Everyday Ayurveda with Kate

76. The Vedic New Year and What It Means for Your Health Right Now

This week, Kate welcomes Vedic astrologer Kaya Mindlin for a one-of-a-kind episode: a full tour of the Vedic solar year, month by month, through the lens of health and Ayurveda. Kaya has spent 25 years studying the Vedic wisdom traditions — Jyotisha (the “eye of the Vedas”), yoga therapy, Vedic scripture, and Ayurveda — and brings a rare combination of depth and practical accessibility to everything she teaches.
In Jyotisha, the sun rules health and vitality. As it moves through the 12 signs of the zodiac, it illuminates a different region of the body — from the head in Aries all the way down to the feet in Pisces. Each solar month offers specific guidance on what to cultivate, what to protect, and how to live in alignment with the patterns already built into the cosmos.
Kate brings her deep Ayurvedic knowledge to each month, layering in herbs, body care practices, and seasonal wisdom at every turn. This is a conversation that rewards taking notes — and one you will return to throughout the year.
What We Cover
The Vedic New Year and why it begins in mid-April, not January 1st
How the sun’s movement through the zodiac maps the human body from head to feet
Aries season: courage, initiation, and the best time to start new health habits
Taurus season: beauty, food, family, and reverence for the earth
Gemini season: healing hands, communication, ear care, and sexuality
Cancer season: home, heart, emotional health, and gut healing
Leo season: vitality, heart health, creativity, and brain-supporting herbs
Virgo season: digestion, daily habits, simplicity, and fall cleansing
Libra season: balance, hormones, the kidneys, and not too much or too little
Scorpio season: secrets, release, the colon, and deep inner work
Sagittarius season: aiming before leaping, wise counsel, and why January resolutions fail
Capricorn season: structure, strategy, and patiently implementing good habits
Aquarius season: healing innovations, hair and nail care, and community healing
Pisces season: purification, rest, ritual, foot care, and the end of the solar year
Take-Home Practices
Note which solar month you are currently in and focus your self-care accordingly
Use the first half of January for contemplation and vision before acting on your resolutions
Try ear oiling during Gemini season (mid-June to mid-July)
Tend to the chest and emotional health during Cancer season (mid-July to mid-August)
Simplify your diet and daily habits during Virgo season (mid-September to mid-October)
Oil your feet nightly during Pisces season (mid-March to mid-April) and reflect on the year
Guest Links
Website: https://yogawithkaya.com/ 
Nectar of Time Program - monthly Vedic Astrology Forecasts, Rituals and Sacred Stories: https://yogawithkaya.com/nectar-of-time-membership/ 
***10% Off Any Program with Kaya for Listeners with the coupon code: everydayayurveda10***
Private Vedic Astrology Consults: https://www.jyotishresolution.com/ 
Call to Action
If this episode reframes how you move through the year, subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and share it with someone who needs a new framework for seasonal health. For deeper support, visit healwithkate.org.
Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-springConnect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan BotanicalsBanyan Botanicals: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kateBitter and Bold: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate1x5Chyavanprash Herbal Jam: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate5xiSave 15% with code WINTERWITHKATE

75. How Much Should You Actually Eat? An Ayurvedic Answer

One of the most common questions Kate hears no matter where she’s teaching in the world: How much food should I eat? Her answer is deeply Ayurvedic — it depends on your body, your season, your activity, and the density of what’s on your plate. In this solo episode, Kate delivers a practical, body-based framework grounded in ancient Ayurvedic nutrition principles.
What You’ll Learn:
The cupped-hands (anjali) portion guide from the ancient texts
How body type, season, and daily activity affect how much you need
Dense vs. light foods — and why the balance determines satisfaction
How the six tastes of Ayurveda create true, lasting fullness
The burp signal: your stomach’s built-in fullness cue
The four-hour meal experiment to calibrate your natural hunger
Why multitasking while eating makes it harder to know when you’re full
How density needs shift during perimenopause and as we age
Take-Home Practices:
Cup your hands together and use that bowl as a rough portion reference
Build each meal around dense foods, then balance with lighter elements
Aim for all six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, astringent
After a natural burp during a meal, pause and check in with your body
Run the four-hour experiment — track how long each meal sustains you
RESOURCES
healwithkate.org
HEALTH DISCLAIMER
The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet or wellness routine.
Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-springConnect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan BotanicalsBanyan Botanicals: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kateBitter and Bold: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate1x5Chyavanprash Herbal Jam: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate5xiSave 15% with code WINTERWITHKATE

