Spiced Apples

AYURVEDA • DETOX • APPLES

author: R.R. Shakti, PhD

And just like that, the summer season is over here in the Rocky Mountains. The evidence is everywhere–golden aspen leaves, cooler nights and crisper air. But the summer heat still lingers. Especially in your body where, according to Ayurveda, internal pitta has built up throughout the summer. It takes time for all that heat to dissipate as the weather turns cold. These mismatched "outside" and "inside" conditions can lead to wellness imbalances like excess acidity, inflammation, compromised immunity and skin irritation.

Prepare for the seasonal shift with an Equinox Detox. Using principles from Ayurveda, you can transition from Summer to Autumn with ease and set yourself up for balanced wellness through the winter. The key is to take it easy on your digestive system as you slowly replace cooling foods with warming options. This can be as simple as cooking those things that you may have eaten raw through the summer months–things like leafy greens, fruits and veggie. Ayurveda recommends eating seasonal foods from local sources when possible. These foods provide both nutritional value as well as reduce carbon footprint. 

Apples are a particularly good choice for an Autumn cleanse. Apples dissipate excess heat in the body.  They scrub the intestinal walls and act as an internal flush for your system. Cooked apples are warm, sweet, soft and grounding; perfect for balancing vata dosha.

These seasoned apples are an annual staple to kick-off my Equinox Detox. They are especially delicious for breakfast. And easy! Here's how: 

Choose ripe, sweet apples. Chop them into 1/2 inch cubes and toss them into ghee over medium to medium/low heat. Add a tablespoon of lemon juice, 1/4 c. apple cider vinegar, and spices that are warm enough to keep your digestive fires burning (without aggravating pitta). I use fresh ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and turmeric, with just a dash of cloves. Cook the apples until they are soft and juicy. Add a tablespoon of maple syrup near the end.

Upon serving, you can add a little fresh yogurt, which is both cooling and pacifying for the pitta/vata shift. Because of their oils, protein and fat, nuts are also vata-pacifying. I might throw in some pepitas or dried fruits, to mix things up throughout my cleanse. 

The music:

Ma Durga

"Om Shree Matre Namaha
I bow to the Mother
Jai Ambe Gauri, Jaya Shyāmā Gauri
Hail to the/Golden Mother
Hail to the Black Mother
Jaya Jagatambe,
​Hey Ma Durga!
Victory to Ma Durga,
the Mother of the World."

​Ma Durga, Krishna Das 

KRISHNA DAS