Simple Practices and Dietary Suggestions to Optimize Various Aspects of Healthy Eating

These methods seem very simple but they go a long way.  They are based in ancient medicine principles, particularly Ayurveda.

I have touched on these briefly but here is a list.


1.  Wake up early in the morning.  The pre-dawn atmospheric energy is soothing and conducive to the brain for contemplation, memory, meditation and yoga.  Any time between 3 to 6 am is ideal.  The day will unfold in a smooth and rhythmic manner if one practices getting up early.  Of course there are many exceptions to this, but one has to use common sense.  Even if practiced a few days a week, will make a big difference.  Those who are sleeping regularly til 10 am to noon and so will eventually find themselves in a dull or less than optimal state of mind over time.  Those who must work overnight shifts have to be careful to get some night time sleep at some point to help their natural bio rhythm of sleeping at night.-----and must be more careful to balance their system.

2.  Shower or soak as much as possible in the mornings.  Water clears away physical impurities but also the energy of water helps to wake and clear the subtle energy system for the day.  One usually feels more fresh if one showers in the morning to help create an optimal day.

3.  Massage the head/hair before and after shampooing with almond, sesame, coconut, mustard oil, eucalyptus oil or neem oil-(-small amount of these strong oils diluted into sesame oil) One can even dilute a small amount of menthol and camphor into a neutral oil and use this------this rigorous finger massage through the hair and on the scalp known as abhyanga brings vital conditioning to the scalp and hair and awakens the brain's energy capacities if practiced regularly.  One will feel more alive and energized if one practices this method.  Tap the sides of the head with medium firmness to also stimulate the blood vessels in the head to awaken the intelligence for the day.  After massaging, do not fully shampoo out the oil---rub the hair with a towel and style the hair--one will see that the hair is remarkably conditioned ---not greasy and oily as modern advertisements depict.

4.   At night, soak the feet or the whole body in a combination of epsom salts, sea salts, lavender oil, rose oil or other very fragrant flower oils.  Not only does this relax us for sleep, these salts have electrical properties that will pull away negativity and negative thought forms that our aura is exposed to and bombarded with on daily basis.  We are so used to negativity in our lives:  shouting bosses, witnessing of negativity, arguments, various difficult characters to deal with ---all of these energies sometimes get lodged into our subtle bodies and remain there.  Soaking like this releases these energies into the salt, fragrance and water.  One may find more peaceful dreams even--because sometimes our dreams are based on negative thought forms and entities that have attached to us and are influencing our subconscious and unconscious minds.

5.  Avoid heavy fats meat, dairy, eggs, heavy sugars and white flours in the mornings.  Drink some warm water first with some cumin, lemon or lime, and a small amounts of turmeric, ginger powder or pieces or black or white pepper.  This simple practice opens what are called the shrotiyas---the energy channels that carry nutrients from the stomach to the rest of the body. They coincide with the mesentery membranes and vessels that connect intestines to the rest of the body to carry nutrients.

Heavy foods as mentioned above block these shrotiyas and the net result is a physically clogged body over time of many difficult substances to process--cholesterol, accumulating bile and so on.

By doing this, after some minutes appetite usually increases because Agni, the digestive fire is increased and awakened.  Agni is a deity that is worshipped as external fire but also internal fire.

Contrary to traditional american breakfast, begin the day with warm or tepid liquid foods first.  This means any kind of cook cereal, diluted with any kind of vegan milks like almond, rice, hazelnut, and so on.  Drink warm vegetable consomme soups or vegetable soups, including Miso and other vegetable based broths.  Make some fresh vegetable juices or fruit juices.  Take gluten free breads and other products in the morning, well toasted ----raw cold breads actually aggravate the system in most cases.  One can then even eat steamed, slightly seasoned vegetables in the morning.  Wheat gluten free vegan protein patties and less soy (made with pea protein) are also a good start for the day's digestion.

Also one can eat bean consomme soups of any kind known as kanji as described in other blogs.  This is simply taking any bean or lentil, boiling them and drinking the mixed cloudy essence of the water mixed with some salt and spices'

After these light foods, then engage the stomach with heavier foods if needed.

6.  Simple portion control:  eat a meal that fits between your two cupped hands.  Eat more frequently if needed but the amount that is comfortable within two cupped hands is the ancient measuring for how much an individual stomach can handle.  Or, fill the stomach to half, then 1/4 liquid and the rest leave for air---this way one does not overeat, particularly if one has portion control problems.  If one practices this, then one will see they cannot go back to larger portions, the body will feel uncomfortable and even ill.