74. What Most Yoga Teachers Never Learn About the Full Spectrum of Practice

What happens when yoga becomes more than postures? In this conversation, Kate O'Donnell is joined by Amy Landry, Australian yoga teacher, classical Odissi dancer, Ayurveda practitioner, and author of the forthcoming book The Ocean of Yoga. Together they explore what it means to walk yoga as a full spiritual path rather than a fitness practice.
 
Amy shares her rare journey through India's sacred arts, studying Odissi classical dance in Orissa, deepening in Ayurveda, and eventually channeling years of study and teaching into a book designed to give practitioners the broad, cohesive foundation most yoga trainings don't provide.
 
What We Cover
How Odissi classical dance and yoga are expressions of the same liberatory practice
Why Amy believes the yoga industry leaves practitioners craving more depth
The dissolution of self as the highest aim in both dance and yoga
How to find spiritual depth without a formal teacher
Why your yoga practice should change with the seasons of your life
Reading traditional yoga texts alongside multiple translations
Setting sunrise, midday, and sunset alarms as a simple spiritual practice
How Amy wrote her book while breastfeeding and adapting to motherhood
Ayurvedic morning and evening rhythms Amy weaves into daily life
What the Ocean of Yoga offers practitioners and teachers beyond asana
 
About Amy Landry
Amy Landry is an Australian yoga teacher, classical Odissi dancer, Ayurveda practitioner, and the author of The Ocean of Yoga, published by Shambhala Publications (March 31). She has spent decades studying in India across multiple traditions, including Odissi dance at a traditional school in Orissa, and holds a diploma in Ayurveda. She currently teaches yoga and leads an online 300-hour teacher training in Melbourne.
 
Website: https://amyelandry.com/oceanofyoga/
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/00uecEGOZwCLAs9V9q6Gfp?si=d26499131bc74b1f
Book: The Ocean of Yoga — available March 31
 
Take-Home Practices
Set alarms for sunrise, midday, and sunset — use each moment to pause and return to presence
Begin reading a traditional yoga text alongside two or three different translations
Lie on your left side for one to two minutes before rising to stimulate digestion
Allow your yoga practice to shift with your season of life rather than forcing consistency
Weave ritual into daily life rather than keeping spiritual practice confined to the mat
 
Relevant Links
The Ocean of Yoga by Amy Landry — Shambhala Publications, March 31
Pre-order bonus: Free mini course with all pre-orders before March 31
Kate O'Donnell: healwithkate.org
Everyday Ayurveda with Kate: available on all major podcast platforms
 
Call to Action
If this conversation sparked something in your practice, subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and share it with a yoga teacher or student in your life. To explore Ayurveda support, visit healwithkate.org.
 
Health Disclaimer
The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine.
Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-springConnect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan BotanicalsBanyan Botanicals: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kateBitter and Bold: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate1x5Chyavanprash Herbal Jam: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate5xiSave 15% with code WINTERWITHKATE

73. Stop Letting Wellness Trends Decide What Your Body Needs

Every week, a new wellness trend goes viral. Every month, someone tells you what to eat, when to exercise, and which supplements you're missing. And somehow, after all that information, you feel less certain about your health than ever.
In this solo episode, Kate O'Donnell names what's happening — and she calls it the hive mind. It's the way social media algorithms, trending health content, and urgency-driven information push us away from our own bodies rather than toward them.
Drawing on 25 years of Ayurvedic practice, Kate offers a grounding alternative: the ancient, individualized framework that asks not "what does everyone say?" but "what does this body need, right now, in this season of life?"
 
