“Let’s meet for coffee”. Who doesn’t say it? I don’t even drink coffee and it is still a phrase that trips off the tongue. Coffee has reached cult status and it is no surprise. That hit of caffeine feels good. When you start adding in creamy milk, syrups and chocolate Read more…
Balanced meals, balanced person, that’s the concept. Ayurveda has a delightfully simple way of devising a balanced meal; it’s all done through taste. There are 6 tastes, and if you have a balance of all 6 in your meal, your meal will be nutritious and, importantly, satisfying (assuming that your Read more…
“It comes back to the beginning” – the theme tune punch line from the fantastic TV series, The Bridge. If you haven’t seen it, you should! I’m singing the song for you now, you are just very lucky not to be able to hear me. It does indeed all come Read more…
Wow, it’s lovely to see the sun out. Out comes the sun and out come the smiles. Have you found that this winter’s dreadful weather has been making you a bit sad? Or indeed, quite a bit S.A.D.? With the lack of sunlight in the winter months, many people start Read more…
Abhyanga (Ayurvedic warm-oil massage) is not a luxury, it’s essential. That’s not from me, it’s from the ancient Ayurvedic texts: ‘Abhyanga should be resorted to daily. It wards of old age, exertion and aggravation of vata. It bestows good vision, nourishment to the body, long life, good sleep, good and Read more…
Most of us know that this creation is made up of fundamental elements – 118 at the last count. Some we’ve heard of – oxygen, gold, silver – and some most of us haven’t – number 118 is Ununoctium. Knowledge of this doesn’t help us very much with our day Read more…
They’re here again. They’re back with a vengeance. The school term begins and bang, everyone starts ailing with colds, flu’s and stomach bugs. Is it the weather? Is it the gathering of vast hoards of small, inhibition-less children in small buildings? What happens at this time of year to make Read more…
Why my obsession with spelt? What is wrong with wheat? Nothing. The ancient texts of Ayurveda extol the virtues of wheat, as a nourishing, strengthening food. Its properties are heavy, oily, sweet and cooling. As it is fairly heavy to digest, it is best not to over consume. Looking at wheat from a Read more…
Fermentation has been used worldwide for thousands of years to produce foods and drinks of different flavours, textures and longevity. An example of this is alcohol, and less obviously bread and soy sauce. In Ayurveda, there are various slow-fermenting vinegars and medicinal ‘wines’ which have documented therapeutic uses. This natural, Read more…
At the end of winter and beginning of spring, we often feel sluggish and heavy like we are coming out of hibernation. Kapha in our bodies is at its peak. It’s good to know this so you can ward against the problems that can come with it such as allergies Read more…