Hold up before you go on that three-day juice cleanse this month! We don’t want anyone locking up and freezing on us in a Nova Scotia winter.

 I used to do a three- to seven-day raw food juice and smoothie cleanse every January. I crave a feeling of light and freshness after all of the heaviness from holiday treats. I want to feel like me again so I think cleanse and detox to get ready for a fresh start.

 But I’ve recently learned that the ancient and wise teaching of Ayurveda advises otherwise. Ayurveda says if it’s cold outside, don’t eat cold food.

 When I had my first Ayurvedic Consultation with our Ankita Singh last winter, she told me to get off all raw food.  My first response was: “WHAT?!” I live on smoothies and salads.

 Ankita explained to me that the cold food was actually weakening my digestive fire and it was also contributing to my fatigue and chronic cold-like symptoms. The cold elements of the food was increasing my Water-Earth Elemental Nature and making me feel heavy which was the exact opposite of what I was going for.

 So I took the doctors orders. Ankita gave me a meal plan to reset my digestive fire and get my body, mind and spirit feeling harmonious again.

 Here’s the really good news – I immediately started to feel better. My energy increased and so did my happiness. I felt warm and nourished. I lost weight too!

 Winter Eating vs. Summer Eating

 Winter is our time for restoration, not a full-on raw food detox. But there is still a way to feel incredible, light and fresh without freezing on cold food.

 You may be seeing the babe on the beach in California holing a delicious green smoothie and telling how fantabulous she feels on her raw food cleanse. Well, that’s amazing for her because she is in a hot environment and her elemental nature may be Fire, which means that she is already warm so the cooling foods will serve her well.

 But if you live in a cold environment like Canada in January, eating cold food will only make you colder. Warm food also acts as a thermogenic. Keeping your body warm acts as a thermogenic that will keep your metabolism revved up and your body humming along nicely in cooler weather.

 Consider the ebb and flow of nature. All fresh greens like lettuce, spinach and kale are grown in the summer months. The cooling properties of these veggies are there to keep us cool! Hearty and grounding root vegetables are grown and harvested in the fall to keep us rooted and nourished.

 I love a good juice cleanse; the enzymes are undeniably good for our health. But I will save that for the summer months when I know that it can serve me best.

 Ayurveda has taught me how to reset my digestive system in the midst of winter and I will stay warm and nourished in the process.

 Think of delicious soups with healing spices as your winter smoothies.

 Remember: Make food your medicine.

 Join us 2-3:30 p.m. on January 15 to learn more about the Feel Good Beauty Secrets of Ayurveda!

In the meantime try this nourishing and delicious warm smoothie to start your day!

Golden Turmeric Milk

1.5 Cups of fresh homemade Almond Milk (see recipe below)

1/2 tsp of Turmeric

Optional Dash of  each Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Cardamon

For an even sweeter version add 1/2 of Banana.

Blend all ingredients and then warm slightly on the stove top to take the chill off.

Homemade Almond Milk

1 Cup Raw Almonds

4 cups of filtered water

1 pinch of Himalayan Sea Salt

1.5 Tsp of Vanilla Extract

1-2 Tbsp of Maple Syrup

Water for soaking

Cover the Almonds in water and let soak overnight.

Drain Almonds and rinse.

Add 4  Cups of water and soaked almonds to Vita-Mix Blender

Strain through a nut milk bag.

Everyone has something that makes them feel fulfilled and energized. As the owner of Spa Chappelle, I get to live my passion every day. I love inspiring people to enrich their lives by exploring their passions and tackling their goals, and the spa has given me the perfect opportunity to do that.

My role as a skincare consultant lets me nurture my guests, leaving them feeling confident and relaxed. As a wellness coach, I support them as they learn to nourish their minds and spirits by embracing a mindful, inspired lifestyle.

My desire to help people become their best selves pushes me beyond helping my guests. I also enjoy mentoring and supporting my staff members by giving them the flexibility and encouragement to pursue their own dreams.

After all, when people are doing something they love, they glow with a natural energy and beauty that can't be bought.