What We Cover:
How social media algorithms build a wellness hive mind — and why it's designed to make you anxious
Why trending health advice (cold plunges, protein loading, perimenopause supplements) may not be right for your specific body
The Ayurvedic framework of four lenses: time of life, time of day, time of year, and habituation
Why "shoulding" yourself is the enemy of real, lasting wellness
The 15-minute morning awareness practice that costs nothing and changes everything
How Ayurveda's 20 qualities give you a personal language for understanding your own body
A preview of an upcoming episode on blood work: do we actually need it?
 
Health Disclaimer: The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine.
Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-springConnect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan BotanicalsBanyan Botanicals: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kateBitter and Bold: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate1x5Chyavanprash Herbal Jam: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate5xiSave 15% with code WINTERWITHKATE

72. Is Your Makeup Toxic? How To Read Labels And Find Safe Products

Is your makeup toxic? Beauty industry insider Laura Olson—who spent decades writing product labels for major luxury brands—reveals what clean beauty actually means, why "fragrance" is the biggest red flag, and how to navigate greenwashing and health-washing. Learn which apps help you shop safer (Yuka, EWG Skin Deep), which stores you can trust (Credo), and which ingredients to avoid (parabens, sulfates, nano zinc). Laura shares her honest approach: she still uses conventional hair gel because no clean version works, but prioritizes clean products for eyes, lips, and daily use. Discover how to balance effectiveness with safety, why beauty regulations are stuck in 1938, and how to enjoy products for fun without falling for industry manipulation.
Key Timestamps
[00:00] - Introduction: Questions about clean beauty
[03:00] - Laura's background as beauty editor and copywriter
[06:00] - How yoga changed everything
[09:00] - What "clean beauty" actually means (unregulated)
[12:00] - Major ingredient offenders: sulfates, parabens, fragrance
[18:00] - Why "fragrance" is the biggest red flag
[21:00] - Apps and resources: Yuka, EWG Skin Deep
[27:00] - Trusted stores and brands: Credo, Beautycounter
[33:00] - The effectiveness problem: when clean products don't work
[38:00] - Beauty regulations stuck in 1938
[42:00] - How copywriters use language to mislead
[45:00] - Nail polish and acetone
[48:00] - Where products touch your body matters
[50:00] - Treats versus daily rituals
[53:00] - Industry manipulation and women's insecurities
[55:00] - Rapid fire questions
 
Find Laura on IG: https://www.instagram.com/lauraannolson/
 
Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-springConnect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan BotanicalsBanyan Botanicals: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kateBitter and Bold: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate1x5Chyavanprash Herbal Jam: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate5xiSave 15% with code WINTERWITHKATE

71. How To Start A Spiritual Practice Without Trying To Fix Yourself

Broadcasting from South India, Kate talks with her partner Rich Ray about the hidden pitfalls of learning Eastern spiritual traditions. They explore why so many of us turn spiritual teachings into self-judgment, how to recognize karmic conditioning without shame, and what Buddhist practice actually looks like when you stop chasing spiritual highs. This is an honest, grounded conversation about duality, ego, Maya, and the surprisingly simple path toward acceptance. If you've ever felt like you're doing spirituality wrong, this episode offers a compassionate reset.
What We Cover
Why we use spiritual teachings against ourselves
The concept of Maya and how it creates confusion for Western seekers
Rich's journey from spiritual highs to four years in silent Zen practice
How ego conditioning keeps us feeling like we're doing it wrong
The trap of believing you need to fix yourself before you can practice
Cultural context and why Eastern philosophy feels disorienting for Westerners
What it means to start where you are without changing anything
How Ayurveda becomes an awareness practice that carves out spiritual relationship
The first real step: being with yourself instead of judging yourself
Guest Bio: Rich Ray
Rich Ray is a longtime Zen Buddhist practitioner who spent four years living in silence at a meditation center. He is trained in awareness practice, karmic conditioning, and contemplative psychology. Rich has studied with Cheri Huber and continues to support practitioners in recognizing and working with ego patterns, duality, and suffering. He lives with Kate in the Berkshires and co-leads retreats integrating Ayurvedic and Buddhist wisdom.
Take Home Practices
Pause throughout your day and notice how you feel without judging it
Practice observing your karmic patterns with kindness instead of criticism
Don't try to fix yourself—just be with yourself
Read Start Where You Are by Pema Chödrön
Notice when you're using busyness to avoid awareness
Use simple Ayurvedic practices as a gateway to self-awareness
Relevant Links
Pema Chödrön: Start Where You Are
Cheri Huber and Living Compassion
Kate O'Donnell: healwithkate.org
Call to Action
If this conversation resonates, subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and share it with someone navigating their own spiritual questions. To explore deeper support for integrating Ayurvedic awareness into daily life, visit healwithkate.org.
Health Disclaimer
The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine.
Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-springConnect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan BotanicalsBanyan Botanicals: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kateBitter and Bold: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate1x5Chyavanprash Herbal Jam: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate5xiSave 15% with code WINTERWITHKATE

