20 Day Vedic Challenge

Join me on my 20-Day Challenge to live a healthier, happier Vedic life. Veda is a Sanskrit word meaning truth and knowledge. These next 20 days, I am journeying inward to find my Truth. The Truth is the universal energy resides within me.

The Vedas preach that we must live in harmony with nature. Just like the sun rises and falls consistently, and without fail, we too must find our own rhythm in life. When we start living in harmony with our life-giving Mother Nature, we will begin to understand Her secrets of creation. Our internal nature resonates with the external nature. When the earth is parched because of strong summer sunrays, our skin too becomes dry, brittle and dehydrated. When nature is in havoc (earthquakes), we too are in havoc. We are connected to Her on every level. This principle of harmonious living is ever so important in modern times because mankind has forgotten how to live respecting Mother Nature. In fast times, it seems easier to microwave a dinner as opposed to cooking a healthy meal with fresh vegetables; it is easier to wake up to a blaring alarm clock, then awaking naturally to chirping birds.

I find myself most happy in India at an ashram or in the Himalayas surrounded by trees. Why? Because, life is simple. My mind and body are forced to live in accordance with Nature's Laws. I desire the same peace and happiness I have experienced in India, and want it daily in Los Angeles. Although India and Los Angeles are worlds apart, peace is right here within me. I want my peace when an anxious driver cuts me off on the 10 Freeway. I want my peace in a city that values Prada shoes over bare feet sinking its toes into dewy grass. I want my peace, even if I lose the man I love. Life is transient. The only thing I have control over is my inner peace. These next 20 days, I search for my Truth, my peace. Please join me. Choose any goal or challenge that you want to accomplish and share them in the comments section. A friend of mine is taking out red meat from her diet and is exercising 3 times a week. Another friend is waking up at 6am and cooking one healthy Ayurvedic meal a day. You can join me by doing the same challenge as me, or creating your own challenge. Joining others when undertaking a challenge is helpful because you gain the strength and encouragement of the group. Join us! My start date is Saturday April 10th, 2009, but you can start when the timing is right for you.

I have chosen four goals based on the spiritual teachings of Sivananda. I am dedicating 20 days to accomplishing these 4 principles. Everyday I will:

1. Brahmanuhurta: Be in bed by 10 and awake up at 5:00 a.m. Offer some prayers for 10 minutes and then sit for study. This is the best time for study, as the mind is fresh.
2. Exercise: 30 minutes of yoga. Do various yoga asanas to increase intellect, strength and willpower. SuryaNamaskar, inversions, sirshasana, Halasana, Sarvangsana (shoulder stand), warrior, and other various stretches.
3. Japa: One Mala (108)
4. Diet: Cook and eat one fresh healthy meal a day. Take my vitamins and Ayurvedic herbs.

Fasting

Tomorrow, I am embarking on an inward journey. I am fasting. For a woman who loves to eat, refraining from eating seems like walking through a hot desert without water, shoes, juicy fruit, clothes and a companion. I feel famished and thirsty even thinking about fasting. There are many types of fasts. One can fast on juices or fruits. One can fast on pure plain water. One can fast on air. I am going to take the water and fruit approach. Fasting cleanses the body and mind and heightens our awareness to the natural rhythms of nature. We are more attuned to the forces around us.

I never fast. I am a bit scared of fasting simply because I do not know if I can to endure hunger pains. Sounds weak, huh? That is precisely why I must fast. If I am going to have a baby one day, I better be able to fight hunger pains. If I plan to push a head the size of a bowling ball out of a hole the size of a quarter, you best believe I must learn to fast. I am a strong woman. I am a determined woman. I can live one day on just pure water. The power of the universe resides within me! Yes, those are positive affirmations. Whatever it takes to accomplish my mission. I need all the help I can get. I seek to be like Gandhi and not eat until the task in completed. God, help me! Tomorrow is the day. For any soul out there reading my desolate blog, send your energy my way, and I will send my energy to you. Love be with me. (I think I just saw some tumbleweed roll over my blog.)

The reason I am fasting is because my tongue is coated a light brown. I looked in the mirror and said, "nasty." That indicates internal heat, dryness and toxins in my body. I am holding on to toxins. I eat healthy everyday. But, I was eating too much healthy food. I was not giving my body enough time in between meals to digest the previous meal. My digestive fire is weak. I can't help it though because my cooking is amazing. Ok, I'm not gonna lie, my Mother is home cooking up a storm. How can I resist fresh, healthy vegetarian cooking made with love?! I mean, saying her food is, "the bomb" is an understatement. Each bite is like nuclear fission, exploding with succulent flavors and juices.

I need to remember that Our Creator is our sustainer. Our Creator resides in every breath of air. Every time I breath, He enters me, and every cell in my body, and gives me life. When I learn to appreciate air and pure water the way I appreciate Masala Dosa (yummmy), I will be well on my way to Enlightenment.

Daily Detox

Detoxing the body is important. Why? Imagine filling your trash can with everything you ate today. Throw in the milk, oatmeal, salad, chicken, frozen yogurt, fish, etc. Now imagine if you are not throwing the trash out everyday. Your trashcan is going to be reeking, molding, and just plain nasty. If you are not eliminating everyday, this is essentially what is happening in your gastrointestinal tract.

When the body is not evacuating regularly, the body will find other channels to dispose the waste. Notice your skin on the days that you don't have a bowel movement. Your tongue will be coated white, yellow, or brown. You are likely to have a breakout. Lower back pain is also a symptom of constipation. The definition of constipation according to Ayurveda is not evacuating everyday. That's right. We should "drop the kids of in the pool" everyday. If we don't toxins can build up in the body and start the disease process.

Triphala is an Ayurvedic Remedy that is a mild laxative which cleanses the body, strengthens the eyes, and rejuvenates the body and skin. Triphala means three fruits in Sanskrit. Triphala is a combination of three fruits. You can find Triphala at your local health food store or at: www.letsallbehealthy.com or www.banyanbotanicals.com.

Directions for Triphala powder: mix 1/2 tsp of Triphala in one cup hot water and drink before sleeping.

Directions for Triphala pills: take 2 tablets with one cup hot water and drink before sleeping.

The Triphala powder is more effective, but it is very bitter. What is good for the body, is not always pleasant to the tongue. The pills are a good choice for people new to Ayurveda or Chinese Medicine.