Tick tock, tick tock - the internal clock is ticking when it comes to New Year's resolutions: just in time for the start of the year, we start new diets and sports programs with an iron will to defy the winter fat we've put on. But from an Ayurvedic point of view, it makes sense to exercise a little patience: This is because late winter (Shishima Ritu) in January and February is the least favorable time of year for losing weight, as the metabolism is in storage mode to boost the immune system.
So it's better to postpone your next diet and fasting cure until the end of February and follow the Ayurveda rule: lots of warm and nourishing soups and stews, enough sleep, good sex and even a glass of red wine strengthen your physical and mental health in winter.
Regardless of the season, it is always good to do something good for yourself. A good daily rhythm, yoga and hot water are simple ways to find inner balance. In the dark, cold winter months, however, it is advisable to take things a little more slowly and calmly and - in keeping with nature - to increase the balancing rest phases and reduce the stimulating activity phases.
Seasonal root and cabbage vegetables, prepared with plenty of ghee or sesame oil, as well as nuts and digestive spices such as ginger, turmeric, hing and caraway are particularly good for the daily diet. Starchy cereals and pulses with high calorific values such as chickpeas, lentils, barley, wholegrain rice and millet should also be a regular part of your diet.
If you still want to start with a gentle winter detox, you can use warm rice broth with trikatu and hot ginger tea with honey for gentle internal cleansing. Drinking these in between meals and cutting back on meals in the morning or evening has a metabolism-boosting and immune-boosting effect at the same time. The perfect combination to start the New Year with vitality and zest for life!
The recipe for rice broth with trikatu is very simple: to make rice broth with trikatu, take 50 g of basmati rice and cook it in 700 ml of water until soft. Drain the rice through a sieve, collect the rice water and pour it into a thermos flask. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of trikatu (spice mixture of long pepper (pippali), black pepper and ginger) and 1 MS rock salt.
- To stimulate the metabolism, we achieve the best effect if the rice broth is drunk in the morning and mid-morning and breakfast is omitted.
- To strengthen the immune system, on the other hand, it is advisable to drink the rice broth in the afternoon and early evening and only eat a soup in the evening - preferably made from the cooked rice in the broth, supplemented with vegetables and lentils.
