The Shakti School

Feminine Form Sacred Technology

spring

Ayurvedic Tips For Allergy Season

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Two more of my fave supports for allergy season are quercetin (studies have shown that quercetin can prevent immune cells from releasing histamines which means runny nose, hives and swelling = bye bye 👋🏼) and Green Tea (‘cause it’s high in quercetin 😉). ⁠
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Ayurveda understands that allergies are the result of an outer allergen aggravating a specific dosha. ⁣⁠Seasonal allergies related to spring (and sometimes fall) are usually more kapha-related.⁣⁠
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In order to aid our kapha allergies, we have to heat things up, boost circulation, clear out the channels of the body and support our system’s natural cleansing pathways (think lymph flow, circulation, digestion and elimination!).⁣⁠

Here are some more of my favorite tips for allergy season:

  • Get a Neti Pot and use it daily! Add ¼ tsp salt to warm water and pour through both nostrils.
  • Follow your Neti Pot with Nasya Oil to lubricate your nostrils with herbal oil.
  • Scrape your tongue. Scraping your tongue helps to remove the ama that your body is cleansing through the night.
  • Dry Brush. Dry brushing boosts the lymphatic system–this helps the channels of the body circulate and eliminate toxins.
  • Drink your nettles. Nettles promote healthy circulation and activate the liver and kidneys. 

And if you really want to get ahead of things, start doing some of these practices before allergy season hits to improve your overall immunity. 🌸⁠

P.S. Here’s how I make my nettles infusion: Brew a tea by combining 4 large tablespoons of dried nettles in a mason jar with boiling water - let steep for 1 hour and then strain! Enjoy! 🌿

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Simple Spring Pea Soup

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One of the keys to good digestion in Ayurveda is keeping things SIMPLE. Less complicated meals give our digestive fire a chance to rest and truly metabolize the fuel we’re feeding the fire. ⁠
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Peas are light, astringent and slightly drying—aka they help balance kapha’s natural heaviness and tendency to hold onto all the things (mucus, water, emotional clutter... you name it). Plus, they're packed with protein and fiber without being overly dense.⁠
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On top of that, soup is basically kapha’s best friend. It’s warm, light AND easy to digest. Broth and veggie-based soups are the perfect go-to option for spring dinners that aren’t too heavy! Enjoy! 🌿

Ingredients:

  • 2 teaspoons sunflower or olive oil
  • 4 spring onions, finely minced
  • 1 leek, chopped
  • 1 cup vegetable or chicken stock
  • 1½ cups fresh peas, shelled
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a small saucepan, sauté the spring onions and leek over medium-low heat for about 2 minutes, until translucent. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Add the peas and cook until bright green and slightly tender. (This depends on their size, but should only take a few moments.)

Using a blender, purée the soup until very smooth. Add the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle a little extra-virgin olive oil on top or add a dab of yogurt for garnish. Serve warm or chilled.

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Homemade Coconut Yogurt

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Coconut Yogurt is so delicious and easy to make. It is one of my favorite things to top onto mung daal (if using for savory dishes, exclude the vanilla and maple syrup) or to eat with berries and nuts! Plus, it helps keep the digestive system in check. I especially love it around the early spring/summer months. ⁠
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Add coconut milk, probiotic capsules, vanilla bean and maple syrup to your shopping list—it’s the perfect time to make this cool, sweet recipe! 🥄

Ingredients: 

  • 1 14-ounce can of full fat coconut milk or 1 can of heavy coconut whipping cream
  • 2 capsules of your favorite probiotics
  • 1 tbsp vanilla bean powder
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
  • Dash of sea salt

Instructions:

  • Add the coconut milk to a food processor or blender and blend until it is all one consistency. Pour into a glass jar.
  • Empty your probiotic capsules into the yogurt and stir until smooth.
  • Cover the jar with a cheesecloth and a rubber band to secure.
  • Let the yogurt sit on your countertop for at least 24 hours (up to 48 hours is okay).
  • Once the yogurt has reached a thick consistency, add the remaining ingredients and store in the refrigerator. Yogurt will get thicker while it is in the refrigerator as well.
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Ep. 177 The Subtle Energetics of Spring with Lisa Marie Rankin

Podcast Guest - Lisa Marie Rankin

As the spring weather oscillates between cold and warm, wet and dry, it’s no surprise that many of us experience confusion in our lives, relationships, and careers at this time. However, we can find clarity by discerning what to let go of and what to let in! In this episode, Katie chats with author and friend of the Shakti School, Lisa Marie Rankin, about how to navigate the spring season with more ease.

