FAQ's
Often, when people hear the word "cleanse," it brings to mind caloric restriction or harsh detox programs that can actually shock, exhaust, and deplete your digestive and nervous systems. This cleanse is NOT about caloric restriction, nor is it wholly centered around food, it is balanced in movement, mindfulness and nourishment for the mind, body, and spirit. Food is fuel for your body. Have you ever met a mechanic who recommended running your car on the least amount of gas possible, or suggested filling the tank with just water? The same goes for you. If you want to feel your best, you have to set yourself up for success: eat real food, and plenty of it. Seasonal nourishment rituals are centered on the idea that the quality of food you eat directly impacts your quality of life. Aligning with the energetic qualities of each season by eating whole foods that are in season, helps to prepare our body to run most efficiently from one cycle or season to the next. Below are some of the most common questions asked of previous participants. If you have a question or concern not addressed below, reach out here!
What can I expect from this cleanse?
The cleanse is an opportunity to reset your body and mind and attune to the energy of the coming season. It draws upon the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and Yoga, which invites us to balance and reset seasonally. Ayurveda recommends that we cleanse twice a year: once in the Fall and once in the Spring. In the Fall it supports us in releasing excess heat from the body and prepares our immune system for the winter months. In the Spring, cleansing helps to release excess that has accumulated from the heaviness of winter. With the uncertainty the past couple of years have brought, there has never been a better time to strengthen your immune system and mental resolve, to pause and reflect in solitude with community support. A cleanse like this will leave your body, mind, and spirit nourished for the season ahead. The cleanse includes a self-regulated retreat from stimulants including alcohol, caffeine, refined sugar, recreational drugs, and excessive social media. You'll nourish yourself, eliminate toxins, and re-ignite your digestive fire by eating a traditional Ayurvedic healing dish called Kitchari (more info below) and healing teas and herbal drinks. Learn to set a daily self-care morning and evening ritual integrating Ayurvedic practices, somatic movement, and mindful intentions. You'll have access to the cleanse guidebook, and lifetime access to a private community to get support and community during the program and connection to help you integrate these rituals in your daily life.
What is kitchari & why is it used for cleansing?
Kitchari is a traditional Ayurvedic cleansing dish, and is vegetarian & vegan-friendly. It's made of a mixture of moong beans and basmati rice, which make a complete and easily digestible protein source. A blend of Ayurvedic healing spices is chosen based on your Dosha, or unique mind-body type. These spices help reduce inflammation, and strengthen your digestive fire and immune system. Kitchari helps heal the digestive system and cleanse the liver. Other foods to enjoy during the cleansing period include steamed and fresh vegetables, non-soy miso soup, vegetable broth, herbal pestos and dips, avocado, dates, ghee, spices, and fresh fruit.
What won’t I be having?
Alcohol, refined sugars, processed food, caffeine, meat, excessive social media, or late nights. It is advised to wean off some of these a week or so before beginning the cleanse. I'm happy to support you individually with this.
Is it all about food?
Nope! Food is part of it, but cleansing is an ancient Ayurvedic art, that includes the mental and emotional systems as well as the physical body. You're invited to embrace a holistic experience by engaging in self-care rituals to cleanse the mind, body, and spirit. You'll receive guidance and options for rituals for journaling & reflecting on your patterns and emotions related to food, stimulants, and self-care, practices that cleanse the sense organs, mindful movement of your choosing, and coming to a deeper awareness of our connection with nature and all of its cycles; and how living in alignment with them leads to feeling more clarity, balance, and ease.
Will I lose weight??
It depends on if that’s your goal or not and how different this diet is from your normal diet. The overall goal is to cleanse and relax the system not lose weight. However, if you struggle with weight what this cleanse offers is an opportunity to notice where you have patterns and attachments to food that aren’t supportive to the health you seek. This cleanse can also reveal subtle digestive disorders and food sensitivities you may not have been aware of that cause metabolism to become sluggish or downright stagnant. Going forward you may not choose to use so many foods/substances that trigger you. Stress reduction, which this cleanse provides, is also an excellent tool to shed excess weight. If you’re trying not to lose weight- there are options like using more ghee and nourishing foods versus cleansing foods to help you restorre balance as well.
Will it be hard?
The first 3 days are usually the most challenging, especially if you are cutting out caffeine and sugar for the first time in a while. Those affect our endorphin levels and we feel bummed without them until we restore our normal production of endogenous (our own) energy and feel-good chemical messengers. After about 3 days your body normalizes and you no longer crave and feel so dependent on substances. This is why it's nice to do it with the support of a group. We can share our struggles & celebrations and support one another in a common goal!
Can I participate if I have dietary restrictions or a medical condition?
Absolutely! You should always consult your medical provider before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle, but this cleanse is not restrictive and is adaptable for a variety of dietary and health considerations. It is vegetarian, and vegan-friendly. Both Basmati rice and Moong dal are gluten-free. Kitchari is a nutritionally complete and balanced meal and there is no caloric restriction involved. A kitchari cleanse supports stable blood sugar levels and the vegetables and spices can be adjusted to personal preference, health conditions, and of course, will be customized to your dosha, or unique energetic type.
What is a "Dosha" and how do I find out what mine is?
Great question! In Ayurveda, it is known that we are all made up of unique proportions of the elements Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. These elements guide our affinity for certain environments, climates, activities, and patterns of health. If our innate and ideal constitution becomes unbalanced, we experience signs of dis-ease such as menstrual irregularities, anxiety, depression, digestive disorders etc. Incorporating foods and self-care practices that restore balance bring us back to a state of equilibrium and ease. You can find out your Dosha by taking this Dosha assessment. There's a lot to dissect once you hold this knowledge, you can book a complimentary call with me here to chat about how it might be showing up in your life.