Well–gee–I never noticed this before but the word “Healthy” is made up of the words “heal” and “thy”. Of course, now that I see it, it feels like finding a hidden object in a child’s activity book—boom–got it!
Here are some quick add-ons that don’t take much time or willpower; just what we need with an eye toward improving our health.
Heal-Thy Self Tip #1 (Hot Spice Water)
Ingredients:
- 1/2 tsp fennel seeds (Saunf in Hindi)
- 1/4 tsp cumin seeds (Jeera in Hindi)
- 1/4 tsp coriander seeds (Dhania Seeds in Hindi)
Preparation: Add 1 tsp of seed mixture to a thermos of boiled water
Ayurvedic Notes: This is a foundational daily Ayurveda health habit. Here is why this is so good for you: The hot water alone on the side of your tongue provides digestive signals to your body. If there is something active in your digestive system it will aid that, or if not, the hot water signals the body to go into the fat cells to digest stored fat—which is also where most toxins reside. So this treasure is both for detoxing and weight loss.
On top of the hot water effect, the three spices are major digestive aids so they intensify the process. This mixture is tri-doshic. It is more effective to sip throughout the day rather than drink it all at once.
It’s cheaper to purchase seeds in bulk at a health store or co-op rather than in small spice jars at grocery stores. You may wish to order organic spices at Banyan Botanicals.
Heal-Thy Self Tip #2 (Weight Loss Detox Tea)
Ingredients:
- 1/16 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 cup filtered water
- 1/4 lemon or 1/2 a small lemon
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/8 tsp organic raw apple cider vinegar that contains the “mother”
Preparation: Place ingredients in hot water and stir. Drink in the morning upon waking (after scraping tongue), 1/2 hour before meals, or sip slowly after meals.
Ayurvedic Notes: Lemon, honey, vinegar and cayenne form a classic, vivacious Ayurvedic blend to boost fat digestion and metabolism. A strong sour taste encourages the free flow of bile from your liver and gall bladder to your gut. After drinking Lemon & Spice tea, a warm sensation in the midriff will confirm these effects.
Heal-Thy Self Tip #3 (Homemade No-Fluoride Toothpaste)
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp finely ground sea salt (mild antibacterial, whitener and good for the gums)
- Optional: 1/2 tsp finely ground dried sage or powdered neem
- Optional: A few drops peppermint essential oil
Preparation: Grind sea salt in a small coffee grinder, if needed, to make as powdery as possible. Baking soda has low abrasion compared with commercial toothpastes. See here for research results. Mix all ingredients to taste. If you prefer paste, mix in a teaspoon of coconut oil little at a time until you find the right consistency. Put into a small, sealable jar or squeezable container and keep in a relatively cool place. Brush. Don’t forget to floss!
