By Richmond Natural Medicine

/

March 9, 2024

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As we transition from winter to spring, the seasonal changes can be unpredictable and erratic. Abrupt shifts in temperature, pollen, and seasonal allergies are common, making it difficult for the body to adjust. The sudden weather changes can lead to an increase in colds, cases of flu, and other illnesses, particularly when transitioning from heavier winter foods to lighter spring produce. However, an Ayurvedic approach to the seasonal change can benefit the body. With an Ayurvedic approach, we can help our bodies adjust to the changes in weather and diet. We can help maintain balance and harmony throughout the transition from winter to spring by paying attention to our body’s subtle changes.

Seasonal Shifts in Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, the transition from winter to spring is perhaps the most difficult.  But this is also where balancing your diet can be so helpful to support the entire body, especially our digestion, through these abrupt seasonal changes. As the weather is changing, gradually begin adding in early spring foods into your batch cooking staples and consume these throughout the week. As a general rule, choose at least 2 new spring veggies, one whole grain, and fresh herbs and spices as they become available. Adding these to your meals daily helps your digestion to gently transition and maintain a gradual balance of seasonal attunement. 

 Read More: Ayurvedic Medicine Principles and Naturopathic Care

Recipe Inspiration

Early Spring Barley

Ingredients:

• 4 1/2 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
• 2 cups pearled barley, rinsed and soaked overnight
• 1 tsp Celtic sea salt
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 cup spring onions, chopped
• 1 tsp ghee or coconut oil
• 1/4 cup hemp seeds or roasted sunflower seeds

Directions:
Bring broth to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan. Wash the barley and add to boiling water. Add salt, turmeric, coriander, spring onions, and ghee. Stir, cover, and simmer on medium-low heat for 45 minutes until the barley is very soft. Garnish with hemp seeds or roasted sunflower seeds and serve warm in addition to your meals.

Lifestyle Approaches

Practice conscious lifestyle practices that follow Prajnaparadha – the Ayurvedic concept of imbalance. Prajnaparadha means that you innately know what is right but knowingly do the opposite. This is obviously a major contributor to disease and imbalance in the body. Examples include knowing you need to exercise but not doing it. Knowing you need to eat more vegetables you keep eating “junk foods”. Knowing you need to decrease your stress and remove stressful things in your life, but you keep working yourself into the ground. The body innately knows what is right, so we often choose to do the opposite. Practicing prajnaparadha helps to keep us aware that we can make these changes and produce positive shifts in our health.

 

Bring it to Life: Make a list of 4-5 things that you know you would like to improve upon within your lifestyle or daily routine. These can be as small as drinking more water daily or flossing regularly, to bigger shifts like committing to a 30+ minute walk every day or removing evening screen time before bed. Practice incorporating one of these every week before adding on another. This is a great way to sustainably implement new habits.