Reminder of March Events and Dietary Tips for Spring!

 

Reminder:  I have two workshops coming up this  weekend.  Both are perfect for keeping us healthy as we move into Spring!  Please let me know if you have any questions about either class, and consider joining at least one of them! dhelfeld@starpower.net

 

On Saturday March 12th I will be teaching Yoga for a Good Night's Sleep from 4 to 5:30.  Daylight Savings Time starts the next day so this is a good time to learn about practices that can promote restful sleep.  The class is virtual and sponsored by Circle Yoga in Chevy Chase DC.  Details and registration are through Circle Yoga.  https://circleyoga.cowtinker.com/om/events

On Sunday March 13th the class is Conscious Cooking: Spring Edition from 4 to 5:30. We will prepare a spring vegetable dish together along with a spice mix for Kapha season and talk about good and nourishing foods for the spring. You will be given a few other recipes and a sample menu.  This class is also virtual through Suzanne Martin Yoga and the fee is $36.  Registration is at https://suzannemartinyoga.podia.com/the-conscious-kitchen-spring-edition.

As we move into the spring which has  the qualities of being moist, heavy, cool, and sticky, we often get colds.  Seasonal transitions are challenging for our bodies.  Here are just a few dietary tips to help us remain healthy.   The best foods for spring are pungent, bitter and astringent. Eat light and warming foods, less dairy, more beans, and fresh early spring greens like arugula and dandelion as well as leaf lettuces.  Add more hot spices to your food like ginger, black and red pepper, cayenne, and garlic.  Other good spring vegetables to eat include asparagus, artichokes, radishes, spinach and cabbage.   Drink ginger tea or add ginger to CCF tea(cumin, coriander, fennel).  Reduce consumption of dairy and salty foods like potato chips.  If you like iced drinks, please try to cut back on them.  Ice is constricting so drinking ice water with food constricts digestion as it restricts blood flow.  The ice water also dampens your digestive fire.

 

Spring is also the best time to try a short cleanse.  When we eat a simple diet of kitchari ( mung dal and rice with spices) and vegetables for a week or even a few days it can help  our body release toxins and excess fat that have accumulated over the winter.  A Kitchari Cleanse helps us rebuild and recharge.  If you are interested in giving it a try, please contact me with questions or/and for a consultation.

 

Happy Spring!