Enjoying the Weather

Enjoying the Weather

Sorry for keeping you suspense. I am blaming it all on Ayurveda.

While it is spring, many of the days were “relatively” cold and dry which stirred up my Vata.

Pure + simple is celebrating Kristen’s book on Ayurvedic beauty, BEAUTY 2.0, on June 11th. Find the book at Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Beauty-2-0-Holistic-Natural-Modern/dp/0981262406/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244553268&sr=1-1

So even though I have too much to do, I decide to make the food for the party. I have many logical reasons like I want to give our guests a more intimate experience and I want to give the Ayurvedic theme o the party authenticity. But honest one is not that logical. For Vatas, it’s always about the “new” with little consideration to existing responsibilities.

Did I tell you my second Dosha is Pitta? So what started as an impulsive, challenge seeking Vata idea has now become a Pitta drive for purpose, planning and perfection. The food must be true to the three Doshas, made from natural or organic ingredients and be “environmental”, be served in their own edible containers. After pouring through Ayurvedic and organic food cookbooks I decided to formulate my own recipes. After few days of testing on staff and family I am finally prepared to serve the nine dishes and is now able to continue my blog and catch up with my “real “work.

But my experience has also helped me be more engaged in advising about food to balance your Doshas . And you all can come and taste the food at the party on June 11th from 4:00pm to 7pm at Pure + simple 725 King West. As I mentioned last blog, Dr Sharma will be there to do Ayurvedic Diagnosis so you can find out your true Dosha. For more information, go to http://pureandsimple.ca/.

Back to Balancing Your Energies to the Weather

Before you can balance with the weather you need to know your Doshas.

Then you need to understand the Doshas of the things you can control like foods, types of exercise, activities and skincare.

Today I will begin with understanding the Doshas of the weather with brief advise for each of us to optimize our day with.

The Energies of your Environment

Vata Weather is dry and cold. If it is windy, it will be more intensely Vata. The characteristics are relative. You can have cold days in summer. They are just not as intensely Vata as in the cold days in fall or winter.

Balancing Vata Weather

This the worst weather for Vatas. If you want this day not to be a blur of flakiness and disorganization you will need to ground and warm up. If it is winter, eat lots of root vegetables and yes you can eat your favourite red meat. Sausages are forbidden but today you can indulge without punishment. Hearty stews and warm teas with cinnamon and ginger are in order. Smother your skin in rich moisturizers. Massage a rich oil into your scalp and then soak in a hot dead sea salt bath.

If it is summer, eat warm soups and cooked vegetables with a nourishing meat. Keep skin moist with a hydrating serum and a moderately rich cream. Massage oil on your tummy to prevent constipation. Do grounding activities like gardening, Chi Kung and standing Yoga exercises.

This is ideal weather for Pittas who are usually too hot. You will be in a sweet mood and will feel more energized so don’t over do it. You can eat foods that you normally shouldn’t, -- like ones that are spicy, salty and sour. So eat your favourite yogurt and curries today. If it is winter you will need to protect skin from the dramatic changes of temperatures between indoor and outdoor. But on cool summer day just make sure your skin is hydrated and protected from the sun. Indulge in competitive exercise and activities today.

The dry and the windiness are good for Kapha. It stimulates otherwise slow energy. But Kaphas need to balance the coldness. Warm spicy foods are welcomed. Warming body oil will help to warm skin and keep circulation optimal. Aerobic exercise in the morning will help keep Kapha from feeling fatigued.

Balancing Pitta Weather

Pitta Weather is hot. If it is humid, it is even more Pitta. Again it is relative. A sudden warm spell in the winter can trigger a Pitta imbalance but not as much as a hot day in July.

Vatas are loving this. If it is summer, Vatas can indulge in eating ice cream and other forbidden cold foods. If it is winter, go ahead have a little of the drier foods like popcorn. Normal personal care can be lightened up to gain more comfort.

The heat can stir up rosacea, rashes, irritability and fatigue for fiery Pittas. Eat raw cold foods to cool off from the inside out. Cool down quickly with a slice of sweet melon or a salad with lots of cucumber. Summer is a great time for Pittas to follow a raw food diet. It not a “caveman” diet if you have a great raw food recipe book like, RAW FOOD, by Matthew Kenney and Sarma Melngailis. The recipes will satisfy the most sophisticated and delicate palate. For more information on the book go to http://www.amazon.com/Raw-Food-Real-World-Recipes/dp/0060793554/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198200321&sr=1-1

While winter weather is cold, the warmer wet spell can unbalance Pittas unwittingly, so take note of this occurrence and cool down the diet. Keep skin hydrated and in summer keep skin cool with hydrating spritzes like Organic Chamomile Hydrosol, to view product information go to http://www.pureandsimple.ca/2005/files/products/skincare.html#waters No matter what you choose, make sure the floral water is pure and natural as not to irritate sensitive Pitta skin. Pitta skin that is too hot can become red, inflamed and / or blemish so skin smooth with hydration and protection from heat and sun.


