Dear ,

 

Here we are rapidly moving toward autumn leaving the warmth of summer days behind. How have you been? Have you noticed that the world seems to be going crazy? How’s your anxiety level, and what are you doing to stay calm? There is LOTS that can be done so connect with me and we can have a chat. 
 

In ayurveda, this is a transitional time between summer Pitta season and late fall/early winter season, called Vata season, when the cold drying winds arrive. The transitional times ifall and spring, when the temperature is moderate, neither too hot nor too cold, are natural times to cleanse the body. Many cleanses are too harsh for delicate nervous systems or those experiencing anxiety, so we must choose something that is simple. 

 

 

Summer heat has a way of building up in the body and mind. How does that happen?

Those are just some basic examples of how heat can build up in our body and mind, causing irritability or tension, wakefulness during the night, skin conditions, loose stool, burning eyes and dry skin, dehydration and general lassitude and malaise.

 

So, here we are...it's October. And if we don't do something to counteract and remove the built up heat in our cells and in our nervous system, we will dry out and shrivel up inside which will ultimately lead to anxiety. Heat is drying. And as we move into autumn, this internal dry heat will exacerbate the dryness that comes with the cold winds of autumn and central heating. That could mean more dry skin, slow digestion, constipation, runny nose and allergies, more jitteriness, more anxiousness in mind and emotions. So...let's take care of the internal heat now and cleanse it out with cooling seasonal antidotes...

A cleanse does not mean a starvation diet, nor does it even have to mean eliminating any types of foods. For an end of summer cleanse there are some plentiful SUPERFOODS that nature provides at this time of year which are designed to remove heat from the body to help balance our physiology and mind. We only need to ramp up the amount of these superfoods that we eat each day until we feel we’ve had enough. Keep eating your normal diet, although you might feel you need to eat smaller portions because you’ll feel fuller from the extra superfoods. Let's take a look at them. 

 

I put these two fruits in the same category because people tend to prefer one or the other. Apples and Pears are harvested in abundance at the end of summer as a way of nature saying "eat lots of me!" They provide the fibre necessary to eliminate heat through our bowels. Organic is best, or wash well because of pesticides. And make sure the apples are not waxed! 

 

Apples and pears lower cholesterol and even though they contain sugar, they actually support healthy blood sugar levels because of the fibre and numerous phytonutrients. We can eat two to four apples and/or pears per day for a few weeks at summer's end, before the cold winds begin. Our body will know when it's had enough. Cooked pears and apples are best for anyone experiencing anxiety, rather than raw, as heat reduces the air and space present in raw food which can exacerbate anxiety. You can incorporate apples and pears into many recipes. Apple cider juice and pear juice are also good options to release hot bile but are higher in sugar as they lack fibre. 

 

This food is super cooling by nature. It removes heat because of its high water content and its diuretic property. Local watermelon ripens at the end of summer, just in time to help us. I have often eaten a meal of just watermelon, big heaps of it! If you prefer a juice, cut up the watermelon into smaller chunks, leaving some of the white rind on, and whiz it up in the blender. Voilà, an instant refreshing drink. Always eat watermelon by itself with no other food or it will be indigestible. That's an important food combining tip. 

Note: Watermelon is high in arginine which can trigger herpes outbreak, so don't eat too much if you tend to have that problem.

 

Considered a sacred food in many cultures, pomegranate has a sweet and astringent taste. It  cools the blood and lymph and its high anti-oxidant property is excellent for the cardiovascular system. The most economical way is to drink bottled pomegranate juice, two to eight ounces daily diluted with water. Drinking it without diluting would be too astringent for most people. 

 

We can benefit so much during this seasonal transition between summer and autumn by eating and drinking as much of these fruits as possible during September and October--apple/pear, watermelon and pomegranate. Every day eat several of these fruits and drink pomegranate juice, along with your regular diet, and you will see the benefit. This is a natural seasonal cleanse--a natural seasonal detox. If raw apple and pear bother you, just chop and cook them up with a bit of juice and some warming spices such as clove, cardamom and/or cinnamon. They will be easier to digest that way. 

 

I always like to provide you with a free recipe. And since apples and pears don't need to be eaten raw, why not try this yummy Apple and Sweet Potato Hash recipe. It can be cooked up with aromatic spices and even some greens. You can replace the apples with pear if you prefer. Click the photo to download. 

 

PS I am here for you if you wish private consultations to help you with gut health and/or to discover how your Ayurvedic constitution can help you understand your unique food, exercise and lifestyle needs to move past physical, mental and/or emotional pain to live a more joyful life. Just send me an email and we can set up a live call to discuss your needs.