulate the delicate balance of intrinsic health.
The body’s own healing potential is activated as a result of mindful eating and lifestyle habits. Anything from changing patterns of destructive eating habits to loosing extra weight to managing stress to increasing immunity and resilience to various ailments can be accomplished as a result of conscious choices to align with the natural laws governing and balancing the universe. Many of the answers to life’s more complicated questions (how to preserve the environment, how to prevent degenerative diseases, how to create optimal health and weight, how to respect self and others) can be answered by looking at nature’s universal principles and rhythms. They are complex issues with a straightforward solution–an answer that is intrinsic to nature, not something new that mankind must devise. This not only simplifies life, but it brings one back to a sense of deep awe and gratitude for the wisdom of God’s creative design.
When balancing the body through detox, often times the word detox is used in regards to foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc. And although these items are excellent detoxifiers and do tend to push toxins out of the body–the same person could not detox effectively on the same diet all year round. Nature is the best example of detox. Winter sustains, spring clears out for rebirth, and summer thrives. The foods of the seasons support this: root vegetables, squashes and grains in the winter; sprouts, peppers, greens in the spring; and melons, salad and cucumbers in the summer.
Summer is the ideal time to explore the raw food nutritional lifestyle. Raw fruits and vegetables that might be more difficult for some body types to digest, are more easily broken down and assimilated during the summer season. The digestive fire is enhanced by the heat of summer and can benefit from the additional nutrients and properties of more raw fruits and vegetables. Much of raw food is cooling by nature and reduces the symptoms of too much heat in the body (e.g. inflammation, irritability, rashes, etc.). Although long-term raw food diets may not work for everyone, most people can experience the numerous benefits during the hotter months. Some of the benefits to raw food eating include:
- increased energy
- weight loss
- radiant complexion
- clearer mind
- stronger immune system
- removal of toxic buildup
There are many different perspectives on what percentage of the diet should be raw vs cooked. Since every body is different in composition and strength of digestive fire, I do not prescribe to one strategy. Generally, summer is the ideal time to partake in the abundance of fruits and vegetables available. For those with weaker digestive fires, who struggle with bloating, gas, digestive discomfort, etc. blending fruits and vegetables can assist in their absorption. Adding spices like ginger and black pepper or pungent greens like watercress and arugula stokes the powerful fire of digestion and is also helpful. Adding a little flax seed oil or other high-quality, organic oil increases the amount and absorption of nutrients, in addition to preventing the spaciness and low metabolism sometimes associated with a long-term raw food nutritional lifestyle. Limiting the amount of acidic/sour fruits like lemons, citrus, etc. is helpful during the summer months as they can aggravate the body by adding additional heat.
Today’s Practice: Go to the local Farmer’s Market and load up on summer’s best detox foods.