Kaphas will love this unless there is too much humidity. To balance the high moisture content in the air, eat dry foods and lessen liquid intake. Skincare can be a non issue except in high humidity where Kapha then may need to keep drier with a powder for face and body like Jurlique Silk Finishing Powder in Lavender or rose. To view product information go to http://www.pureandsimple.ca/2005/files/products/jurlique.html#masks

Balancing Kapha Weather

Kapha Weather is cold and damp. Again as in Vata and Pitta the intensity matters. Cold damp days in March are more unbalancing than one in August.

Vata love the damp but will need to balance the cold with warm foods and oily moisturizers. Vigorous exercise can keep Vatas warm.

Pittas love the cold so they can eat foods that they normally would avoid like spicy or hot foods. If it is winter Pittas need to protect skin from the cold to prevent redness and excess dehydration.

Kapha’s will want to stay in their warm dry beds during this weather. Keep warm and invigorated by eating foods that are warm and dry like popcorn, or spicy like a curry. Massage face and body with a warming oil like mustard to keep warm. For oils that are great for Kapha go to http://www.pureandsimple.ca/2005/files/products/ayurvedic.html Vigorous exercise like spinning can prevent that dull sluggish feeling. You feel like you may be sick or coming down with an illness but actually your circulatory system is just too slow and you are not getting enough oxygen to you brain. So don’t pamper yourself with rest—get up and go for a run.


Sounds complicated or far fetched? Test it out. What have you got to lose but the predicament of being at the whim of your constantly changing environment?

Under the Weather and Feeling Good

Under the Weather and Feeling Good

Don’t complain about bad weather. Get even. Or balanced

Use it to connect to balance your health and to look better.

Are you still with me?

What I am about to say may sound complicated but other than do what you always have been doing like eating and taking care of yourself, you need only to add noting the weather.

I have introduced the Doshas in my previous blog entries. In Ayurveda, there are three Doshas; Vata, Pitta, Kapha. They are derived from the five elements; Air, Space (Vata), Fire (Pitta), Water, Earth (Kapha). Each person and everything that exists around us are made from these elements and have a combination of the three Doshas.

If you are Vata: it means that you have a higher ratio of air/space. If you are Vata Pitta, it just means that you are equally high in air/space and fire/water. And the rarer combination is Tridosha meaning you have equal quantities of each of the energies.

You can discover your Doshas by allowing an Ayurvedic Doctor take your pulse. A great opportunity to do this is approaching as Dr Sharma will be doing complimentary Ayurvedic Diagnosis at Pure + simple’s 725 King Street West Location on Thursday, June 11th from 4:00-7:00pm.

To see a summary of the Dosha characteristics go to my April 1, 2009 blog entry or go to http://www.pureandsimple.ca/2005/files/products/ayurvedic.html .

You can also take a Dosha test that can be found in Kristen Ma’s book, BEAUTY 2.0. It is available on line and at any Pure + simple location. Or you can do a self test which you can get at any Pure + simple location. For a convenient location, go to (http://www.pureandsimple.ca )

Then you need to be aware of the weather conditions in the morning. Be familiar with the weather characteristics wind (air) , humidity (water) , temperature hot (fire), wet cold (earth), dry cold (air) Cold damp weather is Kapha, Hot weather is Pitta. And Cold dry weather is Vata. Of course it is important to note the intensity of the characteristics so you can respond with the appropriate intensity. So if it’s windy that would make it very Vata.

You then need to learn how to balance the weather conditions with your own energies with diet and personal grooming to maintain good health and beautiful youthful skin.

I will discuss diet and personal grooming and exercise in balancing you Doshas to the weather in my next entry.
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Get Connected

Get Connected

Feeling connected is good. It is believed that feeling connected has many psychological and emotional benefits like lessening stress – if you want more details go to - http://www.susankramer.com/Connection.html http://www.youmeworks.com/ca.html.

It is also believed that feeling connected can increase cognitive abilities and so we can perform better at work and at school - http://www.healthyalberta.com/HealthyPlaces/660.htm.

Feeling connected also allows us to be more mentally and emotionally balanced helping us avoid depression. http://www.webmd.com/depression/news/20050203/feeling-connected-helps-women-avoid-depression

I have found that feeling connected can also help you look and feel better physically.

Let’s start with what everyone means when they talk about “being connected”.

It is that feeling of belonging. On a very personal level it can include finding a kindred spirit in that one true love and being part of a tight knit loving family. Go to http://psychcentral.com/connectedquiz.htm to see if that special person is really your soul mate.

