Ayurasa

10/05/2023

Such a great reminder. I’d got myself into this, the velvet rut. Not wanting to over challenge myself. Having a bit of comfort. But new challenges make us feel so alive, learning stops us from only seeing things from a point of contraction and able to look from different perspectives. Making the self effort to cook new and different meals. Ensuring to look for the similarities in others & not just the differences. For me to be honest is making the effort to place posts on social media! Maybe that needs to be my challenge to myself & for hopefully your benefit. I’ve believed for many years living isn’t just about breathing in and out. So how do you challenge yourself today.

“It’s very easy to get comfortable. To build up your life exactly how you want it to be. Minimize inconveniences and hand off the stuff you don’t like to do. To find what you enjoy, where you enjoy it, and never leave.

A velvet rut is what it’s called. It’s nice, but the comfort tricks you into thinking that you’re not stuck.

The Stoics knew that this was a kind of death. That as soon as we stop growing, we start dying. Or at least, we become more vulnerable to the swings of Fate and Fortune. Seneca talked over and over again about the importance of adversity, of not only embracing the struggle life throws at us but actively seeking out that difficulty, so you can be stronger and better and more prepared. A person who has never been challenged, he said, who always gets their way, is a tragic figure. They have no idea what they are capable of. They are not even close to fulfilling their potential.

So that leaves you with something to think about today: Are you challenging yourself? Do the choices you make push you or do they help you atrophy? Are you in a velvet rut?

Be honest. And then challenge yourself to do better.”

30/04/2023

This surprised me as I’d never heard of any past possible links prior to cancer from having your Gall Bladder removed. I had Gall Bladder disease for 18 years prior to having Panchakarma (5 therapies) in India back in 2001. Since 2001 I have had possibly 5 attacks as opposed to 2 every month. The attacks took a lot out of me but I wanted to sort it out naturally if possible and I did thanks to Ayurveda. Prior to going to India I had nearly given up hope. Actually for me my worst trigger of an attack was pasta & pesto. I’ll explain that in another post. Have a read if this is a condition you or someone you know suffers from Gall bladder disease.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=616678097178790&id=100065098144958

US researchers have strengthened a likely connection between gall stones (and possibly gall bladder removal, cholecystectomy) and kidney cancer. They found the risk of developing kidney cancer was strongly increased by 279% in the first 6 months after gallbladder surgery, which is quite an impressive finding. They also found that patients who had a cholecystectomy before the age of 40 had a 55% increased risk of developing kidney cancer. The team used the statistical genetic method of Mendelian randomisation, drawing on data from large prospective epidemiological (observational) studies. This method uses the measured variation in genes of known function to strengthen the causal effect of a modifiable exposure on a disease occurrence in observational studies.

The cause of this relationship is uncertain. One possibility is that cholecystectomy for the treatment of symptomatic gallstones could lead to increased excretion of bile acids, and the associated increased urinary excretion of bile acids could in turn lead to oxidative stress and damage to the kidneys, eventually leading to kidney cancer. Another possible explanation is that excess bile acids lead to increased synthesis of secondary bile acids, which may in turn can have cancer-promoting effects.

For more information see https://www.medpagetoday.com/reading-room/aga/lower-gi/104156 and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37054756/

26/04/2023

Autumn Seasonal Practices - being we are at the end of April you may think this is a little late, but the seasons are changing and this year autumn colours have come much later. Though Autumn is considered Vata, you may also experience signs of excess Pitta if that was not pacified as the season changed. If this has occurred it’s best to see a practitioner to discuss best practice.

Autumn is a meeting of Pitta and Vata. Pitta dosha accumulates during the summer period, then we start to experience the cooling of the earth and drying cooler winds. This can enliven the positive aspects of Vata, or greatly aggravate Vata. Therefore a Vata balancing protocol is best observed.
The seven days at the end and commencement of season should see a gradual change in dietary and lifestyle habits to prevent dis-ease. At this time a simple, easy to digest diet is best observed.
Signs of Vata imbalance may include:-
Dry skin
Creaking/popping joints
Muscle spasms
Flatulence
Constipation
Increased nervousness/fear/panic/anxiety
Feeling spacey
Unable to relax
Sudden loss of energy/strength/weakness

Practices to observe are:-
Warm, moist, well lubricated food
Avoid excess dry, astringent & bitter foods
Include sweet, sour and salty tastes
Cooked grains, vegetables (inc. root vegetables)
Proteins (legumes)
Avoid cold drinks.
Cardamom and ginger tea (water, 1tsp grated ginger, 10 cardamom pods, ½ fresh lemon, juiced. Boil together for 5min and serve)
Warm sesame oil massage(warms the body and soothes nerve endings)
Keep well wrapped up to prevent becoming cold.
Yoga practices to pacify vata
1tsp ghee in hot water first thing in the morning or last thing at night.

