Drinking hot water helps digestion and calms your nervous system

In Ayurveda, the strength of your digestive system is based on how much Agni you have. Agni translates to 'Digestive Fire'. If you are drinking cold water it is cooling to your system and lowers your 'fire' whereas when you drink something hot, it is adding to the fire.

According to Ayurveda expert Kamsella Naidoo, drinking 2 sips of hot water an hour is enough for you to see a difference. Drinking hot water improves your digestion (which could also lead to weight loss!), calms your nervous system and can also be a good replacement for caffeine containing drinks like coffee and black tea.

You can sip hot water throughout the day and can also sip hot water while eating your meals. Lemon can also be added for a different taste. Adding Lemon is alkaline for your body and also naturally detoxifies your system.

Other benefits of drinking hot water:

• Keeps you hydrated and warm in the winter
• Natural detoxification for the stomach and digestive system
• A good aid in reducing food cravings between meals (if you are trying to loose weight)

Ayurvedic Prevention for Osteoporosis - Sesame seeds and Raisins

• 1 tsp Sesame seeds
• 1 tsp Raisins

Take before bed

*This can be used for prevention of Osteoporosis and is also beneficial to those with Osteoporosis

Best for: Women over the age of 40 and people with Osteoporosis. People younger than 40 can also benefit from this as it is great for prevention. This can be taken every night before bed indefinitely.

*Sesame seeds are an excellent source of calcium and can help in the prevention of Osteoporosis. According to an Ayurveda website, a handful of sesame seeds can give you up to 1,200mg of natural calcium.

*Raisins are a good source of iron, potassium and selenium. They also contain vitamin A and some vitamin B and are rich in fiber.


References:
Ayurvedic recipe from Kamsella Naidoo, Ayurveda teacher with many years of experience in the field of Ayurveda

Websites for further reading:
Osteoporosis Natural Cure - Ayurvedic Approach
The World's Healthiest Foods - Sesame Seeds
Diet Foods and Nutrition - Raisins

Ayurvedic Remedy for Insomnia and Nervousness

- 1 cup of whole milk (can substitute soy/rice milk/almond milk)
- 1/8 - 1/4 tsp Cardamom powder
- 1/8 tsp Ginger powder
(optional) 1/8 tsp Turmeric powder (natural probiotic)


Directions:

Boil the milk and add the spices to your cup. Take 1 hour before you go to bed. Enjoy!

Receipe - Make your own cereal

I got this amazing cereal recipe from my Naturopath and thought I'd share it. I've been using it for about 1 year now and I really love it! This is almost 100% raw and VERY healthy. Many box cereals are full of preservatives but this cereal is all natural. Once you start making your own cereal, you can never go back to the box!


Immune Support Breakfast

Ingredients:

- 4 cups of rolled grains (can use oats, rye, spelt, kamut or barley) - my favorite is barley.
- 1 cup of oat bran
- 1 cup of wheat germ
- 1 cup of seeds (ex. pumpkin seeds or sunflower)
- 1 cup raw, unsalted nuts, ground (ex. walnuts or almonds)
- 1/2 cup of raisins (sultana)

Mix everything together and store in fridge (makes about 10 cereal servings)

Directions:

Let cereal soak overnight in milk (any type, including soy/rice/almond milk). In the morning, add cinnamon for taste.

OPTIONAL - Add 1 teaspoon of ground flax seeds (store flax seeds in the freezer). I also love adding frozen blueberries overnight or fresh blueberries in the morning.

*Health tip - many people don't realize this but cinnamon is very healthy for you! One great thing about it is that it helps to regulate blood sugar.