Here in Salt Lake this first week of January, it has been bitter cold...
and that is almost an understatement.

Vata runs high this time of year. 
        (The elements of air and space create the vata dosha.)
The qualities of vata describe our current weather perfectly-
            dry, light, cold, mobile, rough.
Out of the three doshas, vata is most prone to imbalance,
especially this time of year.
In order to find balance, vata needs to be grounded.

So what can we do to find balance?

Find a routine that works for you, and stick to it. 
Massage your entire body with a warming oil, such as sesame oil. Leave it on for at least 5-10 minutes before showering.
Neti every day, followed with Nasya or sesame oil.
Get your Vitamin D. Food sources include salmon, milk and eggs. The best source, however, is still good old sunshine.
Eat more foods that are sweet, sour, salty/heavy, oily, moist and hot.
Eat less foods that are pungent (spicy), bitter, astringent/light, cold and dry.

For those of you who would like a more complete list of beneficial foods, see a complete by clicking "Read More."

Clarified butter, or ghee, is common in India.
Why is it so amazing?

First, let's get the facts on the table.
It's primarily made of saturated fats.
(Everything in moderation, right?!)

However, ghee is free of hydrogenated fats and milk proteins.
It's a better butter!

In Ayurveda, ghee is said to help rid the body of toxins, and balance Vata and Pitta. It is also said to help the body absorb nutrients, and make herbal remedies more potent.

Give ghee a try today!

Source: http://moonlightened.hubpages.com/hub/ghee-benefits-and-uses-of-indian-clarified-butter

We all know exercise is good for our health, but not everyone realizes the "hidden" benefits of such practice. Practicing yoga influences far more than our muscle tone and flexibility. Honoring these internal changes that occur through regular practice can only benefit our growth further.

Notice your personal growth in these areas:
    Increased Self-awareness
    Increased Self-control
    Increased Self-acceptance
    Longer Attention Span
    Better Memory 
    Positive Outlook
    Decreased Hostility (road rage, anyone?)

Another big moment can happen, whether the intention was there or not. Often, old, negative emotions that have built up will begin to release. This can result in sudden self-realizations that may be painful, or even tears while doing your down-doggie. While the initial releasing of this energy may bring you down for a moment, you'll feel brand new through further practice. This is the true benefit of yoga practice- a fully cleansed house for your soul to reside.

We spend, on average, one third of our lives asleep. Everything from the day's events to  where we sleep can effect the quality of sleep we get. In Ayurveda, there are several key things to remember when wanting a good night of rest.

• The body must be calm. In order to have this happen, all food should be digested before laying down for bed. Eat 4 hours before sleep. If you get hungry, a piece of fruit 2 hours before bed will be okay.
• To help fall asleep, a glass of warm milk with tumeric helps to sooth and relax by releasing hormones that aid with sleep.
• The mind must be calm. Meditating right before bed can consciously calm the mind and body to prepare for sleep.
• Be in bed before 10. 10 PM to 2 AM is when the most valuable time of sleep occurs. Trying to fall asleep during this time may also be difficult, as it is considered Pitta time.
• The bedroom is not the place for a TV, as hard as that can be for some.
• Sleeping more than 8 hours can cause drowsiness the next day.
• The environment should be cooling and relaxing, with earth tones. Mirrors and images of water are thought to drain energy (see info. on vaastu), so they should be eliminated. Mirrors are only okay if not seen from laying in the bed.  
• The best direction to sleep is with the head towards the south. The body has polarites, just like the earth. Sleep to recharge!
  

It's another late-night run to the kitchen for a snack. What is it this time? A chocolate chip cookie? A couple (or a lot) of potato chips? According to Ayurveda, what we crave coincides with what is going on in our consciousness. In simple terms, the ego has a craving, and we try to satisfy it with our taste buds. 

The six specific tastes are sweet, salty, sour, pungent, bitter and astringent. The sanskrit names for the tastes are in parenthases.

Sweet (madura)= love
  Included in this category are alchoholic beverages and narcotics, as a concetrated sweetness. 
            In moderation, it gives tissues the chance to be built.
            In excess, sweetness leads to dullness and greed.

Salty (labina)=greed
           The body holds onto salt, which adds excess water. It is easy to see the connection. 
            In moderation, it aids by increasing the digestive fire.
            In excess, it leads to hastened aging, irritability, and a dehydrated body, yet holding excess water.

Sour (amla)= jealousy
           Sour flavors provide alertness and give a refreshed feeling.
            In moderation, it adds minerals to the body, and also aids with digestion.
            In excess, it leads to increased envy, jealousy, and can cause irritability.

Pungent (katu)= anger
        Coffee is a popular pungent staple of many diets. Pungent flavors stimulate awareness. 
            In moderation, it increases digestion and circulation, and helps to decrease weight. 
            In excess, it increases aggression and anger, and is known to dry vata and anger pitta.

Bitter (tikta)= sorrow
           Common Ayurvedic examples are neem and dandelion. It is known as one of the best purifiers.
             In moderation, it brings balance, decreases desire for and balances out sweets, and purifies the liver. 
            In excess, it has an over-cooling effect that can cause grief or depression.

Astringent (cashaya)= fear
          Astringent flavors such as black tea, sprouts and cranberry can be very purifying.
            In moderation, it acts as an anti-inflammitory, and decreases fear.
            In excess, it causes fear and dryness.

If all of this was a little much to try and keep track of, stick with a few good tips to try and implement:
    1. Sweet + Bitter = great combination. They help to balance each other out.
    2. Bitter + Pungent = cleanses ama from the body. Ama is the cause of all sickness. 
    3. Bitter + Astringent = best for purifying the body. 
    and the hard one for me to follow...
    4. Salty + Sweet = no good. The body creates different enzymes to digest food, and when two opposite ones are created, so they are counteracting themselves according to Ayurveda.

Most importantly, all of these flavors are needed in the body, in balance and moderation. The best Ayurvedic meals incorporate all six flavors in every meal. Listening to your body and seeing how it feels can often give clues as to what to add or subtract from your diet.