Part II: Ayurvedic Journey
It’s been 14 days since I started my Ayurvedic journey, so I wanted to share an update on how I’m feeling.
Today I woke up feeling really good!
The first week was a bit rough. I realized about a week in that one of the products I was taking had milk (I have a dairy intolerance). Then I realized the tonic I was taking had gluten (there is barley and I have a gluten intolerance), so I stopped taking these. It was totally my fault for not looking at the ingredients more closely, but could explain why my symptoms got worse the first few days. After about 3 days of taking these out, I noticed a difference in my bloating - though I was still experiencing it a little.
I’ve been consistent with the morning ritual of waking up at 6:30 AM, drinking ginger water + ghee, using the Nasya oil, doing my breath work and meditating.
The food plan has been easy for me since I’m used to eating this way. I’ve eaten in for all my meals except for one lunch date I had with my friend, but I ordered salmon (minus all sauces and oils) + steamed broccoli. If I’m on the go during meal time, I’m packing a lunch, or I just plan my day around it. Again, I’m eating only warming foods, nothing raw, and trying to do soups and mushy food (perfect timing for the fall!).
This week I started drinking 2 cups of bone broth a day. Bone broth is extremely healing for the gut, and the entire body actually. I enjoy the savory taste and add a little ghee to enhance the flavor and simply sip on it like tea. This is in addition to the ginger tea I’m drinking throughout the day.
And Ashwagandha lattes are my new jam! I’ve been drinking one almost everyday. Here’s a super simple recipe (I use coconut milk, not almond milk). Ashwagandha has such a unique taste and is a great replacement for coffee because of its medicinal properties.
I’ve also been enjoying turmeric lattes and love this recipe from Minimalist Baker (one of my favorite blogs!).
In all honesty, the majority of my time has been focused on shifting my mindset vs focusing so much on the food piece.
I’ve been meditating and reflecting more often. I took time to go to the park the other day, I’ve been walking out in nature and stepping away from the computer more often (though I still need to work on this). I’m so excited and passionate about all the projects I’m working on that I want to devote as much time as possible to this work. And I was telling myself it was ok to work this much because it was fun for me and didn’t seem like work. But then I realized, N-O. I need to step away and take a break. So I’m taking more breaks and this has helped significantly!
During this downtime I’ve had some interesting memories flash before me that I’m healing and “aha” moments that popped into my mind. Most of these have been “nudges” for me to focus on self-love and compassion.
If you listened to my radio show on Tuesday, Light as a Feather, my cousin Jenny and I talked a lot about the role of our mindset when we think about our health holistically, especially when it comes to reaching health goals. If you missed it, you’ll be able to listen to the Archive of the show in a few weeks after the new show airs (there will be a link on my website and the W4DIVAS website).
My exercise schedule is as follows, yoga 1-2 days a week, weights 2 days a week, and then walking or a light jog (depending on my energy). I’m trying to spend as much time outside as I can before the winter gets here and then I’ll spend more time at yoga.
If my energy is feeling “off,” then I don’t do any exercise and just rest. Typically when you start detoxing you can either feel low energy or high energy, depending on the day, so it’s important to listen to your body.
I’m also stretching everyday (even if its only for 5 minutes), so when I need a break from working I just hop on the floor and start doing some yoga poses. 😂
If you don’t want to read about my bodily functions then skip this next paragraph, but I have to write about it because this is a serious symptom of my gut health. 😆
Constipation has been an issue. It isn’t every day, but a lot of days. So the other day I decided for the next 3 nights I was going to take something to help my bowel movements chug along. The first night I took an herbal Ayurvedic laxative. The next 2 nights I drank Traditional Medicinals Smooth Move tea (both work miracles!). Last night I didn’t take anything, so we’ll see how today goes. The goal would be to get my body in a place so I obviously don’t need “help” getting the “body workin.’”
My body is having a difficult time digesting certain foods like greens and nuts (you know by looking in the toilet). I know, nasty, but you have to look folks. We have to pay more attention to what is going on inside this gorgeous body of ours. When food comes out undigested, there’s a problemo! The greens have all been steamed, which I thought would help with digestion, but hasn’t. So I’m cooling it on the greens and nuts and will try those again in a few weeks.
Ok that part is over! Read on….
I haven’t followed my regimen perfectly every day, and that’s ok. I’m showing myself grace when I run out of ginger and forget to get more, and when I have to have leftovers due to time constraints vs making fresh food, I just warm it up on the stove (definitely trying not to use the microwave). I’m supposed to be eating fresh food as much as possible, so as long as it hasn’t been in the fridge longer than 24 hours and can be warmed on the stove, I’ll eat it.
Plus, if I stress about not following the routine perfectly, I risk sending my body into fight or flight, and I don’t want to do that. When we put ourselves into fight or flight the body doesn’t work optimally, and this is how our chromic and unmanaged stress turns into dis-ease (disease). Stress is no joke and it’s no bueno!
Today I woke up and the stomach bloating is pretty much gone (YAY!!). G-O-N-E! The balloon has been deflated, folks! For anyone that has experienced chronic bloating, let me tell you, I’m not sure if this is how being pregnant feels (minus a human that moves inside), but it sure as hell doesn’t feel good. Your stomach looks like it has a ball right at the bottom of your stomach and can be very painful.
I do feel a little low energy today, but I was up until 11 PM when my bedtime is usually 10 PM. Needless to say, I’m listening to my body and will not be working out today and may even take a nap later.
I’ve been loving on my body with the Sesame Oil, accepting where I’m at, blessing my food before I eat, saying affirmations after I meditate, and really focusing on my mindset.
I had a feeling my symptoms had returned due to my mindset, but wasn’t sure exactly what was going on in there that I needed to shift. I kept asking myself, what is out of alignment? What am I resisting? Does this _____ (fill in the blank with an emotion or action) feel right? What am I doing that I need to shift? Did I take a left turn somewhere and need to make a U-turn?
When I ask these questions I’m not forcing answers. I’m waiting for them to be whispered to me. I’m waiting for the signs. I’m just simply being.
I love this quote by Pavana, “the pain, it will leave once it has finished teaching you.”
So the answers are coming and I’m thrilled. But this is all for another blog post because I don’t want to give away everything I’m discovering now in just the first 2 weeks.
More than anything, these first 2 weeks have validated my love for the Ayurvedic lifestyle and I feel deeply connected to its ancient teachings. I’ll admit, I’m fortunate that I’m working from home and have the time to devote to these routine changes. If I was still in the office, I would have had to make more adjustments.
However, I do believe you can add several of these routines to your day without making major shifts or feeling like you’re being totally thrown off course.
If you’re interested in exploring Ayurveda, I’d encourage you to reach out to my practitioner, Dr. David Jameson at Blue Lotus Healing Center in Flint. You can book a FREE 15 minute consultation with him to see if you connect with his approach before booking a full consultation (these services aren’t covered by insurance).
Wishing you all good health! Love you!