When I am juggling too many projects and multi-tasking beyond true capacity I can’t help but feel out of balance. I find that being too busy creates too much mental (and sometimes physical) movement and creates what is known in Ayurvedic medicine as ‘Vata’ symptoms. I feel unsettled and restless and tend to become more prone to anxiety and often insomnia. This is when I know it is time for some serious grounding.

Stillness, tranquility and becoming more present are just the antidote to Vata imbalances and constructive lifestyle routines are important to restoring and maintaining
balance. Walking in nature, meditating, taking a warm bath, massage/self massage, yoga and eating warm, grounding foods are some of my favourite tools in times of need.

It is important to eat properly cooked, warm foods to balance Vata and here I share a recent recipe for a warming soup that uses grounding root vegetables and spices as it’s base.

Pumpkin And Beetroot Soup

• Beetroot
• Pumpkin
• Kale
• Chickpeas
• Turmeric
• Ginger
• Vegetable stock

Allow the soup to cook until all vegetables are soft and the flavours have sufficent time to infuse, then puree until smooth, making it easy to digest.

Sit still in a quiet place whilst eating slowly and mindfully, and use the eating experience itself to ground you and bring you into the present moment.

Enjoy the benefits!