70. The Complete Ayurvedic Guide to Winter Foods: Grains, Spices, Oils & More

Feeling bloated, constipated, or constantly cold this winter? Your body is telling you it needs different foods. In this solo episode, Kate breaks down the Ayurvedic approach to winter eating—what to embrace, what to avoid, and why seasonal nutrition matters more than you think.
You'll Learn:
Why cold, dry weather changes your digestion
Signs your body needs warming, moistening foods
The best grains, oils, and spices for winter (and what to skip)
How to fix winter bloating and constipation through food
Why fermented foods and citrus are winter game-changers
The truth about wheat, sourdough, and gluten in Vata season
Quick Wins:
✓ Swap salads for steamed vegetables with ghee
✓ Add tahini to your morning toast
✓ Try baked grapefruit with honey
✓ Cook with warming spices (ginger, cumin, turmeric)
✓ Drink licorice tea for dry lungs and intestines
Resources:
Kate's cookbooks available at healwithkate.org
Subscribe for weekly Ayurvedic wisdom and share with someone who needs winter food guidance.
Health Disclaimer
The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine.
Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-springConnect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan BotanicalsBanyan Botanicals: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kateBitter and Bold: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate1x5Chyavanprash Herbal Jam: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate5xiSave 15% with code WINTERWITHKATE

69. Stop Obsessing Over Your Dosha: What Vikriti Means And Why It Matters More

Have you ever wondered what your dosha is? You're not alone—but that question might be keeping you stuck.
In this groundbreaking conversation, Kate sits down with Arjita Sethi—serial entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and founder of Shanti, an AI-powered wellness platform that's revolutionizing how we access Ayurvedic wisdom. Arjita shares her remarkable journey from childhood illness to Silicon Valley burnout to postpartum healing, and how each crisis brought her back to the Ayurvedic roots planted by her grandmother.
This episode tackles one of Ayurveda's stickiest problems: our obsession with finding our dosha. Arjita explains why understanding your vikriti (current state of imbalance) matters far more than your prakriti (constitutional type), and how this shift in perspective makes Ayurveda accessible to everyone—no certification required.
She walks us through her incredible 90-day postpartum recovery protocol (which brought her hemoglobin from 4 to 11.5 in one week), explains how she's training an AI brain on Ayurvedic knowledge, and shares why Ayurveda isn't about being a purist—it's about meeting yourself where you are and taking one step closer to your center.
If you've ever felt confused by dosha quizzes, overwhelmed by Ayurveda's complexity, or curious about how AI might make ancient wisdom more accessible, this conversation will change everything.
What We Cover
Arjita's childhood healing journey from a tapeworm in her brain and wrong medications
How her grandmother practiced Ayurveda without clocks—reading the sky for circadian rhythm
The Silicon Valley burnout that happened despite running half marathons and doing 'all the right things'
Why the same green smoothie works for her Pitta husband but not for her Vata constitution
The difference between prakriti (your constitution) and vikriti (your current imbalance)
Why we've become martyrs to our dosha—and why that's the wrong approach
The complete 90-day postpartum recovery protocol that healed Arjita after traumatic birth  
What her mother fed her to bring hemoglobin from 4 to 11.5 in one week
The importance of jaggery, ginger, and warming foods for postpartum healing
Why asking for help isn't weakness—it's essential for healing
How Shaanti's AI platform works: training a brain on Ayurvedic studies
Why you don't need to know your dosha to start practicing Ayurveda
The three essentials: breath, sleep, eat—start here
How to assess your vikriti every three months or when life changes
Why Ayurveda can include modern practices like Pilates and Lion's Mane
How epigenetics proves we're not bound by hereditary fate
The power of documenting grandmother wisdom before it's lost
Morning mantra practices tied to days of the week
How AI can give us time back for what matters—sun, family, rest
Guest Bio: Arjita Sethi
Arjita Sethi is a serial entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and recognized leader at the intersection of AI and wellness. Originally from India and now based in San Francisco, Arjita has spent over a decade in the AI space, starting before machine learning became mainstream.
Raised by a grandmother deeply versed in Vedic and Ayurvedic studies, Arjita grew up immersed in practices like meditation, yoga, and circadian living—though she didn't realize this wasn't 'normal' until much later. After recovering from childhood illness through Ayurveda, co-founding a successful vocational school with her mother, and experiencing Silicon Valley burnout, she returned to her roots during the pandemic.
Arjita founded Shaanti, an AI-powered wellness platform that makes Ayurvedic wisdom accessible without overwhelming complexity. By training an AI brain on Ayurvedic studies and combining it with personalized vikriti assessments, she's helping people make wellness decisions aligned with their current season of life—not just their dosha.
She holds certifications in Ayurvedic health practice, is a certified manual therapist with a background in physical therapy, and practices Kundalini yoga. Arjita is also an advocate for women in technology and runs a virtual school teaching AI skills to entrepreneurs.
 
