Many of us find the transition from fall into winter the most difficult. As the days shorten, frequently so do tempers, and many of us succumb to an array of illnesses. But a number of the ailments that affect our bodies, minds and souls during seasonal shifts can be avoided if we actively participate in keeping our health. And while standard Western medicine often disregards the link between natural cycles and our physiological and psychological health, there are traditional medical systems, such as Ayurveda?still widely practiced?based entirely upon these connections. Ayurveda, a well known medical system, offers dietary, herbal and practical guidelines that flow organically through the seasons.

Ayurveda is an intricate system of healing, based on the integration of natural rhythms, diet and lifestyle. The term Ayurveda is made up of two Sanskrit (ancient Indian language) words: ayu which means "life" and veda which means "knowledge of". And this knowledge of life, accumulated over thousands of years, affords Ayurvedic practitioners unique insight into the human body and its relationship with the environment.

When there is a seasonal transition, the energetic forces, or doshas, are high. It is during these junctions that we need to back off and be patient as we move into the next season fully. During fall there is a lot of dryness and roughness, so we should try to offset that by avoiding dry, rough foods, like popcorn, chips, rice cakes and raw vegetables. During this season we are most likely to experience imbalances of the lungs. If we are suffering from such an imbalance, we crave pungent, spicy foods, and will experience excessive grief. Eat lightly, but have warm moist foods like soups and stews. You should also drink a lot of drink fresh ginger, which strengthens the metabolism. Once we are fully into the winter season, after the Winter Solstice, then you can eat a little heavier. The organ that is most affected during this season are the kidneys. People who suffer from kidney problems are always cold. When our kidneys are weak, we crave salty foods, are unable to stay warm and experience excessive fear. Therefore it is important to keep the kidneys warm & healthy with the appropriate, balancing foods.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a very Happy New Millennium. Sincerely
Indrani.