Dear Ones,
It’s time to pause and remember who you truly are. To honor and appreciate the temple you reside in—your body. This sacred space needs consistent care, cleansing, and nurturing. It is our refuge on this planet, and prioritizing self-care is essential, because your body is sacred!
This is a moment to embrace the stillness and trust the insights that arise within the quiet. Welcome new goals and visions that emerge for the next turn of your journey.
As the sun begins its movement northward, the extreme cold and dryness of the season can intensify Vata energy. When Vata is predominant, it must be balanced with a proper diet: foods that are warm, sweet, sour, juicy, and oily by nature.
Hydration, Hydration, Hydration
Hydrating smartly is key. It’s not just about drinking water—although that is important—but it’s also about nourishing your body through a trinity of hydration elements:
Healthy fats — Nourish your cells to retain water.
Electrolytes (like ocean salt) — Charge your cells to draw in water.
Probiotics — Support the liquefaction of food in the gut.
These three elements work together to hydrate different parts of your body, ensuring water reaches everywhere it’s needed for absorption and assimilation.
Morning Hydration Ritual
Try this morning libation and notice the shift in your energy levels:
In a quart jar, add 1/4 teaspoon of Celtic grey salt with a squeeze of lemon.
Fill the jar halfway with room temperature water, then top it off with boiling water.
Drink this first thing in the morning before consuming anything else. (Avoid stirring with metal to prevent deionizing the salt.)
Chia and Flax Seeds
These tiny powerhouses play a vital role in helping water reach your cells. Once soaked, they release amylase (an enzyme in the mouth) and support the development of the mucin (flora) lining in the gut. This flora is where much of our immune system resides, creating a slimy coating on cell membranes that helps retain water for later absorption.
Tip: Add 2 tablespoons of chia or flax seeds to a liter of water and sip throughout the day. Refill the bottle as needed for daily hydration.
Chia Seeds — Enzymatic for gut health, alkaline, and cooling.
Flax Seeds — Rich in antioxidants, warming, and nurturing.
Electrolyte-Rich Foods
Snack on these to keep your electrolytes balanced: Bok choy, celery, cucumbers, jicama, yogurt, raw cheese, raw milk, chia seeds, and flax seeds.
Hydrating Spices
Sumac - Sour and Salty all in one - Provides electrolytes and enzymes for digestive hydration.
Celery Seed- Full of electrolytes and great for diabetes, a dehydration-based disease.
Methi Leaf (fenugreek leaf) - Naturally salty and bitter for hydrating liver.
All these spices pair well with other hydrating foods-like soups, yogurt raita, on celery or cucumbers, bok choy and jicama.
Winter Topic: The Wisdom of the Lymphatic System
The word "lymph" comes from the Latin term for "clear water." In Ayurveda, the lymphatic system is known as "Rasa," or the "river of life." This vital system consists of a network of vessels and capillaries that reach almost every tissue in the body. Its main function is to work in harmony with the blood vessels, returning excess fluid to the heart and delivering fats and hormones to the bloodstream. The lymphatic system also plays a critical role in immunity, helping our warrior cells identify and fight off foreign invaders while clearing out the debris from these battles.
That's right! The liver plays a crucial role in creating and filtering lymph fluid, working alongside the spleen and the network of lymph nodes. Together, they maintain a healthy immune system, filter out toxins, and ensure the smooth movement of lymph throughout the body, keeping our internal "river of life" flowing optimally. This interconnected system is vital for detoxification, nutrient transport, and immune defense, demonstrating how beautifully our organs collaborate to support overall health and vitality.
When the lymphatic system becomes sluggish, you may experience:
Bloating around the abdomen
Breast swelling or tenderness
Cellulite
Cold hands and feet
Mild fatigue and mental fog
Acute itching
Joint discomfort that moves around the body
Occasional constipation
Occasional headaches
Sore feet in the morning
Swollen hands and feet
Water retention
Sluggish immunity
How can you start caring for your lymphatic system today?
Book a full-body tissue tone or Abhyanga session with me—it’s a great way to kickstart lymphatic health and feel revitalized!
Stay warm, sweet ones!
With love
Kristina Maria
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