Power of Pumpkin

It's Halloween!!!
And the pumpkin is the all mighty.
Here is some information about pumpkins.
Believe it or not, we can eat this as a main vegetable instead of in a pie :)

Pumpkin is a fruit of the plant of the same name and belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family that also includes gourds.  It is quite similar to gourd in its appearance and is believed to have originated in North America.  However, there is no fixed shape of pumpkins and they usually vary from being oblate to oblong.  The rind is smooth, lightly ribbed and usually, orange or yellow in color.  With a high nutritional value, pumpkins are associated with a lot of health benefits.  Apart from the flesh, even the seeds of pumpkins boast of a large number of nutrition benefits.  Read on to know more about the nutritious ‘pumpkin’.

Nutritional Value of Pumpkin.  Given below is the amount of nutrients present in 1 cup Pumpkin (cooked, boiled and drained): 

• Calcium - 37 mg

• Carbohydrate - 12 gm

• Dietary Fiber - 3 gm

• Folate - 21 mcg

• Iron - 1.4 mg

• Magnesium - 22 mg

• Niacin - 1 mg

• Potassium - 564 mg

• Protein - 2 grams

• Selenium - 0.50 mg

• Vitamin A - 2650 IU

• Vitamin C - 12 mg

• Vitamin E - 3 mg

• Zinc - 1 mg

• Calories - 49 

Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Pumpkin 

• Pumpkin is very rich in carotenoids, which is known for keeping the immune system of an individual strong and healthy.

• Beta-carotene, found in pumpkin, is a powerful antioxidant as well as an anti-inflammatory agent. It helps prevent build up of cholesterol on the arterial walls, thus reducing chances of strokes.

• Being rich in alpha-carotene, pumpkin is believed to slow the process of aging and also prevent cataract formation.

• Pumpkins have been known to reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a serious eye problem than usually results in blindness.

• The high amount of fiber present in a pumpkin is good for the bowel health of an individual.

• Being loaded with potassium, pumpkin is associated with lowering the risk of hypertension.

• The presence of zinc in pumpkins boosts the immune system and also improves the bone density. 

Health & Nutrition Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds 

• They promote overall prostate health, apart from alleviating the problem of difficult urination that is associated with an enlarged prostate.

• They comprise of L-tryptophan, a compound that has been found to be effective against depression.

• They are believed to serve as a natural protector against osteoporosis.

• They have been known to reduce inflammation, without causing the side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs.

• Studies have revealed that they help prevent calcium oxalate kidney stone formation.

• Being rich in phytosterols, they have been associated with reducing the levels of LDL cholesterol.

Healing Qualities of Water

When water is properly absorbed by the body, the healing qualities are very positive- 

• enhances glow of skin
• increases stamina
• helps with digestion
• prevents constipation
• releases fatigue
• cooling
• antioxidant
• easy to assimilate
• life giving
• provides satisfaction to all organs
• always helping to fulfill the body

Healing Water for Doshas

Water represents soma, the nourishing, cooling quality that is associated with the lunar energy.  Water helps with digestion, cools and balances the pitta dosha, supports kapha and counteracts the dryness of vata.

The council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians explains how the healing effects of water can be enhanced using Ayurvedic methods.

Vata Balancing Water -

• boil 2 quarts of water for 5 minutes
• take it off the heat and add 3 mint leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon of fennel seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon of marshmallow root
• place the water in a thermos
• sip it throughout the day at a warm but not hot temperature

Pitta Balancing Water - 

• boil 2 quarts of water for 2 minutes
• take it off the heat and add 1/4 teaspoon of fennel seed
• 2 rose buds
• 1 clove
• store it hot inside a thermos
• before drinking pour it into a cup and let it cool to room temperature in summer
• in winter, it can be slightly warmer

Kapha Balancing Water - 

• boil 2 quarts of water for 5 minutes
• take it off the heat and add 3 holy basil leaves
• 2 thin slices of fresh ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon of cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of fennel
• place the water and spices in a thermos
• sip the water at a hot or warm temperature throughout the day 

Benefits of Lemons

Since you have received some knowledge about lemons, here are some general information -

• pacifies vata
• good for the heart
• stimulates appetite and taste
• flushes out disturbed pitta through stool and elimination
• mild laxative
• digests ama 
• purifies the system
• good for cardiac pains
• good for nausea, vomiting, indigestion, gaseous distention 
• good for coughing and breathing problems
• good for liver
• contains citric acid, vitamin C, B-complex, beta carotene
• contains antibacterial properties

Feedback 2!