This is the time to rededicate yourself to what matters most to you! Learn how to tap into the lesser-known, subtle qualities of the spring season to prepare for the year ahead!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

~ Why you might feel confused about your life, relationships, or career right now

~ The most important question to ask yourself this spring

~ The subtle energetics of the spring season

~ Spring self-care practices to stay healthy

~ How to tap into creative and birthing energy

~ The key component of Katie’s spiritual self-discipline

~ How the spring season can help you build wisdom and discernment

~ The importance of community and ritual

~ Releasing rigidity around  our spiritual practices

~ Ready to go deeper? Our Level 2 Ayurvedic Health Counselor training program starts on April 9th, 2024!

Other links mentioned in this episode:

~ Lisa’s beautiful book, The Goddess Solution

~ Connect with Lisa Marie on Instagram and her Website

~ Follow the Shakti School on Instagram and Facebook

~ Katie’s latest book, Glow-Worthy: Practices for Awakening Your Inner Light and Loving Yourself as You Are—Broken, Beautiful, and Sacred is available now!

Or Subscribe on iTunes

Learn more:

Ayurveda Certification

The Shakti School Subscription

HELP US SPREAD OUR POD WINGS

Did you love learning about the energetics of spring? This show is a passion project that I produce for the love of sharing. If you enjoy this show and want a free and easy way to help it grow, the most effective way you can help is to:

  1. Subscribe to the show by clicking “subscribe” in iTunes
  2. Write us a review in iTunes
  3. Share this show with one friend right now!

It’s seems simple, but you’d be AMAZED to know how much it helps my little love project reach more people. iTunes’ algorithm uses ratings and reviews to know who to show our show to in their app.

Here’s the link to leave us reviews in iTunes.

Enjoy the beautiful spring season!

From my heart to your screen,

Katie

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Ep. 176 Kapha Mama! How to Release the Heavy

This is a picture of Katie Silcox. The text reads, "Spirit Sessions: Find your true spiritual home with Katie Silcox."

If you’ve been feeling a little out of sorts, heavy, and lethargic you’re not alone! According to Ayurvedic wisdom, we’ve entered into the kapha season when the wet, muddy environment outside often exacerbates feelings of sadness, grief, and heaviness within our minds and bodies. In today’s solo episode, Katie shares her favorite self-care practices and tips to help you navigate the kapha season with ease.

From red light therapy to kapha balancing foods, tune in to learn how to release the heavy and lean into the life-affirming qualities of the kapha season!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

~ How kapha dosha feels in the body when in balance and out of balance

~ Tips to reduce seasonal depression

~ How the waters of your environment influence the waters of your body

~ What is sattvic light?

~ Sunlight practices to support your circadian rhythms

~ The main mama medicine in Ayurveda

~ The spring energetics of transition, birth, and baby

~ How the kapha season is a portal into sadness, grief, and attachment

~ The best type of movement and exercise for this time of year

~ Ayurvedic herbs and foods to eat during the kapha season

~ Tastes to favor and avoid to balance kapha

~ Ready to go deeper? Our Level 2 Ayurvedic Health Counselor training program starts on April 9th, 2024!

Other links mentioned in this episode:

~ Sign up for our newsletter on our website

~ Follow us on Instagram and Facebook

~ Katie’s new book, Glow-Worthy: Practices for Awakening Your Inner Light and Loving Yourself as You Are—Broken, Beautiful, and Sacred is available now!

~ Kaite’s favorite Joove light red light therapy device. Use code SHAKTISCHOOL for $50 off your first purchase.

~ Ep. 40 To Sunscreen or Not to Sunscreen? How About Natural?

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HELP US SPREAD OUR POD WINGS

Did you find this episode about kapha helpful? This show is a passion project that I produce for the love of sharing. If you enjoy this show and want a free and easy way to help it grow, the most effective way you can help is to:

  1. Subscribe to the show by clicking “subscribe” in iTunes
  2. Write us a review in iTunes
  3. Share this show with one friend right now!

