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Food, Herbs, Lifestyle

Curb Unhealthy Cravings

When I feel the chill of winter near, I start to dream of warm, foamy chocolate; hot toddies; and long, luscious sleep. And this is a good thing. Naturally, the fall and early winter season season beg for more heaviness and warmth in both the foods we eat and in our lifestyle routines. The downside of this season is that it is also a time for overindulgence and strong cravings, especially when we couple the cold weather with the stressors of the holiday rush.

One of my favorite Ayurvedic authors, Dr. Robert Svoboda, says, “If Ayurveda were a religion, Nature would be her god, and overindulgence would be her only sin.” And I’ve definitely experienced my fair share of “sinning.” But the good news is that in the world of Ayurveda, there is no need for guilt and atonement when it comes to working with overindulgence and taming our cravings. In fact, it requires a heavy dose of self-awareness and self-compassion. All of us, to a certain extent, use substances (particularly food) to effect our mood and mind. And according to Ayurveda, when we lack self-awareness, we will actually choose the very foods that will bring us into deeper states of imbalance. Oh my!

So, those of us with more vata will crave energy-boosting sweet tastes for that instant energetic high—and a subsequent energy crash. Similarly, fiery pitta types will typically crave meat and spicy foods that create more heat and intensity in the short-run, but can lead to more internal inflammation over time. Kapha types will lean toward heavy fried foods or sweets—comfort food—that lead to more lethargy and dullness.

So how can we turn our body’s cravings into body wisdom? The first step is awareness. Start to notice the foods that you crave when you feel awesome and balanced. When you feel good, you will probably be choosing foods that make you feel even better! Then, notice the foods you choose when you are sad, angry, exhausted, or just plain stressed out. These are usually the foods that will be more harmful for your constitution. Easy peasy. The foods you crave when  you feel great are the ones that fuel you in a good way. The ones you crave when you feel bad, they’re the harmful ones.

There is a really powerful moment in time when we can move from an old pattern (overindulgence with food, shopping, media, sex—anything!) to a new pattern. Once you have connected with self-awareness, notice what you are craving. Take the time to check in and ask yourself, “What do I really need? Would moving in a different direction than my habitual pattern actually allow me to feel better tomorrow?” When we can shift the pattern, we release ourselves from the pains of addiction, and we free up energy to move toward our life goals and our spiritual journey.

How? Well, you can start small. Give a little of the poison. If your body/mind is used to getting a few glasses of wine or a big bowl of ice cream each night, simply taking it away from yourself can be like ripping a bottle out of a baby’s mouth! Try reducing the amount of what you deem to be an addictive or unhealthy substance by one-third each week.

You can also replace the substance with something else. For example, instead of too much alcohol, try a hot ginger-spiced milk and a long, essential-oil infused bath. Your body/mind may not even notice the ol’ swaperoo! Be compassionate with yourself. No one, especially not you, is served through harsh self-judgement. Sometimes we all indulge our unhealthy cravings. If we can indulge with awareness and moderation, the effects are usually quite benign.

So, practice self-compassion when you overindulge in dark chocolate, Facebook, or pizza. Put your hand on your own heart and say silently or aloud, “Oh, look, my darling, you just overindulged in (fill-in-the-blank). You must be really tired (sad, angry, lonely, etc.).”

I have found that the more I connect to this process, the less I actually use substances to shift my moods and energy levels. I also experience tiny miracles popping up all throughout my daily life as self-awareness turns into self-compassion. And who doesn’t need a big ol’ oversized helping of that?

~Katie

This article was originally published on the Yoga Journal blog on November 7, 2013.

