The nights are still long and the mornings still slow and cold. We are at the leading edge of winter, moving deeper into its restorative womb over the next few months. Nature continues to draw her energies deeper inside and down into the roots. This inward pull is necessary for all of nature, a precious time to restore and reconnect to our essential healing strengths. In Ayurvedic philosophy, this is the season of kapha, dominated by the elements of water and earth. Its overall qualities are cold, wet, slow, dark, and heavy. This can lead to stagnation, respiratory issues, mood disorders (seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is prevalent in the northern latitudes), and fatigue. These issues tend to be exacerbated when we continue to push, strive, and overexert ourselves.
Winter is the time to turn inward, get more rest, and slow down from the pace of summer and fall. It’s a time to hibernate, reflect, vision, and hold space for all the seeds you are planting for the new year. It’s also a time to deeply tend to our inner selves, the relationships most important to us, and a time to harness and tend the energy that will be needed in the year to come.
According to Ayurveda, we want to bring balance to these overarching energies of winter; we want to bring more warmth, gentle stimulation, and light into our lives. This is why adopting seasonal routines and diets help us adapt to our environments. When we change our diets as the seasons change what is available to us, we consciously sync with our environments. We can gently coax our bodies back into equilibrium through our daily food and drink intake.
Winter is the season that gives us the strongest digestion and inner fire to transform heavier foods and the experiences of the past year. Our bodies require more food to stay warm and to keep our immunity strong through the season. From an Ayurvedic perspective, we want to pacify kapha without aggravating either pitta (fire) or vata (air) dosha.
In general, we want to focus on warm, nourishing, and easy-to-digest foods, using plenty of culinary spices to aid digestion. Avoid cold drinks and foods as much as possible, and sip warming herbal teas throughout the day. The recipes in this winter guide are Ayurvedic-inspired and use seasonal produce available in most farmer’s markets and stores.
Spiced Oatmeal Porridge Recipe (serves 6)
There is just something about a hot oatmeal porridge on a cold winter morning that deeply nourishes the body and soul. This version of the old classic adds some fruit for vitamin C and warming, sweet spices that aid digestion, improve circulation, and have shown added benefits of boosting immunity and decreasing inflammation.
Ingredients
- 3 cups regular rolled oats
- 3 cups 7-grain cereal
- 1 cup chopped dates
- 1 cup chopped dried apples or ½ cup fresh chopped apple
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cardamom
- Pinch of sea salt or kosher salt
- 6 cups water
Directions
Heat the water and salt in a large saucepot (2 ½ quarts at least) over high heat until boiling. Once it boils stir in the remaining ingredients, reduce to the lowest setting, and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Cook covered for about 5 minutes then remove from heat leaving covered. Let it sit for another 5 minutes or so to thicken. Serve with 1 teaspoon of ghee for added digestive benefit.
