Hair Oil Massage, Please!

Growing up, my mom would give us a weekly head oil massage. We would keep the oil in our hair overnight and wash it the next morning. There are many benefits to these oil massages and I am so thankful to my mom for doing this for us through our childhood. Not only do these massages relieve tensions and aches but also increases blood circulation in the scalp and make our hair grow strong, smooth and lustrous. Heat up the oil so it is warm and apply it to your scalp and hair, gently massaging it in for 5-10 minutes. Leave it on for a couple hours or overnight and wash with shampoo once or twice to get all the oil out. Below are some of my favorite oils.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

I always make sure to use a certified extra virgin olive oil that has been extracted from olives without the use of heat or chemicals. Olive oil is my oil of choice for my kids and is great for those with very thick and oily hair. Olive oil helps with: 

• Moisturizing
• Repairing split ends
• Preventing hair loss
• Dandruff

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of my favorite oils to use because of its smell. I buy a jar of coconut oil from the grocery store which is in solid form when stored in cooler temperature. Coconut oil helps with:

• Antimicrobial properties
• Cooling properties
• Hair conditioning and moisture retention
• Preventing baldness and gray hair

Amla Oil

Growing up, my Nani (Grandma) would give us the best head massages with Amla Oil. Amla is also known as the Indian gooseberry and has been used for Ayurvedic medicine for many centuries. Today, it is difficult to find pure Amla oil as it is made by soaking the Amla dried fruit in other fruit oil such as coconut and almond. Amla oil helps with: 

• Darkens hair without the use of dyes
• Prevents graying
• Cleansing agent
• Hair growth
• Moisturizing

Turmeric Latte...Really?!

Walk into all the trendy cafes in San Francisco and you can buy a turmeric latte for $7!! What the heck? Growing up, my mom would make me turmeric latte...aka Haldi Ka Doodh when I was sick, could not sleep or needed a pick me up. It is my moms go to Indian home remedy. Haldi ka Doodh is known to build immunity and fight against illnesses and is also well known in Ayurveda for its health benefits. Try my moms easy to make recipe below.

Turmeric Milk Recipe

Ingredients:
- 1 cups milk
- 1 tsp turmeric powder or fresh grated turmeric
- Ghee
- Pinch of saffron, optional
- Honey or jaggery, optional

Method:
Heat the milk along with the spices/ingredients for 2-3 minutes. Add the sweetener if you want. Strain and drink.

Why Your Dosha Type Matters

What does Dosha mean? It is a term very familiar to those who practice Ayurveda, the holistic science of health focusing on the connection of mind and body. Dosha refers to the three energies that make up every individual, performing different physiological functions in the body. Every person has all three doshas but usually only one or two dominate. All three Doshas - Vata, Pitta and Kapha are important and can cause suffering when diet and lifestyle choices are not healthy. Knowing your Dosha can help you maintain balance, lasting health and peace of mind. 

Not sure what your Dosha type is? There are many questionnaires online. My favorite one is offered HERE. Once you know your Dosha type, you should follow a diet and lifestyle that works for your type. Below are personal characteristics as well as diet and lifestyle tips for each Dosha type.

The 3 Dosha Types: 

Vata Dosha

• Energy that controls bodily functions associated with motion (breathing, blood circulation, heartbeat)
• When in balance: creative, talkative, social, enthusiastic
• When out of balance: dry hair, dry skin, dry nails, constipation, gas, bloating, fear, anxiety

Health & lifestyle tips for Vata

• Maintain regular habits
• Eat and sleep at the same time every night
• Berries, fruits, small beans, rice, nuts and dairy are great for the Vata diet
• Moderate exercise intensity such as yoga, walking, swimming and tai chi are good
• Get enough rest
• Avoid strenuous and frantic activities

 

Pitta Dosha

• Energy that controls the body's metabolic systems (nutrition, body temperature, digestion, nutrition)
• When in balance: witty, organized, focused, goal oriented, content
• When our of balance: inflammation, acid reflux, burning eyes, anger, ulcers

Health & lifestyle tips for Pitta

• Keep cool by avoiding overexposure to direct sunlight and fried and spicy foods
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco, overworking, and overheating
• When aggravated, susceptible to feeling negative emotions like hostility, hatred, intolerance, and jealousy
• Choose fresh vegetables and fruits that are watery and sweet, especially cherries, mangoes, cucumbers, water melon, and avocado
• Have lots of salads with dark greens such as arugula, dandelions, and kale
• Avoid conflicts
• Cultivate the virtues of honesty, morality, kindness, generosity, and self-control.

