Detoxify Yourself

Detoxification is spring cleaning for our body. It focuses on cleansing our organs.

Many feel there is no need to do it. That may be true for those of us who eat impeccably well and according to our body type as well as get enough rest, our bodies will detoxify nightly as we sleep.

But for the rest of us, detoxification is important to help us maintain optimal performance of our bodies and decreases the abilities of antigens to start disease.

How do we know we need to detox?

When organs are too toxic to operate properly they will offload the toxins into the bloodstream. Impure blood will cause skin to manifest undesirable and sometimes irritating conditions like acne and rashes. When the toxin laden blood nourishes our muscles it causes the muscles to ache.

Detoxification is recommended when you suffer from the following symptoms; acne, rashes, chronic muscle soreness, muscle weakness, congestion, mind fog, irritation, lack of concentration, headaches, decreased sex drive, menstrual problems, infertility and dehydration.

How do we start ?

The first thing you need to do is to take inventory of your lifestyle habits and the symptoms you are experiencing. These symptoms are clues to the condition of your organs and why you need to detoxify.

If we are well rested regular detoxification happens nightly while we sleep. Detoxification requires much energy so before you start a detox program, rate your energy level. If you are tired or sleep deprived then you need to rest up first. Otherwise you will not have a successful detox.

No – Just because you bought the program and complete it, it does not automatically mean your organs are cleared. And don’t blame the detox program if you do not feel the detox was successful. So, no short cuts. REST.

Take inventory of what symptoms you have and where they are. Chronic shore shoulders and neck indicate the Liver sluggishness. Lower back pain and weak limbs may be cause by an overworked Kidney. Acne along the jaw line can suggest a congested colon. Rashes, acne or redness in the cheeks can imply respiratory weakness.

You can also enlist the help of a alternative health therapist like a naturopath..

Start with a colon cleanse. There are many ways to clean your colon. Natural remedies like Genestra Herbal bulk with Genestra Replete are favorites of mine. You can also go for a series of colonics. Regular colonics may be the solution to chronic constipation. Massage your stomach so that your bowels will evacuate more easily.

Then it’s time to cleanse the kidneys. There are many great herbal preparations like Banyan's Kidney Formula. If you want a customized formula go to an herbalist. My favourite herbalist is Roger at Thunas , Find out more at Thuna’s and roger at http://bit.ly/l3bKWv

You can give your kidneys a rest by not eating red meat and other fatty foods for a period of time as you consume cleansing juices like watermelon juice.

You can also use Chi Nei Tsang, a stomach massage that works directly on your organs. You can massage yourself daily. It will not only detox organs but if you do it at night you will sleep better. If you do it in the morning it will facilitate a complete bowel movement. Learn more by going to http://www.chineitsang.com/cnti/Treatments.html

Then it is the liver's turn. Again Banyan is a good source. The Liver Formula is based on traditional Ayurvedic formulas and a these formulas are followed by the best herbal remedy companies in the world. You can try the Liver Gallbladder Flush by Hulda Clark. For her cleanse go to http://www.drclark.net/en/cleanses_clean-ups/liver_cleanses/liver_cleanse.php

Again Chi Nei Tsang is a good option for detoxification and is a great complement with another method of detoxification. Daily treatments will not only keep your organs healthy but also encourage better sleep patterns.

I am currently teaching some clients and staff on how to massage their stomachs with the Tummy Tool. . Staff will be trained to show the tummy massage when we introduce Chi Nei Tsang in a facial this September.

To make the tummy massage easy and fun I have bought the handcrafted Tummy Tool from one of Master Gilles Marin’s students and Chi Nei Tsang Practitioner. I will tell you more about Andrew later too. Right now there is barely enough for the clients and staff that really need them.

Don’t wait for the Tummy Tool to detoxify and stay well!

Kapha Time : Balancing health and beauty to Winter's energy

When is Kapha Time?

There is a Kapha time of day which is 6:00am to 10am and again in the evening at 6:00pm to 10pm.

There is the Kapha time of our lives which is from birth to about 20 years old – for some it is 18 for others 25. As in everything Ayurveda or Asian; – it depends.

The weather can be Kapha anytime of the year but the season that is considered Kapha is winter to the beginning of spring. Now again this depends --- on geography.

In Toronto, Kapha Season is usually around end of December to about May. That is winter to early spring.

In San Francisco, due to the difference of temperature of the breezes of the ocean being forced together with the air of the land, Kapha season can seem continuous.


What is Kapha Time?

Kapha Time occurs when the energy of Kapha is dominant in the environment. In Toronto it is commonly cold and high humidity weather. Secondary characteristics are heavy, slow and unchanging.

In Toronto Kapha energy’s dominance is felt in winter when it is cold and with wet heavy snow.

In other locals like water front cities like, San Francisco and London, the fog is a very visible and constant Kapha feature.

How does Kapha Times affect us?

Well it depends. We all have dominant Doshas; Vata, Pitta, Kapha. For Dosha characteristics go to http://our-metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2009/04/ayurvedic-doshas.html

We can all have Dosha imbalances. This means that when a Dosha whether it is our dominant one or not can dominate causing symptoms reflecting the negative characteristics of the Dosha.

Then --- we have all different degrees of all the Doshas so while we have dominant Doshas and we can have imbalances, at anytime another Doshas can influence our behavior , attitude and health.

So to use the following effectively you need to know yourself and understand the relativity of the influence Kapha will have on you at any given situation and time in this season.

Generally it is the following.

Vata:

The high humidity environment will allow Vata’s to indulge in those dry foods which those of us who easily dehydrate avoid. These foods will have less impact.

The external moisture will give Vata skin a break. While circulation can be slowed by the cold, skin is less dry than in the previous months.

Kapha energy can slow Vata’s down and Vata may sleep more. All good things for this very frenetic and busy person.

Pitta:

The cold temperature can allow Pittas to indulge in the spicy foods that tend to give them heat, redness, inflammation and irritability.

The cold may reduce inflammation of the skin. But for Pitta Kaphas or Kpaha Pittas this may be a time that is ripe for blemishes and flare ups from accumulation.

Kapha’s patient energy can lower Pitta’s stress level by lessening competitiveness and the desire to overachieve.

Kapha;

Kaphas need to balance the environmental influences with diet and activity.

Kaphas need to eat stimulating foods so adding spices like ginger, cinnamon and peppers is helpful. They need to avoid heavy, sweet and fatty foods like dairy, grains, nuts and red meat.

To keep their complexions beautiful they need to stimulate blood flow with exfoliants and light serums and moisturizers.

To prevent depression, lethargy, over dependency, over possessiveness and feeling stuff with energetic exercise like aerobics, martial arts and running.

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?