Greetings.

I received an awesome feedback from a client today.  She was feeling a little under the weather and instead of taking the basic NyQuil, she decided to have boiled milk with a little bit of turmeric in it.  Totally washed the cold away!  And, she has been drinking hot water and says her blouse fits!  That's amazing!  It's very fulfilling to know that some readers are following these simple recommendations.  Thank you!

Lemon Water

Drinking one tall glass of lemon water is very beneficial to the body.  And since Ayurveda likes to keep things rolling, purifying the channels of all toxins is very important.

Here are some reasons why drinking lemon water is important:

• purifies the liver
• stimulates the liver
• aids in digestion
• aids in bowels
• helps lower blood pressure
• maintains a higher pH balance in the body
• dilutes uric acid
• reduces phlegm 
• clears the skin
• helps with weight loss
• boosts the immune system
• freshens breath
• promotes energy
• helps with urinary tract infections

For better results - have a glass in the morning. 

Drinking Water Can Help Shed Pounds

Since the last couple of blogs have been about water, I found this great read for you all. 

A pint before the meal keeps the portions down. 
In what could fairly be called a watershed moment, scientists have confirmed that drinking water before a meal helps shed the pounds. 

Yup, it's that simple. And you don't even have to buy the book. In clinical trials, US researchers found that drinking a pint of water before a meal leads to weight loss. 

Dr Brenda Davy, an associate professor in human nutrition, who led the study said: "We found in earlier studies that middle aged and older people who drank two cups of water right before eating a meal ate between 75 and 90 fewer calories during that meal. 

"In this recent study, we found that over the course of 12 weeks, dieters who drank water before meals, three times per day, lost about 5 pounds more than dieters who did not increase their water intake." 

"People should drink more water and less sugary, high-calorie drinks. It's a simple way to facilitate weight management," Dr. Davy added. 
While drinking water to lose weight is very much common sense, Dr. Davy said that there has been little scientific information on this topic. 

Previous studies have suggested that drinking water before meals reduces calorie intake, but according to Dr. Davy this is the first randomised controlled clinica trial to show that increasing the amount of water that you drink water is an effective way to lose weight. 

The study tracked the weight of 48 adults aged 55 to 75, who were separated into two groups. The first group drank two cups of water before meals and the second group did not. All of the subjects ate a low-calorie diet during the study. 

Over the course of 12 weeks, the water drinkers lost around 15.5 pounds, while the non-water drinkers lost around 11 pounds.Dr. Davy said water may be so effective simply because it fills up the stomach and has no calories, so that people feel full quicker and eat less during meals. 

She also added that replacing diet colas and other artificially sweetened drinks with water also helps to cut calories, and aids weight loss.

Drink Hot Water

60% of our body is made up of water.
70% of the brain is made up of water.
90% of our lungs is made up of water.
It's not joke that all parts of the body needs to be well hydrated to work and look good.

For the past 13 years I've been drinking hot water every morning.  After waking up, brushing and evacuating the bowels, I drink 1.8 liters of hot water.  I started during my college years at Maharishi University of Management and have been hooked ever since.

Here's why.

Hot water basically clears out the toxins and undigested food particles, or ama that are being blocked in the channels.  These blocked channels can interfere with life energy, metabolism, and elimination.  The hot water gets absorbed in the circulatory system and travels throughout the entire body providing warmth and opening the circulation and washing out toxins.

The result of this hot water flow through the digestive tract helping dissolve waste products and cleansing the body - better eliminating and prevention of ama.

I highly recommend you all to try it.
It's great to remove waste!

Water

We wouldn't be able to live or exist on this planet without water.  Something so simple and essential like water … it is the miracle, natural drug.  

Here is a list of diseases that can be cured by just drinking 6 glasses of water (1.5 liters) everyday:

• blood pressure/hypertension
• anemia
• rheumatism
• general paralysis
• obesity
• arthritis
• sinusitis
• giddiness
• cough
• leukemia
• asthma
• bronchitis
• pulmonary tuberculosis
• meningitis
• kidney stones
• hyper acidity
• dysentery
• gastroenteritis
• constipation
• diabetes
• eye diseases
• redness of the eye
• headaches
• laryngitis
• headaches 

Diet For Healthy Life

Dr. Naram is a well known, world renowned Ayurvedic doctor in India and throughout the world.  He states that this diet below is proven for a healthy life.

Lets all do it!

