A Face of a Thousand Stories

Yes You have a Face of a Thousand Stories

Along with the influence of your character, behavior and beliefs - your diet and your environment can determine your physical appearance. This is not contradictory to Ayurveda. With the help of Ayurveda I rebalanced my body to benefit from the fluctuations of the weather.

Spencer Wells, author of The Human Journey: A Genetic Odyssey and an anthropologist and geneticist, explains with scientific data how your features reflect the journey taken by your ancestors.

You will discover that a stocky build or a short neck is not an unfortunate distribution of attractive features. And that having “excessive” body hair give question to your femininity. Along with other “unique” features, they are nature’s way in helping your ancestors thrive in their environment.

But contrary to common thought, our genetics is not linear or clear cut as in the differences between siblings. I personally have suffered the feeling of injustice as my sister who inherited the features of the accepted beauty with chiseled features, slim build and large feminine eyes and well endowed figure.

While I, somehow I seemed to have gotten all the less feminine, chunkier features from larger frame, short stocky legs and chubby face but with a flat chest.

I did not feel less attractive on my own. Most people and society supported this truth in words and action.

But as I learned Ayurveda and began to understand the message in my physical attributes I started to love each feature as I loved the character that help form it . And I of course shared this with my staff and clients. But even with the knowledge of Ayurveda and evolutionary science - it’s a hard sell to some – so if you are not convinced you are not alone.

When I started to read about the evolution of human kind, I started to see the beauty in how my stockier frame and shorter legs contributed to the survival of my ancient ancestor in the ice age.

While I may have envied my sister in the past, I am now at peace with physical appearance. My personal experience has given me an empathy with those clients that are coming into their middle years and have not yet accepted their physical appearance. They punished themselves by trying to imitate the beauty of others, sometimes with drastic measures.

I believe that but using both Ayurveda and the history of our human journey I along with my clients come to love our selves and others in a genuine way.

We can invest more into our appearance without trying to imitate but to protect and highlight our uniqueness.

“Unique Beauty”, eh…, hmmm?

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“Unique Beauty”, Part 1

What is does unique beauty really mean? - to you.

When I was young and felt short changed on the distribution of beautiful features - I interpreted "You have an unique beauty” to mean "I am diplomatically saying you are not beautiful”.

But now wiser, I define “unique beauty” as the infinite faces of diversity. This change of perspective cannot be attributed to increased self confidence. Actually the real changer is also the cause of this increased self love. It is came from an interesting merger of Ayurveda and a growing understanding of my place in the external world.

We all can easily appreciate the diverse beauty of Nichole Kidman’s fragile Vata beauty along side the strong Kapha beauty of Beyonce Knowles. But we do we feel “unique beautiful” when comparing our physical features to that of camera friendly faces of celebrities.

According to Ayurveda, our “unique beauty” refers to the physical manifestations of our mental and emotional energies. But I found that the uniqueness of our features from colour to shape to size also tell a story of our human journey.

When we understand the importance of our character and our thoughts in shaping our external beauty and the foundation our genetic history in our overall health and beauty, we are less prone to embrace a self defeating definitions of beauty. And we are also less likely to believe or feel that as we grow older we grow less attractive,

A Vata Beauty is fine and delicate. He or she is small boned with small, chiseled features. Due to Vata’s spiritual strength, the physical features tends to be weaker with light pale definition. Vata’s slenderness can be attributed to speed – fast metabolism, fast thinking, quick change and fleeting emotions. Her delicate ethereal beauty evolved from light, cold and dry energy.

Pitta Beauty is in the sharpness of his/her focus. Piercing eyes are hallmark on this logical competitive person’s features. The strength in the mental realm with strong charisma are the characteristics of born leaders. The passion for order and perfection can create imbalance leading to skin sensitivities, rosacea and acne. Her intelligence leads her to strive to become President (of a business, government or organization) and that would trump any desire to be a Miss Universe.

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Kapha Beauty is sensuous and voluptuous. Because Kapha’s strength is in the physical; they are strong, beautiful and large. They have large curvaceous features from large eyes fringed with abundant lashes to full lips and thick hair. They have large bone structure and usually have a stocky appearance. She/he is not your average “super model”, but his/her longevity and sensuousness will keep her alluring into old age.

When Kapha understands his/her uniqueness, she/he stops feeling “fat” and start feeling voluptuous and strong.

And Pitta feels beautiful and fulfilled when he/she pursues life work without needing to be a “beauty queen” as well.

Vatas are fortunate to be born with the socially defined characteristics of slim poetic beauty but are even luckier if they start early to develop spiritual or creative talents.

