Last night marked Week 4 of The Elemental Cleanse. In this week the students experience an Ayurvedic tri-doshic fast. Don’t worry, they are eating food. Actually they are eating really well and fully living a yogic lifestyle by Week 4. Opinion poll from last night revealed all were feeling better than when they started and all were more present, focused, and calm.
So feeling all better and not wanting to lose that feeling, we explore how to eat for your 
body type or dosha. I revealed the Kapha lifestyle which is truly the lifestyle most hard to implement because there is a heavy focus on Vegetables, Beans, and Spice with a big “avoid” list. Basically, you have to avoid all the things that are really American staples. Meat and potatoes are out. Sweet treats are out.
One student, Kapha and Kapha deranged, looked despondent. Her whole diet has to change and I could tell she had just walked into a mental block the size of the Great Wall of China. I mean, how on earth do you do this? I really did feel for her because I actually do understand how hard it is to live a clean yogic life. I also know the battle of deep seated habits and cravings. I know how hard it is to start, to fail, to get up, to start over.
I’d like to assure you it gets easier. It really does as your cravings slip away over time and your palette is refined, but first we must break the mind with meditation, mindfulness, and self-study. This is what I recommend:
Do meditate every day for at least 11 minutes. This is a preventative practice so you don’t quickly try to ground your energy with heavy and dense food.
Do stick to a routine for bedtime and arise time. This is a preventative practice to avoid stress and stabilize your mind.
Do plan for 3 meals each day and the emphasis is on plan. Planning is key to your success. Plan to shop and cook. Cook in bulk. Pack your lunch. Make breakfast simple. It’s okay to have 3 favorites and eat those all the time.
Create a support group. Weekly yoga class is great to keep you centered. One on One coaching, workshops, and further study keep you on the path.
Treat your work week like the work week for your body and mind as well. So during the week, eat really healthy and conscious and know that you can enjoy a little treat on the weekends. You will be surprised over time the treat you crave the most is a power meditation practice. Ten minutes turns to sixty on the weekends because you desire it, not because it is work.
Keep a journal and notice how your food and life are making you feel. Last night I suggested a journal in the bathroom to monitor the context and quality of your elimination. I know that sounds kinda gross, but your daily elimination is really the quickest and most effective diagnostic tool you have in your Ayurvedic kit. It should be easy, fast, and have no strong odors. If it is otherwise, you simply pause and ask yourself, “What did I eat that I didn’t digest very well?”, “How am I feeling emotionally?”, “Did I sleep well last night?”, “Is something upsetting me?”, “Have I slipped into a habit again?” Note it in your daily journal and immediately take corrective action.
There are lots of things we love that aren’t good for us. One Cleanser mentioned Graeter’s Ice-Cream, our Cincinnati local favorite. I love it too. I used to eat a lot of it, but I notice that it doesn’t really agree with me. It interferes with sleep, it causes me to crave sugar the next day, and it makes me bloated. When I have Graeter’s in front of me, I take a few bites and move on because I think about how it is going to make me feel.
I love chips. That’s my downfall. First, I eliminate them from my home. Second, if I just gotta have some, I buy high quality, organic tortillas and put some in a bowl, put the bag away, and enjoy. If I notice I’m doing this nightly, I throw the bag out.
Ultimately you have to keep your eye on your ultimate goals. Losing weight, reversing disease, settling the mind, and manifesting your hearts desires become more important than a bowl of ice-cream. Substitutes for ice-cream magically appear. (Try mixing in a blender almond milk, almonds, dates, frozen banana, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a little honey.)
Here is a link to a worksheet on triggers and how to schedule to avoid them. I hope you find this helpful. LINK (worksheets are imbedded in this post)
OM, Pamela
*The sole purpose of these articles is to provide information about the tradition of ayurveda, yoga, and meditation. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any disease. If you have any serious acute or chronic health concern, please consult a trained health professional who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively. Check with your doctor before taking herbs or using essential oils when pregnant or nursing.