Our circle can grow beyond friends and family to include political and special interest groups. As our feeling of belonging grows, we find that we can empathize with the needs of and support the causes of those who are not part of our “tribe” or live in distant countries. We can also become committed to global concerns like the environment.

While strong ties to a group can give us the benefits mentioned, our sense of connectedness can rely too much on external forces (other members of the group).

As I pursued self awareness and healing, I have “accidentally” stumble over a feeling of connecting to the universe while practicing Chi Kung.

This feeling of connection to the source can give a strong sense of self, a rock solid foundation - one that is not at the whims of the acceptance or actions of others.

But this profound connection to the universe with its feeling of stability can be attained through many ways.

Those wiser than I, become aware of their mortality and begin to get beyond earthly preoccupations to learn to connect to the universe.

Many of us connect by choosing a conventional religion. All of the major religions have a belief of connecting to that bigger entity as shown in the Hinduism and Buddhism concept’s of Atman, (not Richard Simmons clothng line) each person’s soul, being connected to Brahman, the over soul. You can learn more about this at http://www.hinduwebsite.com/atman.asp

For many, that connection can also be realized through art and music. Most of us have had deep connection to a story, movie or song, even if only for a moment.

We can also find that connection through nature by gardening to walking in the woods.

Due to my personal circumstances (I have ADD), connecting was more of a challenge. But fortunately for me, I discovered Chi Kung and Yoga. Both of these physical practices were designed as a part of spiritual practice and enlightenment. Like most Westerners, I began both these practice without a thought to spiritual enlightenment. I began learning Chi Kung in the hopes of reducing a cyst in my left kidney without surgery or medication. My Chi Kung master constantly reminded us to let go and to let the “chi” flow into our bodies. But with my level of consciousness, it merely meant attaining more energy and getting healthier.

Then one day as I did my daily Chi Kung exercises, I suddenly felt the surge of energy flow through my body. I felt exhilarated and calm at the same time. I experienced the connection between my soul to that of the over soul.

If you would like more information on Chi Kung you can email my Chi Kung Master Jean Li at quimac@rogers.com or you can visit our Grandmaster Wong’s site at http://www.shaolin.org/ . If you prefer, visit an alternative site belonging to a well known Toronto Chi Kung Master, Teresa Yeung at http://www.masterteresa.com/master_teresa.html

From that moment on my Yoga postures were improved as I was more aware of my physical body and energy flow. Less anxiety, fear and more love and empathy for others were permanent benefits of that critical realization. Since I tend to be Vata in outlook, I enjoy a Yoga that has a spiritual element rather than one with a more athletic focus. I hate routine so I need a Yoga studio that allows for my nomadic nature.

My favourite Yoga studio is the Yoga Centre Toronto at Yonge north of Eglinton. Visit their site at http://www.yogacentretoronto.ca/home.html . Each Iyengar Yoga class is done according to the our individual physical abilities with the teachers compassionately pushing us to perform to our best. It is also one of the few nonprofit Yoga studios in the city.

The second most important practice with which I have achieved connectedness is Ayurveda. Ayurveda, like Yoga grew out of Hinduism and Buddhism. Ayurveda, a healing modality from ancient India, is the study of living a healthy balanced life. I daily balance my energies with that of my environment with my skincare and diet. It also can influence my decisions for physical activity. I find that the environment influences my state of mind so with diet and skincare I can neutralize any negative effects like irritability, depression or disorientated.

As I learn to better balance my energies, the more connected I become to my environment and those in it. I also found that I felt and I looked better.

I will show you how to balance your energies (your Doshas) with that of the environment in the next blog entry.

Assembling Your Healing Entourage

Your Own Entourage

Entourages are not just for celebrities. People, like us have them too. Our “entourages” tell a lot about us. A person concerned with external beauty and the physical body will assemble an entourage that may include a hairstylist, a manicurist, a dentist, a medical doctor and a dermatologist. This is very common when we are teenagers, as we are less aware of our internal life.

As life changes to focus on our careers and performance, our entourage may include a Massage Therapist, Medical Specialists, Psychiatrist and perhaps a Naturopath or a Traditional Chinese Doctor.

As we mature those of us who take time to reflect become more aware of our spiritual dimension and its profound effect on our mental and physical health. Your entourage reflects your complexity and sagacity to include an Ayurvedic Doctor, Reflexologist, Colon Therapist, Psychotherapist, Reiki Master, Cranial Sacral Therapist and any of the alternative professionals of choice in Vitality Magazine. (link to Vitality Magazine at http://www.vitalitymagazine.com/ )

“Entourages” can evolve organically as your personal needs and beliefs systems change.

You can also redesign your team with a set of goals in mind . Spell out your goals. Take inventory of the current situation of which can include your available time, your health concerns. Then devise a plan on how you can achieve it. Assemble your team of advisors paid and unpaid. Monitor your progress.

