As we head towards winter, the days continue to get shorter and colder, beckoning us to slow down and stay home more often. While we may feel inclined to stay home and settle in, we also have many celebrations this month. To balance the hustle and bustle of the holidays, be sure to eat healthily when you’re not celebrating, and get some rest. To help you maintain balance during the festive season, here are some self-care tips for December. December Self-Care Tips Food In gene

Abhyanga is an Ayurvedic self-massage practice that involves applying warm (sometimes medicated) oil to the body. It is a traditional wellness ritual that has been practiced for centuries in India. We use oil because it matches the skin’s sebum (the oily substance that protects your skin from drying out), so it penetrates through the layers of the skin better than lotion, thereby helping to protect your skin’s natural hydration. Abhyanga - Self Oil Massage Benefits of Abhyang

Living with an autoimmune disease can feel like walking a tightrope. Every day brings new challenges, and finding balance often seems elusive. But what if there was a way to nurture your body, mind, and spirit all at once? That’s where the power of holistic health benefits comes in. By embracing a whole-person approach, you can take meaningful steps toward feeling better, reducing flare-ups, and reclaiming your life. Let’s explore how you can achieve balance through simple, p

A good night's sleep is so important for overall health. If you're having trouble sleeping, make a cup of Golden Milk at night for a good night's sleep. Golden Milk, aka Turmeric Milk, is a warm, spiced milk that supports both the immune system and the nervous system. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and high in antioxidants, Antioxidants are compounds that fight cell damage and protect your body from oxidative stress. Cinnamon and ginger are also high in antiox

The leaves are turning color, and the Balloon Fiesta is starting this weekend here in the Albuquerque area. It’s a beautiful sight – lots of colorful balloons with colorful changing leaves. So, now that we’re fully into Fall (or Vata season), it’s important to stay warm and build immune health. The holidays are right around the corner, so be sure to get some rest to calm the nervous system. Follow some of these selfcare guidelines for October. Selfcare Guidelines for October

In late September, summer comes to an end and autumn begins. The mornings and evenings are becoming cooler, the leaves are starting to turn color, and soon the smell of apples and pumpkins will fill the air. Autumn is Vata season in Ayurveda, and has the qualities of dry, cold, windy, and rough. We need to balance these qualities with moist, warm, stable, and smooth. So, follow some of these selfcare tips for September. September Selfcare Tips Diet Minimize or avoid raw foods

Although we’re still in summer, which is Pitta season in Ayurveda, we can feel that summer is winding down, preparing us for the transition to Autumn. Fall begins Vata season, which is characterized by the qualities of cold, dry, light, and mobile. Many of us notice these qualities in our bodies in the Fall, which can manifest as dry, rough skin; dry mucus and nasal passages; chapped lips, increased urination at night; depleted electrolytes in the body; earaches; insomnia; co

The summer months fall under Pitta dosha in Ayurveda, and July is the peak of this Pitta season. Pitta is comprised of the elements of fire and water, but mostly fire. It rules all transformation in the body, such as digestion, absorption, and assimilation of nutrients.  People who have a predominance of Pitta dosha tend to have a medium build, good muscle tone, healthy digestion, and piercing eyes. They’re also passionate, very motivated, enthusiastic and brilliant, as well

The days are longer and warmer, children are out of school, and we turn our attention to summer activities, such as vacationing, pool parties, picknicks, and barbecues. To stay cool and healthy this June, follow some of these selfcare tips. Selfcare Tips for June Diet With the summer heat, you’ll want to focus on smaller, lighter meals, because they’re easier on your digestion, especially during the heat of the day. Choose from any of these seasonal foods.  Fruits that are in

Aaahhh – it’s May! There’s a lot of “green” in nature, and flowers are blooming. The days are getting longer and warmer, so we turn our attention to being outdoors more. To stay healthy, follow some of these health tips for May, including diet, herbs, and lifestyle. Health Tips for May Diet With the cold weather behind us, you may notice that you’re craving lighter foods like fruit and vegetables. Well, this is your body’s way of telling you to lighten up your diet. It’s time