Vicki Boucher 0401 929 157

13/04/2023

Shahi Korma with lamb or Paneer. Shahi Korma is one of my favourite spice blends. So versatile. I love adding chopped chunks of zucchini just to add a@little vege & green. See recipe in blog on my website.

17/01/2023

As a Naturopath my role in my patients life is to support you in being free from ill health. But when does this goal take over your enjoyment of life. I’ve met many people who may be taking hundreds of $$s worth of supplements in aiming to reach this goal. Yes they will help. But in the end this thinking is that physical well-being is the goal. In the ancient Indian scriptures and the WHO it is physical, mental and emotional well-being which is recognised as good health. As I was clearing up old notes from retreats and seminars I came across this quote. I share it with you as of course I too need to be reminded of it.
“ It is a burden to constantly strive for and maintain a perfect body, a perfect life and perfect health. The demands of striving steal the vital force from life”.
Striving is the enemy in many goals in life. Do what you need to and then let go of the results. You’ve done your part and the rest is up to other factors which may be out of your control.

11/01/2023

After a somewhat challenging 2022, are you feeling sluggish, lacking in vitality & inspiration to get back on track?

I’ve put together a practical step-by-step way forward to revitalise & reset your health.
The benefits of these programs is to feel younger, lighter and more energised. Your skin will glow, aches and pains at the least will lessen at best will go over time.
The program has 3 options/levels to choose from.

Pack 1 - $250. Includes a 60 minute consultation and a 60 minute massage. In this program we will hone right into your individual body type and needs, to produce a kickstart just for you. As part of this package, basic herbal/spice supplements will include a tongue scrape, triphala, digestive spices and a herbal tea. The hot oil massage is done a week into your reboot to mobilise the elimination of Ama (a sticky residue which blocks the natural flow of nutrients) Depending on your body type, you will require either a dry herbal or a hot medicinal herbal massage. If necessary depending on your condition additional herbs may be prescribed to support well-being at an additional cost.

Pack 2 - $158. Includes a 60 minute consultation to create a more individualistic program and prescribes specific herbal medicines to optimise overall well-being.

Pack 3 - $49. Includes easy to follow instructions to suit most people. Recipes & dietary guidelines are included for the period of your reboot. A bag of triphala is included to cleanse the gut and ensure elimination of ama. Triphala has a liver supporting action and is known as the ‘mother’ of Ayurvedic formulas. Also 50g of Digestive spices to improve digestion and eliminate potential parasites and recipes to include into your diet and what to eliminate in your diet.

If you require further support an appointment may be booked to dive deeper into your personal needs.

A follow up consultation to track your progress can be booked 1-2 weeks after your program starts. The charge for 30 minutes is $75 or $110 for an hour. This is only available to those following the program. �All follow up consultations are available in person or via what’s app or zoom.

06/12/2022

With Summer teasing us that it’s on its way it can get confusing to know what your body needs in any given moment. By understanding the qualities of each season it becomes much easier to make choices that will improve your health and well-being. With this changeable weather it’s important to eat easy to digest foods with bitterness, sweetness. Though these flavours are important it’s still important to eat across the food groups. Having some grain, protein depending on body type, vegetables & salad.
You may also like to check out my teas on thespicemistressonline.com. They will aid in keeping you hydrated & your digestion strong.

26/10/2022

This simple recipe was created out of necessity. Many years ago instead of paneer (good paneer wasn’t available) I would simply cut large cubes of firm ricotta from the deli section and roll the cubes in turmeric before baking them in the oven with ghee. Make sure you turn them over in the oven until a little crispy each side. Yes that’s it. So incredibly simply yet delicious served with sweet potato panch phoran and some greens to create a visual and taste delight. Try it. It might become your favourite quick meal.

14/10/2022

What greater time in Victoria and Tasmania than to remind us all of the great qualities of water and destruction it can reap when out of balance. I think my message below doesn’t quite say enough about the destructive quality of water. I’ve focused on the stagnation as my body type is pitta Kapha and stagnation is what I can experience. When there are blockages in the channels then we have overflow of excessive water. That overflow can certainly cleanse a creek of debris but it can also cause further blockages as debris try’s to move but gets caught in twists and turns. Observing nature can teach us so much.
Luckily we are safe where we are, and as long as the internet & power keep working I’m still available for face to face and online consultations in Lockwood South.

14/07/2022

My darling sister shared this with me today.

06/06/2022

If you’re suffering from a sore throat this recipe will help ease it. Go to website to check out the recipe. And sign up for newsletters for more recipes. The website for recipes is in comments

30/05/2022

This was so simple to make and deeply satisfying to eat! Go to my website and grab the latest recipe from my blog.