7.  Get used to drinking a variety of herbal teas throughout the day.  Learn about their properties and even make fresh decoctions from the plants themselves:  peppermint, spearmint, tulsi leaves, mango leaves, oregano, basil, parsley...These are not juices but leaves that are boiled and then the fresh water and plant essence is sipped.  This can be done with already made herbal  teas.  The key is to keep a set of these with us and drink them for their various properties:   immunity, decongestants, liver cleansing, urinary cleansing, blood cleansing and so on.  Taken daily---we can easily feel better and help nature keep our bodies clean--and invigorated

8.  Study products and you will see a majority of products have corn syrup, dairy, eggs, white bleached flour and saturated fat.  We have heard this over and over again till we are tired of it.  However the more we can avoid these the better.  It is my intuitive opinion only that this combination of constant exposure to eggs, corn syrup and white flour and sugar will draw more and more attention to the awareness that ongoing consumption of these not only leads to diabetes and other heart diseases, but I feel that these circulating ingredients lead to low grade allergy and immune problems that wreak havoc and cause chronic inflammation.  These are already publicized and studied but I feel it will become more and more apparent on these in the near future.

more later

Portion Control is Key in Losing Weight and Maintaining a Healthy Feeling When Eating. Dr. Rama

Okay, millions have dieted and this whole issue pervades the entire world.  Well, the issue is that dieting is important when you find something that works, but there are many things that do not work---and often it leaves people very confused and frustrated because most of us do not like to restrict what we enjoy eating.  And it is our mind and heart that also greatly influences our eating habits and patterns along with many complex factors including our genetics, metabolism, and many other factors.

In this short blog, I just want to say that portion control could be one of the major keys to weight loss and healthy weight along with Yoga practices that help balance the mind.

In portion control, one can eat smaller portions more often but just less of each food group.  In this way, one can enjoy the foods they like with the satisfaction that they can get another variety of foods in smaller portions after a few hours.

I am well aware that it is sometimes not so simple---but maybe these simple suggestions could bring incredible results.

All of this of course takes guidance by nutritionists, physicians, and others along with our own efforts....it is balance of all that brings results over time...that is unique for each person. '

It is my feeling that authentic practice of meditation along with regular areas of Yoga (not just physical) but breathing, contemplation, devotional practice and many other forms, strengthen the mind and helps release various emotional blocks in the  heart that will help maintain a discipline in eating that involves gradual practice.  Insight and inner breakthrough arise through Yoga as people release their issues to realize healthier ways of being.

Too often there is the emphasis on the actual food and physical  exercise but I feel that the Yoga practices ---that are taught in a broad, regular,  and deep way can also help discipline our eating to stick to portion control.

What is also important are people's emotions that are tied to food and this is a vastly complex area.  I feel that emotional support ---along with Yoga and portion control might be a way of at least seeing if these practices can help people eat what they want and yet lose the weight they so desire as well, and maintain a healthy weight as they gain mental, spiritual and physical health through the practices of Yoga in general.

Traditional Kanji-Preparations--Nature's Remedy to help Energize, Refresh, Soothe and Rejuvenate Body and Mind Dr. Rama

Kanji is a Ayurveda Sanskrit word used in East Indian Medicine.

It simply refers to the boiled water essence that is taken or filtered from various grains, lentils and beans.

This water which is cooked with the essence of the grain carries miraculous proprieties that help energize the body, heal many digestive disturbances, soothe the brain and spinal cord and calm the mind down in many, many ways.

The exact explanation of this water essence is very mysterious and difficult to put into words but I will try.

Water is the most healing fluid in the world.  It absorbs subtle essences of plants, flowers, herbs, minerals and so on and through its simple yet complex chemistry is able to distribute healing to various tissues.

Grains, lentils, beans and other legumes contain a vast complex array of nutrients, phytochemicals, vitamins, proteins, and minerals. And when boiled or gentle cooked they release their vital elements into the water.  However, grains, lentils and beans also contain various pranas or subtle healing energies based on the type of plant and this in turn effects the various bodily constitutions.

Kanji thus is an extraordinary tonic that handles derangement's of fire, water, earth, ether, and air within the body.

Each type of kanji soothes and calms down an element or acts to increase a deficiency.

Little is known in the West of what are called the Shrotriyas.  The Shrotiyas are the subtle nutritional channels that correspond to the physical mesenteric arteries and veins that transport nutrients to and from the intestines into the bloodstream and thus the tissues.---

The boiled water containing the essence of the legume acts on the physical mesenteries but also the energy carried through the water affects the subtle prana or the moving life force through the mesentary system.  This is especially important in the early morning between 4 am and 7 am.

The Shrotiya energy system is actively looking for soothing fluids in the morning to open these channels to the subtle energy body as well as the physical body.


However most people unaware, proceed to clog these amazing channels with heavy breakfast items:  eggs, bacon, fatty and heavy grains and other foods.

This brings latent and later overt disease because the intestines will be clogged with Ama or the toxic portion of undigested, non harmonious foods.