 

Kapha Dosha

• Energy that controls growth in the body and it supplies water to all body parts, moisturizes the skin, and maintains the immune system
• When in balance: dependable, generous, caring, steady, grounded
• When out of balance: sluggishness, lack of motivation, weight gain, congestion, water retention, insecurity, envy

Health & lifestyle tips for Kapha

• Be active on a daily basis as Kapha types are prone to sluggishness, depression, and being overweight
• Get out of the house and actively seeking new experiences
• Choose foods that are light, warm, and spicy. 
• Tea with dried ginger and lemon is a great pick-me-up for Kaphas
• Avoid heavy oily and processed sugars, which are detrimental to Kaphas

What Exactly is Ayurveda?

Growing up, I often heard the word "Ayurvedic" or "Ayurveda" almost on a daily basis.  "Ayurveda" is a wellness term that has become pretty trendy in recent years with bloggers, celebrities and alternative medicine experts. What exactly is this buzzword? Ayurveda is grounded in thousands of years of Indian tradition and is one of the oldest and most continuously practiced systems of medicine in the world focusing on the connection of mind and body. Ayurveda (Ayur = life, Veda = science or knowledge) is a science of life.

The two main guiding principles of Ayurveda are: 

1. The mind and the body are inextricably connected
2. nothing has more power to heal and transform the body than the mind

Here are a few simple ways you can incorporate the principles of ancient Ayurveda into your busy and modern lifestyle to calm your mind, soul, body, spirit AND improve your overall physical health.

• Meditate 10 minutes every morning
• Get abundant, restful sleep
• Eat fresh food everyday
• Sit on the table and eat each meal mindfully
• Exercise an hour a day
• Give yourself (or get) oil massages especially in the dry seasons
• Know your Dosha type and try to follow the diet and lifestyle routine that fits your mind/body constitution. 

How To Wrap a Sari (Traditional)

How many of you still go to your moms house before an Indian party to get dressed? Saris are elegant and flattering but so confusing to put on.  Below is a step by step guide. With some practice, you will become a sari wearing expert in no time.

You will need: 

• Sari
• Blouse
• Petticoat (Long skirt with drawstring)
• 3-5 safety pins 

How to wrap a sari: 

1. It is important to wear the shoes you plan to wear to the party, before putting on your sari
2. Put on your blouse and petticoat and tie the drawstring tightly under your belly button. You want your petticoat to be the same tone as your sari
3. Your sari will have a plan end and a fancy end (pallu). Start with the plain end and tuck it into the right hand side of your belly button. 
4. Continue to tuck the edge of the sari into the petticoat for one full counter clockwise circle( right to left), ending at the right side of your belly button. 
5. Make sure the decorative part of the sari is facing outwards and the hem is touching the floor.
6. Take the decorated end of your sari (pallu) and circle it around your body once, bringing it back to the front and placing it over your left shoulder. The pallu should land at the back of the knee joint. 
7. Take the remaining material closest to your body and make 5-7, 5 inch pleats. Tuck this into your petticoat towards the left side of your belly button. 
8. Use the safety pin to secure your sari. I like to put one on the shoulder, one to secure the pleat and petticoat and to secure the pleated section before tucking it into the petticoat. 

The Benefits of Rose Water

Rosewater is one of my all time favorite beauty products introduced to me by my mom when I was a little girl. I consider it a magic potion for my face. Here are some awesome things rosewater is great for.

• Tightens pores
• Prevents wrinkles
• Natural astringent
• Great setting spray for your make-up
• Help to regulate your skins pH
• Antibacterial properties are great for soothing the skin and getting rid of acne/blackheads
• Rinsing your hair in rosewater promotes growth and heals a dry & itchy scalp
• Dabbing rosewater around the eyes, on your temples, and on your forehead helps alleviate headaches
• Great setting spray for your make-up

Homemade Face Masks For Normal Skin

Growing up, my mom always told me that intensive skin care doesn't always require extensive and expensive spa treatments and that skin can be pampered and nourished in the home using all-natural ingredients that are readily available in the kitchen and pantry. Below are some of our favorites.

Fruit Mask

Fruits are loaded with the necessary vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are essential for natural glowing skin making it a perfect remedy for almost all skin types. 

• Mix equal amounts of ripe papaya, mango and yogurt 
• Apply the mask to your face for 30 minutes and wash off with water

The enzymes in papaya help in removing dark spots and blemishes and helps in improving complexion, whereas the vitamin C in mangoes helps in promoting cell regeneration and removing skin dullness. Yogurt is a natural moisturizer and gentle bleach that enhances skin tone and lightens skin tanning.

Sandalwood, Yogurt & Rose Water Mask

Sandalwood is natural home remedy for skin problems that has been used for centuries in Ayurveda for treating various skin issues. Yogurt contains lactic acid, which gently exfoliates the top layers of the epidermis, which can clear up blemishes and discoloration and reduce fine wrinkles. Rose water is filled with anti-oxidants and various vitamins, preventing signs of aging and nourishing the skin. 

• Take 2 tablespoons of sandalwood powder and mix it with rose water and yogurt forming a thick consistency

• Mix well and apply on clean face, wait for 15 to 20 minutes and wash off with water