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.

Universal Intelligence

According the the Samkhya philosophy, the universe was created out of primordial stillness. Purusha (all pervading consciousness) and Prakruti (Manifest Nature) exist in a state of equilibrium.   Purusha is the silent observer or witness. Prakruti is the spark and expression of creation (matter).  This state of stillness is disturbed by desire and this creates dynamic movement.   Purusha, the masculine quality and Prakruti, the feminine quality merge and give rise to mahat (universal intelligence).  

From this union proceeds evolution. Our existence sprouts from here. When we are fully aware of our beginning, everything is possible because we realize our capacity is not limited. We are connected to everything. Purusha is the observer and Prakruti is the observed.  In the human struggle to find moksha (liberation) we are attempting to recognize ourselves as both the observable and observer.  We think we are the observable but not the observer.  We are both.  The philosophical questions arise: Who am I? What is my purpose?  Why am I here?  What is the universe? We are both the creator and the creation. Our confusion arises because we are not fully aware of the source of creation. 

That whole explanation is to remind us that we are linked to the universal intelligence. We must focus and meditate on our goals and they will manifest.  The more we focus intently, the more our intention permeates into cosmos, and then the universal intelligence starts to connect the dots for us.  We are apart of that intelligence, and must become aware of it in order to realize our full capacity.

Dream BIG and your visions will materialize.

What is MSG? Is it making me fat?

Most processed foods and fast food places contain Monosodium Glutamate (MSG). What do processed foods and fast food have in common? Obese or over-weight consumers! MSG is a food additive used to enhance the flavor of foods. 

What does MSG do to the body?  Many believe MSG is addictive. MSG is like a drug that makes you hungry, crave more, and fat. 'Betcha can't eat just one', takes on a whole new meaning where MSG is concerned! MSG may be linked to obesity, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, autism, ADHD, and neurodegenerative brain diseases. “A recent study in China shows a positive correlation between MSG and obesity, regardless of caloric intake or exercise.  Also, here is a flow chart linking MSG, casein and vaccines to autism: http://www.msgtruth.org/images/Theory%20of%20Autism-Simplified.pdf.

MSG was discovered by Japan; In Japan MSG is called ‘Ajinomoto,” which means the “essence of taste”.  It was marketed strictly for the purpose of enhancing flavors. It is disguised under many names. The following substances contain the highest percentage of factory created free glutamate:

MSG, Gelatin, Calcium Caseinate, Monosodium glutamate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), Textured Protein, Monopotassium glutamate, Hydrolyzed Plant Protein (HPP), Yeast Extract, Glutamate, Autolyzed Plant Protein, Yeast food or nutrient, Glutamic Acid, Sodium Caseinate, Autolyzed Yeast, Vegetable Protein Extract, Senomyx (wheat extract labeled as artificial flavor)

The FDA allows the a variety of chemicals to be disguised under the name, “natural flavors, flavors, flavoring.” You do not know what you are consuming. REMEMBER: If MSG was not harmful, it wouldn’t be hidden. 

READ THE LABELS. And try your best to AVOID processed foods.

MSG is contained in: most barbeque sauces, salad dressings, canned foods, frozen foods, potato chips (Doritos has at four sources of free glutamate), parmesan products, chicken, sausage, croutons, some garden veggie patties, soy products, soy sauce, Lawry’s seasoning salt (very sad cause I actually liked this), casein, and the list can go on!

Most “fresh” turkeys and chickens have free glutamate solutions injected into them. Vegetarians aren't free from MSG either. Most processed vegetarian foods contain msg. Processed foods should be limited to once a week. 

It is time to start cooking and kicking processed foods to the curb before you start looking like this giraffe.  And if you are already over-weight, MSG could be a major reason. Everyone needs to start eating freshly cooked organic food. 

"What is Nature, if not a grand university?"

The Great Yogi Yogeshwari, said “What is Nature, if not a grand university?”  Nature is our teacher. We are all made up of the same elements as in Nature. Earth is our body, water is the blood in our veins, fire is the heat in our body, air is our breath, and ether is the space in our atoms. When we lose connection with nature, we lose connection with our self. We come from her and must connect with her.
Many times the blocks in our lives are the workings of our own minds.  When you change your thinking, you change your energy or what you put out into the universe.  When you put out positive messages and visualize success that is exactly what you will attract.  Training in and studying Nature helps you understand this principle.  

We learn so much by studying the simple blossom of a rose, or studying the growth of a tree. Like a rose we come into this world for a short time, and then we have to go back into the earth from which we came. We should strive to be a rose and share our beauty, grace, feed others nectar, and give inspiration and love to all. 

Training in nature not only gives you the physical body you desire, but gives you inner radiance and strength.

*Creative Visualization, Shakti Gawain and Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill

Eat According to the Season

Mother Nature provides us, Her creation, with the nutrition to sustain our bodies in each season.  We are intimately linked to our environment.  In the age of computers and processed foods, we have lost connection with Nature.  Most people do not have a garden where they pick fresh food.  We walk around with a shopping cart in the supermarket, and throw in fruits and veggies (and boxes of prepackaged foods) without any consideration to the season.  It is important to become conscious and able to identify what Nature provides in each season.

Why is it important to eat according to the season? Health. In each season distinct fruits and veggies grow to nourish our bodies. The food Nature provides, helps us adapt to the changing environment.  The goal of Ayurveda is to be in Harmony with Nature, because it promotes health and evolution. In spring sprouts leafy greens, that help scrape away the fat accumulated from winter.  In summer grows juicy fruits and veggies to keep the body hydrated.  In autumn, the trees begin to shed their leaves, and it is a good time for warm foods like stews and vegetable soups.  In Winter, our internal Agni, digestive fire, is strongest. This is the time to eat heavy, creamy, high-protein and unctuous foods like nuts, mung beans, oils, wheat, potatoes, and meats.