• rice
• leafy vegetables
• green vegetables
• zucchini
• raisins
• ghee
• mung daal
• squash
• sweet seasonal fruits

Fast Food Facts

Fast food is the convenient food for the average citizen wanting it fast and imbalanced.  It's the food that contains no life.  It's the food that promotes disease.  It's the food that makes your insides quiver and work ten times harder to digest.  Here's a great read that will make you think twice.

* Please click on picture for a better read *

Remedy 4 - Natural Energy Boost

That kick, jump and boost which will naturally give you a balanced high.

• 1 part apple 
• 1 part carrots
• 1/2 part fresh beets
• 1/2 part or quart cabbage
• fresh ginger juice

Blend and drink.

This juice will boost energy and increase hemoglobin count. 

Tip of the day - Tongue Cleaner

It's very important to scrape the tongue and keep it clean.
The type of tongue cleaner that should be used is very important as well.
The best ones are stainless steel, copper, gold or silver.
It is best to avoid plastic ones as they retain bacteria and don't scrape as well.

Don't Eat THIS with THAT

Apples and pears before or after a meal.  A tall glass of milk along with your scrambled eggs.  What are we doing wrong here?  What most of us don't know and do is that we eat anything and everything which isn't coherent and then creates imbalance within the body which later causes discomfort and difficulty in digestion.  Below is a list of Don't Eat This With That! 

Don’t Eat:	With:
Milk	Bananas, fish, meat, melons, curd, sour fruits, yeast bread, cherries, yogurt
Melons	Grains, starch, fried foods, dairy products
Starches	Eggs, tea, dairy products, bananas, dates, persimmons, most fruits
Radishes	Milk, bananas, raisins
Nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant)	Yogurt, milk, melon, cucumber
Yogurt	Milk, fruits, melons
Hot drinks	Meat, fish, mangoes, starch, cheese
Eggs	Meat, milk, yogurt, melons, cheese, fish, bananas
Fruit	With any other foods
Corn	Dates, raisins, bananas
Lemon	Yogurt, milk, cucumbers, tomatoes

Recipe 1 - Cilantro Chutney

Here's a great Maharishi Ayurvedic cilantro recipe.

This is a simple recipe using the remarkable coriander leaf (cilantro).  It is not only delicious, it is a safe way to begin purifying deep toxins (known as garavisha) from the body.  You can eat cilantro chutney with holy basil (tulsi) as an addition to your diet.  The cilantro is said to help remove heavy metals and the holy basil is helpful in eliminating two particular kinds of toxins recognized by Ayurveda - amavisha and garavisha.  If you grow it in your home, it helps purify the air as well.  It grows easily in most spring/summer north American climates.

The recipe:

• 8 teaspoons of chopped organic cilantro leaf
• 1 teaspoon of shredded organic ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon of organic lime or lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon of chopped holy basil leaf

To make this delicious Ayurvedic chutney, just add a little water and blend together to a thin paste.  Add salt to taste.  You can use this chutney with cooked vegetables, rice and other grains and flat breads.  

7 Natural Disinfectants For Your Home

*Please click on picture for a better read*

General Principles Regarding Diet

• Eat in a settled and quiet atmosphere 

• Do not work, read or watch television during meals

• Always sit to eat

• Eat at roughly the same time each day 

• Do not eat too quickly or too slowly

• Eat to about 3/4 of your capacity

• Do not leave the table very hungry or very full

• Avoid taking a meal until the previous meal has been digested

• Allow approximately 3 to 6 hours between meals

• Water or juice are fine to sip during meals

• Milk should not be taken with meals having mixed tastes (for example - with vegetables, meats etc.).  Milk can be taken with toast, cereals, or sweet tasting foods, or separated from a meal by at least 20 minutes. 

• Diet should be balanced and including all 6 tastes - sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, astringent - specific recommendations are given according to your constitution and needs

• Yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese and cultured buttermilk should be avoided at night

• Best not to heat or cook with honey

• Avoid ice cold beverages or food as they interfere with digestion 

• Take a few minutes to sit quietly after eating before returning to your activity 

Feedback!

Greetings.

Someone had reached out to me recently asking for a recommendation as to how she can help with the reddish, small acne type bumps on her face.

The best cure - turmeric.

I told her to make a paste out of turmeric -
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- Mixed with water
- Mix till there is a good consistency
- Apply on affected area
- Best to do morning and night

After a few weeks, we got in touch and she said there's a big difference and the affected area is so much better!