Taking Kanji water in the morning whether one feels well or ill is a very pleasant experience and will soothe the stomach, intestines and the entire nervous system.  One feels calm and refreshed by this fluid and can thus proceed to better morning meditation, yoga and thus greater energy, flexibility and focus for one's day.


Kanji discussion is very vast.  Suffice for here to say that one main use is to soothe the air principle---and the fire principle---key imbalances in digestion. ---Taking Kanji water can calm these problems down whether chronically ill, acutely feeling like  you  have indigestion or whether you just want to soothe your system down.

Here is a very basic kanji preparation:

1.Take one third rice grains or flour, one third moon bean lentils, (yellow is smoother and more mellow than green) and one third urad dal (or small white lentils)----or substitute one third cup of barley flour or actual grain.

2.  Slightly toast the ingredients together without burning or scorching.  You just want to have a warm toasty smell without overheating.

3.  Add three to five cups of fresh spring water and allow to gently simmer to boil.---allow this boil for about five to seven minutes.

4.  Do not allow the water to evaporate off, if this happens add more fresh water but keep a distinct level and layer and water on top of the cooking grain mixture.

5.  When the Grain mixture is cooked and softened, take the top water only and strain off the grain.  Keep the water mixture essence into another small or larger kettle depending on how much you cook--make sure there is no real solid material in the water itself.

6.  Add a small amount of fresh ground pepper, a small pinch of tumeric, a small amount of cumin toasted seeds or cumin power that has been sauteed without oil.--careful not to burn the cumin---add a small amount of salt as well. One can even ideally add some coriander leaves, and also curry leaves if available from an Indian store.


7.  Allow this translucent fluid to cool and take this every one to three hours approx 4 oz at a time.

8.  If one is feeling balanced the morning hours before 7 am are best.

9.  If one has indigestion or even diarrhea--then one can take all day depending on how one tolerates the mixture.  

always check with your regular physician re:  your fluid status and all of course if you are having nausea, vomiting and diarrhea ---to officially rule out any serious problems.

If regular, one will notice a soothing, balanced calm feeling that arises from one's sleep and one is ready to face the day in a more peaceful and rejuvenated manner.

Practicing the Middle Path during the 2013 Holidays! Dr. Rama :)

The holidays are a time of intense fun, festivities, enjoyment, socializing, humor, laughter and merriment for some.  For others it is a time of deep introspection, contemplation, reflection and going within.  While yet still  for others, it can be a time of great sorrow, misery and unhappiness.

Whatever we do and whoever we are and whatever state we are in, we can remember certain principles that will keep the holidays in a balanced perspective.

1.  The holidays are a time of designated celebration and all, but remember they are man made. They are ultimately illusory.  Every day is a "holiday..."  it just depends on our point of view.

2.  Moderation is key during the holidays.  Practice the middle path. This means to enjoy all activities and festivities but remain balanced.  Drink and eat neither too much nor too little, while still enjoying everything.  This comes with mindfulness and being present.  It means listening to the body and knowing when to stop and start eating.  It means following our inner gut to satisfy the inner gut.....ha ha  (just kidding)-

3.  Stay balanced and do not overly react to negative emotions and triggers.  It is easy to get triggered and feel alone and feel sorry for ourselves over the holidays particularly if we have past pain, unresolved grief, past relationship breakups and misunderstandings.  During the holidays these negative feelings are accentuated because society programs us to believe that the holidays are meant to be joyous and filled with friends and family.  Well, for millions, that is not their experience.  The holidays are only a brief period of time.  We can still keep a state of inner happiness or channel our negativity into some kind of service to others if we are in a difficult state.  The choice is ours.

4.  It is easy to get caught up in the shopping and gift giving frenzy......Just look at people fighting in stores over TVs and other items.  These are just material items.  They are nice to have if we have them---but  they are not the be all and end all.  Feelings and emotions and thoughtful actions backed by sincerity are equally if not more important.....

5. Do not necessarily get too caught up in the drama of relationships or the lack of relationships.  Relationships come and go, no matter who we are in the world and for whatever length of time we spend with others. Today's enemy is tomorrow's friend; today's friend can become tomorrow's memory. We are all visitors traveling an infinite and endless journey within this known and unknown Universe.  We are unborn, created yet not created, we never die and we live on eternally.  Earth is only one stopping place, only one dot on the map of the Universe.  We will meet those we love over and over and continue with others we have had conflict with in many lives, not just this one.  When we take a broader perspective in consciousness we realize that the holidays are only a microscopic blip on the eternal screen of time.  We can then feel calmer and more balanced during the holidays by realizing that we have to first make peace with ourselves and be our own friend and family first and foremost.  Anything and everything can happen with and in relationships during the holidays, the question is can we maintain any form of forgiveness, tolerance, patience and so on during these times?  And of course when there is the positive are open to receive it as well?


DR. R

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