Yoga & Food, part II
In my last post I mentioned that by following a few simple principles of ayurveda, I lost 5 pounds without trying or feeling deprived. Intrigued, I kept reading more about ayurveda. Vasant Lad's book recommended a home detox program at the change of seasons, and I was pondering whether or not to try this when my friend Susan invited me to share a detox weekend at her beach house.
She was inspired by recipes in Yoga Journal, http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/2841, and I wanted a more ayurvedic-style detox, so we combined the two styles for a detox plan that included a variety of foods that were nutritious and easy to digest -- this meant making a more traditional kitcheri recipe and leaving out recipes with heavy spices and raw veggies. Since I have problems with low blood sugar, I've never been interested in juice fasts or other near-starvation plans, so I thought this would be a workable compromise.
In accordance with my book (see the link below), I began preparing for the detox a few days in advance by giving myself a sesame oil massage every morning and drinking ghee. The purpose of drinking ghee was to lubricate my insides so toxins could easily be released from my tissues. I was supposed to drink 4 tablespoons, but this proved difficult because I am not used to eating butter. I decided that 2 tablespoons per day was enough. I also starting drinking triphala tea at night, made by putting 1/2 teaspoon of triphala powder into a cup of hot water and letting it steep for about 10 minutes. This is an essential detox aid with a very mild laxative effect.