From the foundation of self appreciation and understanding we can see the beauty radiating from our own spirit and to that of others as well.

Next week –how to love our “unique beauty” by discovering our ancestral journey

When aging is just out of control

When aging is just out of control -- your control

As boomers, we have a choice of chasing youth by merely looking younger with magical serums and plastic surgery or by staying healthy and relevant by understanding the importance of the relationship between ourselves, mind and body, with our environment.

Recently I have begun a series of Micronized Current (Micro Current) facial treatments. I had been too busy through the winter to do my annual Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatments to buy myself enough time to accept the “old lady” in the photographs.

While Micro Current is less invasive than the medical procedures, I recognize that it still is merely a means to looking younger.

As I age and learn to respect the limits of my body, I am more observant of the physical changes created by the external environment, the nourishment I devour and the fluctuations of my relationships and interactions with others.

I started my Micro Current treatments in March. The treatments’ success in lifting my sagging skin is evident in the disappearance of the deep wrinkle in my nasal labia fold (those aging brackets on each side of our mouth) and the wider look of my eyes. Compare my photo of a year ago with the one here.

While I have more dramatic “before” photos due to weight loss and the addition of one more year, the change is still noticeable. More anti-aging advice—don’t lose weigh after forty as skin is not so resilient. But no worries – you just need to work harder.

This weekend, I have suffered dehydration due to hotel living and a lack of sleep due to the strange bed. I have also been eating all my meals in restaurants or the Whole Foods buffet table. Therefore I ended up with edema which was my already weak kidneys’ way of saying the food was way too salty and fatty.

When the edema was gone I was left with a tired look, making me feel depressed and that my efforts to find time to get in for my Micro Current Facials and my extra moisturizing skincare were futile.

On Sunday morning I am awaken by a fluttering of the drapery in my hotel room. It was the turbulence caused by the tail end of a tornado in the American Midwest.

Did I tell you that I was also in the middle of a stressful personal life as I had grown impatient with a life partner that doesn’t know the existence of planning and “ was in the middle of helping” him see the light?

And I was commuting to one of our locations due to unexpected staff absentism to cover client appointments. I who always lived near work because I find commuting stressful.

While all this was happening, a client’s photographer husband asks to photograph me as he thought I would make an interesting subject. He proudly shows the photographs he coached me to pose in. But alas!--I only saw a middle-aged woman.

The Micro Current has helped me looked better, and yes even younger. And that definitely made me feel better to know that I could have some control over the speed of aging in my appearance. But the photograph told me that it was not the whole answer!

Therefore the anti aging choices we make ---whether they are safe and natural like Micro Current or more invasive like injecting Bovine toxins into our foreheads or a snipping skin around our eyes or faces – need to expand to include our lifestyle and environment.

To successfully perform and look younger, we need to balance the drying effects of a windy or cold environment, a stressful event and hard to digest dehydrating foods. If we have weak organs like kidneys or flawed circulatory system we need to follow habits that strengthen them.

But again no short cut to a fix -- medication by the way like recreational drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and coffee will negatively affect your day to day appearance along with your long-term health.

So start you anti aging by designing some healthy routine for yourself with the help of the appropriate health professionals.

Good Digestion = Good Life

Our digestive systems’ ability to give our body the nutrients it needs to be strong and healthy depends in turn on our body’s energy level.

Digestive problems arise when the body’s energy levels are low or diverted to another bodily function like the nervous system.

Our physical energy levels are affected by our genetics, our activity level, our emotional state and our mental tendencies. Therefore some solutions are more suitable for different people (Dosha types in Ayurveda) and situations.

Kaphas experiencing digestive irregularities will find that the most likely underlying problem is a slow digestive system, in other words slow metabolism. Kaphas do things slowly. They will feel more energetic when they experience change in routine or in increasing activity levels.

Therefore the goal is to increase metabolism. Early morning aerobic exercise is a great way to jumpstart the body’s energy and metabolism. During morning exercise you can aid digestive fire by including abdominal exercises.

Before meals, take deep abdominal breaths. If digestion still needs help, a spice /herb combination call Trikatu is recommended in Ayurveda. I use Trikatu when the weather is very cold and damp (Kapha weather)or when I am eating a high carbohydrate or fat meal (Kapha foods). Banyan Botanicals, an organic line of Ayurvedic herbs makes Trikatu ( http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=1256&category_id=233&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=27 ).

Vatas have lower digestive energy. Therefore in Ayurveda, it is recommended that they eat mainly cooked foods. Eating foods warm especially in cold weather or times of stress is highly recommended. Since they tend to be slim with a high metabolism, Vatas need to eat more or eat richer to maintain their physical energy. To support adequate digestive energy, Vatas need to create calm before eating. This can be as simple as deep breaths before eating.