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TheShaktiSchool

Here’s the thing, my coffee-loving sister. It’ Here’s the thing, my coffee-loving sister. It’s not about the coffee. It’s about the connection.⁠
⁠
Whether it’s a solo sunrise moment or a chat with your beloved on the porch, coffee offers us an excuse to pause.⁠
⁠
To come home to your senses.⁠
To connect to your heart.⁠
Because the most healing part of your morning brew?⁠
⁠
It might not be the coffee. It might be the intention you’re drinking it with.⁠
⁠
🎓 Want to go deeper?⁠
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This is the kind of thing we teach, embody and live inside our 2026 Ayurveda School Certification.⁠
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Inside our year-long feminine-form Ayurvedic Wellness Coach Certification Training you’ll learn:⁠
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∙ How to read your own body like scripture⁠
∙ How to work with the seasons, cycles and your own nervous system⁠
∙ And how to become a true feminine healer (for yourself + others)⁠
⁠
💫 Comment WISDOM to get instant access to our Women’s Wisdom & Ayurveda Mini-Course to start evolving right now.⁠
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🌿 Comment AYURVEDASCHOOL (one word) to get more details on our program or book a complimentary connect call with our team.⁠
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With love (and yes, a warm mug in hand),⁠
Katie 💋
Even small shifts like these can help stoke your a Even small shifts like these can help stoke your agni, boost your metabolism and strengthen your digestion.

🥬 Avoid processed food + leftovers. Food carries prana—the living energy that fuels body, mind and spirit. The longer food sits or the more processed it is, the less prana it has to offer you.

→ Instead: Cook simple, fresh meals when you can and eat warm foods to nourish your inner fire.

🌙 Avoid eating dinner after 6pm or sundown. Your digestion moves with the sun. Eating late overloads the body, leaving you heavy and foggy the next day.

→ Instead: Opt for an earlier, lighter dinner. Soups, kitchari or steamed veggies with a touch of healthy fat are perfect.

🍠 Focus on full meals instead of constant grazing. Every time you snack, your digestive fire is interrupted and never fully resets. Over time, this weakens agni—your body’s power to transform food into energy and vitality.

→ Instead: Root yourself in 3 nourishing meals a day so your system can digest fully and then truly rest.

🍽️ Eat only until three-quarters full. Stuffing yourself extinguishes your flame. Leaving space keeps you light, clear and energized.

→ Instead: Pause mid-meal, tune in and stop before heaviness sets in.

💦 Don’t drink ice water with meals. This is a big one. Cold and excess liquid dampen your digestive fire - it’s like pouring water on a sacred flame.

→ Instead: Sip warm water or herbal tea if you’re thirsty with meals, and drink larger amounts between meals.

When we honor the sacred fire that not only digests only our food, but also transforms our emotions and life experiences, we unlock more sustained energy, more fuel and more soul-power.

🪔  Ready to deepen your relationship with Divine Feminine Ayurveda? Comment WISDOM and we’ll send you our free course, Women’s Wisdom and Ayurveda so that you can start diving in right now.
The week before your period can also mean ICKY SYM The week before your period can also mean ICKY SYMPTOMS like bloating, headaches, fatigue, sore boobies & breakouts. Ayurveda teaches that this is often linked to imbalances in hormones (hello estrogen dominance?), ama buildup (that’s toxins), nutrient depletion and stress overload. That’s why food—and herbs—are your best allies in this phase.⁠
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Enter: the ultimate hormone-balancing, PMS-soothing treats you can imagine.  Made with cacao, dates, oats, Ayurvedic herbs (Ashwagandha, Shatavari), Maca, spices and mineral rich ingredients, these recipes are your new period BFFs.⁠
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In these recipes you’ll find ingredients like:⁠
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🍫 Cacao + oats, which are loaded with magnesium—your PMS bestie for easing cramps, stabilizing mood, calming the nervous system & boosting progesterone.⁠
🌿 Ashwagandha helps calm stress + anxiety.⁠
🌸 Shatavari supports female hormones + cycles.⁠
🌱 Maca gives an energy + mood boost.⁠
🧡 Spices like cinnamon, cardamom & fennel aid digestion + circulation.⁠
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If you’re looking to reduce PMS, support your hormones and satisfy your chocolate cravings in the luteal phase—this recipe bundle is your go-to. Swipe right to see everything you’re gonna receive. ⁠
⁠
Want the full recipes? We’re sending them out in our newsletter this week. ⁠
⁠
Comment “HORMONE LOVE” + I’ll DM you the next steps to get added to our list.
In Ayurveda, Agni is more than your digestion. Ag In Ayurveda, Agni is more than your digestion.