Here is some general information about turmeric -

• can be used internally and externally
• dry and light in quality
• taste is pungent, bitter and astringent
• golden in color which gives a golden like complexion
• the oil from the turmeric contains a lot of vitamin A, proteins, carbohydrates
• decreases cholesterol level
• often used as cream component for skin
• reduces pain and swelling
• good for dry eczema and wounds
• fumes of turmeric is used for breathing problems - hiccups
• stimulates process of digestion
• facilitates downward movement of vata
• purifies the blood
• helps to stop bleeding
• reduces urinary frequency
• helps reduce fever
• good to have if diabetic
• has a purifying effect on lactating mothers
• good for anemia 
• recent studies shows it to have anti cancer properties 

The 20 Approaches Of Maharishi Ayurveda

Maharishi Ayurveda promotes a balance in body and mind and incorporates a range of twenty complementary approaches to maintain perfection in all areas of life, including health, on the psychophysiological and emotional levels.

The twenty approaches of Maharishi Ayurveda are:

1. CONSCIOUSNESS
    Developmental of higher states of consciousness through Maharishi's Transcendental Meditation programme, its advanced techniques and the T.M. Sidhi programme.

2. PRIMORDIAL SOUND
    Use of the primordial sounds of the Samhita, of the four aspects of Veda and their Vedangas and Upangas to eliminate imbalances in the functioning of human nature and nature as a whole.

3. INTELLECT
    To correct the mistake of the intellect, pragya paadha, so that the totality of the unified structure of life is perceived while perceiving the diversified structure.  In this state of knowledge of the self, disease cannot flourish because life is intimately connected with the sources of natural law.

4. EMOTIONS
    Strengthening the finest level of feeling to develop the emotions fully.

5. LANGUAGE
    Using Vedic principles of the structure of language to promote balance and integrity in the mind and body.

6. GANDHARVA-VEDA
    Traditional music therapy using sound and melody to restore harmony in the physiology and to eliminate the imbalances responsible for disease.

7. SENSES
    Vedic procedures to enliven, through the senses, perfect balance in all areas of life.

8. PSYCHOLOGICAL INTEGRATIONS
    Restoration of homeostatic and acceleration of neuromuscular coordination and balance in the physiology and psychology.

9. NEUROMUSCULAR INTEGRATION
    Vedic exercises pertaining to the physiology of breathing to restore integrated functioning at all levels of life.

10. NEURORESPIRATORY INTEGRATION
      Vedic exercises pertaining to the physiology of breathing to restore integrated functioning at all levels of mind and body.

11. MAHARISHI PANCHA KARMA PROGRAMME
      Physiological purification - sophisticated purification procedures applied at regular intervals to eliminate and prevent accumulation of physiological impurities.

12. DIET
      Appropriate dietary measures to support the restoration of physiological balance for prevention and treatment of disease.

13. HERBS AND MINERALS
      Medicinal flora and minerals from every country to bring perfect balance to the functioning of mind and body.

14. RASAYANAS
      Sophisticated herbal and mineral preparations formulated for the prevention and cure of disease and the promotion of longevity.

15. BEHAVIOUR
      Bringing behavior in accord with natural law through daily and seasonal routine.

16. PULSE DIAGNOSIS
      Detecting an existing or forthcoming imbalance simply by feeling the pulse.

17. JYOTISH
      Securing perfect heath for the future, mathematical prediction on environmental influences on health.

18. YAGYA
      Vedic performances to restore environmental balance and promote individual and collective health.

19. ENVIRONMENT
      Creating collective health through the T.M. and T.M. Sidhi program me so that society provides a nourishing and strengthening environment for the individual to rise to perfect health.

20. WORLD HEALTH / WORLD PEACE
      Group performance by 8,000 experts in Maharishi's T.M. and T.M. Sidhi programme to create coherence in the world consciousness, the basis of world peace and collective health on a global scale.

Vedic Wisdom Behind Eating With Your Hands

An interesting read.

Eating food with the hands in today’s Western society can sometimes be perceived as being unhygienic, bad mannered and primitive. However within Indian culture there is an old saying that,  "eating food with your hands feeds not only the body but also the mind and spirit". 

In the Big Brother series some years back, an English participant complained about a indian participants use of her hands during food preparations and her eating habits, “They eat with their hands in India, don’t they? Or is that China? You don’t know where those hands have been.”  Within many Indian households nowadays, the practice of eating food with the hands has been replaced with the use of cutlery.

