Now is the Time for a Fall Cleanse

Fall time is here, days are shortening and the temperature is dropping. Great time for an easy cleanse before your digestions gears up for the heavier foods in the winter months. 

Step 1: Eliminate sugars, carbs, fried foods, dairy, most fats and drink plenty of hot water or ginger tea throughout the day

Step 2: Go on a mono diet eating just vegetable soup, miso soup or Kitchari for all three meals and drink plenty of hot water or ginger tea throughout the day

Step 3: Take 2 Triphala every evening before bed

Step 4: Add in calming meditation, pranayama (breath work) and/or relaxing yoga into your day

Commit to a minimum of 3 days and a max of 5 days.

Choose step 1 OR step 2 and it is optional to add on step 3 & 4. 

Feel the lightning and clearing qualities as this cleanse purges out the heat of summer and gets you ready for winter snow! 

Website links for soup recipes:

http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2011/01/detox-green-soup-recipe-with-broccoli.html

http://reciperenovator.com/recipeindex/detox-veggie-soup/

http://honestfare.com/miso-detox-soup/

http://www.buddinglotusbody.com/nourish/2011/01/sweet-pea-and-mint-soup/

http://www.notquitenigella.com/2009/06/14/carrot-cumin-and-ginger-detox-soup/

Superfood Power Bites

Pictured: 1/2 mixture with cocoa powder for a chocolatey punch, other half with spirulina for a green powerhouse option!

In need of a snack item that you can eat right away, that will give you the energy that you need and the nutrients it takes to make it until the next meal? Make these in numerous varieties so that you always have something on hand. Also, great for a healthy sweet-tooth option! 

Recipe:

1/2 cup walnuts

1/4 cup hempseeds

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

1/3 cup regular OR gluten free oats 

2 teaspoons chlorella or spirulina

1/8 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup diced dry figs

1/4 cup goji berries (soaked in warm water 5-10 minutes and drained)

1/3 cup pitted dates

1/4 cup dried tart cherries

1/4 cup dried cranberries

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1/4 cup shredded coconut

In food processor combine walnuts, oats, all seeds and nuts, green powder and salt. Pulse until nuts are ground coarsely. Add rest of ingredients and mix for 15-30 seconds. Stop to scrape off sides and pulse for another 30 seconds or so until you get a sticky dough. You do not want to over mix. Roll into 1 inch balls and freeze until ready to eat. Store in fridge for 3 weeks or freezer for 3 months. 

Variations:

If you want all nuts and no oats, replace oats with favorite nut.

If you love nut butter add 1/3 cup favorite nut butter like peanut, cashew almond etc. in replacement of dates. However, add 2-3 dates for sweetness. 

Omit the cocoa powder all together for a more earthy treat. 

Omit coconut if you do not like the taste.

If you don't have figs or do not like them, replace them with golden or red raisins. Same for dates. 

To make these even more powerful add 1-3 of these superfoods: 1 tablespoon acai powder, 1 teaspoon maca powder, 2 teaspoons ashwagandha powder, 1.5 tablespoons camu camu, maqui berry, pomegranate powder. 

Adding fiber and more protein: 1 tablespoon tasteless fiber powder and/or 2 tablespoons favorite protein powder

Ayurveda Note: Great snack for vata or pitta. Too heavy and sticky for Kapha.