April is within Kapha season, according to Ayurveda, and is characterized by increasing warmth and moisture. This moisture can lead to a buildup of Kapha dosha in our bodies, causing heaviness, lethargy, and congestion. If this sounds like you, then try some of these self-care tips for April. Self-care Tips for April Diet We need a diet that is light, warm, and dry to drain dampness and to support the liver. Light, warm, dry foods include greens like dandelions, beet greens,

As we transition from winter into spring, you may be suffering with sinus or other respiratory issues. If so, try Nasya Oil for sinus and respiratory health. Whether your sinuses are dried out from indoor heating, or you have some congestion due to allergies, you may benefit from this classic oil treatment from Ayurveda. Nasya Oil Benefits Nasya Oil can soothe and protect the nasal passages, clear the sinuses, and support respiratory health. I'm prone to sinus congestion

The seasons are getting ready to transition again.  We’re preparing to leave the harsh, frigid winter for the warmth of spring.  In nature, everything will loosen up – the rivers will flow due to the melting snow, as well as the tree sap.  Our bodies will also try to loosen up and release excess fat and congestion.  So, if you feel congested, heavy, and sluggish, follow these self-care tips for March to help your body transition into spring later this month. Self-care Tips fo

In February, we're still experience cold weather, but we may also enjoy some warmer days here and there, pointing to the warmer weather that will be coming in spring. The days are noticeably longer now too. It's natural to want to slim down, rejuvenate, and refresh yourself in late-winter, so consider following some of these diet and lifestyle guidelines. February Guidelines Diet You may notice that your body naturally wants some lighter foods now, particularly green leafy

Welcome to November!  The cold, dry, windy air is with us and is characteristic of Vata dosha in Ayurveda. To counteract these qualities, we want the opposite characteristics of warm, moist, and grounded. To do so, follow some of these selfcare tips for November.   November Selfcare Tips Diet Include hearty whole grains, as well as seasonal fruits and vegetables. Favor sweet and earthy root vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squashes and potatoes. Be sure to eat

An herbal electuary is a thick paste, made with powdered herbs and honey.  It’s a wonderful way to take your herbs, because the honey makes it taste great. So, this is ideal for children, who may not like the taste of herbs.  However, do not  give honey to children under 12 months of age, because honey can contain bacteria that produces toxins in a baby's intestines.  Herbal Electuaries The use of herbal electuaries dates back thousands of years.  They were used in ancient Ar

Aah – September! After a long, sizzling summer, we start to get a break from the heat, especially in the mornings and evenings. Autumn is coming, and we’re in a two-week transitional period called Ritu Sandhi in Ayurveda or Seasonal Junction.   The last week of one season and the first week of the next season make up this two-week Ritu Sandhi period. It’s a sensitive time when we need to let go of the previous season’s diet and lifestyle practices and welcome the next season’

Cleansing the skin with oil is also an ancient Ayurvedic practice, which may seem strange at first, so let’s take a look at the skin and why oil is better at cleansing than soap and water.  Cleansing Your Face with Oil About the Skin The skin contains sebaceous glands that produce sebum, which is an oily, waxy substance that protects your skin from environmental pollutants and infection. It also naturally hydrates the skin.  When you wash with soap and water, you can wash aw

A good night’s sleep is important to rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit.  In Ayurveda, sleep is one of the three pillars of good health.  Learn about the power of sleep - its benefits as well as what you can do. The Power of Sleep The Benefits of a Good Night's Sleep The benefits of healthy sleep include a strong immune system, maintaining a healthy weight, a lower risk for developing a serious health problem, reduced stress, an improved mood, improved cognition and decis

According to Ayurveda, other than accidents or injuries, most diseases begin with gut health. Your digestive system processes the food and drink that you consume, and breaks it down into essential nutrients. The nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream, where the body will then create new tissue with these nutrients; and the waste will then be eliminated. For the digestive system to do this properly, there are some basic rules of eating that will make a huge difference