To increase the body’s energy to support better digestion it is recommended that Vatas do Pranayama, Chi Kung or Meditation regularly to calm their mind. More energy can be saved if their minds can be disciplined to not waste energy with needless worry and nervous activity.

To support their digestive fire Vatas can take Hingvastek, a combination of organic spices especially formulated for them from Banyan Botanicals (http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=571&category_id=233&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=27 before meals. I use Hingvastek before meals often as I am predominately a Vata types ( see past blogs for more information on the 3 Doshas) but especially when the weather is cold and dry or when I am mentally or emotionally exhausted.

Pittas are born with good metabolism. Their high fire element give them the advantage of good digestion. But when they over do their strengths in leadership, competition and organization their digestive systems fight back with excess acid and lower digestive fire.

While cooked food is easier to digest Pittas can oily suffer from the inflammation cooked foods can cause. Cooked food can result in excess mucous that can further negatively affect the digestive system so when digestion is compromised or when you are tired lightly cook food. Do not eat oily or rich foods like red meat and oils.

Two books I recommend to help you incorporate good digestion with a better way of life are “The Slow Down Diet” by Marc David (http://www.amazon.com/Slow-Down-Diet-Eating-Pleasure/dp/1594770603 ) and “unwinding the Belly” by Allison Post and Stephen Cavaliere (V http://www.amazon.com/Unwinding-Belly-Healing-Gentle-Touch/dp/1556434782/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271433971&sr=1-1 )

Disaster Plan

I attended a seminar in Emergency Management for Business a couple of weeks ago. This is something I would have considered unrelated to my life as a private citizen and as a business owner. But the looming threat of a pandemic and my desire to provide a safe place for clients and staff prompted me to attend.

You read this blog because you are interested in personal growth and health. As you improve your life and happiness with a healthy disciplined lifestyle and with quality safe products, you discover that your health and well being rests greatly on your community, your government and now to geo-political occurrences in the rest of the world. Natural disasters caused by geophysical occurrences like volcanoes and tsunamis have remained constant in frequency since being recorded from the year 1900. But the disasters caused by change in climate have been increasing at a steep rate since the 1980’s

These include the aforementioned pandemics and the much discussed and much denied global warming. There are current natural disasters that are related to global warming like drought, forest fires, floods (yes drought and floods), dust storms. No longer are these disasters only happening in third world countries as there is a drought in the western USA and drought is the cause of dust storms in Australia.

Gwynne Dyer, one of my favourite journalists, discusses the news on global warming with “Hadley Climate Centre in England, one of the world's most respected sources of climate predictions, recently released a study showing that even rapid cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions, turning the current one percent annual growth into a three percent annual decline within a few years, would still warm the world by 1.7 degrees Celsius by 2050.

That is dangerously near the two degrees C rise in average global temperature which is the point of no return. Further warming would trigger natural processes that release vast quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere from melting permafrost and warming oceans. These processes, once begun, are unstoppable, and could make the planet four, five or six degrees hotter than the present by the end of the century.”
http://www.gwynnedyer.com/articles/Gwynne%20Dyer%20article_%20%20US%20Climate%20and%20Pragmatism.txt

The United Nations warns that the changes in climate can impact our ability to function effectively in democracies as our procrastination to act will force us to compromise our rights in urgent circumstances. Find more at http://blog.taragana.com/n/tackle-climate-change-or-imperil-democracy-168759/

The World Health Organization warns that with the increase in weather caused disaster increase comes the increase in illness from heat stress to infectious diseases to pandemics. To read the whole report go to http://www.environmental-expert.com/resultEachArticle.aspx?cid=33596&codi=62107&level=0&section=5

Gwynne also warns us of the ineffectiveness of our democratic governments as in “Get upset about it if you like, but this is how the system works. Obama cannot ignore the fact that climate change denial is still stronger in the United States than anywhere else, and that much of the US Congress is a wholly owned subsidiary of the fossil fuel industries. He’s going as far as he can, for now. He can’t go any farther even if what he’s doing is not good enough, which it isn’t.” http://www.gwynnedyer.com/articles/Gwynne%20Dyer%20article_%20%20Climate%20Change%20-%20Two%20Cheers.txt

So what should we do? My advice is to take a two pronged approach. Do what we can as constitutients in a democratic country and as citizens of the world. But also make some personal preparations for foreseeable disasters. Advisable as our communities are preparing for flu pandemics and we have just seen a few violent storms and mild hurricanes affect some of our neighbourhood communities outside of the Greater Toronto Area.