It’s seems simple, but you’d be AMAZED to know how much it helps my little love project reach more people. iTunes’ algorithm uses ratings and reviews to know who to show our show to in their app.

Here’s the link to leave us reviews in iTunes.

May this episode support you in thriving this kapha season!

From my heart to your screen,

Katie

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What Your Gut is Trying to Tell Your Heart

What your gut is trying to tell your heart - Understanding your emotions and what they mean for your health.

Understanding your emotions and what they mean for your health

A gut feeling is an instinctive, intuitive feeling, without any logical rationale. It’s very common to hear people using the saying gut feeling, but on what level do we really understand the connection between the gut and our emotions? How often are you treating your heart’s longings for an issue you may be experiencing in your digestion? With the ongoing amount of research and development on the inner workings of the microbiome, there are hundreds of ways to help to create a healthy gut. Especially when we turn to Ayurveda. Ayurveda is all about healing the digestive system and the practices, dietary guidelines and herbal remedies have been meticulously put together for thousands and thousands of years to do just that, so why doesn’t it always work? 

The digestive system has its own nervous system, called the enteric nervous system. It has over 100 million nerve endings and in many ways, it can control digestion independently without your conscious awareness. The enteric nervous system has been nicknamed our "second brain.” This gut-brain is intimately connected to our "big brain" via a network of nerve pathways and the two nervous systems share many of the same neurotransmitters to facilitate communication. In fact, 95 percent of serotonin is found in the gut! This bidirectional pathway is referred to as the brain-gut axis and involves moment-to-moment communication to control digestion. Loyolamedicine

The gut-brain is intimately connected to our "big brain" via a network of nerve pathways and the two nervous systems share many of the same neurotransmitters to facilitate communication.

The gut-brain communication is so closely linked that when we experience a state of dis-ease, stress, heart ache or any other negative emotion that feeling gets signaled through bidirectional nerve pathways to the gut that then causes an upset or imbalance. In return, if such emotions aren’t addressed the gut can then take on the problem and send its own signal to the brain causing a vicious cycle of imbalance and possibly some unwanted digestive issues. 

So, how do we become more connected to the instinctual and intuitive gut feeling when it comes to the matters of the heart? It starts with getting to your Self and falling in love with your Self. Katie talks a lot about self love (especially in Ayurveda School) and has defined it by how capacious we are at actually liking our funny, quirky, silly little inner child. Self-love happens when we know who she is, how she’s been hurt, and when we are gentle with her through the steps towards healing. 

Self love is also about taking the time to listen and the space to feel. When we don’t give ourselves enough space, solitude, and quiet it’s more difficult to tap into our inner wise woman-- this is the woman who has a healthy gut! Have you ever noticed that when you are relaxed and in a place that makes you happy surrounded by people you feel at ease with (often happens on long vacations) magically your gut issues seem to improve? We are unable to tap into the depths of our wisdom and the place of true self love when we are in a constant state of fight or flight.

Seek out ways to ground yourself. Do the practices that help you feel the most relaxed. Breathe in self love with every breath. Practice daily meditations, affirmations, or prayer. Be in the arms of nature. Do not give up on yourself and stay diligent with monitoring how you speak to your Self. And, consider joining us in Ayurveda School 2022 where we will discuss ALL about the gut, brain, and heart connection and so much more.

Greens for the Gut & Potatoes for the Heart

An Ayurvedic Green Recipe for Gut Health.

For the Greens

1 large bunch of dandelion (finely chopped)

1 cup of finely chopped kale (or any other green of your choice)

1 tbsp fresh ginger (diced)

1 tbsp of olive oil or ghee

Salt & pepper to taste

Directions

In a medium sized saute pan over medium heat, add the oil and spices, and let simmer for a few minutes. Next, add the greens and cover with a lid. Let the greens cook for about 15 minutes while periodically stirring and covering with the lid. If the greens are sticking you can add a little water (this will also help to steam the greens). 

 

For the Potatoes

1 cup of fingerling potatoes (halved)

1 tbsp ghee

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tbsp rosemary (fresh or dried) 

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and mix until the potatoes are completely covered with the oil and spices. Next, transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees. (Option to do in a saute pan: follow the same directions as for the greens) 

The greens and potatoes are great on their own, but feel free to top with your favorite protein source to make this a complete meal. 

Potato recipe for the hearth.
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The Star of the Weeds: The Dandelion (Recipe!)

