Stay Healthy and Boost Immunity with these Ayurvedic Tips

by Kay Rice | Mar 22, 2020 | Ayurveda, Nutrition & Health

Use these Tips to Boost Your Immunity during COVID-19

These tips are good to follow at any time, but especially now, as we want to support our body’s immune response system and do the most we can to be strong and healthy. It’s our very BEST defense agains COVID-19.

#1. Eat Clean

Eat home cooked meals and snacks made with fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices. When available, eat foods that are in season, locally grown, and organic. If you can’t find locally grown or organic foods, just do the best you can with the freshest options available to you. Avoid processed foods, most dairy products, sugar, and any refined grains. If you are interested in joining me for a spring cleanse that is nutritious and delicious, as well as gluten free, dairy free, sugar free and night-shade free, I’m making that available to anyone for FREE this spring due to the challenges we are facing with the Corona (COVID-19) Virus.

Favor and use these favorite spices from the Ayurvedic tradition: Turmeric, Ginger, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Basil and Garlic. These spices provide an array of benefits in addition adding flavor to our foods. Ayurveda suggests that we should have all six flavors at each meal, and spices help us to easily do this. (The six flavors are: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent).
Choose from a colorful array of fresh fruits and vegetables. When available choose fruits and veggies that are in season, locally grown and organic. I believe it pays to know your local farmers. It is expensive to become a “certified organic” farm, but many local growers and small farmers do use organic practices. I like to visit the farmers market and the farm to get fresh vegetables and eggs. The eggs I have been getting are beautiful brown eggs from chickens that are cage free. get to roam outdoors and they are fed soy free organic, not GMO feed. Remember, you are not just what you eat, but you are what you eat ate.
Fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices are indeed natures “Farm” acy.
If you’d like to check out my Spring Cleanse, please do. Right now, you can have access to all of the materials and on-line support for FREE. I am accepting OPTIONAL donations to defray the cost of the program, but donations are completely voluntary. I welcome you to join and participate in a community of like-minded folks determined to improve their health during this time.

#2. Stay Hydrated

Drink pleanty of water at room temperature or hot water with fresh ginger and lemon or herbal teas.

The minimum daily recommendation for water is to drink half your body weight in pounds in ounces of water. Meaning, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink 75 ounces of water per day. Herbal teas do count so long as they are not caffeinated.
If it is hot or humid and you are doing a lot of exercise, you may need more than the minimum daily amount.
Remember caffeinated drinks such as coffee and some teas, as well as alcohol are diuretics so you will need to drink MORE water to offset these beverages if you consume them.
Ayurveda recommends you drink you water at room temperature or hot. Cold water and ice tend to dull the digestive fire.
Dandelion Root & Holy Basil teas are great detoxifiers. I’ll list a couple of my favorite herbal or daily detox teas below for your reference. I use 1 Tablespoon of the CCF tea to a quart of water and add a thumb-sized chunk of fresh ginger, and the juice from half a lemon. I let it boil for a few minutes then add and a green tea-bag to let it steep.

#3. Keep Moving

Find a project around the house, do yard-work, go for a walk. The gyms may be closed during the CORONA Virus outbreak, but it is important as ever that you keep moving. Find an online Yoga or exercise class, Yoga studios are closed but there are some offering classes online. Be creative, be flexible, keep moving! One of my FAVORITE Yoga Studios will begin to offer classes virtually this week. I’ve been enjoying working in my yard, I’ve planted a few things … and I’ve been resourceful so I don’t have to go out for supplies. I have lettuce growing on the porch in the top of a garbage can and it is just beautiful. Nature has not paused, and we’ve had a few gorgeous spring days for being outside and taking a walk. The birds, the plants, and all of Nature seem completely oblivious to the Corona Virus and it is quite refreshing to be near the earth and nature at this time.

#4. Practice simple detoxifying routines

Practice these simple daily routines to stimulate your lymphatic system and keep your respiratory system clear and lubricated.