Website: findshaanti.com
Instagram: @arjitasethico
Key Concepts Explained
Prakriti: Your natural constitution or body type—essentially your elemental DNA. This is what most people think of when they hear 'dosha,' but it's only part of the picture.
Vikriti: Your current state of imbalance—where you are TODAY based on life circumstances, stress, season, age, and health. This is what you actually need to address for healing.
Season of Life: The concept that your body changes based on what you're going through—whether you're fundraising versus post-funding, child sick at school versus family vacation, perimenopause versus postpartum. Same person, different needs.
AI Brain Training: The process of feeding publicly available Ayurvedic studies and traditional knowledge into an artificial intelligence system so it can provide personalized recommendations based on your prakriti and vikriti.
Take Home Practices
Stop obsessing over your dosha—focus on where you are TODAY (your vikriti)
Start with the three essentials: breath, sleep, eat
Breathe from your diaphragm, not just chest breathing (fight or flight indicator)
Eat the most colorful, fresh food you can—better than any takeout regardless of dosha
Assess your vikriti every three months or when life circumstances change
Ask yourself: How far am I from my center? Then take one step closer
Don't try to turn your life around overnight—small changes stick
Build a tribe and community—asking for help is strength, not weakness
Try warm water with salt, turmeric, and black pepper first thing in the morning
Create evening wind-down rituals with mantras, soft lighting, family time
Remember: Ayurveda has no rigid rules—it meets you where you are
You don't need to be a purist—Pilates, Lion's Mane, modern life can integrate
Document wisdom from elders before it's lost (interview your grandmother!)
Use AI to handle busy work so you can sit in the sun with your baby
Postpartum Recovery Protocol (Highlights)
Arjita shares her mother's 90-day postpartum healing plan that brought her hemoglobin from 4 to 11.5 in one week:
First 40 Days - Focus: Healing
Daily massage with sesame and coconut oil for grounding high Vata
Warming, grounding, easily digestible foods
Leafy vegetable pancakes, fiber-rich foods
Peanut chutney and other warming chutneys
No non-vegetarian foods (hard to digest protein)
Focus on sweet, salty, sour tastes—avoid astringent and bitter
JAGGERY in everything (restored iron levels)
Lots of GINGER
Nutmeg for sleep and anxiety
No garlic, no onion, no rajasic foods
Quinoa, dal, warm cooked foods (no raw or sprouted)
 
