Ayurvedic Cleanse

I am on a 21 day Ayurvedic Cleanse. Cleanse is the modern spiritual word for a "diet" and can be a dangerous hiding place for eating disorders. But the Ayurvedic method is pretty relaxed. You are still eating and the emphasis is on detoxing the mental and emotional layers as well as the digestive system through a sattvic diet and scheudle. The plan has you eating your biggest meal in the middle of the day and not eating after 6:00pm.

My main reason is that I am in the process of unraveling some old crusty and deep unconscious patterns and food and drink would be the natural escape route and rest place. So, in anticipation of that, I asked my pal Jackie Parker to put me on a cleanse.

For about 15 days I have been eating bowls of basmati rice with ghee, lots of Indian spices and a variety of approved vegetables that I can get at the farmer's market.

I make my meal in one pot. My favorite cutco pot left over from when I used to sell their knives door to door. I heat up the ghee, add mustard seed, whole cumin, whole corriander, whole fennel seed, some other spices Uschi brought back from India, Curry Powder or Garam Masala, Hing and Tumeric. Then a scoop of rice. I add sliced carrots or fennel or turnips. Letting the water come to a boil, I usually throw some green beans or sliced kale or other green on top. Cover with the lid and set timer for 10 minutes.

Chaning My Eating Habits

In Southern California, nobody says they are on a diet, but everyone is on a cleanse. The word "cleanse" carries the connotation that we are losing weight for a higher purpose. It's not vanity that motivates us, it's spirituality. And we are letting each other get away with it.

I am making an effort to change my eating habits. Too often Eric and I end up eating big heavy meals late at night. I wake up feeling heavy and achey. Under the guidance of my Ayurvedic pal, Jackie Parker, I have experimented with eating my heavier meal in the middle of the day and not eating much after 6:00. I really liked how I felt in the mornings, but it is difficult to maintain when you don't get home till 7:30pm and enjoy cooking to unwind. Simultaneously, most social gatherings are around late night dinners. But I am making a new effort.

I feel inspired by my recent rediscovery of the bandhas in my yoga practice and feel that a new diet is in order.

Yesterday Breakfast
7:30am Hot Water
7:45am Coffee with milk
Cashews

10am Yogurt and Cashews

Lunch
1:30 Sauted Carrots, Fennel and Baby Satoi Leaves with Lemon and Mustard over Basmati Rice

Dinner
7:30 Miso Soup