Best Fall Foods to Balance Vata, From Breakfast to Dinner

• After your yoga, meditation, and bath, have some breakfast. Try oatmeal, cream of rice, cream of wheat, tapioca, or any grain that will help to settle vata. (See the food recommendations for vata in chapter 8.) For lunch and supper, tortillas, chapatis, basmati rice, mung dal kitchari, and steamed vegetables are all good fall foods to balance vata. Salads are not recommended.

Mushy, soft soups and stews are good, and be sure to use some ghee. • Don’t drink black tea or coffee after dinner. Try some herbal tea, such as cumin- coriander-fennel tea (equal proportions), or ginger-cinnamon-clove tea. • Fasting is not good during the autumn season.

It generates too much lightness and emptiness, which provoke vata. • Be sure to keep warm. Dress warmly enough both indoors and out. On a windy, gusty day, cover your head and ears.

• Very active, vigorous exercise should be avoided, especially by individuals with a vata constitution. • A short afternoon nap is acceptable for vatas. • Try to be in bed by 10 . P.M • Drinking a cup of warm milk at bedtime is good in the autumn season.

It induces sound, natural sleep. Heat the milk until it begins to boil and rise up, then let it cool enough to drink comfortably. You might add a pinch each of ginger and cardamom and a small pinch of nutmeg. These herbs are warming and soothing and will help both with digesting the milk and with relaxation.