Ayurvedic Tips For a Guilt-Free Diwali

During the festive season:

 Eat on time, 2 or 3 times a day: If you are not hungry, eat only a light meal. Keep a 4–6-hour gap between main meals. In between the main meals, if you feel hungry, you can have a few nuts, fruits or salads, and fruit/vegetable juices, only if you are hungry. This will ensure that your metabolism works efficiently and provides the correct nourishment to your body.

. Use fresh/organic turmeric powder and black pepper to spice up your cooking.

Incorporate rice porridge in your meal planning -kanji from South India, or khichdi.

. Drink 1 glass of lime juice mixed with room temperature water- avoid cold water or ice cubes. You can sweeten it with organic jaggery or honey instead of sugar.

. Drink golden milk- Add a pinch of organic turmeric powder to warm (not hot) milk at bedtime which can be sweetened with organic honey.

. Avoid cold, frozen, half cooked and deep-fried foods as much as possible

. Avoid food prepared with maida: white bread, buns, rusk, parottas, bakery items, etc.

. Food, exercise, and sleep are the three pillars of health. Maje sure that you eat healthily and get enough exercise.

.Drink ayurvedic tea.

Ayurveda Herbal Tea Recipe

Tea can be made with one of the following spices or herbs:

. Dry toasted coriander seeds

. Crushed dry ginger

. Cinnamon

. Licorice stick

. Tulsi leaves

Method

. For 1 liter of water, take 10 to 15 tulsi leaves, 5 to 6 slices of crushed ginger (10 gms), or 10 gms of dry cinnamon stick, or coriander seeds.

. Boil water with one of these ingredients. Take 1 1/2 liter of water and reduce it to 1 liter. Strain the water and store the herbal drink in a thermos. Drink 1/2 glass every hour.

. A great combination for herbal tea is a few freshly picked tulsi leaves with 1/2-inch crushed ginger and 1/2-inch licorice stick.