Dandelion Pesto

The Star of the Weeds: The Dandelion

The common weed that often springs up willingly in your lawn or garden, the dandelion, is actually one of the best things you could be eating in addition to all of your other springtime foods. In the plant kingdom the proper terminology for the dandelion is Taraxacum. I like this because it makes me think of the hindu goddess, Tara. Tara is known as one of the wisdom goddesses and is a form of Shakti. Tara, like the goddess Kali, helps to slay all of our inner demons! Like the goddess Tara, the dandelion acts similarly in its ability to remove and clear toxins out of the body. Tara also stems from the root word star which also channels the Dandelion perfectly: the star of all the weeds.

The Dandelion is so incredible because it’s loaded with properties that help to boost your immunity and overall wellness. It’s packed with vitamins (A, B complex, and C) and minerals (iron, potassium, and zinc) and it is because of its tremendous healing properties that it has been used in many and differing ancient medicinal practices as a liver tonic, a digestive tonic, and even a skin tonic. It can also help with water retention with its natural ability to pull fluid from the body.

Benefits of Dandelion

  • Decreases Water Retention and Bloating The dandelion has diuretic properties that help to relieve fluid from the body
  • Detoxes the Liver The polysaccharides in dandelion help to detoxify the liver
  • Blood Detoxifier The vitamins and minerals in the dandelion plant help to filter and cleanse the blood
  • A Powerful Antioxidant with its heavy beta-carotene content
  • Prevents UVB Sun Damage The flower of the Dandelion and the lead actually help with oxidative stress from the sun and can help to reduce aging skin

Dandelion was used for its therapeutic benefits in Native American practices for the skin and the stomach. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it’s used for combating inflammation, stomach ailments, and detoxification. In Ayurveda dandelion is most used in detoxification, liver cleansing, and for kapha dosha imbalances. It is best used in the springtime when excess kapha has accumulated from the winter. 

Dandelion is bitter in flavor and can be used in a variety of culinary dishes. It’s so delicious sauteed with a little ghee and spices, brewed as a tea, or (my personal favorite) made into a pesto! Check out this amazing dandelion pesto recipe below. 

Dandelion Pesto

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups of dandelion (chopped)
  • 1 cup of fresh basil leaves
  • ½ cup pine nuts (or walnuts) 
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese (grated) 
  • *option to substitute vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast here
  • 2 cloves of garlic 
  • ¼-½ cup of olive oil 
  • Juice from ½ a lemon
  • 1 tsp sea salt 

Directions

Add all ingredients to a high powered blender or food processor *except for the parmesan. Blend until it has reached your desired consistency. Add in the parmesan and blend until it is fully incorporated. 

Add to your favorite pasta dish, salad, or use a dip! 

Resources:

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Ep. 102 Parsley is Spring Magic

Podcast Banner 102

Parsley is the perfect spring herb. Learn why and how to make a simple parsley remedy you can sip throughout the day.

In this episode you’ll hear:

~Spring is abundant in Kapha

~Health benefits of parsley

~Parsley Water protocol

~Blue Sage Ayurveda Parsley Water Recipe

~Book: Healing With Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford

Parsley Water:

  • 1 head of parsley
  • 3-4 cups of water
  • Strainer
  • 2-4 quart pot

Instructions:

  1. Bring water to hard boil
  2. Lower water to soft boil for 1 minute before adding parsley
  3. Put parsley head in for 3-4 minutes (set a timer)
  4. Pick parsley out, place in strainer
  5. Divide Parsley Water into 3 servings spread throughout the day
  6. Enjoy 1 hour before each meal

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Learn more:

Shakti Ayurveda School

Free Divine Feminine Ayurveda Mini-Course

The Shakti School Subscription

HELP US SPREAD OUR POD WINGS

This show is a passion project that I produce for the love of sharing. If you enjoy this show and want a free and easy way to help it grow, the most effective way you can help is to:

  1. Subscribe to the show by clicking “subscribe” in iTunes
  2. Write us a review in iTunes
  3. Share this show with one friend right now!

It’s seems simple, but you’d be AMAZED to know how much it helps my little love project reach more people. iTunes’ algorithm uses ratings and reviews to know who to show our show to in their app.

Here’s the link to leave us reviews in iTunes.

From my heart to your screen,

Katie

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