Part 2: Ayurveda & Spring
Spring is Kapha season. Kapha means “that which flourishes by water.” Spring represents water, moisture, and a distinct soft, warm, nurturing presence. Spring also feels slower than summer and fall. Do you feel that way?
Like increases like, according to Ayurveda, which is another reason why spring time tends to increase Kapha. Also, exiting winter, which is somewhat of a Kapha accumulation for most of us. But remember, the weather may tend to alternate from wintery weather, to warm, and wet weather. So, depending on the weather, you can fluctuate from Kapha or Vata, or both.
How can we help our seasonal diet and lifestyle for spring? Welcoming a lifestyle & diet that embodies light, sharp, dry, heat qualities into our daily lives can strengthen our physiology, and undergo the process of restoration, and rejuvenation.
Furthermore, many of us may notice that we crave less heavy foods in the springtime, than winter. Help support your body by eating warm, light foods that are relatively easy to digest. Favour, bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes. This can help balance moisture levels, mucous production, and opens channels of elimination needed for purification.
Some Basic Tips:
- Enhance meals with pungent flavours like onion, garlic, ginger, black pepper, chilli pepper, and various herbs and spices.
- Favour eating bitter greens, ( brassicas family vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, + cabbage). Spicy foods, like green chillies.
- Eating fresh (not necessarily raw), legumes, and vegetables (astringent, + somewhat bitter).
- Eat a light breakfast of tea, and fresh fruit.
- Drink room temperature, warm, or hot beverages.
- Lunch and Dinner favour steamed vegetables, cooked grains, and legumes are great choices.
Remember this is a GENERAL GUIDELINE of a springtime diet, it also depends on your Prakruti, + current bodily imbalances. 💕
