Do the Opposite

December 24, 2014

“If every instinct you have is wrong,
then the opposite would have to be right.”
~ From the TV show Seinfeld, “The Opposite” episode (1994)

This last Sunday marked the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere.  The exact opposite happens during the Summer Solstice, when the Sun reigns supreme over the longest day.  Along with the extended darkness come cold temperatures and inclement weather.  Human beings are part of the natural world and, just like our environment, we are affected by the changing seasons.  The extreme cold of winter, like the extreme heat of summer, can create imbalances in the body and mind.

A delicious way to take the edge off of winter’s harsh weather is through your choice of foods.  Ayurvedic nutrition encourages a balancing approach to eating, in keeping with the principle that like increases like and opposites create equilibrium.  During stark winter’s chill, a little hint of warm summer in your food and attitude can help make the season bright instead of bleak.

Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest medical systems, originated in India more than 5,000 years ago.  The word Ayurveda is Sanskrit, combining ayuh meaning “life” with veda meaning “knowledge”.  According to Ayurvedic teaching, the five elements of Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth combine to form three fundamental energies that influence our inner and outer environments.  In Sanskrit these forces (known as doshas) are referred to as Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Ayurveda teaches that each of us is born with a unique proportion of these energies and that this proportion influences the characteristics of our mind and body (known in Sanskrit as our prakriti).  If Vata is balanced in our system, we tend to be thin, talkative, enthusiastic and flexible.  If Pitta dominates, the qualities can be: passionate, driven, intense, corageous and adventurous.  Those with strong Kapha influences are most likely calm, methodical, slow-to-anger, steady, dependable and nurturing.  Although all three forces or doshas reside within in each of us, most people have one or two elements that are dominant.

Foods, environment and activities with qualities that are similar to a dosha will increase that dosha, and those with attributes that are unlike a dosha will decrease that dosha.

Vata is composed of Air and Ether.  Vata is described as light, cold, dry, rough, clear, changeable, quick and mobile (think of wind blowing).  Pitta consists of Fire and Water.  The characteristics of Pitta are fiery, hot, pungent, sharp, intense and movable (think of warm water flowing).  Kapha is made of Water and Earth.  Kapha is heavy, slow, cool, wet, creamy, soft, dense and steady (think of wet clay).

Winter’s climate, tends to be cold and can create an overabundance of Vata.  Cold winter winds and home furnaces can dry out skin and mucus membranes.  So the cold/dry of Vata can potentially create imbalance during the winter months.  Warm and sweet comfort foods can be a welcome antidote for Vata this time of year.  Pick up a bowl of hot soup from your local Thai restaurant to balance out the elements of the season.  To comfort your taste buds, pour yourself a cup of mulled cider or a mug of hot chocolate (add a pinch of cayenne, if you’re adventurous).  Warm, buttery, cheesy and saucy main dishes will take the edge off winter’s chill.

Remember that the goal of Ayurveda is balance.  Too much holiday comfort food (heaviness) and inertia (slowness) can potentially lead to too little Vata.  It’s a good idea to keep your body moving during the dormant season.  If weather does not permit a brisk walk or a bike ride, start and end your day with a few Sun Salutations (a yoga classic), or do some simple calisthenics in front of the TV.

So, if winter’s rain, wind and cold are shutting down your spirits, do the opposite.  Salute the Sun, cook up some warm, sweet and spicy stuff, and put a little summer’s day into the longest nights.

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Warm Pitta Punch is a beverage that will warm your heart, mind, body and soul.  Leave some for Santa, along with some gingersnap cookies.

Warm Pitta Punch
This warm, spicy, sweet and tangy punch is the perfect antidote to winter’s chill.

1/2 cup organic sugar
4 cups water
1 cinnamon stick (plus 8 more for garnish)
1 & 1/2-inch piece of a vanilla bean
4 hibiscus tea bags
32 oz of unsweetened tart cherry juice
1 orange, sliced into 8 or more slices

In a large saucepan, over low heat, combine sugar and 1 cup of the water.  Heat, stirring often, until sugar is dissolved (about 3 minutes).

Add one cinnamon stick and the piece of vanilla bean (split lengthwise, using a knife, to reveal seeds before adding).  Turn heat up to medium and bring mixture to a boil, then add the 3 remaining cups of water and the 4 hibiscus tea bags.  Turn off heat, cover partially with lid and steep for 15 to 20 minutes.

After steeping, remove tea bags (squeeze out liquid using back of spoon) and discard.  Remove vanilla, scraping any remaining seeds back into the pan, then discard the bean.

Add the cherry juice and orange slices.  Stir well and simmer over medium-low heat until hot, stirring occasionally.

Serve in heat-proof glass mugs.  Garnish each glass with an orange slice and a cinnamon stick.

8 servings

 

 

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