Ayurveda, the science of life and longevity, teaches that the juncture between seasons is a critical time when the doshas may easily accumulate.
Fall is Vata season
The qualities of Vata are cold, light, dry, irregular, rough, moving, quick, changeable. To counter the effects of Vata excess in your life, keep a regular schedule, ensure warmth, and take in nourishment on all levels,
Remember that balancing any dosha excess is essential to maintaining vibrant health. Self-knowledge and self-awareness are the most important preventative measures. Paying attention to symptoms and changing behaviors contributes to longevity and vitality. The easiest and quickest way to balance is through diet and lifestyle.
Ayurveda recommends seasonal cleansing or detoxifying of our body, mind, emotions, and environment to release accumulated toxicity, stress, and clutter. It’s a good way to reset, then begin to work on changing habits by adding in healthy choices.
Healthy Choices for Vata Season
Favor sweet, sour, and salty foods to counter the fall season and Vata dosha. Eat warm, cooked foods along with healthy oils. Stick to a routine, go to bed on time and rise early. Follow the Daily Routine as much as possible.
This morning I had a bowl of Amaranth cereal.
Amaranth is an ancient seed that is delicious cooked with spices.
It is gluten-free, high in protein, and is tridoshic (reduces all 3 doshas).
The grain can be purchased at Natural Grocers in the bulk aisle or at your neighborhood natural food store.
Here is a recipe.
Amaranth Cereal
- Water to amaranth ratio: 4:1 (I used 3 cups of water and ¾ cup of amaranth so I could have some for breakfast later in the week)
- 1 dash of salt per cup of water
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 tsp cardamom, 1/8 tsp cloves, 1/8 tsp nutmeg per cup of water
- Small handful of Thompson raisins per cup of water
Boil amaranth in salted water for 25-30 minutes, stirring periodically. Add spices and raisins toward the end of cooking when the amaranth starts to thicken. Cook an additional 5 minutes until it reaches the consistency of cooked cereal.
Serve with a teaspoon of ghee (clarified butter) or other healthy oil (perhaps coconut?), a handful of raw pecans, small amount of sweetener. I use turbinado sugar or raw honey. Enjoy! The recipe is from 7 Centers Ayurvedic Cookbook.
Don’t forget to grab your copy of the Daily Routine. This is a printable example of a daily Ayurvedic schedule to follow to have more balance in your life.
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