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LIVE WELL WITH LAURA

Ayurvedic Nutrition – Eating for Your Body Type

By Laura Burkett Holstine

Of all the dietary theories out there, Ayurveda has always had a consistent place in my nutritional practice. Its principles are so deeply rooted in the wisdom of Nature, that it makes it a difficult practice to ignore. But ignore we do with our busy lives. And as body wisdom prevails, it gives us symptoms like low energy, weight gain, constipation, and fluctuating moods to get our attention.

Here are a handful of seemingly harmless practices that can have a profound impact, when remedied:

Eating the same way all year long

According to Ayurveda, there are three main harvests: spring, summer, and winter. Each harvest asks us to nourish ourselves differently, yet most people can admit to eating the same 8-10 foods throughout most of the year. Some may love munching of raw fruit, vegetables, rice cakes, and popcorn in the summer. But come winter these foods have the potential to throw a person wildly off balance.

Ignoring Nature’s beautiful rhythms

By simply having a heartbeat, can you agree that we are rhythmic beings? Nature provides us with circadian rhythms that allow us to get restful sleep, peak times of digestive efficiency as well as natural detoxification to help us maintain a healthy weight and proper elimination, and food with medicinal properties at key times during the year to keep us feeling strong and healthy. As we disconnect from the simplicity and wisdom of Nature, we disconnect from our own body wisdom.

Assuming what works for another will work for you

There are as many “right” diets as there are people on this planet. Your body chemistry is unique to you, as well as your mental and emotional state. Collectively, we operate from a place of anxiety when it comes to food: “good” foods and “bad” foods, “shoulds” and “should nots.” No wonder we are on the quest for the perfect diet. We are operating solely from the head and distrust the body.

Ignoring the Sacred when it comes to food and eating

Eating is symbolic. It is nourishment, pleasure, connection, community, art, and giving. It is also a pretty accurate reflection of the way we show up in the world. We live in a culture where FOOD=FUEL. When we lose connection to the sacred, eating simply becomes “fueling up,” yoga simply becomes exercise, and meeting friends becomes yet another thing to check off a list.

Have you been feeling disconnected with your most vibrant self?
Are you ready to press the reset button and realign with the wisdom of Ayurveda?

Join me on Saturday, March 3rd for Ayurvedic Nutrition – Eating for Your Body Type where we will explore your unique constitution (or dosha), how to re-align with Nature, and how to re-connect with the food and nourishment itself.

Please click here to take the Ayurvedic quiz prior to our workshop.

More information for registering can be found here.

Laura K Burkett
Laura is a Holistic Health and Eating Psychology Counselor in Grand Rapids, MI and owner of Real Food Wellness LLC. She received her education from both the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC and The Institute for the Psychology of Eating and is certified through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP). Laura’s work is two-fold: addressing nutritional theory and common concerns like weight loss, fatigue, and digestive issues, as well as working with the heart and soul of the eater him/herself. Laura works with clients individually and offers groups, workshops, and corporate programs. You can find Laura at www.RealFoodWellness.com