Lemons are both purifying and nourishing, and they stimulate digestion.  I like to start my day with a glass of room temperature water and the juice of a lemon to reduce toxins.

Almonds are nourishing and life-supporting.  A handful of raw almonds daily can increase strength and energy.

Mung Beans are among the best legumes for their digestibility and health-giving qualities.  One of my favorite traditional Filipino dishes is a combination of mung beans, spinach, onions and tomatoes served with rice.

Ginger is often referred to as”the universal medicine” and promotes good digestion.  Dried ground ginger is more concentrated in its flavor and effects.

Juicy, Seasonal Fruits are both nutritive and purifying.  Choose ripe fruits in a variety of colors for maximum healing value.

Green, Leafy Vegetables are also both nutritive and purifying.  Their bitter flavor stimulates the liver, helps balance blood sugar and aids skin conditions.

Water is universally beneficial for everyone, promotes digestion and assists in virtually all healing.

Click here to see Full Yoga Journal Article

The three doshas are: vata, pitta and kapha.

We are all made up of a unique combination of the three doshas.  Although we all have some of each, most of us are more of one or two.  This combination is your own personal blueprint, or prakriti (nature).  As you go through life, the balance of each of the three doshas constantly fluctuates depending on your diet, your environment, the time of year, your age, and many other factors.   Ayurveda can be seen as a system of energy management.  As you move in and out of balance, the doshas can affect your health, energy level and your mood.

Determine your dominant dosha by selecting the trait below that most applies to you.  (A) responses correspond to vata, (b) to pitta, and (c) to kapha.

Height

1. Tall or very short
2. Medium
3. Usually short, but can be tall and large

Frame

1. Thin, bony, good muscles
2. Moderate, developed
3. Large, well-built

Weight

1. Low; hard to hold weight
2. Moderate
3. Heavy; hard to lose weight

Skin Luster

1. Dull or dusky
2. Ruddy, lustrous
3. White or pale

Skin Texture

1. Dry, rough, thin
2. Warm, oily
3. Cold, damp, thick

Eyes

1. Small, nervous
2. Piercing, easily inflamed
3. Large, white

Hair

1. Dry, thin
2. Thin, oily
3. Thick, oily, wavy, lustrous

Teeth

1. Crooked, poorly formed
2. Moderate, bleeding gums
3. Large, well-formed

Nails

1. Rough, brittle
2. Soft, pink
3. Soft, white

Joints

1. Stiff, crack easily
2. Loose
3. Firm, large

Circulation

1. Poor, variable
2. Good
3. Moderate

Appetite

1. Variable, nervous
2. High, excessive
3. Moderate but constant

Thirst

1. Low, scanty
2. High
3. Moderate

Sweating

1. Scanty
2. Profuse but not enduring
3. Low to start but profuse

Stool

1. Hard or dry
2. Soft, loose
3. Normal

Urination

1. Scanty
2. Profuse, yellow
3. Moderate, clear

Sensitivities

1. Cold, dryness, wind
2. Heat, sunlight, fire
3. Cold, damp

Immune Function

1. Low, variable
2. Moderate, sensitive to heat
3. High

Disease Tendency

1. Pain, inflammation
2. Fever, edema
3. Congestion

Disease Type

1. Nervous
2. Blood, liver
3. Mucous, lungs

Activity

1. High, restless
2. Moderate
3. Low, moves slowly

Endurance

1. Poor, easily exhausted
2. Moderate but focused
3. High

Sleep

1. Poor, disturbed
2. Variable
3. Excessive

Dreams

1. Frequent, colorful
2. Moderate, romantic
3. Infrequent, disturbed

Memory

1. Quick but absent-minded
2. Sharp, clear
3. Slow but steady

Speech

1. Fast, frequent
2. Sharp, cutting
3. Slow, melodious

Temperament

1. Nervous, changeable
2. Motivated
3. Content, conservative

Positive Emotions

1. Adaptability
2. Courage
3. Love

Negative Emotions

1. Fear
2. Anger
3. Attachment

Faith

1. Variable, erratic
2. Strong, determined
3. Steady but slow to change

Totals

1. ____
2. ____
3. ____

Source: Yoga Journal

Whether you’re getting a deep-tissue massage or trying acupuncture for the first time, picking the right alternative medicine professional is important to your health.

Here are tips to help you choose wisely:

• Ask for referrals from your doctor, local hospital, or medical school.
• Get a recommendation from a professional organization for the type of practitioner you are looking for. The National Institutes of Health’s Directory of Health Organizations is a good place to start.
• Call your local health department to find out if your state has a regulatory agency or licensing board for the therapy you’re interested in, and then contact that office for referrals.
• Check on the training, certification, or other qualifications of your practitioner. See if he or she will speak with you briefly on the phone for this purpose before you make an appointment.
• Find out how much experience the practitioner has with your health concern and how effective he or she believes this therapy may be for your condition.  Be sure to ask about scientific research, as well.

According to Ayurveda, eating raw produce in the cooler months can strain your digestive system.  Raw fruits and vegetables actually cause your agni, or digestive fire, to work harder to break down food so that your body can assimilate the nutrients.  A study in the Journal of Food Science showed that some vegetables including carrots and green beans actually have higher levels of antioxidants after they’ve been cooked.  So enjoy those dark, leafy greens during this cold weather.