Use a Neti pot each day to wash your sinuses. Be sure to use distilled or filtered water and not tap water. I like to warm the water to just above body temperature, and add 1/8 teaspoonful of sea salt to the water. (Note: do not use tap water and do not use iodized salt.) Pictured below is the neti pot I have and it comes with salt. It says it is dishwasher safe, but I always wash it by hand, my experience is that it is not microwave safe.
Use Nasya: lubricate the sinuses after washing with the Neti pot by using 2 drops of sesame oil in each nostril. This can be done one to two times per day.
Do a self-massage, called abyanga, in Ayurveda. You can use sesame oil or other herbal oils. I like to use a blend of oils infused with essential oil.
Take a couple of minutes and use a dry brush before getting in the shower. Start from your feet and work up, or from your hands and work towards your shoulders. You can probably pick up a dry brush from your local grocery store. I’ve also included a link to one at Amazon so you can order there or just see a photo of what you are looking for. Always go from your extremeties to the center of your body. This stimulates your lymphatic system.

#5. Keep a Positive Mental Attitude

Keep yourself busy. Find fun projects to do or catch up on things you normally haven’t had the time to do.
Avoid going down the rabbit hole of watching a constant stream of negative news on TV, the Internet or social media.
Stay connected to friends, loved ones and community. Social Media, Video calls, FaceTime, Zoom, Skype all offer us a multitude of ways to stay in touch and connected to loved ones and community. The phone is great, but it also is a wonderful experience to have someone join you in your home for a little while for a tea time or visit via a video call.
Practice gratitude. Take a few moments each day to think of several things and take time to genuinely feel gratitude for the good things in your life. I suggest you begin each day with this practice.
Meditate: Meditation has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, increase immune function and help us to stay calm and present. There are many guided meditations, I teach a mantra-based meditation called Primordeal Sound Meditation, and if you want an App to help you meditate and program your brain to stay positive, healthy, focused and make the best choices, here is a link to an App called BrainTap that will allow you to experiment and try it out for 15 days free.
Practice Present Moment Awareness. Stay in the present moment. Don’t dwell on the past and don’t worry about what may happen in the future. Most of it you have no control over. Your mind mind will be the most calm and your actions the most effective if you can stay in the present moment. Often, if you do this, you will realize that “at this moment, I am okay and I have everything I need.”

#6 Smudge

Do an energetic cleansing of your home and office with sage or palo santo.

#7. Use aromatherapy

Diffuse eucalyptus, basil, rosemary, sage or frankinsense … or use a blend such as YoungLiving’s Thieves or OnGuard by Dotera.

Long ago I determined that what I put ON my body is as important as what I put IN my body. I am a YoungLiving distributor, although I don’t generally actively promote it. I just use the products. However, if you would like to learn more, please contact me — the most cost effective way to enjoy their wonderful products is to become a member or distributor. I can help you.

#8. Wash your hands

Wash your hands thoroughly several times each day, especially if you have to go out to the grocery store or for some other essential errand.

Disclaimer: Results may vary. Kay Rice, M.Ed. &/or Spontaneous Health, LLC does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a replacement form of treatment for physical, mental or medical problems by your doctor either directly or indirectly. Kay Rice, M.Ed.’s intention is to offer a variety of information and tools to help the reader in their quest for optimal health, spiritual growth, emotional and physical well-being. We may have an affiliate relationship with some of the products on this site. This means, if you purchase a program or product by clicking on a link for it on the site, we may receive a small commission for your purchase. This helps support us in bringing you educational and motivational information and support.

Seasonal Cleanses: 5 Biggest Myths Debunked

by Kay Rice | Mar 5, 2020 | Ayurveda, Nutrition & Health

Have you ever considered doing something healthy and then along come the nay-sayers? Not to worry, here are the 5 biggest myths about doing a seasonal cleanse debunked. If you are ready to get back on track after the winter, want a diet or metabolism re-set or a jump start to eating healthier, a cleanse could be perfect for you. In addition, done right, a cleanse can help you identify any food sensitivities causing you symptomes that you had not been aware of.

The ancient wisdom teachings of Ayurveda recommend a seaonal cleanse for everyone who wants to experience optimal health. It also suggest a cleanse should be nourishing as well as support your body in eliminating any toxins. Basically, you are giving it the healthiest foods, giving your body a break and supporting it in doing it’s job of elimination, rejuvenation and providing you with optimal health and vitality.

