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Author of the article: Lililamaya Liliana Galvis
The idea that everything is cyclical gives me hope.
The reason is that this knowledge allows a little more room to breathe and surrender to the natural rhythms of life and our beloved changing planet.
Since the entire animal, plant, and human kingdoms, as well as all species, are under the influence of La Luna, from our biological to our circadian rhythms, it is no wonder that the approach to how and what we eat should also be cyclical to the phases of the moon.
As humans, our lifestyle determines the way we thrive, similar to what the ancient scriptures speak of four goals that all mankind considers the Purusharthas knows Artha(Wealth), Kama (Desire), Dharma (righteousness) and Moksha, the transcendent state achieved by being liberated from the cycle of rebirth ( AkA liberation).
In essence, our diet, work, rest, sleep, relationships, etc. collectively have an integral responsibility for the quality of our lives.
We are in fact WHAT we eat. Also HOW, WHEN and WHERE.
It is known in ancient times that in order to maintain the balance of body, mind and spirit, it is recommended to observe the lunar cycles and plan our rhythms accordingly. And since food is our main source of fuel - energy - power, it is crucial that we nourish our temples with the right kind of nutrients, at the right time.
However, each temple differs in its constitution (dosha in Sanskrit), location, lifestyle and level of consciousness. So the more we listen to our needs and understand our constitution in order to tune into the more subtle sensations of communication in our body and properly choose what serves us and what does not, the better we might reach a higher state of being or homeostasis, also known as inner balance, which we all seek.
If you are curious to eat more in accordance with your constitution, I highly recommend to first understand your prakruti / dosha or constitution by following a dosha test online. Not only will you know which one is predominant at that moment, but you will also learn more about Ayurveda and the yogic way of life during the quiz.
If you have taken the test, you are ready to follow the rhythms of the moon with your diet.
I recommend the dosha test from Banyan Botanicals.
The following is a suggested plan starting with day 1 of the lunar month.
This is your chance to get all the nutrients and microelements you need into your physical temple all month long.
The work of all body systems is directed inward -.
A process of resource accumulation takes place.
We can notice this when the excretory system slows down as water circulation in the body is minimized.
Therefore, it is important to listen to yourself and your gut when choosing foods, opt for the foods you know your body likes and absorbs well, unprocessed carbohydrates that you love, for example: Sweet potatoes, rice, quinoa, healthy grains, legumes/beans, lots of fruit/smoothies, green juices.
Food is better digested, absorbed and assimilated during this time, which from an Ayurvedic point of view is a good sign of a healthy intestine and digestion in general.
Take time to study this important process of food intake, it can give you a lot of information about the condition and health of your gut.
You must not restrict your food intake.
It is now time to clean the system from what is not needed.
The body systems become more active and begin a process of natural cleansing.
Water circulation increases.
To help the body remove toxins, you can drink more pure water, herbal teas and/or coconut water.
You can also include other cleansing procedures such as following a juice fast, a mono diet for a few days (ayurvedic kitcheri cleansing), starting the day with warm water with lemon or salt, intermittent fasting, scratching the tongue when getting up, baths with baking soda and salt,
Dry brush massage, alternating shower (fantastic for mood lifting, Revitalization and radiance of the skin) and so on. Since we are holistic beings, we also need to think about the importance of purifying our minds. For this purpose, we can do a digital fast, days of silence, meditation, journaling, day or weekend retreats, gratitude exercises, and so on.
Important observations for this period are:
Support your system by feeding it food that facilitates the process of eliminating toxins, rather than blocking excess.
Start the day with a glass of warm water with lemon or lime to flush out toxins and cleanse the system.
Food examples:
If too much fatty food or alcohol has caused problems for your digestive system, it may be worth adding some ginger, garlic, artichoke, beet, green tea to your diet, Cabbage, brown rice, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, avocado, artichokes, cucumber and spinach to supplement.
It is recommended to reduce food intake during this time and, as mentioned above, try Ekadashi on the 11th lunar day (11th day after new moon or 11th day after full moon). More about Ekadashi in our next post. (Purification Rituals)
This is a time of heightened sensitivity as well as a self-healing time for the body.
The body signals which systems are functioning poorly and therefore initiates a self-healing response.
During this time it is important to take special care of the body and mind.
Practice self-care rituals of your choice, such as self-massage, essential oil baths, facial or hair masks, treatments, do retreats, write, draw and get creative.
During this time and in general, it is important to offer your temple foods with high nutritional quality, if you can source them locally by visiting a local farm or farmers market and your neighbor's health food store. Sometimes health food stores give discounts to local families, so it's worth asking.
It is advisable to drink more water and eat in moderation.
It's time for a complete cleaning.
A favorable time to become clearer and attune to the signals that the body shows in the third week.
It is recommended not to overextend yourself, to think too much, all these are natural tendencies of our time. Therefore, use this time to practice the art of "less is more" and use your energy wisely to connect more deeply with your inner self, closely observe the process of self-healing, as well as surrender to sleep from 10 pm.
Help your body get rid of toxins by drinking more water, herbal teas and decoctions, taking alkaline baths, sweating more in the hammam or sauna.
Another brilliant cleanse, this time more specific to gut health, is Shankhaprakshalana (I'll talk more about this as well as Ekadashi in our next post article "Cleansing Rituals" in October, as this is the best time of year to detox).
Light meals without overeating are advisable. If you want to observe Ekadashi again, the 26th. Moon Day recommended.
In any period, the most convenient times for meals are as follows: Breakfast at 7:30 am, lunch at 12:30 pm and dinner at 7:00 pm. (according to Ayurvedic yoga recommendations) For dinner it is advisable not to eat more than one ingredient (one flavor and one consistency).
Taste is like food for the emotional body - it affects our mood and our state in general.
Can you pay attention to the circumstances under which it is more comfortable for you to eat alone or in company?
Stay true to what you feel at that particular moment?
The ritual of food preparation is also a divine event. The state we are in (both physically and mentally) at the time of preparation, how we handle the food, how we cut it, prepare it, serve it and present it, even back to the way we obtain it, all have a direct energetic influence on it both in the food and in our bodies.
Be as aware as possible throughout the process, it is an art that requires dedication, time, space and energy.
Food nourishes us, is our medicine and what we are made of.
Let us praise it as such and also pay respect to the land on which it is grown, the trees, the seeds, the sun, the water, and the people involved in the process of planting, tending, as well as harvesting.
Feel free to say a prayer, silently or out loud, let it come from your heart, let´s teach our children to praise our food and to clearly understand where it comes from and how it gets on our plates, as above so below.
As we create a ritual around our food from shop / farm / tree to table, it shapes our conscious attitude not only toward food intake, but toward ourselves and our authentic needs.
I believe this is an important step towards integrity and self-love.
Enjoy this inner moon journey
You will learn a lot about yourself.
If you are interested in learning more about the energetics of food, please check out our Ayurvedic Nutrition course that I have on my website under "Online Courses".
Our next article is entitled: "Purification Rituals".
Namaste
Lililamaya
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