In August I am ready to take back my Agni.
I feel although I have been on a good path to health over the past year, I never had a sick day so far until a few days ago I have my first day with diarrhea.

This day happened after 10 days straight of waking up before 6am and going to be usually later than 11pm, managing a lot of stress throughout the day, including working out, mixing cement, carrying heavy things out in the direct sun all day, irregular meal times due to group meals and eating when we were finished our work, lots of wind and then eating late meals before going to bed late. So after a week of this I had a day of passing emotions, heat and poop… and then a few more days my energy was feeling dispersed. I am grateful, that`s all it was and really want now to ensure I build my Agni and Ojas- so that I stay nice and strong going into this crazy COVID pandemic and just to be lighter in mind and body and have more Prana, or life force energy all the way down into my colon. I also deserve to treat myself better and to continue walking the ayurvedic path. If I can take my digestion to the next level, conquer my foods addictions and stay balanced- then anyone can! And I will be in a better situation to help all my clients.

My current plan:
Start with 14/10- then move to 16/8
10 Hours of Feeding Time
and then 8 Hours of Feeding Time when I am ready.

Begin with 8am Bulletproof chai 10am piece of fruit-1pm Kitchari, 4pm Green Juice and 6pm Soup for the first week

Second week eating only at 10am and 6pm
8am Bulletproof chai
10am Veggies, lentils or beans, sprouted nuts, salad dressing of Svastha Special Sauce with quinoa or rice.
1/4 cup of grains,
1/2 cup of Vegetables
Dressing with oils
1/3 Cup of warm water
6pm Vegetable Soup with grain.

Able to drink throughout day: Black tea, warm water, tea.

Foods to avoid: Foods on my avoid list from my Pitta and Vata list. Including corn products, chilis, white sugar, chocolate, alcohol and cold beverages and food. (Which are the only foods that I am still consuming on a monthly basis that I know are not the best for me.)

If I stick to this time, it will work better for when my family comes and possibly share supper with other people.

My goals for this month are really focus on my digestion and become nested into my new home. Allow my change of homes to be a positive new chapter!
I want to have less ama, less emotional attachment to food and to begin allowing myself to shed and purify old toxins and emotions and patterns- and finish off summer continuing my transformation that I have been working on throughout these last months. I learned a lot about what arose after my last fast that I did with my friend who is a Shaman and guided me on a week long Red Rose Water fast and many old thought patterns and desires arose… which was interesting and I had an interesting June. It was like at moments I regressed back to my 20`s but with a higher consciousness. But I am in my 30s I am happy to be here- and I am looking forward to more releasing and having more mental clarity to manifest my projects quickly during the rest of the year. Instead of a full on fast- (unless I decide that I want to do one in the near future) I am going to honor what I have been wanting to do for awhile- and that is to simply not eat after my last meal and be disciplined with it. I have been good with eating 2-3 meals a day at the same time now for awhile, eating healthy- but I am still snacking a lot, eating more than I need to and having snacks at night quite often. Even if they are healthy- it`s time not to indulge and really honor the time for my body to go without food.

Loose weight- eat early, go to bed early, and eat a high fiber, low calorie meal as my last meal. Allows me to feel sleepier – sleep well.

In the morning I already have good morning routine of waking up and then:
Scraping my tongue
Glass of warm water
Neti Pot
Bowel Movement
Yoga at 6:30-8:00am
Breakfast at 8:30am (which I am going to switch until a Bulletproof chai with Cacao)
Have a piece of fruit (in season) at 10:00am
Then at 1:00pm have lunch (Some type of Kitchari. Grain, Veggies, Oil and Svastha Special Dressing. )
At 4:00pm Snack of a green juice with ginger and tumeric. Ex: Cucumber, Nopal + Morenga or Spirulina and Chia
Then at 6:00pm Have a light supper. Such as a warmed vegetable soup with digestive spices. (Sweet potato, zucchini, spinach)
Then I want to have a swim either in the ocean or my pool (connect with the water element), rinse off- give myself Abhyanga Snehana (with cold pressed coconut oil and sesame oil mixed) and then have a warm shower (and poor diluted vinegar water down drain to clean up the oil) go to bed at 9:30pm for
Yoga Nidra and then sleep.

I want this to be my routine all of August, and although I am planning on hosting some people for some days as well as traveling- I need to see if I can do this. I need to see is it possible to have an Ayurvedic routine as devine as this while doing other things… I ALREADY KNOW that you can have a very good Ayurvedic routine while working 10.5-16hr days, I proved that with my daily abhyanga, meditation and eating healthy, warm meals daily while working in Canada last fall… but these last months in México I have been very relaxed with my diet and I think it´s time be more disciplined again.

How I feel about being disciplined and applying yourself to something is- you need to try if you have the desire. Because only if you try you know… and if I succeed in this attempt, I will not only be healthier in many ways- I will know it`s possible and be able to share – what I now know is TRUTH with my clients. Because although I trust in my teachers- one only knows what they know…
I will also invite my clients to become more disciplined with their Ayurvedic routines, although support them in every way that I can.