Agni is the sacred fire that transforms what you take in from the outside world into vitality, clarity and wisdom.

When your Agni is strong, you don’t just break down food with ease - you metabolize emotions, challenges and life changes. You have the power to burn through confusion, soften your defenses and transform what’s stuck or hard into insight and freedom.

Old hurts lose their grip.
Confusion burns away, revealing truth.
The “stuck places” in your body and psyche soften, making space for more.

Agni is not just a physiological process…it’s foundational to our psychological and spiritual vitality.

When you tend your sacred fire, you feel more grounded and resilient in times of change.

You see clearly what needs to stay and what needs to be released.

It’s easier to connect to the part of you that is already whole and needs nothing added.

And here’s the beautiful paradox:

Tending Agni doesn’t have to be about doing more.

Removing what dims your inner flame (like outdated habits, stagnant emotions and the “shoulds” that never belonged to you) is one way that we can increase our agni-power.

This is the work we do at The Shakti School: this community is about holding you as you release what’s dimming your light and step into habits, spiritual practices and purpose-driven action that helps you burn brighter.

🪔  Are you ready to reawaken your inner fire? 

Comment WISDOM and I’ll send you our free Women’s Wisdom + Ayurveda mini-course. This course is an invitation to reclaim your power, cultivate your light and immerse yourself in Divine Feminine Ayurveda.
I’ve been on a deep dive into natural hormone su I’ve been on a deep dive into natural hormone support—because your mood swings, sleepless nights and that weird bloaty rage aren’t just "you being crazy." 😬⁠
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They’re signs your cool aunt hormone (aka progesterone) might be MIA.⁠
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But here’s the kicker: PROGESTERONE is super sensitive.⁠
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To stress. To blood sugar spikes. To liver congestion. To xenoestrogens. To basically being a modern woman. So, NO IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT YOUR HORMONES ARE WHACK. ⁠
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So what’s a gal to do?⁠
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Here’s what I’m loving lately to bring her back in:⁠
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🌿 Liver love: Your liver is the queen of hormone metabolism. I’m loving warm lemon water, dandelion root tea, nettles, dill-for-days (!) beets, milk thistle and castor oil packs over the womb & liver. Plus dry brushing and self-abhyanga with cooling oils like coconut, monoi and honeysuckle. ⁠
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🍳 Blood sugar balancing meals: Try more healthy fats, veggies and grassfed or vegetarian protein - like 80-90 grams a day! ⁠
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🌻 Vitamin B6 + magnesium + zinc: These are the micronutrient fairy godmothers of your luteal phase. (Hello, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate.) Also, do not skimp on the dates! ⁠
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🌸 Shatavari, wild yam, maca and chasteberry (Vitex). These are our Ayurvedic and herbal allies for feminine hormone harmony. Make sure to check any contraindications, but I am mad about maca lately. ⁠
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🧘🏽‍♀️ Less cortisol, more calm. Daily meditation, alternate nostril breathing and saying no to anything that isn’t a soul yes.⁠
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The truth is, our hormonal systems are WISE.⁠
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They are mirrors of our relationship with our inner feminine.⁠
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This is exactly the kind of thing we go DEEP into in our Ayurveda School.⁠
⁠
Our 2026 Level 1 Ayurveda Certification is now open for enrollment – and I want you to know:⁠
This isn’t just another health course.⁠
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It’s a portal to becoming the embodied healer you’ve been seeking.⁠
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🌺  Start reconnecting with your inner feminine right now. Comment WISDOM for our free Women’s Wisdom & Ayurveda 3+ hour lecture series with me. ⁠
⁠
Here’s to progesterone peace and liver love,⁠
Katie

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