In Ayurveda it is common to eat a simple diet of kitcharie and vegetables each fall and spring for about a week. This helps to remove toxins from the body and give it a chance to find balance again. Even though I have done this many times in the past, this year I missed my spring time cleanse and have been very reluctant to do it.
I like to enjoy the pleasures of life, especially when it comes to food. Though I eat really healthy, I dislike limiting or restricting myself. Despite my resistance I began a reboot for my system a few weeks ago with the intention to do it for one week. I felt so good that I continued on a second week, and now I am on my third week of eating simply, though I am slowly adding variety back into my diet.
I am so thrilled I did this for myself. I feel more vibrant than I have in quite a long while. My energy has increased, and my body feels more fluid, especially my joints which are not popping and cracking as much as usual.
This type of cleansing works well for me because I never feel like I am going hungry. Perhaps the best parts for me are that I got in the habit of cooking for myself again and knowing that I have a healthy meal prepared in advance so I don’t have to figure out what to eat once I am already hungry.
So, if your digestion is off, or you are suffering from low energy and fatigue, aching joints, or skin conditions, I highly recommend taking a week to eat simple, warm, easy to digest food and reboot your life.
Here is what I did:
Breakfast
Sweet Potatoes
Scrub any variety of sweet potatoes and poke a few holes in them. Bake on 425 for about 45 minutes. Peel off the skin then mash with coconut oil and cinnamon.
Stewed Apples and Pears
Cut up apples and/or pears and put in a saucepan with a bit of water to barely cover. Add ginger, clove, cinnamon, and cardamom and golden raisins. Stew until fruit is soft.
Alternate these as separate dishes or mix them together, it’s delicious and filling and my new favorite breakfast choice for this time of the year.
Lunch and Dinner
Kitcharie with veggies (leafy greens, carrots, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower).
Top with avocado and kraut.
Snacks
Raw almonds, raw sunflower seeds, cucumbers, dates, banana, and apples.
Limit your snacking as much as possible.
Self-Care
• Fast for at least 12 hours at night.
• Begin the day by oil pulling and abhyanga.
• Start your digestive system and alkalize your body with a glass of warm water and the juice of one lemon.
• Drink herbal tea throughout the day.
• Practice asana, pranayama, and meditation daily.
Please note, I am not a nutritionist or an Ayurvedic Doctor, I am just sharing my experience with you. For more information on appropriate herbs for you and to do this safely for your body type, please see an Ayurvedic practitioner. There are tons of great resources, let me know if you need a referral.
Thank you for sharing those tips. I agree, what you eat can really affect overall wellness and it’s good to know some of the healthy options that can replenish your body. You showed some options to eat right all day!
This is an interesting recipe and practice. Detox is certainly very important when it comes to keeping the body fit and healthy. Toxins have a way of interfering with the body’s ability to absorb proteins, making one feel hungry all the time. I would like to get a pot of that stew someday.