Next 1.5-2 Months - Focus: Restoring Nutrition
Building back vitamins and minerals given to baby
Continued focus on warming, nourishing foods
Lots of different types of peppers for warmth and digestion
Pelvic floor therapy alongside Ayurvedic protocol
Western medicine continued (painkillers, vitamins, therapy)—not either/or
Resources & Links Mentioned
Shaanti Platform: findshaanti.com 
Take the prakriti and vikriti quiz
Get AI-powered personalized recommendations
Access daily 5-minute practices (real videos, not AI-generated)
Vikriti assessment every 3 months or as needed
Kripalu Center - Where Arjita took her health practitioner certification
Kundalini Yoga programs (mentioned as part of her healing journey)
Call to Action
If this conversation helped you stop obsessing over dosha quizzes and start focusing on where you are TODAY, please subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and share this episode. To explore Arjita's AI-powered Ayurveda platform, visit findshanti.com. For more support with Ayurvedic living, visit healwithkate.org.
Health Disclaimer
The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine.
Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-springConnect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan BotanicalsBanyan Botanicals: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kateBitter and Bold: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate1x5Chyavanprash Herbal Jam: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate5xiSave 15% with code WINTERWITHKATE

68. How To Buy Ethical Herbs: The Complete Guide To Organic And Fair Trade Supplements

Where does your ashwagandha really come from? Tyler Wauters, VP of Herbal Affairs at Banyan Botanicals and Director of Banyan Farm, shares the truth about ethical herb sourcing, sustainable farming, and what happens when wellness trends commodify plants. Learn what organic, fair trade, and regenerative certifications actually mean, discover bioregional Ayurveda and analog herbs, and get practical steps for becoming a conscious consumer who knows the story of what's in their medicine cabinet.
Key Timestamps
[00:00] - Introduction: The problem with trending herbs
[04:00] - Tyler's journey from fish farmer to wildcrafter to Banyan
[09:00] - What is bioregional Ayurveda?
[12:00] - Analog herbs and criteria for substitution
[18:00] - Chemical ecology: How plants change based on environment
[23:00] - Banyan Farm as research facility
[27:00] - 30 years of relationships with Indian suppliers
[32:00] - Organic vs. Regenerative Organic vs. Fair Trade
[38:00] - What happens when ashwagandha trends
[43:00] - How to be a conscious consumer
[49:00] - Action steps: research, relationships, local + global
[54:00] - The Living Ayurveda internship
[56:00] - Rapid fire questions
 
Tyler is the VP of Herbal Affairs at Banyan Botanicals, Director at Banyan Farm, a place-based herbalist, Ayurvedic practitioner, and founder of Hawthorn Institute.
 
He grew up amongst the weeping willows and cattails. A lifelong naturalist and plant enthusiast, Tyler has dedicated his life to the practices of bioregional Ayurveda and place-based herbalism. Tyler began teaching in 2008 and brings his passion and knowledge into everything he shares. His intention is to ignite deeper connections to place, people, and plants through the lens of stewardship and reciprocity.Tyler has studied with Vasant Lad, MASc, Dr. Claudia Welch, Sonia Masocco, Isla Burgess, 7song, and Frank Cook. He thanks all of his mentors for sharing life's wisdom.
Related Episodes
Episode 67: The Ayurvedic Guide To Building Immunity And Staying Healthy This Winter
Episode 62:  How To Rewild Your Daily Life And Feel More Grounded This Winter with Micah Mortali
Any episodes on digestion, seasonal eating, or Ayurvedic lifestyle
Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-springConnect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan BotanicalsBanyan Botanicals: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kateBitter and Bold: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate1x5Chyavanprash Herbal Jam: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate5xiSave 15% with code WINTERWITHKATE