The Truth About Seasonal Cleanses: The five biggest myths debunked

Thanks to much of what we hear in the media, seasonal cleanses, aka detox, have earned a reputation for being unhealthy and even unsafe, not to mention uncomfortable. When you hear the words “cleanse” or “detox,” do you immediately think of all-liquid diets, expensive supplements and short-term deprivation for short-term gains? Sounds like just another new fad, right? Well … done that way, yes maybe … but done correctly …

The truth is, doing a seasonal cleanse doesn’t have to involve any of the above—and if you cleanse in a healthy, supportive manner, you can achieve lasting results in weight loss, energy gain and full-body health.

The following are five myths you may have heard about seasonal cleanses (aka detoxes). Understandably, these myths may cause you to be hesitant to try a cleanse.

Keep reading to find out the truth behind these myths and why a seasonal cleanse might be just what your body is craving.

Myth # 1: Cleansing and Detoxing is just a fad

The idea of doing a seasonal cleanse to promote optimal health and well-being has been around for thousands of years. Ayurveda, a holistic health tradition more than 5,000 years old, recommends routine cleanses for optimal health. Most often they are done at the change of the seasons with natures natural rhythms. It is a time to give your body a rest, allow it to release what it no longer needs, and receive nourishment for renewal.

Myth # 2: You won’t enjoy anything you’re eating while on a detox.

While you might have to eliminate certain foods that you enjoy, detoxing isn’t all about eating lettuce with a drizzle of olive oil. There are many delicious recipes that can be prepared using healthy ingredients that not only taste amazing, but nourish and detox your body.

The best part is, many of them don’t involve any fancy ingredients and can be prepared even by a cooking novice. In fact, my cleanse participants always discover new foods and recipes that they absolutely love that have become staples in their diets long after the detox ends.

Myth #3: You’ll constantly be hungry while detoxing.

While you might end up consuming fewer calories while following a detox, you shouldn’t feel deprived or hungry. Going on an extremely low-calorie diet can actually disrupt your hormones and metabolism, making your body less efficient in the long run.

Everyone’s caloric needs are different, so a detox should never dictate how many calories you consume. By consuming whole foods that provide you with the right nutrients, you help detox your body while feeling satisfied. My participants are always amazed that they never feel hungry during my detoxes.

Myth #4: You need to do an all-liquid detox to remove toxins from your body.

Liquid-only detoxes have had more than their fair share of popularity. These types of detoxes can backfire: Not only do people often gain the weight back as soon as the detox ends, but such restrictive eating for several days can be detrimental to your health. An effective detox will include a variety of whole foods to help nourish your body and produce long-term results.

Myth #5: Detoxes are just a way for people to make money on expensive supplements.

Supplements involved in a detox should be just that, a supplementary part of the program, not the primary source of your nutrition. While on a detox, you get most of your vitamins and minerals from whole-food sources.

Supplements may be recommended to help your body make the most of the nutrients it receives from these foods. For example, by including probiotics in your diet, you help your body produce vitamins, absorb minerals and remove toxins from the body.

Aside from the benefits discussed above, a cleanse is an incredibly effective way to identify if you have any food sensitivities, balance your hormones, and establish healthy habits for the long term.

I’ve worked with nutrition clients who not only have lost weight and kept it off, but who have also seen their energy level skyrocket, their skin clear up and even their allergies disappear.

Are you ready to discover the benefits of healthy seasonal cleanses for yourself?

Click here to learn more about

The Art of Healthy Living Seasonal Spring Cleanse – Starts SOON!

Learn More & Sign Up

Spring Cleanse starts Monday, March 23, 2020.Register by March 19 for Early Bird Savings.

What questions or concerns do you have about participating in a seasonal cleanse?

Before you try something new, like a cleanse, it’s normal to feel hesitant. I want to hear from you. Submit a comment below, messages me on Facebook or email me at kay@kayrice.com. I read every email that comes into my inbox and I promise to email you back personally.