When I see the fragrant blooms of this beautiful pink jasmine in my front porch I know we are into the Spring season!
It feels like nature is waking up from it’s long winter slumber to a perfect-portrait like weather enticing us to get out of the house and enjoy the vibrant colorful blossoms. This winter slumber also affects our bodies – signs of sluggishness, lethargy, cold, all show a distinct sign kapha dosha needs to be balanced. Ayurveda says, earth holds more water during this spring season and this naturally reflects in us and we retain more water in our bodies (main trigger for kapha to get imbalanced) resulting in congestion and famous “spring allergies”.
The water content (mucus) that gets accumulated in our bodies during the winter season slowly starts to thin out or liquefy (for lack of a better word) in the warm spring season.
So, per Ayurveda, this sticky liquidy mucus creates blockage in the GI tract or respiratory channel which in turn aids in sluggishness, lethargy, allergies, and sinus problems which are so prevalent during the spring season. To thin out the mucus or unblock the channels we need to follow a kapha-balancing diet during the spring season.
This is why I love and regard Ayurveda so highly, as it teaches us to look and learn from nature and change our diet and lifestyle according to seasons. Now is the season to bring back fresh smoothies, salads, and soups with bitter, pungent, and astringent taste in our daily diet.
I had cut back on eating raw greens, and smoothies during the winter season. But now, my body is naturally craving green smoothies!! Today, at the grocery brought variety of greens and ready to make green smoothies! Be careful not to make them too sweet as it defeats the purpose of balancing kapha.
Spring Smoothie Choices
Greens: dandelions, kale, parsley, chard, spinach, watercress
Spices: ginger
Sweetener: strawberries, blueberries
Love indulging in big portions of salads during this season. I can tangibly feel the positive results of feeling light and energetic. Bring in all the vibrant hues of spring in your salad plate!
Spring Salad Choices
Greens: spinach, collard greens, kale
Veggies: asparagus, bell peppers, sprouts, cabbage, celery, collard greens, green beans
Legumes: garbanzo, kidney, mung, lentils
Dressing: less oily, with pungent spices like black pepper, ginger
I would strongly encourage eating salads only for lunch as the digestive agni is strongest during lunch period and have warm hearty soups or stews for dinner. Again, the same rule of thumb applies for soups as well. Favor warming spices with lots of greens and lentils.
Spring Soup Choices
Greens: spinach, chard, kale
Veggies: carrots, celery, radishes, turnips, green beans
Legumes: garbanzo, kidney, mung, lentils
Spice: cumin, coriander, fennel, clove, black pepper, ginger
Follow these simple Ayurvedic guidelines and your body will thank you and keep you fit and joyful during this beautiful season. You cannot put a price on health, contentment and happiness in life. This is a gift to you, when your kapha dosha is in a balanced state. Treasure it and honor Your Jeeva!
