COOKING WITH MARIKA: Seasonal Eating

Last month we talked about the cyclical nature of life and how living in harmony with the seasons can bring wellbeing and harmony to our bodies and minds.

Today I am going to expand on the topic and how it relates to our daily food. Ayurveda teaches us to live in harmony with the seasons and cycles of nature in order to remain healthy. A proper diet is therefore connected to spring, summer and fall/winter foods. One easy way to figure out which foods are in season is to visit a nearby farmers’ market. There, you will find only freshly picked produce from your local area.

Spring: After the cold winter and a diet of heavier warming foods, spring is the best time for a cleanse, using natural bitter greens like watercress, dandelion greens, arugula, sprouts and herbs like basil and parsley. These foods are most helpful in keeping mucus, congestion, colds and allergies at bay. Cut back on dairy, as dairy is a mucus-producing food. Turnips, radishes, daikon and the entire onion family are great fat-melters to help you lose some of that winter insulation. Eating less meat, fat and salt can be beneficial as well.

Summer: When the weather is hot, use the cooling effect of seasonal fruits, berries, lettuces and vegetables. Have more raw foods. Now is the perfect time for salads. Eat complex carbohydrate-rich foods to stay energized during the longer days of summer, such as vegetables and legumes.

Fall/Winter: The autumn harvest provides us with nuts and whole grains, which are warming and most welcome in the colder seasons of the year. Whole intact grains are brown rice, quinoa, wheat berries, whole rye, barley and millet. They are great sources of fiber and complex carbohydrates. They break down slowly and provide the body with a continuous stream of energy, contrary to simple carbohydrates (sugars) and flour products. These products are refined, meaning the outer layer of the grain has been removed and all that’s left is the starchy central part. This starchy central part is further processed by being ground into flour. Flour breaks down quickly in the body and acts very much like sugar. It can lead to sugar spikes, an up and down in our energy levels and weight gain.

Meat, too, is warming and can be eaten in larger quantities. A little more salt is fine as well. During the colder months when there is not much sun, it is especially important to have salt because it stimulates the kidneys to produce vitamin D for calcium absorption. Prefer cooked foods to raw foods, and eat warming soups and stews. Eat more healthful fats and oils to keep the body lubricated during this dry time of year. Eat vegetables that traditionally can be stored over the winter, such as potatoes, carrots, beets, winter squash and cabbage.

Daily Seasonal Rhythms

While the cycle of the seasons is easy to observe each year, on a more subtle level, each day reflects a change of “season” every four hours. When we pay attention to the cycles of the day and adjust our lives to the flow of nature – specifically, to the position of the sun in the sky – we can experience an ease of being, feeling rejuvenated and energized instead of drained and tired.

From 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., we experience a period of spring. Our muscles get stronger, and our body gets heavier, so this is the best time for physical work, exercise, gardening or house cleaning. Physical activity during this period speeds metabolism and gets our body into the habit of burning fat for energy.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., we move through a period of summer. Directly in sync with the

sun’s highest position in the sky, digestive fire is strongest and metabolism is at its peak – a good time for a larger meal. In many cultures, people enjoy a robust midday meal followed by a period of rest.

From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., fall/winter sets in. The nervous system is at its strongest, and therefore this is a good time for mental activity.

From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., spring returns as our metabolism slows down and our body temperature drops in preparation for sleep. This is another good time for some light physical activity. Have dinner in the early part of the evening, so that you can finish digesting before going to bed. Allow at least three hours between dinner and bedtime. Dinner can be a lighter meal – possibly vegetarian.

From 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., summer is back, a time when the liver is actively cleansing our bodies. This is the time when our body takes care of repairs and builds new tissue. It is a good time to be sleeping.

Living with the cycles of the day means going to bed early – around 10 p.m., before the liver’s cleansing activity kicks in. Ideally, digestion is complete by that time so that the liver can do its nighttime work effectively. It is best to be asleep as the liver detoxifies the body, filtering the blood and converting toxins into substances that can be excreted by the kidneys. When we regularly stay up late, the liver is prevented from doing its job properly, and toxins get stored in the liver and fatty tissues. An accumulation of toxins can lead to a number of health problems. I remember a saying from Germany, where I grew up, that was directed especially toward children. It confirms ayurvedic wisdom: “The sleep before midnight is the most valuable. These hours count double!” An early bedtime makes getting up early easier as well.

From 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., the fall/winter season returns. We feel light, and therefore this time period is traditionally considered to be the best time for meditation.

Marika Blossfeldt
Author . Speaker . Coach
Blissful Kundalini Yoga Vacation
https://marikab.com/retreats/