10-day detox results

Well, my 10-day winter detox is over!!!  As always, it was quite informative.  Each season has a Dosha that will get out of whack, that accumulates and then shows up as physical, mental or emotional symptoms.  Winter, is Kapha season.  Signs that Kapha is out of balance are lethargy, sadness, weight gain beyond the normal few pounds we all pack on during winter, congestion, slow digestion, the list goes on and on!  It's normal for all of us to experience a bit of the above listed symptoms during Winter, and more likely for those of us with Kapha dosha (raises hand!).  That's right ladies and gentleman, I am a proud member of the Vata-Kapha club.  So I get nailed with imbalance for two seasons in a row.  Straight from anxiety producing autumn to depression filled winter....

JUST KIDDING!  I love Autumn, I have so much energy (which some people might call deranged Vata)!  I also appreciate that Winter tells me to rest.  Speaking of resting, one of the insights I gained over my 10-day detox was how fatigued I have been.  We moved from Seattle to Honolulu in August and it has been non-stop since we step foot on this Island.  New city, new job, grad school, new community, change, change, change.  My Vata spirit loves change!  However, Vata girl + Vata season + Vata lifestyle = Vata imbalance.  Oh, I also flew from Honolulu-LA-Chicago-West Palm Beach-LA-Honolulu in 10 days over my school and work break.  Nothing like flying to amp up your Vata.  So, back to the point. 

I was completely exhausted.  So even though my life was as busy as ever during the detox, I drank herbal tea.  I took naps.  I religiously abhyasa'd, something that can go out the window against my better knowledge when I get busy.  Note to self: make sure to abhyasa & get enough sleep!  Another thing I noticed was that wheat isn't digesting well for me in the morning, wheat is a Kapha inducing food.  So I will forgo the toast and stick to eating rice with cinnamon, cloves and cardamom for breakfast at least until Kapha season is over.  By the way, after 10 days of a simple diet, I find I don't want the extras and I am not craving processed food.  Vegetables taste divine simply prepared.  I also had a cup of coffee that was the most delicious thing I have ever tasted, and appreciated its power to make me focus (it makes not interesting things interesting!!!).  Decisively, 10-day detox diets always teach me something, and help me to slow down and simplify.