As nature shakes off the chill of winter, perfectly timed spring arrives with an air of renewal and rebirth. You see it everywhere - tiny buds of spring green paint the tips of trees, the air takes on a freshness unlike any other time of year. Mother Nature's way of saying, "Wake up and grow!"
As daylight extends slowly and the signs of spring arrive all around, this juncture - Spring Equinox - happening between March 19-21 in the Northern Hemisphere around the world, where night and day, yin and yang, seek balance. The gradual unfolding of spring brings about changes, not just in the weather but also within us.
A season of renewal unfolds.
What is the spring equinox?
The term "equinox" originates from the Latin words "aequus," meaning equal, and "nox," signifying night. An equinox happens when Earth's equator aligns with the Sun's center, resulting in nearly equal day and night lengths.
Two equinoxes occur annually: the vernal (spring) equinox and the autumnal equinox. These events carry cultural and spiritual meaning across various traditions worldwide. In the Northern Hemisphere, the spring equinox marks the transition from winter to spring, as days lengthen, temperatures rise, and nature experiences a rejuvenation with plants and animals responding to increased sunlight.
Ayurvedic principles and the spring equinox
Ancient traditions have long connected with spring equinox, centering around rebirth and fertility. In Ayurveda, this is prime time to align the mind, body, and spirit with an opportunity for a seasonal clearing out of winter gunk (ama).
Water and earth elements are evident as the earth's defrost may leave you feeling heavy, dull and damp. Sinus and allergy season, congestion and coughs may be signs of being out of alignment.
We understand that “like increases like” therefore during this Kapha season it's best to avoid heavy, wet, mucus-producing foods (think dairy, fatty meats and oil laden foods). Consciously and moderately focus on pungent, bitter, astringent cooked and spiced meals for easy digestion and invigoration.
Increase:
Pungent: ginger, garlic, onion, chilis
Bitter: turmeric, dark leafy greens
Astringent: cranberries, legumes, arugula
Decrease:
sweet, too much salt and sour
Try some of these recipes to lighten things up in your body and in your kitchen!
Spring Clean Soup
Ingredients:
✓ 1 leek, chopped
✓ 1 large turnip peeled and chopped
✓ 5 cups vegetable stock
✓ 1" piece of ginger, minced
✓ 1” piece of turmeric, minced (or 1/2 tsp. dried)
✓ 2-3 bay leaves
✓ 1 zucchini, chopped
✓ 2 cups minced kale or other greens
✓ a large handful of spinach, coarsely chopped
✓ Juice from 1 lemon
✓ Salt and pepper to taste ✓ Fresh chopped parsley to taste
Directions:
“Sweat” leeks with small amount of water or ghee until transparent.
Add turnip, stock, ginger, turmeric and bay leaves.
Allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Add zucchini and kale and cook over medium--low heat for 20 minutes, covered.
Just before serving, add spinach and lemon juice.
Eat chunky or puree.
Top with salt and pepper to taste and fresh parsley.
Kapha Balancing Juice
Ingredients:
✓ 1/2 head fennel or celery
✓ Bunch of local, wild greens (ex: mustard, dandelion)
✓ 1 inch turmeric root
✓ 1 inch ginger
✓ 5-10 pitted cherries
Pungent Plunge Juice
Ingredients:
✓ 1 large carrot
✓ 10 radishes, preferably with greens
✓ 1/2 apple
✓ 1⁄2 bunch parsley
✓ 1/2 beet with greens
✓ 1 inch ginger root
✓ 1⁄2 lemon juice
✓ Add water as needed
Sautéed Veggies and Quinoa
Using seasonal veggies paired with a lighter grain like quinoa, this go-to versatile meal is a family win. It pairs well with other plant based or animal protein sources to balance all doshas.
Ingredients:
✓ 1 tablespoon ghee or preferred cooking oil
✓ 1 teaspoon kapha spice blend**
✓ 1 cup each of the following vegetables*, cut into 1-inch cubes: butternut squash, zucchini, eggplant, asparagus, and red bell pepper
✓ 1 cup quinoa
✓ 1 ½ cups cold water
✓ Salt, to taste
*Use seasonal produce from your farmers market or local neighborhood co-op.
**Kapha Spice Blend: [1]
✓ ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
✓ ⅛ teaspoon brown mustard seeds
✓ ¼ teaspoon ginger powder
✓ ¼ teaspoon coriander powder
✓ ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Adjust spices to taste. Add roasted garlic during the cool, damp of spring.
Directions
Soak quinoa for 15-20 minutes in cool water. Wash, rinse, transfer to a pot. Add the 1 ½ cups of cold water to the clean quinoa. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer with a tight-fitting lid for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool 5 minutes before removing the lid.
In a separate saucepan, heat ghee or preferred oil and add kapha spice blend. Stir quickly to "cook" the spice mixture.
Add firm vegetables (like butternut squash). Sauté to soften. Next, add softer vegetables (like zucchini and eggplant).
Cook until tender.
Salt to taste.
Serve over quinoa alone or pair with additional lean protein sources like chicken, fish or black beans.
You might also feel a need to shift on the mat. Moving from slow, grounding practices and breathwork to something a little more vigorous. Spice things up with an invigorating practice such as vinyasa yoga. Even a few rounds of Sun Salutations A and B can be enough!
Personal care practices of dry skin brushing and breaking a sweat in the sauna can also release ama and keep things flowing. Using the earlier, lighter mornings to your favor, create space for an outdoor moving meditations. Capture the sun's rays and take time to set intentions during this transitional period feeling supported by nature.
Journaling Prompts
Intentionally align as you embrace the renewal of YOU this spring. Use these fresh journaling prompts to reflect, grow and evolve into the new season ahead. [2]
Fresh Start
What does your ideal spring day look, feel and sound like?
If you were a plant, what stage of growth do you feel you’re in right now?
Habit Shifts
What is one winter habit you would like to leave behind?
What is one past intention you plan to nurture or rejuvenate for spring?
Describe a new hobby, habit or skill you’d like to begin or improve this season.
Gratitude
List 5-10 things that bring you joy in spring?
What is it about your life you currently feel most appreciative of?
Reflect on a time this past winter when you felt genuinely happy. How can you create more moments like that?
Inner Journey
Describe something you overcame since last spring and how it changed you?
How do you want to feel by the end of this season? What can you do to foster those feelings?
What areas of your life feel stagnant? How can you introduce fresh energy?
Well-being
Moving into the new season, how are you feeling mentally, emotionally and physically?
From above, what do you need more of or less of?
In what ways can you shift your current movement, sleep or other rhythms of life as you move into spring?
Spring foods - what are they and how can you incorporate them into your meal plan?
Look Ahead
Ways to organize your environment to reflect a “spring clean” feeling?
Top 10 Spring bucket list - go!
Mindfulness
How can you practice being more present this spring?
What ways can you push pause and savor the simple pleasures around you?
Connect with yourself, the people around you, and the vibrant season of spring.
May this time ahead be full of natural flourishing.
To your dedication to your body, mind and spirit,
and the WholeLiving Team
Inspired by:
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