Episodes
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Ayurveda proposes an eating pattern that focuses on balancing different types of energy within our body. This ancient science of Lifestyle and Circadian Medicine recognizes that we each have a unique constitution. It recommends a diet plan that takes into account the time of day, our local produce, the seasonal harvests, and the relationship between the energetics of food and our individual constitution..
In this episode, my former teacher from the California College of Ayurveda, explains the classification of the three 'types of digestion'. She elaborates on how we can recognize our individual type and accordingly organize our eating routines.
Toward the end, we are left to ponder on what it is we are hungry for and why we seek to eat more than necessary. We will tackle this large question in our next episode on Mindful Eating. Meanwhile, I look forward to hearing your feedback and your thoughts at https://anchor.fm/omni-wellness/message
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Intermittent fasting is a periodic type of fasting. While Ayurveda recommends that everyone should not eat between dinner and breakfast, intermittent fasting suggests to not eat for at least sixteen hours. For example, if you finish dinner at 6 p.m., you would not eat breakfast until 10 a.m. Intermittent fasting could also mean fasting for one day every week. The idea is that fasting gives the body a rest from digestion so it can concentrate on healing.
In this episode, my friend describes how he replenishes nutritionally, so that calorie restriction has a detoxifying effect on his body and mind. He is on a one-meal-a-day plan for more than 2 years now and feels strong and energized, not depleted. He attests to the fact that fasting is more of a mental than a physical feat.
Before you make the decision to pursue intermittent fasting, you must consider your Ayurvedic constitution and other factors. We will discuss customized fasting in our next episode and I will share how I am faring, after building up momentum in eating mindfully while observing Ramadan this spring. Meanwhile, I look forward to hearing your feedback and your thoughts at https://anchor.fm/omni-wellness/message
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Missing episodes?
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This episode describes the remaining 3 weeks of fasting during Ramadan. In addition to my friend, Lubna, I was very fortunate to have the former Director of Religious Affairs at the Islamic Center of Southern California, join our conversation. He shed light on what the Koran says about fasting. It always astounds me on how ancient world religions knew how to harness human spirituality toward character development. He also spoke about how his family adapted to fasting during COVID-19.
Based on your interest and inquiries, I determined that the next episode will highlight the science and spirituality of intermittent fasting... a natural transition from Ramadan to Eat with the Sun and Fast with the Moon! I touch upon what exploration lies ahead of us, especially around the oft-asked question, " did you lose weight?" Meanwhile, I look forward to hearing your feedback and your thoughts at https://anchor.fm/omni-wellness/message
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This episode explores Ramadan, a month-long period of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. I am observing the fast this year because I was beginning to feel quite disturbed by all the imagery in our media around food access and affordability during this global lockdown. Muslims celebrate Ramadan because it is the fifth pillar of Islam and also because it teaches them to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate. I am launching this episode, after my 10th day of fasting. I hope you will see the parallels with the larger subject of this podcast, 'fasting with the moon', as this fast is timed between one sighting of the crescent moon and the next, in the 9th month of the Muslim calendar.
I have captured the first 10 days of fasting as I accompany my friend and guide, Lubna Qureishi, who features in this episode through a phone conversation that covered a host of topics. We recollected about how I had been intrigued by her fast last year, and how she had once slept through the pre-dawn meal, so she had to wait much longer to break her fast! We also speak about what to eat to sustain oneself through 14+ hour long 'COVID-19 Shelter in Place Days' where we might be surrounded by family that may not be fasting. Lubna also spoke about how this year felt different without the presence of community and Mosque visits.
I will continue to explore this fast in the context of our overall subject through the next episode, with a new guest. Meanwhile, I look forward to hearing your feedback and your thoughts at https://anchor.fm/omni-wellness/message