Susan Gilbert, Emergency Management Specialist, advises that we train staff and ready our business operations for emergencies and disasters. She also advises we make personal and business emergency management plans for plausible disaster that may come our way.

We are devising a plan to mitigate the effects of the soon to come second wave of H1N1 (Swine) Flu. As a spa owner, I am preparing my employees, who come into very close contact with the public, with some changes in their behavior.

The steps are advisable for all of us to follow include are hand washing after physical contact with each client both retail and service mandatory. Our front desk holds a large container of natural hand sanitizer for both employees and clients after any transactions.

We already wear face masks to prevent the transmission of day to day germs. Staff is to stay home if they feel under the weather. Workaholics are now being discouraged. We have devised a support plan that will allow staff to ask for help in getting the necessities of food and medicine as many of our staff are single and far from their homeland.

With the help of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, we have increased our immunity with holistic advice like keeping our nasal passages moist with saline water and oil and the consumption of immune herbs like ashwaganda, astralagus and ginseng.

I just watched a documentary on PBS "Unnatural Causes" http://www.pbs.org/unnaturalcauses/ which demonstrated how the eco-political environment created inequalities that created different levels of stress to different segments of society. Those who suffered the most from stress were less in control of their lives. Whether your stress is ultimately caused by the macro environment or not- the stress lowered immunity.

So while there is much change and turmoil in the world and is increasing its impact on our lives, I recommend that we practice mediation or Chi Kung to lessen our emotion's impact on our health and our response.

Therefore, while we may not be able to control what our political leaders, our economic leaders or our neighbours may do. we can practice some new healthy habits as stated above. We can tailor our own emergency management plans (disaster plan sounds fateful) from what we know about ourselves and the probable emergency situations.

We can bring more harmony and peace of mind into our lives by further simplifying our lives and nurture our love for our world and those in it.

Namaste.

Foods for Pitta

Foods to Balance Pitta

This is a continuation of the Ayurveda of eating your way to a balanced state of mind body and spirit.

This entry is about balancing Pittas.

These ambitious organizers’ strengths include high mental reasoning, leadership tendencies and competitiveness. In imbalance, they have the tendency to be intolerable, jealous, perfectionists and power hungry. Imbalance will create problems in the circulatory system, sensitivity, allergies and inflammation (both internal (circulatory system and organs) and external (skin). .

If you are not a Pitta but exhibit any of the above symptoms, you can be suffering from a Pitta imbalance and can also follow the same advice to balance.

Things that can tip the scales to manifest these negative tendencies can be triggered by Pitta Weather – hot, damp – eating Pitta Foods – stimulating (caffeine), acidic(vinegar), fat, sour (citrus), spicy(chili peppers), hot, salty – or hanging out with Imbalanced Pittas – overly ambitious, workaholic, extremely envious, status seeking, compulsive, demanding, angry

The general rule is to eat raw and cold foods. These can be adding salads to your meals or following a raw food diet. Learn to favour flavours that are bitter, sweet and astringent and avoid those that are spicy, salty and sour.

The big no-no's are coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, red meat, vinegar, citrus and hot foods.

And the balancing foods can include algae, white fishes, all raw vegetables, natural sweeteners and dairy. An ideal diet is raw food.

A sample daily menu can be;

Breakfast

Pittas have a healthy appetite but can be irritable if their eating schedule is disrupted or late. A natural route to Pitta imbalance is to ignore hunger to maintain work or any external schedules.

1. Cold whole grains cereal with any seeds with cold milk
2. Cooked whole grains with roasted sesame seeds and fresh or dried fruits
3. Fruit smoothies made without yogurt (acidic)
4. Almond Milk made with soak almonds then blending it with water and any natural sweetener
5. Herbal non-caffeinated tea with any natural sweetener. Make an ice tea from herbal teas instead of black tea.

Lunch

This will be your main meal for the day. Make sure lunch is not later than 2:00pm
1. Raw Fish Sushi with vegetables and brown rice
2. Whole wheat pasta with nuts or legumes and vegetable
3. Salads with nuts or legumes – replacing vinegar with lemon juice or use only oil.
4. Dessert is fresh fruit as per Snack suggestions
5. on really hot days – ice cream

Snack

It is best to eat according to a regular schedule. So extend your habit to organize to your daily meals and snacks

1. Sweet fruits – melons, papaya, mangos, bananas
2. Smoothies made with ice, sweet fruit and milk
3. Smoothies made with ice, sweet fruit and natural sweetners
4. No sour fruits like citrus
5. No yogurt

Dinner

Eat non-oily, fresh and raw. To prevent acidic stomach and poor digestion eat at a regular schedule.

