Hello my dear ones,

Since my last newsletter on Eating Seasonally, Fresh, Local and Organic, it felt like Summer with temps in the 70's, then it got chilly again, with overnight temps in the 20's, now we are back to traditional Spring weather. The Ayurvedic word for this variability is vishama. And darn it, haven't these past weeks been all about the vishama!

Problem is, so too can our digestive system become vishama with the weather patterns or in general. Vishama digestion (agni) causes an irregular appetite, variable digestion, indigestion, abdominal distension, gas, gurgling intestines, constipation (or alternating constipation and diarrhea), and colicky pain. Other symptoms of vishama agni include dry mouth, receding gums, dry skin, cracking joints, sciatica, low back ache, hemorrhoids, muscle spasms, and insomnia. Emotionally, it tends to cause anxiety, fear, and insecurity.

The Ayurvedic "cure" for a variable digestive system is not so simple and it's during this Spring season you may see more information about an "Ayurvedic Cleanse". The good news is that not everyone needs a cleanse right now if you are paying attention to your hunger levels and eating appropriate quantities, practicing good sleep habits and continuing predictable daily habits. Cleansing, for some, will do more harm than good, especially if you have tried losing weight throughout the Winter months, are already feeling tired and depleted, or are experiencing recurrent respiratory infections.

The Ayurvedic texts and modern research supports changing what you eat with the seasons and looking for ways to balance the external world with your internal world. On cold days, balance the body with warming foods. On rainy, wet days, eat foods that are warm and drying. When it gets warmer as Summer approaches look for wetter, cooler foods. Balancing what you eat, when, and how to counter the seasonal weather shifts will help regulate your digestive system nicely!

If you want to know what I'm cooking right now to regulate and stoke my Spring digestive fire, download a delicious Warming Lentil Stew recipe that can be eaten on colder mornings for breakfast or later in the day as a light dinner. Need a simple spiced tea to fire up your agni? See below for the recipe!