Note To Self: The snacks during my day are something I am assuming I will need, especially if I am working. But I would like to try just having brunch and supper by the end of August. And drinking black tea (chai) and sipping warm water throughout the day. Although I do think as I am Vata Pitta constitution having these snacks at this moment in my life will be beneficial to help nourish and ground me. Having my first snack a fruit is a good idea as I love fruit so much and it is best taken alone but it really helps to build RASA or plasma in the body and most are cooling in its Viyra or post digestive effect, so good for this hot time of year. I have been overeating fruit these past months, not being conscious of the calories or sugars they have. But I will choose a correct portion amount of fruit each meal during August. My second snack will be a green juice as this will help to relieve Pitta, as the bitter, astringent and sweet flavors helps to reduce Pitta.
I will also plan to make mint tea and CCF (Cumin, Cilantro and Fennel) tea to sip on throughout the day for my first options of tea for this month and they are great for all doshas and help with inflammation and chamomile and mint tea in the evening as they will help me relax.

I will keep my other routines the same although I will be adding one to two hours of television to my routine in august as I really want to focus on my Spanish and I need to dedicate myself and realized that this is a great process. This is a temporary addition. I have been wanting to watch Spanish television for years but have never taken the time. But the day that I was sick I binged watched 3 chapters of Las Casa de Flores- and I think it helped me a lot- especially the way Paulina speaks. So I know it`s a good idea- also it`s still a weird time in Puerto right now and I am not working as much as I should be- so I should take the opportunity to watch a few hours of television in the hours that it`s to hot to offer massages or go to the beach. Between 1-3pm
This month for me is to enjoy finishing projects, seeing clients and my closest friends. I will not be making time for new friends or dating until September. This sounds funny, but this is the way that I can ensure that I will go forward with with I have started, begin finishing task loads that are stressful for me and to continue manifesting what I have began- as well as make money which I really need to this month. I will take one day off a week that I can organize to see friends on Mondays and Volunteer between 5:30-7:30 at least once a week.

So my plan for August: Tuesday-Sunday (Mondays FREE of routine but still need to eat within the windows and no snacking.)
So wake up between 5:30-6:00am (Morning routine)
Yoga at 6:30am-8:00am
8:30 Bulletproof Chai
Work at 9am
10 Fruit
9:30-11:30 massage/Or Client Visits/ Or Focusing on getting new house ready and nesting.
10:30-12:30 massage/Or Client Visits
1pm Lunch
2-3pm Spanish Studies
Green Juice
3:30-5:30 Massage/Or Client visits/Focus on project with Iris and Svastha
6pm supper (only water after supper until Chai at 8:30am)
6:30-7:30 Swim, Sunset
8:00-8:30- Auto Massage
8:30-8:45- Shower
9:00-9:45-Yoga Nidra
10:00 Bed

In August I want to experiment with being strict with this fasting and eating at the same times each day and not sneaking in snacks or other substances to help me deal with stress or emotions that may arise. I also want to honor the times I need to eat and the food I want to eat, no matter what I am doing. So if I am working in my office, or if I am traveling to the mountains or if I am working out building my toilet… whatever is happening- I am going to for the first time in my life TRY TO HAVE THE WILLPOWER TO BE STRICT WITH MY DIET for the ENTIRE MONTH OF AUGUST… and after as well. Daily yoga, meditation, abhyanga, nature time and healthy eating. I don`t want to become the person that can never do anything or eat anything because of my diet… but I know that my diet is kind of like the thing I need to focus on now to allow me to be the person I want to be and to allow myself to be the energetic person that I am becoming… I am going to have even a deeper connection with myself I am sure of it and excited. These last months my intuition and energy has been growing increasingly stronger. When I am doing energy work on others- myself and my clients are having strong experiences and true healing is occurring, so I look forward to evolving as I will have greater focus in a few months if (when) I can conquer my own long term Vata tendencies to flake off and just want to have fun and break my commitments… I will know first hand this is possible long term.