1. Whole grain pasta with cream sauce, young low salt cheese, nuts or legumes and fresh vegetable. Do not eat tomato sauce (acidic)
2. White fish with vegetables and brown rice
3. Salad with raw protein – nuts (sliced almonds), seeds (roasted sesame seed), legumes (hummus, tofu soaked in spices)
4. Veggie burger with steamed vegetables or salad ( depends on season) – No fries

Pitta Hors d’euves ( from the book Party)

The criteria for these dishes are;

• The food ingredients follow the Ayurvedic diet for Pittas
• Use whole organic food ingredients
• Minimal waste – edible containers
• The dishes chosen are from raw food diet which is very suitable for Pittas
• Please modify to suit your tastes


1. Seaweed Beet Salad and lettuce (the container)

a. Seaweed ---- choose your favourite seaweeds

i. Soak them in separate bowls- for fifty rolls the total amount of dry seaweed should be about a cup ( a cup and a half if you want more seaweed to vegetable) of dry volume
ii. Arame is easy with not further preparation needed
iii. Kombu and Wakame and other broad leaf seaweed need to be cut into pieces
iv. Nori is more suitable as a the wrap so don’t soak it.

b. Roast Sesame Seeds ahead

i. Heat a iron frying pan
ii. Add a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of oil
iii. Then add 500mg or raw sesame seeds
iv. Roast seeds with constant stirring for 1 minute
v. Put roasted seeds into a small bowl

c. Grate the following vegetables

i. 1-2 beets
ii. 3 carrots
iii. ½ onion

d. Sauce ----

i. Mix in one at a time the following---
1. ½ avocado,
2. 2 tablespoons tahini,
3. ¼ teaspoon ginger,
4. 1 tablespoon basil,
5. 2 tablespoon Lemon Juice
6. 2 tablespoon Lime Juice

e. Mix the vegetables with the drained Seaweed
f. Prepare Lettuce – wash, dry then cut into uniform pieces for wrapping
g. Put the vegetable seaweed mixture into each piece of lettuce
h. Sprinkle with the roasted sesame
i. Wrap lettuce around the mixture
j. Or leave it open


2. Tofu and Sprouts in Nori

a. Tofu Marinated
i. Drain one pieces of firm organic tofu and put it in a strainer to release excess moisture from the block
ii. Cut into square strips
iii. Mix marinade in a bowl with
1. ¼ cup Olive Oil
2. 2 Tables spoons Lime Juice
3. 2 table spoons Soya Sauce
iv. Put the drained tofu in the marinade and strore for hours or overnight

b. Rinse sprouts
c. Cut the Nori sheets into widths similar the lengths of the Tofu Logs

d. Drain Tofu of Marinade
e. Put the Tofu Logs along one end of the Nori sheets
f. Put sprouts in the same direction
g. Roll the 2 ingredients
h. Put a weight to keep it from unraveling (I used a Kitchen knife across the rolls)
i. Serve right away when finished rolling





Macadamia Lime Mousse ( makes 48 mini cupcake size tarts)

The Shell (the container)

a. Mix the following ingredients into a measuring cup
a. ½ tablespoon Lime Zest
b. 4 tablespoons lime juice
c. 2 tablespoons Vanilla
d. 1 teaspoons Himalayan Salt
e. 3 tablespoons Xylitol
f. 4 tablespoons Agave
b. Turn on food processor and then slowly add
a. 4 cups of macadamia nuts (raw of course)
b. 2 cups of shredded coconut (make sure it is still moist)
c. Then as your mixing cup of ingredients
c. Put cupcake papers into your cup cake tins (use tins for small cupcakes)
d. Put a teaspoon into the paper holders and then put a pieces of the cupcake paper on top
e. Use a shape ( I used the handle end of wide handled ice cream scoop) and press the nut mixture
f. Continue until you have used up dough (2 tins of 24 cupcake )
g. Put the mixture in the freezer

The Filling -

a. Mix 5 Avocado in the food processor or blender
b. Add the following ingredients one at a time
a. ¼ cup lime zest
b. ½ cup Lime Juice
c. ¼ agave
d. 2 teaspoons vanilla
e. 2 tablespoons of Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil
f. ¼ teaspoon Himalayan salt
g. 4 tablespoons Xylitol (add more if you want it sweeter)

c. Chill the mixture in the freezer for ½ Hour

d. After 30 minutes take out both the shells and the filling
e. Put a teaspoon of filling in each shell
f. Put the tarts back into the freezer
g. When you are ready to serve take out the tins of tarts and put a berry of your choice on top of the filling

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.