The essence of Yoga and Ayurveda is balance — physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. If any of these are off, it’s hard to enjoy your day. As much as we associate the Holidays with joy and togetherness, we also associate these joyous days with excess.
During this time of year many of us indulge in richer foods; foods that makes us ignore our good dietary habits. If we sneak a little Yoga & Ayurveda into the holidays, we will enter the new year feeling good.
This Ayurveda Thanksgiving guide will help you survive the holiday season and thrive as the new year begins..
Rather than restricting or eliminating our favorite foods altogether, we bring our focus to Agni, or digestive fire..
#1: FIRE UP AGNI
Fire up your appetite with a ginger appetizer: peel and slice a 1-inch piece of ginger. Marinate the ginger in lime juice and a sprinkle of Himalayan salt for several hours, then enjoy a few slices before lunch or dinner.
#2: SIP ON DIGESTIVE TEA
Keep your digestive fire burning by sipping on digestive tea throughout the day. A simple option is fresh ginger tea: mash a 2-inch chunk of ginger and simmer it in six cups of water for a few minutes.
If you want to get a little fancier, try simmering ½ teaspoon cumin seeds, ½ teaspoon coriander seeds, and ½ teaspoon fennel seeds in six cups of water for several minutes.
#3: PASS ON COLD DRINKS
Cold foods and drinks put out the digestive fire. Avoid iced drink, and always choose warm water over cold.
#4: CELEBRATE OVER LUNCH
Just like the sun’s warmth, the digestive fire is strongest around mid-day. If you have any say in the timing of your holiday meals, gather everyone over for a Thanksgiving lunch instead of a dinner. Everyone will be able to eat more without feeling as full as they would at dinner.
#5: GET MOVING
Encourage good digestion by taking a 10-minute stroll after the big meal. Try to avoid napping, as this can result in your food turning into toxins. Instead, step outside with your friends and family for a stroll, fresh air, and good conversation.
In addition to your daily stroll, sneak in a few asanas here and there, some Breath of Fire if you know it. The right moves will stimulate the abdominal organs and keep the Agni strong. Come to our Mixed Level Hatha Yoga class at the Shala on Thanksgiving morning (all proceeds will be donated to charity). If you cannot make it to a class try some yoga at home.
#6: INCORPORATE THE SIX TASTES
Ayurveda explains that a truly satiating meal includes all six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent.
Take a look at your holiday menu and see which tastes from our Thanksgiving survival guide are missing.
Sweet – You’ve probably got that covered with the help of cookies and cranberry sauce.
Sour – Squeeze a little lime or lemon juice into your sweet potatoes or squash.
Salty – Don’t go overboard, but a sprinkle of Himalayan salt is part of a balanced meal.
Pungent – Offer your guests a bit of ginger appetizer, cook meats with a few cloves of garlic, or add some pungent spices such as cinnamon and cloves to veggie dishes.
Bitter – Kale would go well with a holiday dinner as well as bitter greens, such as steamed collards, chard, or spinach.
Astringent – This can be easily incorporated into holiday foods by adding ¼ teaspoon turmeric during cooking. It won’t alter the taste of your dishes, but will make them more satiating.
#7: PORTION CONTROL
Ayurveda recommends avoiding leftovers altogether. When cooked food sits around (even in the fridge), it becomes difficult to digest and lacks prana. Holiday leftovers tax digestion and have nothing to offer in terms of energy and vitality. Try cooking smaller quantities. .ENJOY ALL the food groups in smaller quantities.