67. The Ayurvedic Guide To Building Immunity And Staying Healthy This Winter

Did you notice how many people got sick over the holidays this year? In this solo episode, Kate breaks down the Ayurvedic perspective on immunity—and it might surprise you.
Instead of focusing on antibodies and white blood cell counts, Ayurveda teaches us about Ojas—the "nutrient cream of the body" that creates resilience and protects tissues against pathogens. Kate explains why moisture is the foundation of immunity, especially in dry winter months, and why conventional approaches like green juices and cold smoothies might actually be working against you during this season.
This episode is packed with practical, actionable tools you can implement immediately: from nasal oiling and warm milk tonics to turmeric honey and skin massage protocols. Kate walks you through exactly how to create a protective barrier—both internally and externally—that keeps you robust, refreshed, and resilient all winter long.
If you're tired of getting sick every season, or if you're looking for a deeper understanding of what true immunity means, this episode offers ancient wisdom with modern application.
What We Cover
What Ojas is and why it's the foundation of immunity in Ayurveda
The critical role of moisture in creating resilience
Why dry environments destroy your immune system
How to protect your nasal passages with oil
Licorice tea for lung health and mucosal lining protection
The power of skin oiling as an immune barrier
How to move lymph and support detox pathways
Foods that build Ojas: nuts, seeds, dates, and warm milks
The Ojas milk recipe with almonds, dates, and warming spices
Turmeric honey for throat protection and immune response
Why bone broth and meat soups strengthen winter immunity
The importance of quality, spiced, warm foods over cold juices
Sleep as the ultimate immune protector
How to adapt these practices based on your constitution
Key Concepts Explained
Ojas: The "nutrient cream of the body"—a milky, protective substance that results from properly digested food and creates resilience against pathogens. It's what keeps living beings refreshed, robust, and resistant to disease.
Resilience vs. Immunity: Ayurveda focuses on making the patient stronger than the disease, rather than just fighting specific pathogens. It's about building overall robustness.
The Moisture Principle: Moisture anywhere is moisture everywhere. Keeping the body moist—especially nasal passages, lungs, skin, and digestive tract—is essential for maintaining the protective barriers that prevent illness.
Take Home Practices
Apply oil (nasya or sesame oil) to nasal passages daily, especially before going out or to gatherings
Drink licorice tea to moisturize lungs and mucosal linings
Oil your skin 1-3 times per week with warm oil massage, moving upward to support lymph
Keep your neck and chest warm with turtlenecks and scarves
Make Ojas milk: blend soaked almonds (skins removed), dates, milk of choice, and warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and dried ginger
Prepare turmeric honey (equal parts turmeric powder and honey) and take a teaspoon at first sign of sore throat
Eat warm, moist foods: soups, stews, bone broths, and spiced meals
Include Ojas-building foods: nuts, seeds, dates, warm spiced milk
Add turmeric to your cooking and drink turmeric milk or tea
Prioritize sleep above all else—it's the special sauce for immunity
Use steam, saunas, or hot showers to keep respiratory passages moist
Dry brush before oil massage to move lymph
Recipes Mentioned
Ojas Milk:
1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based—ensure plant milks are nut/seed-rich, not mostly water)
1-2 fresh Medjool dates (or other moist dates)
6-8 almonds, soaked 6-8 hours and skins removed
Warming spices: cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, dried ginger (any or all)
Warm milk in pot, add dates and almonds, blend with immersion blender, add spices, drink warm
 
Turmeric Milk:
8 oz warm milk of choice
1/2 - 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
Dried ginger and other warming spices
Sweeten with date or small amount of honey
Whisk and drink warm
 
Turmeric Honey:
Equal parts turmeric powder and raw honey
Mix into paste
Take 1 teaspoon at first sign of sore throat or immune challenge
Products & Resources Mentioned
Nasya oil (available at Ayurvedic Living Institute favorites page)
Sesame oil for nasal and skin application
Natural bristle dry brush
Licorice tea
Turmeric powder
Raw honey
Quality dairy or plant-based milks
Warming spices: cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, dried ginger
Call to Action
If this episode helped you understand immunity from a new perspective, please subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and share it with someone who keeps getting sick. For more Ayurvedic wisdom and support, visit healwithkate.org.
Health Disclaimer
The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine.
Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-springConnect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan BotanicalsBanyan Botanicals: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kateBitter and Bold: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate1x5Chyavanprash Herbal Jam: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate5xiSave 15% with code WINTERWITHKATE