A large “entourage” does not indicate declining health or old age. More often these are times of transition or of acute illness. Size can change as needs and life situations change. It may grow to temporarily include a psychotherapist if you feel the need to better understand a complex relationship experience or so call irrational behavior. Connect with a colon therapist (my favourite includes Deborah at Oasis Health) and an herbalist (drop into Thuna’s on the Danforth (416-461-8191), Roger + Evelyn are a very knowledgeable team) when embarking on a detox program.

The nature of the entourage changes as your life changes. As I matured I have become more complex and healing is on more dimensions. I like my boomer friends have found healing from many diverse natural healing modalities. They have helped us be rid of common and chronic ailments like allergies, poor digestion, and low energy along with more acute and life changing ones like cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

What make a healer more effective for us more multidimensional beings? We of the Boomer Generation have experienced more changes in ways of life than past generations. Our numbers have made holistic health, environmental concerns and organics popular. Therefore as we age we need healers that are not just good at healing but ones that are as creative problem solvers as we are.

My focus on external beauty has changed from physical perfection to having it help me communicate with my internal body and mind. Dry skin cautions me on dehydration and my kidneys as well as too much stress or worry. Water retention warns of fatigue or of a slower metabolism or circulation and perhaps a tendency to be resistant or possessive. Undue redness in my skin warns of over consumption of salt or protein and a need to find out why I am irritable or too competitive.

So I visit my Acupuncturist, Dr Shan Wu, (http://www.asian-acupuncture.com/)weekly to balance my body’s main energy flow which energizes me. I bring up any concerns so she may take care of them with my visit. She starts to prepare my stressed out body for acupuncture with a rigorous (her tiny size does not prepare you for the intensity) shiatsu treatment. My acupuncture changes each week according to my current state, my complaints and my time of the month. After acupuncture, I get cupping as I have a sluggish lymphatic system. I walk out refreshed and ready to take on the next week with a positive energy. My visit is $95.00.

My poor digestion has been part of my life and causing other health concerns since teenage. My daughter Kristen insisted I see her Ayurvedic Doctor, Dr Sharma,
( http://ayurvedatoronto.ca/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 ) to correct it. Each visit includes his focus on my mind body spirit as he balances my busy mind with scents of saffron, jasmine and juniper. I usually see him in the morning so the smell of camphor wakes up my senses and clears my lungs. He feels my pulse to detect any imbalances in my energies and customizes my body treatment. Then he sends me home with herbs to take until my next visit. Each visit is a well deserved regular rate of $80.00. A comfort for us who are apprehensive of the unexpected charges of some Naturopathic visits.

A real treasure is Yim To ( 41 Grange Ave 416-971-5850) , a kung fu master who applies his knowledge of healing sore and damaged muscles and ligaments to relieve chronic pain. He doesn’t speak English but if you can point out your pain he will get to the root of it and in days repair what you were told only surgery could. For $20.00 you can experience for yourself how simple and humble healing can be. My partner had severe back pain. He tried expensive back treatments where they stretch your spine, acupuncture, physiotherapy and cortisone treatments with no luck. His medical doctor advised back surgery as the only solution. So as a last ditch effort he agreed to go see Yim. Skeptical but not wanting to leave any stone unturned before accepting surgery he visited Yim at his humble home in Toronto’s Chinatown. After a couple of visits, he experience pain relief not achieved with any of his earlier therapies. With back pain decreasing, he had Yim add patches to his shoulders and elbows increasing his visit to $40.00. After a couple of weeks of daily visits, he now only visits Yim periodically for a muscle tune-up.

My new best friend is Reflexolgist, Jean Louie (jean.reflexology@gmail.com 905-773-6748). She totally accommodates my needs as she volunteers to come to my home late in the evening after I have taken a relaxing hot sea salt bath. For one hour twice a week she balances my health by stimulating the pressure points in my neglected feet. I am especially a good candidate for reflexology as my leg circulation is sluggish and I have a tendency for swollen feet and ankles. Now my sleep is more restful and the next day is fabulous as my organs are in top shape.

If your entourage is minimal and you have some minor discomforts like some digestive concerns or if your energy is waning, head over your local Supplement Plus (3 locations in Toronto). Staff armed with certification in homeopathy or naturopathy so are equipped to help in a pinch. For digestive irregularity Supplement Plus have a wide range of natural solutions from Genestra’s Acidophilus to “Metagenix Ultra Inflam” to chewable digestive aids like, DGL Licorice. Energy boosts can come in homeopathic drops or vitamin ampoules.

So start managing your entourage towards a healthier you -----and enjoy life!

Please feel free to contact me at jean@pureandsimple.ca if you want to learn more about the above.