CLEAN EATING TIME

Why we cleanse...

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Cleanses are resets. Our bodies need a break from all the work we throw at them... constantly digesting food, filtering substances, and eliminating wastes. Granted this is their job, but we can help make their job easier by giving them a bit of a vacation and then giving them a holiday bonus-- cleaner, simpler, healthier foods to process. 

 

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When we cleanse....

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Ideally we would never have to cleanse because by nature, our choices would be consistently healthy and supportive. But we are human. So we cleanse periodically to reset the system. The best times to cleanse are when the seasons change. Spring cleaning is great to prepare for summer, and fall cleansing is helpful to build the immune system for winter. After seasonal cleanses have been mastered, many people find that monthly and even weekly fasting helps keep the body functioning at peak performance. 

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Food Yoga

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Yoga and nutrition go hand in hand. For a yogi, focus on a balanced diet and healthy gut is just as important as yoga asanas or poses. As mindfulness expands with a yoga and meditation practice, it becomes crystal clear that what we put into (and onto) our bodies has a direct effect on our health. Not only does food effect the physical, but what we choose to eat, how we prepare it, and how we eat it all have an effect on our emotional well-being. 

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We are all familiar with the warnings about waiting an hour before jumping in the pool, but how often do we hear that we should also heed that advice before getting on the yoga mat? If we really want to dive deep into practice, the belly should be completely empty. Yoga is best practiced in the morning after a night of fasting and our morning trip to the bathroom. 

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The Whole Foods Diet: the Yogi Way

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It's true, most diets suck and can be super confusing. So let's make it simple.

 

Diet = anything you habitually put in your mouth

 

Whole foods = unprocessed food 

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Whole foods + diet = habitually put unprocessed foods in your mouth 

 

Easy. Right? 

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If that wasn't enough, let's break it down even further. 

 

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1. Whole Foods

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Whole foods are the staple of a yogi's diet. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds occupy the majority of a yogi's plate. High quality meats, fish, and dairy occasionally make an appearance at the healthy plate party. 

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2. Moderation

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Mindful yogis understand that no matter how healthy a meal, there is always a tipping point. Too much of a good thing, even if it's quinoa, kale, and flax seeds, can quickly become deleterious if the body has reached maximum capacity. Undigested food sits in the intestines and causes all sorts of undesirable symptoms. Yogi's practice the GOLDILOCKS PRINCIPLE, not too much, not too little, just enough. The "middle road" is the path of a yogi. 

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3. Simplicity

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Yogis attempt to make meals and mealtimes simple. Less is more, is the mantra for these sacred moments. Fewer ingredients in the meals, and fewer distractions during the meal time can make digestion and assimilation easier for the body. 

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4. Awareness

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Mindfulness means awareness. Yogis check in with themselves before and after they eat. Before-- Am I hungry, emotional, stressed out, in a hurry? After-- Did I eat too much, too fast, the right foods, in the right combinations? Eat when hungry, unhurried and relaxed. Give yourself time to digest and enjoy the full experience of eating. 

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5. Planning ahead

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Yogi's try to plan their meals ahead of time, so they are not caught off guard with unhealthy food options or an accidental fully belly before a yoga class. Most seasoned yogis plan their meals and mealtimes around their yoga practice. The best plan is to practice yoga in the morning on a completely empty stomach, second best, is to wait at least 3 hours after eating before practicing yoga. 

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6. Listening Inward

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Yogi's become the masters of their own domain and know whats best for their unique bodies. The next level is choosing WHICH whole foods work best. This will take time and experimentation. Certain guidelines can help give insight into optimum whole foods choices, but ultimately it is up to the individual to decide. No outsider can ever really know. Meat or vegetarian? Vegan or dairy? Grains? Beans? Fruit? Nightshades? Caffeine? Alcohol?

 

Ultimately the body will tell you what it needs, we just need to learn how to listen.

 

 

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