Crave, craving, craved! What do our cravings tell us?

If you're with me, you might have rationalized that decadent treat by telling yourself that if your body craved it, you must need it! Your rationalization might not have been too far off, that is assuming that you can read your cravings.

Our body has intelligent cravings or craving that occur to keep us healthy. These occur when our body is, for the most part healthy, but may be experiencing a need for something to keep us healthy. This craving or desire is said to come straight from our tissues. But we also have imbalanced cravings or those cravings that are experienced once we are already in the state of imbalance and there is poor communication in our body. These cravings just further our current imbalanced state.

What? You don't have a craving meter to tell you whether it is right or wrong/intelligent or imbalanced? Know yourself and know how you are feeling. Listen to yourself and your body. The answers are there, even if it takes a little practice.

"The deepest principle in nature is the craving to be appreciated"--William James

Gotta love it...

The more you learn about Ayurveda, the more you wonder why we haven't been practicing this all along. It just makes sense.

And if all of the logic such as eating for your body and the seasons aren't enough, check out this simple quote from "The Yoga of Herbs" by Dr. Lad and Dr. Frawley: "Remedies produced with love, even when not "therapeutically sound", may work wonders. Love is the true healing force; herbs and other means are merely vehicles."

Gotta love Ayurved!

Turmeric, a magic herb!

There are a few herbs that are considered magical in the Ayurvedic tradition: ginger, black pepper and turmeric. Turmeric has risen in popularity as its anti-inflammatory effects begin to be published in peer reviewed journals. The herb is also known for its anti-bacterial properties and ability to act as an anti-coagulant. It has nearly zero contraindications unless it is used in extreme excess.

Right now I'm enjoying a cup of turmeric milk. Well, turmeric hemp milk. I've added 1/2 teaspoon of powdered organic turmeric to 12 oz. of organic vanilla hemp milk and brought it to a minimum boil. This is a great bedtime drink as the warm milk helps to relax you and aid sleep while the turmeric works its magic. Even the yellow color seems magical in some way. You can have yours with whole milk or occasionally with soy milk if you prefer. Almond and rice milk tend to be a little too thin. Try it for two weeks and see how you feel!

Never travel without it

A travel secret was revealed to me not long ago and I can affirm, right here and now, that I will never again travel without a spritzer of rose water and nasya oil. With these super powers on my side, I will fight dehydration successfully.

On land, nasya oil serves to hydrate and lubricate our sinuses post neti pot or nasal rinsing. It also works wonders on days when you have to do, or want to do, a lot of talking without losing your voice. It can even prevent or relieve headaches. While flying high, it serves the same purpose, but additionally changes your entire travel experience. I'm sure that some of our jet lag comes to us my means of being dehydrated. Translation: it will make you more pleasant once you arrive at your destination!

Bringing along a travel spray bottle filled with organic rose water is almost as liberating as merging with the divine. Pressurizing the cabin will no longer mean dry skin and wrinkles. Spritz as desired, especially if your seat mate seems to have traveled through his or her last shower. The smell is wondrous!