In Ayurveda, spring is the time of kapha – earth and water elements. Spring is heavy, stable, cool and oily so we balance with the opposite qualities in our diet and lifestyle – light, dry, mobile and warming.
The lymph and blood can get pretty gunky right now, which we see manifest as lethargy, seasonal allergies or weight gain. The fact that we’re all inside with our 1-month supply of Costco groceries and nowhere to go doesn’t help! #quarantine15
- EARLIER, LIGHTER DINNER: Our bodies are not designed to digest a heavy, protein-rich dinner. Have lunch as your largest meal of the day. Eat most of your fats and protein then. Make dinner a plant-based meal that you finish by 7pm, latest.
- GET MOVING: Kapha is heavy and stable. It supports stamina and immunity in the body. But without movement to balance it in spring, we can find ourselves lethargic, depressed and dealing with excess weight. Getting moving for at least 20 mins upon waking will have a huge impact on your mind, emotions and body. If you can get outside, walk/run/bike toward the rising sun to help lift the emotions and clear a depressed state.
- LIGHTEN UP: Favor greens, sprouts, and bitter veggies like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, asparagus. Favor astringent fruits like apples, berries and pears. Favor lean protein, such as beans, lentils, egg whites and white meat. Limit dairy, red meat and wheat. These three are HEAVY. They aggravate exactly what we don’t want to aggravate right now and create excess mucous and fat in the body. (I understand it’s hard to get the exact groceries we want right now, but sharing the tip so you have it.)
- SPICE IT UP: Heat breaks down the damp, heavy qualities of kapha’s water/earth elements. Add more spice to your foods and drink spicy tea. Great spring spices are ginger, turmeric and black pepper.
If you want to learn more about seasonal cooking, check out Kate O’Donnell’s The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook.
Small shifts have big impact!