In September, I will begin to have one day a week of water fasting a week- which is something I have wanted to do since last November when I had a 2 day water fast while working in Canada and felt amazing after and helped me get over a sugar addiction and increasing anxiety after we hosted a potluck and I finished up all the yummy processed foods and sweet breads. My goal is to become experienced with fasting, find out what works and doesn`t work first hand- observe, contemplate and then be able to assist my clients on their paths.
During my 6 years of studies with the CCA, I have done many, many experiments with myself and have tried hundreds of different therapies and done many evaluations and a lot of contemplation and observation- but fasting was never part of that. Actually, as far as I understood in the persons OJAS were good then fasting for Vata would be best 3-5 on Kitchari, Pitta could fast on juice for some days and Kapha could abstain from food for a few days and even recommended one day a week. Of course I new that Vata should eat 3-5 times a day, Pitta 3 times (and could have 2 snacks) and Kapha 2X was good. I new that eating your largest meal in the beginning of the day was most important and best idea and to have a light supper, at least 2 hours before bed and to go to bed by 10pm for all types. That 8 hours of sleep is recommended for health and loosing weight and daily Abhyanga is an important tool, especially for Vata and Pitta and dry brushing is great for Kapha with occasional oil massage. (All depending on the season). I knew that waiting at least 2 hours between meals was important, to allow your food to digest first before eating more… I knew THIS ALL… but I just never applied as a GOAL of mine to follow this diet in the view point of intermittent fasting- for the purpose of also burning up fat, emotions, old patterns and ama. And I never thought about it as running my body off of fat, to be able to pursue other higher pursuits… that actually by focusing less on WHAT I will be making and eating and have in my house- I should focus on when I am eating and making sure that it`s high quality, high fat foods (as well as grains for myself as I am Vata Pitta). Also- In the past 6 years I never really desired to loose weight, but I am now entering a phase when I kind of want to become my best version of myself and just take care of myself. For a few reasons… one of them being that I am single and am ready to invest in myself to become someone that will attract someone that also invests in themselves- which I find very attractive. (Not talking about steroids, gym and brand names, but someone who has their spiritual practice, their way to release stress, understands shadow work, can communicate about emotions and enjoy feeling good, waking up early, having a good night sleep and eating a vegetarian diet.) I am not looking for rigidity or extremism… but I am looking for commitment and lifestyle choices and trying… all we can do is keep trying to become our best version- while in the meantime, having compassion and love for who we are in the moment.

Tips for improving evacuation in the morning:
Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
Make time for shit in your life. (Plan to have time to go to the bathroom).
Sit on the toilet, spine straight, with no distractions. (No cellphones or reading. Be present with your evacuation.)
You can even gently massage belly in clockwise direction. (You can do this before sitting on the toilet or while.)
Hold hands on belly and inhale and exhale and pay attention to how your hands come together and separate.
You may have up to 4 cups of warm water in the morning to hydrate your body enough to have a full release.
Tips: Drinking warm water helps for quicker absorption and is good for all Doshic types. If you have a lot of mucous add ginger to your water. A small amount of lemon is okay unless you have acidity.

Prepare chia seeds in your fridge in the night. (At the same time you can soak your nuts and seeds). Put 4 tablespoons of chia seeds into a glass of water and let sit in your fridge. In the morning grab one or two spoon of these seeds and add to your hot water and drink the glass.
Option 2 Could add Chlorophyll (1 t-spoon) (Prana life force).
Add coconut water (add to regular water)

These are better options than coffee, as coffee is dehydrating, oppose to hydrating which increased the body wanting to release what it doesn’t want anymore allowing for a fuller release and healthier colon and lighter body and mind.

My Grocery List for the month (Best for Vata Pitta and my faves)and Satvic:

Note: NEED TO CHECK LIST TO CONFIRM, BASED OFF MEMORY.

Oils: Ghee, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Sesame Oil
Vegetables: Sweet Potatoe, Zuchini, Spinach, Avocado, Cauliflower (soup), beats, Carrot, Broccoli (soup), Onion (cooked), Lemons
Fruits: Star (1), Mango (1), Watermelon, Papaya (1 Cup), Grapes, Melon
Beans and Lentils: Mung beans, Sprouted Mung Beans, Sprouted Lentils, Lentils soaked and cooked, Black Beans Sprouted and cooked, Chickpeas (Soaked and cooked and made into hummus with cumin), lentil hummus, bean soup, Kitchari with lentils or Mung Beans
Meat: None (Perhaps eat Ranch Eggs Once during the month if I go to the mountains).
Milk: Perhaps Oaxaca cheese melted, if I come across natural Yogurt or Kefir to have a small amount of Probiotics.
Nuts and Seeds: Taken soaked and or sprouted. Almonds, Sesame, Pumpkin, Walnuts, Sesame, Cumin
Herbs: Basil, Cilantro, Mint, Chamomile
Teas: Chai, Black, Chai Coffee (For pleasure on the weekend), Cacao, 1/2 Cup of Almond milk per day in Chai or Coffee.
Juice: Coconut (1 per day), Green (1 per day)
Spices: Natural Salt, Pepper, Cumin, Cinnamon, Cardamon, Fennel, Ginger, Garlic, Star Anise, Tumeric

Other things I need to buy to prepare for the month:
– Draw up plan and put it on the wall and Fridge
– Buy new organic Sun block (Ask neighbor)
– Buy more essential oils to make natural mosquito repellent (Citronella, tea- tree, mint and flor de naranja. Buy local.)
As well as Sandalwood, Rose, Lavender, Jatamamsi, Vertiver for massage oil and aromatherapy. (Buy local and ask Mario from Oaxaca).