Have you ever thought of why previous generations in India ate with the hands? There is a reason for their this.  The practice of eating with the hands originated within Ayurvedic teachings. The Vedic people knew the power held in the hand.

The ancient native tradition of eating food with the hands is derived from the mudra practice, which is prevalent in many aspects within Hinduism. Mudras are used during mediation and are very prominent within the many classical forms of dance, such as Bharatnatyam.

The hands are considered the most precious organ of action. This is linked to the Vedic prayer of

“Karagre vasate Laksmih karamule Sarasvati Karamadhye tu Govindah prabhate karadarsanam”

(On the tip of your fingers is Goddess Lakshmi, on the base of your fingers is Goddess Saraswati; in the middle of your fingers is Lord Govinda), which we recite whilst looking at our palms. Thus, this shloka suggests that all the divinity lies in human effort.

Our hands and feet are said to be the conduits of the five elements. The Ayurvedic texts teach that each finger is an extension of one of the five elements. Through the thumb comes space; through the forefinger, air; through the mid-finger, fire; through the ring finger, water and through the little finger it is earth.

Each finger aids in the transformation of food, before it passes on to internal digestion. Gathering the fingertips as they touch the food stimulates the five elements and invites Agni to bring forth the digestive juices. As well as improving digestion the person becomes more conscious of the tastes, textures and smells of the foods they are eating, which all adds to the pleasure of eating.

You may have noticed that elders in the family hardly ever use utensils to measure all the different type of masala, and would instead prefer to use their hands to measure the quantity instead. As each handful is tailored to provide a suitable amount for the own body. Overall there are 6 main documented forms that the hands take when obtaining a measurement a certain type of food ranging from solid food to seeds, and flour.
This is a prime example of how many things within Hindu culture may seem weird and unusual at first glance, but once a closer look is taken it is surprising, but a vast amount of knowledge is revealed.

Special Foods

Maharishi Ayurveda discusses some special foods that are considered to be extremely revitalizing to the body.  Although, it is recommended that each individual consume the specific foods and maintain the proper diet suitable to your dosha, or body type.

• Whole milk - should be organic, the cows should be well treated, this is important in the Vedic tradition
• Ghee (clarified butter) 
• Fresh mangos
• Fresh oranges 
• Almonds - best eaten in the morning
• Hot water - although technically this isn't a food :) 

Remedy 3 - Immunity Spice Mix

What is the main function of the immune system?  The answer is to protect the body from foreign invaders.  To strengthen and keep the immune system in balance is vital to health.  Here's a great way to boost your immunity with spices.

• 3 parts ground cumin
• 3 parts coriander
• 6 parts turmeric 
• 6 parent ground fennel
• 1 part powdered, dry ginger
• 1 part ground black pepper
• 1/4 part ground cinnamon

- Mix the spices together 

- In 1 tablespoon on Ghee (clarified butter), heat 1 teaspoon of this spice mixture until it releases aroma

- Add this to your vegetables, rice, etc. 

Proper Food Preparation

The who, what, where, why, when, and how meals are prepared is super important. Have you ever wondered why sometimes restaurant food tastes so good, and sometimes it doesn't?  Have you ever felt that cooking can be difficult  without understanding the philosophy of the cuisine? Why do we even have to eat? How are we even supposed to eat?  Our body is a vehicle and we have to fuel it up everyday - fuel it up with the 6 free doctors and with food.

Ayurveda teaches us the proper food preparation:

1. Food is best when warm.
2. Food is best well cooked.
3. Food should be fresh.
4. Food should be of the best possible quality.
5. Food should be delicious.
6. Food should be pleasing to the eye.
7. Food should be prepared by a happy, settled cook in a pleasant environment.

Benefits of Cycling

Protein in Plant Foods

Interesting find.

Natural Urges

An urge is a natural impulse the body gives to you.  In Ayurveda, this is called Vega vidhran.  It is a process of metabolism controlled by Vata.  To resist an urge or to create an urge forcefully aggravates or creates an imbalance in Vata.  If you suppress the natural urges of your body, you are violating the pathway of Vata and creating imbalance.  The body is put through stress and creates discomfort and physiological changes.

Below is a list of these natural urges according to Ayurveda:

1. urine
2. feces
3. sex
4. vomiting
5. sneezing
6. burping
7. coughing
8. yawning
9. hunger
10. thirst
11. tears
12. sleep
13. breathing
14. gas 

This is the first step to prevent disease - do not suppress any natural urge!  These urges occur because the body is trying to let something out.  So let it out!