"To eat is human, but to digest is divine."
Ayurvedic Proverb
Ayurveda is the oldest medical science known to humankind, dating back more than 5,000 years. This system drawn from ancient Vedic culture emphasizes the interplay between mind, body, and spirit. It also is about living in balance, which means dealing with the whole person and her lifestyle, not just the physical body or the mind. Ayurveda's primary focus is on how to stay healthy and balanced rather than on cures for illness, which only address the symptoms and not the causes of imbalance.
Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar runs a private clinic in Santa Cruz, California, and is an internationally recognized leader in the ancient science of Ayurveda. Emphasizing a mind/body focus, he shows ways to handle "the digestive fire" which is the key to vibrant health, steady weight loss, and renewed energy.
There are three phases to the Hot Belly diet. First comes the elimination of sugar and processed food. Remember to savor hot water with ginger or lemon throughout the day. Walk after each meal. All these activities combat the build-up of "ama" or digestive sludge which triggers digestive inflammation, a source of many diseases.
A sample day from the Hot Belly Diet might include: Breakfast — a Superfood Smoothie; Lunch (the most important meal of the day) — Khichadi,a quick & easy to cook rice and lentil dish; and Dinner — Broccoli-cheddar soup. There are some helpful and healing out-of-the box ideas here in the author's 30-day diet, recipes, and Q&A sessions.
